Running Week In Review Part 14

During the week of August 16 - 27, 2007...

Last Week's Total: 85.00km (New world record)
Prediction for this week: 40.00km
This Week's Total: 30.00km

Surely, there's probably nothing that hurts than this. Just imagine waking up late at night, stumbling over to the can and without noticing wiping with this....and....OOOOUCH!!!

Knee Update

I only ran twice this week, 15km each. Both times I struggled, which is something I was expecting. But I wasn't expecting to struggle when I wasn't running.

Since we are on the topic of pain, I have a problem. My knee is an absolute mess, it hurts so much. The other evening I went mini-golfing with some friends, and I couldn't even bend over to fetch my hole in one's without using my putter as a crutch. Later, I had to insist to get my friend Gail to get them for me. Through all the years of running I have never experienced this much pain in my knee.

I guess with all the kms I have run over the years and injury was on the horizon. Some would say that the running has caught up to me, which is what usually comes from people who never ran. When you participate in any physical activity, you put your body at risk of injury. When I really think about it, I think I ran too much. In two weeks I ran 165 kms. Whenever you run, it's recommended that you increase your mileage by 10% a week, I did it all wrong. I increased my mileage by approximately %100. See what happens when I get to excited, it gets me in trouble.

As for next week's prediction, I'm not even bothering to factor in a prediction. Things are kinda messed up right now and I'm not sure I will make any distance except if I estimate 0 kms.

Back to the mini-golf...on the 8th hole, I bent over and really struggled to pick up the ball. The first thought that popped inside my head was "will I ever run again?"

Is this the end of my running days?

Stay tuned

My Awesome Family

On September 15, 2007...

My beautiful cousin Brenda got hitched to Andrew Bunker in Perth, Ontario. Brenda and Andrew have been an item for quite sometime, and over the last few years Andrew has become a wonderful member of our family. I was given the pleasure of MCing the wedding, and I just had to unleash the dragon, wedding bells edition. It was so much fun, Andrew's family really enjoyed my crazy ways.


From right to left: Joe, Irene, Darryl, My Father Norm, Mona, Sally, Jackie, Darlene, Leia, Andrew, Summer, Brenda, Nicole, Sharon, Stan, My Mother Jean, William, Keith, Luke, Jaime and me.

It was so wonderful to be apart of my Louttit family gathering, this doesn't happen much and when it does, it's always an event to remember.


Here's Brenda with her brother and sisters. (right to left) Darlene, Sally, Brenda, Jackie and Joe.

(right to left) My Father, Mona, William, My Mom, Irene, Stan and Sharon.

Willam and Irene are my wonderful god parents, I am so proud to say that I am close to them and we have such a wonderful relationship.


Here I am with my cousins from out west Mona and Darryl. They flew in from Calgary for the event. I don't get to see them much, but when I do, it's like I never left them.

My mom and dad came back to Brantford and hung out with me for a few days. Here we are in Niagara Falls.


Me and my poppa.

Here's my dad and pigging out on some homemade ice cream in Port Dover.

Thanks for including me on your big day Brenda and Andrew. Love and Peace.

Running Week In Review Part 13...Unlucky 13

Last Week's Distance: 80.00km
*This Week's Distance: 85.00km

*New World Record. At a cost.


This week was going great, until Friday when I could feel my knee acting up. It's such a good actor, it decided to take up a full time role, and therefore, it's been hurting ever since. So naturally, I'm a little concerned. This has affected my training because I haven't been able to run for a couple of days. I know I have to take the time off to recover or else I could risk a big time injury, which could prevent me from running the marathon.

I'm still fairly optimistic about the race, but not as much now that I'm hurt. I will do everything in my power to run the marathon, but I will draw the line when it comes to my long term health of my knee. This is a setback, but I should be able to get through this as long I play it smart. The rest is up to my knee, hopefully it decides to cooperate.

Next Week’s Prediction: 40km (easy recovery runs)

Registered!

Event: Marathon
Name: Stan Wesley1-15 Wynarden CourtBrantford, ON Canada
Registration Date: 2007-09-11 22:35:56
Confirmation Number: Q9AV3
Total Paid: $99.00

Stan Wesley Interview

By: Vince Turblulence

How are you feeling?

I'm really excited, whenever I think of the run I get tingles in my stomach. This is going to a huge challenge, but something that I ready for. I'm at the stage in my life where I'm at my best, and I'm ready for something big.

Why now?

Last new years I said to myself that this year I was going to make only one new years resolution, not to make any at all. But deep down in my heart, I knew I wanted only one thing. To do this, run a marathon. You see, I have been running for years and not really training for anything just running for personal fitness. This marathon has really inspired me to run at my peak.

