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iRun because I cannot say no to a second slice of chocolate cake – Emily Shandruk , Vancouver, BC

iRun to stay fit and release those running endorphins – Liliana Plava , Calgary, AB

iRun because I want to qualify for Boston and raise money for charities near and dear to my heart – Christine Gracel , Calgary, AB

iRun because it makes me feel good, allows me to spend time with my friends and gives me a feeling of accomplishment – Helen Kolodziejzyk , Calgary, AB

iRun but not enough – Michael Shaw , New Westminister, BC

iRun because I never thought I would be able to – Gary Morris , Winnipeg, MB

iRun to challenge myself, physically and mentally – Kathleen Keenan , Brampton, ON

iRun because people around me inspire me – Pina Bevilacqua , Caledon, ON

iRun therefore I am – Duncan Walsh , Nottingham, UK

iRun because I live – Georges Schneller , Laval, QC

iRun to be free and enjoy our beautiful country – Cheryl Carter , Clearwater , BC

iRun for overall wellbeing – Trish McCourt , Halifax, NS

iRun because it makes me a better person, a better wife, a better mother and a better friend – Nathalie Joncas-Caissie , St-Antoine, NB

iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Carlene Paquette , Carp, ON

iRun because pecan pie, french fries and beer are chasing me – Teresa Sterling , Ottawa , ON

iRun because it’s in me – Michael Foley , Stittsville, ON

iRun because it reminds me that I am capable of so much more than I have done – James Sauve , Ottawa, ON

iRun for me – Kiza Francis , Ottawa,ON

iRun to prove to myself I can – Lesley McGougan , Brampton, ON

iRun because all the ladies are chasing my sexy runner’s body – Chris Baker , Etobicoke, ON

iRun because I can and I’m grateful – Terry SanCartier , Gatineau, QC

iRun because when I run I feel most alive – Meghan Lynch , Ottawa, ON

iRun to unleash my inner athlete – Adelle Densham , Avonmore, ON

iRun because it cleans up my life, because I drink more water, sleep better and eat healthier foods – Robin McIntyre , Ottawa, ON

iRun because of the peace and strength it brings me – Michelle Jordan , Ottawa, ON

iRun because I need it to soothe the soul, keep me in shape and for overall wellbeing – Beth Neil , Lombardy, ON

iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation – Georgia Ioannou , British Columbia

iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury , Newfoundland

iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard , Ontario

iRun because somebody once told me I couldn’t – Heidi Abbey-Der , Saskatchewan

iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew , Ontario

iRun because it’s cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter , Alberta

iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie , Ontario

iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman , Manitoba

iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire , Nova Scotia

iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell , Quebec

iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe , British Columbia

iRun and run, and run, and run, and nobody can stop me – Andrei Lucaciu , Ontario

iRun because the wall is meant to be broken – Jonathan Bird , Ontario

iRun because it has saved my life – John Marshall , Alberta

iRun for the challenge to go faster and farther – Steven Matejka , Alberta

iRun to my happy place and some days it’s very – Doreen May , Alberta

iRun because food tastes better afterwards – Patrick Houston , Alberta

iRun because I can’t dance – Mario Javier , Ontario

iRun so I don’t say never ever again – Linda Klaric , Manitoba

iRun because it makes me whole – Denis Ladouceur , Quebec

iRun because it gets my husband out there – Tricia LaLonde , Alberta

iRun away from the negative and towards the positive – Teri Lepard , Alberta

iRun because running is like breathing to – Stephanie McEvoy , Ontario

iRun because I love the solitude – Janene Tailleur , British Columbia

iRun for the moment when both feet are off the ground – Catherine Anderson , British Columbia

iRun to someday win the race – Lindy Dunlop , Yukon

iRun to stay ahead of the weight gain – Myra Abstreiter , Alberta

iRun because otherwise I’m grumpy – Alexandre Charest , Quebec

iRun because I get foot rubs afterward – Kate Howerton , British Columbia

iRun because iLoves my man – Beverly Huang , Alberta

iRun because not everyone can – Olivia Harvey , New Brunswick

iRun to get to know myself, my strength and my spirit – Lisa Groulx , Ontario

iRun whenever I feel the need to escape – Iona Hillis , Ontario

iRun because it’s like flying, only lower – Glenn Johnson , Ontario

iRun because it makes me feel powerful – Sarah Kallaghan , Alberta

iRun because I’ve lost 80 lbs and running has become fun – Cheryl Kelly , Ontario

iRun because there is no finish line – Claire Kilgour , Ontario

iRun so my daughters know that they can, too – Shelley Kirkpatrick , New Brunswick

iRun because it reminds me of how strong I can be – Monique Lavoie , Ontario

iRun because it’s a great way to see the world – Sherry Mahoney , British Columbia

iRun because my heart tells me to – William Martin , Manitoba

iRun to prove to them that iCan – Catherine Smith , Manitoba

iRun because it’s fun when it’s done – Sue Matte , Ontario

iRun because I am not as clumsy I thought I was – Hanna Baer , Quebec

iRun see where my feet will take me today – Megan Dolinskas , New York

iRun for the cool t-shirts! – Pina Bevilacqua , Ontario

iRun because I want to be a role model for our six kids – Catherine Empey , British Columbia

