Running to the North Bay Waterfront

Shorter run but for a great reason by temporallobe at Garmin Connect - Details

• Weather: High of 28 celsius (82.4 Fahrenheit) 
• Distance for today: 10.47kl (6.51miles)
• Total Distance to Date:
• Song of the Day:

Where to start. Didn't sleep last night at all but woke up knowing it was gonna be a big day. Today was one of those unusual days that mixed some running with PR, and some busy down time. 

The day started off like the usual routine but instead of picking up where I left off yesterday (just 35.5kl South of North Bay) we met the mayor and 7 other experienced marthoners / Ironmans at the Pinewood Resort where we are staying tonight. 

At the hotel were CTV news, the North Bay police representatives, the mayor Al McDonald and the police escort. Bill, from the local brain injury association who I met yesterday, was down there to offer his support with his son Samuel.

Then the mayor and the others, who are part of a running group, ran with me from the hotel to the Waterfront in North Bay. In fact the running group individuals actually ran from the Waterfront, where we ended, to the hotel so they ran a 10kl with me after already doing 10kl. 

It was phenomenal to have so many running companions. We had a police escort with one car in front of us and one car behind the CRV so we blocked lots of traffic and a whole lane while the group ran. It was surreal as usual. The runners were so great. They ran the 10kl like it was nothing, and because of them and the police I had to pull it out and keep pace so the run (and I) looked good! 

The great run turn out makes me issue a challenge to all mayors and run clubs to come out and join me like those in North Bay did. It's a lot of fun!

Down at the waterfront I was introduced by mayor Al McDonald while CTV filmed and other media watched.

I met the Executive Director for North Bay's downtown DIA Jeff Serran, the local MPP Monique Smith, and the Federal MP Jay Aspin. 

Furthermore a North Bay Police representative announced the donation they would be making to the run. They all welcomed me and expressed their support of what we're doing out here. It was quite an ego boost. 

Then, after what felt like a mini-press conference, Al proclaimed it A Run to Remember Day. It was really special and there was quite a turn out. He had even arranged for a local T-shirt company, The Escape Movement, to come out and gift us some North Bay gear. 

After that Al took us to his office and we got to see the mayor's office and I got to sit in the mayor's chair. I did feel really powerful, and Melissa was wishing for the type of view Al's office gives him. As mayors go, Al McDonald 

was super down to earth and really welcoming.

Al McDonald gave us a lot of his time and attention and was really thoughtful. In fact, he even arranged a massage appointment for me at Cor Maximus with Kristina Green.

As if that was not more than enough, we also had dinner and a play with him and his partner Wendy. He was talking up the food and cooking and grocery shopping Wendy was doing, and it was such a good home-cooked meal! We three were spoiled with excellent company and delicious food!

When Al showed us around his home and his family's lake house, we had a great surprise. Joanne Wallace, who had run with me earlier, had left a donation and bag of corn on Al's deck. She had swam the 1kl distance from her island to Al's deck to make the donation. It was such a stunning and touching surprise. If you look in the second picture, you can see the tip of where she 

swam from. That was just so cool! Thank you!  

The play we saw was a local production of Fame by the Theatre Out Reach On Stage (TOROS) program that included people from the ages of 13-21 years at the Capitol Centre. It was really great. Mandy loves musical so it was especially perfect for her. Melissa, Mandy and I all enjoyed it and appreciated the invitation from Al and Wendy. It was a late night but so much fun!  

Today was a very warm day, not in temperature, but with people. North Bay was so friendly and proactive in welcoming us, it was such a treat. The mayor's office organized the media, run, police escort and more. The local brain injury people set up some media, and everyone that was out there was there because they wanted to be. The city itself took it upon itself to welcome us not only in style, but also with a friendly openness that made me feel like a part of their community. I really cannot say enough about how wonderful North Bay was, and is, and how they have really set the bar high for other municipalities. 

We had such an overwhelmingly and impressive welcome that I believe Mandy might be more sold on moving out East...as long as we're living in North Bay!