Are you running for anyone?

I've been thinking about this, and I have decided to run the race for my Mother, Father, God Mother Irene and my late grandmother's Lydia and Madeline My mom and dad because they are my conditional supporters and my best of friends. My God Mother Irene because although she struggles with her Arthitis she always keeps smiling and is always a ray of sunlight and our family's rock. My late Grandmother's, because I miss them so much and I know they will be with me during the run when I need the push to keep going.

Do you have any goals for the run?

To be ready for it and to finish under 4 hours.

Anything else?

If you want to come and cheer me on, I would appreciate it. Let me know, I would love to see you there.

Viva Las Walpole

On Sunday September 9, 2007...

My dear friend Debbie Nahde and I went out to check out Roy Leblanc, an Elvis impersonator and here is my Story..

Early Elvis

Roy came storming out to middle aged woman cheering and screaming his name. Well, not really his name, Elvis' name. I was very impressed until he started singing the first song. You see, Roy is a world champion impersonator so I was expecting a lot more. I thought that he would have incorporated more of his awesome stage moves, because we all know that early Elvis had some great moves. Plus I found out that his voice was a little nasally and high.

This one is for you mom. I love you.

After the early Elvis and the 69 comeback Elvis (pic above) he came on as Johnny Cash. Again, I was a disappointed. He came out looking like Elvis with Johnny Clothes on. And he sounded like a bad Elvis impersonator trying do sound like Johnny Cash. I didn't even take a photo, he wasn't worthy of my digital memory. The best part of that set, was the awesome pic that I took for my mother, who is a large Elvis fan.

My great friend Debbie Nahde and I during the intermission.

Debbie and I have so much when we get together; we spend all our time laughing. She was the one that made the evening so memorable. Thanks to my dear friend for getting me my ticket and inviting me along.

The best part of the show was when he came on as Roy Orbison. He was an absolute mirror match. I was so impressed. Another thing that impressed me, was how such a sharp lookin' dude got uglied up for the part. Although he's a more convincing Roy, I don't blame him for sticking to Elvis as his bread and butter. Elvis is more of a draw, and Roy doesn't quite have the pizzaz.

It seems that he was saving his best Elvis for last, the Vegas Elvis was excellent. He had great moves. Later on in Elvis' career, he took up Karate and he would occasionally kick and punch to finish off a song. I was happy to see Roy incorporate that in the show. He also sang with more deeper more mature voice and of course giving away of Hawaiian Leis and the hairy chest. That’s why I could never be a convincing Elvis impersonator; I just don’t have the patch. I guess I could trap a muskrat and stick on my chest, I just don’t know if that would work.

He also gave away the sweaty scarves, which the woman absolutely loved. I thought that was kinda gross, because the ladies would go back to their seats smelling their fake sweat and rubbing it all over their faces. I called it temporary insanity, how else could I explain the crazy behaviour over imposter perspiration.

My rating:

Early Elvis: 5/10
69 Elvis: 5/10
Johnny 4/10
Roy O. 10/10
Vegas Elvis: 8/10

subtotal: 32/50
Bonus 5 points - For performing all impersonations and his great sense of humour.

Total: 37/50

Unleashing the Dragon in Moose Factory

Photo courtesty of www.paullantz.com

I had the pleasure of hosting one night at the Gathering of our People in Moose Factory over the summer, and since I'm such a grandstander I couldn't resist but to show off a little. As the band played, I jumped around and everytime I landed they jammed up and rocked the house. I'm no rock and roll star, but that night, I felt mightier then Conway Twitty.

Running Week In Review Part 10, 11, 12

Mileage for the Week of August 19 - 25, 2007: 42.11km


This is the where I had my first encounter with a bear in Massey, Ontario. I was unleashing the dragon on Sagamok this week, and when I told the kids that I was going jogging they all warned me to watch out for the bears. They advised me to stay within the town limits of Massey, which is just minutes from Sagamok.

I managed to stay within the town limits for the first two runs, then I got bored of running on the same streets so I manned up and went out of town. About 150 feet ahead of me on a dirt road just out of town I came face to face with my mortality. Actually it wasn't that dramatic, it just looked at me and kept walking across the road back into the bush.


Mileage for the week of August 26 - September 1, 2007: 43.11km


This is the week I was in Hearst and Constance Lake and also the week my new friend Peter Gagnon saved my life from a savage bear attack. The bear kinda looked like the one below, but not as fierce looking.

The Stanley Bear Attack Story

by: Vince Turbulence (my new writers name)

The names have been changed for their protection from the media

The evening was warm and dry as opposed to cold and wet. The running conditions were perfect as opposed to dangerously slippery.