iRun to inspire my kids to try – Glen Johnston , Nunavut

iRun so I can eat ice cream – Sandy Bolan , Ontario

iRun because I want to live to be 100! – Colette DeJean , Ontario

iRun for health, iRun for life – Pat Cheung , British Columbia

iRun because it gives my day a boost of energy – Sara Campbell , Nova Scotia

iRun because it’s better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey , Ontario

iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn’t – Peter Cicalo , Ontario

iRun iRun because it is my tonic and my salvation – Georgia Ioannou , British Columbia

iRun iRun for relaxation and to motivate my two sons – Keith Bradbury , Newfoundland

iRun iRun because endorphins are free – Cassandra Chouinard , Ontario

iRun iRun because somebody once told me I couldn't – Heidi Abbey-Der , Saskatchewan

iRun iRun because couch potatoes die young – Cathy Andrew , Ontario

iRun iRun because it's cheaper than therapy – Leah Boulter , Alberta

iRun iRun because I like buying running clothes – Pamela Blaikie , Ontario

iRun iRun slowly! – Jason Hoffman , Manitoba

iRun iRun because iEat – Sherry Maligaspe , British Columbia

iRun iRun because I learn more about who I am with every km – Steph Mansell , Quebec

iRun iRun because it gives me freedom to relax my brain – Marie-Claude Gregoire , Nova Scotia

iRun iRun at 50 years old because at 43 I couldn't – Peter Cicalo , Ontario

iRun iRun because it's better than almost everything else – Nathan Carey , Ontario

iRun iRun for my heart, so it runs for me! – Cathy Brzoza , British Columbia

iRun iRun to inspire my children! – Wendy Bowen , Manitoba

iRun iRun because it sure beats the bus – Robin Robbins , Alberta

iRun iRun for the challenge and to remember to fully live – Pascale Synnott , Québec

iRun iRun to kickstart my day – Sharon Strueby , Saskatchewan

iRun iRun for me! – Judi Wearing , Saskatchewan

iRun iRun because it's a great stress release – Brooke McKenzie , Yukon

iRun iRun because i love to – Mirella Petriello , Ontario

iRun iRun because it helps me see things more clearly – Jennifer Pitts , Ontario

iRun iRun to eat – Maureen Tritscher , Alberta

iRun iRun to correct years of sedentary living! – Mike Scott , Ontario

iRun iRun away from the abyss – Charlene Thomas , Ontario

iRun iRun all the livelong day – Pierre Saint-Laurent , Québec

iRun iRun to challenge my perceived limitations – Cassandra Williams , Ontario

iRun iRun to maintain a strong physical and mental state – Tammy Rainville , Ontario

iRun iRun so that I can live longer and stronger – Derek MacPhail , Ontario

iRun iRun to feel great – Kathryn Rachar , Saskatchewan

iRun iRun because I like to be healthy – Melanie Oickle , New Brunswick

iRun iRun to eat more, especially sweet potatoe fries – Joanna Skomra , Ontario

iRun iRun for the fresh air and adrenalin – Charlyn McGregor , Saskatchewan

iRun iRun for the individual pursuit – Robert Pelletier , New Brunswick

iRun iRun to satisfy the irresistible urge – Tim Nixon , British Columbia

iRun iRun because I love the sense of accomplishment – Amber Moase , Nova Scotia

iRun iRun to challenge my mind, body and soul – Sonia Mendes , Ontario

iRun iRun because walking is too slow – Barry Knapp , Ontario

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The Decisive Moment

June 1st, 2009


VICKY:
How was your trail race this weekend?

GRANT:
What trail race?

VICKY:
Weren’t you going to Mt. Tremblant for the 5 Peaks race?

GRANT:
Oh yeah, that.  Funny story.  Remember how I said I was going to go up there with a photographer and she was going to take pictures for the blog.  Well I went to Montreal to pick her up on Saturday morning.  It turns out that she is incredibly beautiful and cool.   She’s super smart.  In addition to being an amazing photographer she is working on her PHD identify biomarkers for autoimmune disorders.  I just nodded my head and pretended to understand what she was talking about when she was describing her work.  Anyway, as we were driving up there I was thinking, what the hell am I doing going up to run in the mud and get all sweaty when I could be hanging out with this woman?  So I intentionally got lost on the way up.  I drove all around Mt. Tremblant village and down to the lake.  It looked completely believable and she didn’t suspect a thing.  :)   Once I knew the race was safetly under way we drove up to the resort.  I convinced her to go hiking with me around the trails.

VICKY: 
Smart thinking.

GRANT:
Yeah, it was going great.  I used all my favorite jokes. 

VICKY:
Oh no.

GRANT:
We wandered around along the streams and climbed half way up the mountain.  She’s in awesome shape.  It turns out she is a long distance swimmer.  She swims two hours a day every day.  She took photos of trees and ponds and spiderwebs.  We went down to the village and ate lunch.  She ordered a large amount of food for herself, but I didn’t think much of it at the time.  We also ran into some black standard poodles: potential boyfriends for Ébène.

