Tim L
It’s been a while since I posted an update—just over 100 weeks, to be exact—so I figured it was time. Just pacing myself….a good pace is key, right?
When I first set out to run every street and paved path in Edmonton a few years ago, I knew—without a doubt—that two things were going to happen, whether I wanted to admit them to myself or not.
First, I knew this was going to take a lot longer than I initially allowed myself to believe, or what I told others in those early conversations. Now, if the goal was just to complete it, there are plenty of people out there who could probably do it in two or three years. They’re younger, healthier, maybe more fanatical, maybe more obsessive—who knows. Either way, they’d likely be running more than the 1,300–1,500 km I typically log each year. I’m always in awe of endurance athletes who can run hundreds of kilometers in a single stretch—the kind who embrace suffering, lean into the pain, and just keep moving forward. After the first couple of months, I knew that I would need to dig into the long game a bit, bearing in mind kids take up a lot of free time (I’ve got three of ’em) and, as well, I enjoy riding my bike also.
Second, I knew that because this journey would be a long one, there would come a time when the initial excitement had worn off but the finish line was still far out of sight. I’d hit that murky middle ground where I’d have to dig deep to keep going—to remind myself it’s worth it and to just keep plugging away.
That moment came this year, after I tripped over a speed bump at a high school here in the city. One of those speed bumps that feels like it was poured to the maximum height allowed by code. I’m thinking the construction crew had had enough of the complaints from impatient drivers wanting the lot finished and decided to pour mountains in protest. I’ve never claimed to be the most observant person, so it’s fair that I took a spill over something I probably should’ve spotted from 200 meters away. And when you’re trapped in a 47-year-old body, healing takes its time as I’m finding out haha.
When I think back to when I started this, I was just coming off some minor injuries from a solo attempt at the Canadian Death Race. At the time, I thought my knee and hip discomfort was bad—but that turned out to be just the beginning. Since then, there’ve been plenty more injuries and even a couple of cancer diagnoses that forced me to take time away.
I’ll keep going though…I’m running anyways, just not as fast these days. Plus, I’m in a great part of the city as I explore south of Whyte Avenue in Hazeldean, Ritchie, and Mill Creek. The older, mature neighborhoods are always so nice and shady and full of character. Just a side note to the residents of Skunk Hollow- cool neighborhood! I’ve lived in Edmonton my whole life and just discovered this unique collection of houses along the river valley just adjacent to Saskatchewan Drive and only accessible by what has got to be one of the steepest hills in the city.
If anybody reading this is keen on raising a bit of money for a charity or organization just get ahold of me and I’ll feature you on the website. I’m always on the look-out for people that want to get involved and all it takes is a text or email.
Again, thanks Edmonton for your continued support!
Tim