Turbo takes a deep breathe as he pulls out of the parking lot of the Companion Motel in Hearst as he mentally prepares for his evening run. Tonight, a his routine 10k....Or is it? At the same time, Peter Gagnon, a loyal 79 year employee of Tremblee Vachion Inc calls it a day and drives 25 minutes home to his beautiful 23 year old wife and 14 children. Peter thinks his work day is over...Or is it?

As Peter is driving home, he sees this strange figure running with completely impecabble form along side of the highway. He thinks to himself, "only if I could do all over again, I would done it all again and taken up running to the fridge." Instead his wife and his children do all the running for him. But it wouldn't be the first time, someone has been inspired by Turbo.

Turbo is in his usual form, passing by bikers and taking no prisoners. He has to slow down, because the insects crushing up against his forehead could leave scars that could prevent him from modelling in another safer sex poster. As he negotitates the trail and running through the gontlit if insects, he doesn't notice the savage beast just off the trail that in 15 minutes would eat him for breakfast. But it's the evening you say, breakfast? The bear is on different time then us, he just got up.

Peter is cruising home to his favourite band, Ernest Moonias. You see, he has been threatened by his boss for wearing his Ernest Moonias World Tour T-shirt to work. His boss would says "who the hell is this Ernest anyway? And a world tour? He only went to Kash, Fort Albany and Six Nations. Take that damn blouse off."

Peter has driven this road his entire life and drives with his mind on his money and his money on his mind. Paying little attention to the road and glaring out his window and the beautiful Canadian Sheild of Northern Ontario. He notices a bear off in the distance and slams on his breaks and pulls over, becuase he recalled seeing Turbo a few kilometers back. He is determined to save this mans life.

And he does, because when Turbo catches up a few minutes later, Peter tells him all about the bear who is now sitting on Turbo's shoulder ready to bite off that yummy looking growth on his muscular shoulders. Turbo then makes a move right from the Matrix and sends that grizzly animal crashing into the trees. To their amazement, the bear turns into agent smith. And slowly but surely, agent Smith begins to transition into another being..another person. "Holy Zion, they yell, it's Ernest Moonias and he's pissed. He wants his t-shirt back.

Turbo and Peter look at themselves, put on their sunglasses and climb into the truck and hit the road at top speed. Turbo picks up his cell phone, calls Morpheus and they both get beamed back up the Nebuchadnezzar never to see Ernest again.

The End... Or is it?

In all seriousness, Peter was on his way home when he spotted the bear in the bush with me running passed without noticing. He stopped his truck and waited for me to return just in case the bear came close to the trail to eat me. I was so thankful that someone who had no clue who I was would do something so thoughtful.

Now that's what I can making a difference.

I got kinda spooked the next time I went running, so my friend, Wendy let me borrow her mase the next time I went out. I was just hoping to see a bear so I show him who's boss. But alas, it never happened.

Mileage for the week of September 2 - 8, 2007: 80.00km

Now, I've hit the big time! This week I will never forget, definately a turning point in my running career. A new Stan World Record, shattering my previous weekly best of 70km. Get this, I took one day off and still acheived my new record.

I have been running for years, putting in at least a few thousand kms. This week has motivated me to get more serious about my fitness. In the past, I would run hard, and eat like a pig. I would tell myself I could eat whatever I wanted and run it off, but that's dangerous thinking. Why have I been running so hard to get in shape just to waste it all on cheesecake or extra large nachos. So here's my promise I made to myself. To put in more mileage and to watch my diet so I can lose my weight to get in better running shape to.....RUN A MARATHON on October 14. That's in one month!


This will surely be me after the Toronto Marathon, except browner, more dead looking and possibly even beaten up.

Next weeks prediction: 90kms (A new world record)

Wanna cheer me on? Check out the site and let me know. http://www.torontomarathon.com/

Wicked time in Waswanipi!

The Week of August 28 - 30, 2007

Site: Waswanipi, Quebec
Event: 8th Annual Business Conference and Awards Gala

What can I say, when I go back to Waswanipi it feels like I'm going home and rather than visiting friends, I am celebrating with family. I am treated like Swampy Gold when I'm there, I am bugged, teased and hounded....and I love it.

The conference was a little slow due to poor attendance on days 1 and 3, however, on the 2nd day; we had some students come in from the school which gave us some much needed bums in the seats.

The highlight, other than seeing my friends and family, was the gala on Wednesday night. I had the pleasure of Mcing the event, which was an absolute blast. It was a packed house, and the community responded very well to my sense of humour.

The Gala also featured the Business Awards. All of the people present, who all paid for the event, voted for all the winners. It surely made it more meaningful for all the winners because they the honour came from the community.

Here I am announcing the winner of the business of the year award.