VICKY:
Then what happened?

GRANT:
Then I was like, jeez, I don’t want to take her home yet, so I invented the idea that I needed to interview her for the blog.  I am telling you that I didn’t want the day to end.  This woman is amazing.  She has an incredibly beautiful face with these cute freckles.  She speaks 5 different languages.  She’s a vegetarian and a Buddhist.  She’s really humble.  I would say almost ordinary.  Quiet and soft spoken.   I don’t want to be vulgar here either but I have to say that she has an awesome body.  Just fabulous.  If you want to have a beautiful body then start swimming for two hours a day.  It works great.  Anyway, she seemed to be into me as well.  She wants to teach me calligraphy and Mandarin.

VICKY:
Wow this sounds great.  What about the interview?

 
GRANT:
Oh yeah.  So, Yee,  please tell me about your long distance swimming?

YEE:
First of all Grant, congratulations for being in the final five in the blogging contest.
My long distance swimming? Hmmm…I never thought it’s extraordinary and worth mentioning :P It’s just something I really enjoy doing. You know, with enduring activity you can easily enter a ‘zone’ similar to meditation. That’s what I like about it. I can refer you to some people who are much better long distance swimmers (more professional) than I am, if you are interested.

GRANT:
Er, um, actually I would prefer more to hear from you about your swimming.  What kinds of things do you think about while you are swimming.  Swimming is a fascinating activity because there is a kind of sensory deprivation which goes on, isn’t there?

YEE:
I often chant  ( in my mind, of course) when I swim…mostly Om Mani Padme Hum. I think I am even a less serious Buddhist than you. It is very much integrated in my life that most times I don’t think about it. To the western societies, Buddhism seems very much a ‘new age’ thing, but it’s part of my life, I was born into a Buddhist family, and also later in life chose to be a Buddhist myself. Part of the reasons I became a vegetarian 9 years ago was due to Buddhism, but now it’s more because I don’t agree with modern farming and how animals are treated. I am not a ’serious’ vegan either, as I do eat fish and eggs and dairy products–I LOVE cheese…See, I am never too serious with anything, so I am also a Middle Path person. :) I believe in moderation, and this includes moderation itself.    You know meditation well. I guess you know that one technique is concentrate on breathing. I guess most times that’s what swimming is all about: count your strokes and breathes. That’s why I often see swimming as my meditation exercise.

GRANT:
I also have to say what an incredible photographer you are. 

YEE:
Thank you for the compliments on my photos. Photography has been my hobby for 10 long years. I am an admirer of Henri Cartier-Bresson. Do you know his work?

GRANT:
No.

YEE:
He has a late photograph that he took when he was in his seventies, I think, of a tree in Tuscany. The shadow streamed down on the field, alongside his own shadow – both running raggedly parallel. He has elevated ’snap-shooting’ to the level of refined and disciplined art. I like what he wrote in ‘The Decisive Moment’. ” In photography, the smallest thing can be a great subject. The little human detail can become a leitmotif.  Most of his photography is a collection of such little, human details; concerned images with universal meaning and suggestion. To take a photograph is putting one’s head, one’s eye, and one’s heart on the same axis.

VICKY:
Wow this woman seems right up your alley.

GRANT:
Yeah, it was all going great until dinner.

VICKY:
What happened then?

GRANT:
Well we were continuing the interview.  She had suggested we go to an Indian buffet in downtown Montreal.  It did seem like she really liked me…

YEE:
Grant you have a great personality and your eyes…. what colour are they?

GRANT:
Brown?

YEE:
No, maybe amaretto?  Brown with a hint of gold.  I’ve seen your eyes before.  Many years ago I met this tour guide in Egypt….  when I saw him I thought, I will never see eyes like this ever again in my life.  But you have them.  I would love to take photographs of your eyes.

GRANT:
Thank you that is very flattering.

But at that moment I looked down at the plate of food she had in front of her.   We had gone up to get food at the buffet tables.  I had taken alot, like I normally do.  I was feeling a bit shy, because I was trying to make a good impression.  She had taken about twice as much food as me.  I only wish we had photos.  The food was literally spilling off the plate.  Cabbage, samosas, potatoes, naan bread, rice, the list goes on.  I was shocked, but I tried to stay focused on the interview and we continued to talk about swimming, Buddhism, calligraphy, yoga.  She finished eating and I continued to pick away at what was left on my plate.  As soon as I finished she asked if I wanted to go up and get more.  I said, no thanks, but she should feel free to go up if she wanted anything else.  I was joking, but she went up.  She got a plate full of food as big as the one before and another plate with a pile of fruits for dessert.    I couldn’t believe what I was witnessing.  She eats like Henry the VIII and Michael Phelps combined.

VICKY:
I wish I could eat like that.

GRANT:
I don’t know.  I was really disturbed.  I took her home right away. There is no way I could go out with someone like this.  Consider the cost of feeding her alone.  I would need to get a second job.

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