The Youth Business Person of the Year was a no show, so I accepted the award on his behalf. I accepted it with no intensions of giving it to him; it took 38 of them to pry it away from the kung-fu grip.

Me and my dear friend Charlotte Ottereyes.

BLACKFIRE http://www.blackfire.net/

I was hoping to be highlight of the night, however, when Blackfire came on stage they blew everyone away. They kicked tamarack, with the unique ability to combine punk, culturally proud and environmentally aware lyrics. Blackfire is more than a band, they are cultural champions who walk the world with a humble yet heroic flare.

Here is the band performing with their fathey, Jones Benally. Jones is a 80 + year old traditional medicine man who honoured us with his singing as well with his incredible hoop dance ability. Sorry no pic of that, I was completely blown away by his performance.

Here Jenada is harmonizing with her father Jones.

Klee Benally, what a powerful voice.

Jenada, myself and my good friend Dave Mckenzie. Dave was one of the workshop facilitators, and is the program coordinator of the Entrepreneurship Inst for the Development of Minority Communities at the John Molson School of Business at Condordia University.

And then I rested. More like passed out.

The day after their great performance, Blackfire presented two workshops; Surviving Through Music and Protecting Mother Earth.

My good friend Jule-Ann Cooper.

My friend Alberta and his lovely wife. Albert travels all over the Cree Territory cooking traditional food.


Gitchi Meegwetch to Waswanipi for making my trip home memorable. See you all soon.

Lucky in Constance Lake

August 27 - 31, 2007...

Community: Constance Lake First Nation

Duties: Student Retreat and Staff Retreat

What a week! I have been in Constance Lake many times before and whenever I'm asked to go back multiple times, it's special. That tells me that I have established a relationship with the organization and the community.

The first three days were with the students for the Student Retreat. It was great, although the organizers were expecting more youth to show up. The timing was difficult for the young people though, since it was a week before school started. This resulted in what I do when I'm on my off work, I sleep in and take it easy. At the conclusion of the Student Retreat, I handed out 6 certificates.

The Staff Retreat was absolutely awesome, I was so impressed with the attitude of the Constance Lake Education Authority Staff. It is definately a reflection on the leadership of the organization, Susan Sutherland does such a fantasic job.

Here the staff is engaed in a trust activity and getting to know you opening game. They must manoeuvre around the facility keeping eye contact at all times, asking each other questions so they could get to know each other. A great way to start off any retreat or meeting is to hit them hard with an interesting and fun activity at the beginning. This builds interest and sets a great tone.

Teachers, I find, have a difficultly following instructions. So I had to keep a close eye on them so they wouldn't look away. I had to send a few of them down to the principal's office for cheating.

One of the highlights of the week, according to the staff, was the True Colours activity. This is a personality type workshop. The participants get to know themselves a bit better as well as the others in the team. Sometimes people don't know where they fit in a team environment, True Colours helps people find their place.

There was so much spirit and fun in the retreat. There were various committee reports that the staff presented. In order to fit the spirit of the event, I gave all groups the following presentation criteria:

• Must be engaging


• Must be entertaining


• Must be fun


• Must be creative

I didn't want the group to stand at a flip chart stand or read through slides. Visual aids should add to our presentations, but most often they take away from the overal effectiveness and most times the presenter just stands there and reads. Blah blah.

Above is a group rapping their report of youth appreciation, it was awesome!!!!

I take roasting weiners seriously!

At the same time of the Student Retreat, they had a community youth rally. One evening they hosted a weiner roast meltdown and a mashmellow stuff your face night.

My old friend Roberta and me enjoying a bite. Roberta is certified facilitator and does great work with the community's youth.

Whenever I go to Constance Lake, they work me hard. Or should I say, they let me play hard. I MC'd Constance Lake First Nation Idol. The Promise Girls are on stage on this pic performing for the community.

http://www.eaglesearth.com/

I had the pleasure of staying at the beautiful Eagles Earth Centre. This place is very impressive, I admire the people of Constance Lake for dreaming up such a wonderful facility.

Each teepee has an animal name attached to it. I decided against staying in one, however, I decided on staying in a A Frame Cabin.

The main hallway in the Centre is a feast of information. There are great pictures, artifacts, and huge banners hanging throughout.


Since it was the first time most the staff experienced Eagles Earth, we had to take the tour of the place. This gives the teachers a chance to scope out the place so they could incorporate the centre for any units or projects.

Here I am with the boys in front of a traditional Oji-Cree Bingo Hall. Actually, I don't recall what this is. I know it's a dwelling of some sort.

Thank you Michelle Frost, Lorraine Wesley and Susan Sutherland for your great work and inviting me back to Constance Lake.