Saturday, October 28, 2006
Horror Hill Race Report -- Scarey!!!
"Due to the bad weather, today's race has been cancelled!" joked the race director to the group huddled up to the starting line. It wasn't a nice day -- steel gray skies, a damp and chilly wind, flecks of wet snow, mud everywhere. It seemed like the Horror Hill 5 K Trail Race north of Waterloo had been well named.
I knew two of the other four geezer guys (50-59 year old age group) -- Dave McCann, the oldest registrant at a "crotchety" 59, and last minute registrant, Ron Bonar, a dignified, but elderly 56 year old.
Though only 5 kilometres (3.1 miles), the race was two circuits of a 2.5 K loop trail with wet grassy slopes, muddy slides, ankle twisting forest paths, and cardiac stressing gravel slopes. It was truly the toughest run I have ever done. My time of 31:35 was far from a personal best on the distance, but I was proud of my 28th place finish (out of 48 runners) as one of the oldest entrants and of my 3rd place finish in my age category.
Better yet, it was really fun to finish early and to welcome Ron Bonar at the finish line at a time of 32:48 (yes, I finally beat Ron in a race!) and Dave McCann crossing strongly at 39:15 in 37th place (not bad, old boy!). We were covered with mud and glory!
A great, but not a nice day! Click here for more pictures. GG
Thursday, October 26, 2006
The Best Gift a Mom Can Get!
We are now back from the celebration of our daughter's big decadal birthday on Monday in Ottawa. Congratulations, Rebecca, upon reaching the big 3-0!
As mentioned in a recent blog item, my Mom always used to say on my birthday, "You should give presents to the mother of the person celebrating their birthday." While looking yesterday at this picture from the weekend, I realized that our granddaughter, Emilie, is the best gift that Dianne has received in some time! GG
Thursday, October 19, 2006
One Last Race of the Season -- October 28
"Horror Hill ..." A name like that should bring terror to any runners heart. But for aging maniacs like Dave McCann (that's him on the far left) and me (guy in the middle), it is a signal to sign up.
Yes, on October 28, we are running in the Horror Hill 5 K Trail Run near Heidelberg, ON. It's just two laps around a 2.5 K trail in the beautiful hardwood forests north of Waterloo. My understanding is that the Horror Hill is not actually on the course we will run but is a steep section of nearby sideroad. I hope that is true.
As guys in their 50's, Dave and I primarily run for fitness. However, when fragile senior male egos get mixed in, such small feats of athletic competition escalate in importance to those involved. For a report with photos on this event of geezer exertion, check back at this site after 6:00 PM on the 28th. GG
Wednesday, October 18, 2006
Celebrating for the 54th Time ...
October 18, 1952 was one of the big days in my life -- my birth date! Arriving around 4:00 in the afternoon at St. Joseph's Hospital in Toronto, I was the first child of Muriel and Harold Gibson.
Today is the 54th time I have commemorated that day. On many of those occasions, my mother liked to say, "You should give presents to the mother rather than the child on a birthday!" In recent years, I have been inclined to agree. She was 54 when she passed away from a brain aneurism. I would loved to have been with her today to give her a great big thanks!
How did I celebrate? Going out for breakfast with Dianne and our son, Paul, with wife, Heather. Then playing golf with two friends and ministry supporters -- Bill Kaethler from Stratford and Urias Weber from St. Jacobs. A little afternoon nap. Fish and chips for supper with Dianne before a quiet evening at home. A perfect personal day!
The party will actually continue this coming weekend when we visit with your daughter, Rebecca, and family. On Monday, we'll also celebrate Rebecca's 30th birthday and give presents to her mother who will be there for the party. GG
Tuesday, October 17, 2006
Special Appeal Campaign -- Mid October Update
In the week following (Canadian) Thanksgiving, I am happy to report that we received $5,800.00 in cash donations and pledges toward our goal of $25,000.00 in October and November. This included gifts ranging in size from $200.00 to $2,000.00 from seven different donors! Special thanks to those who have responded in the early days of the campaign.
In addition, we were encouraged by a couple who indicated interest in becoming a regular monthly supporter and another who are planning to increase their monthly support in the near future!
If you would like to make a contribution during the special appeal campaign, you can make it on-line by clicking on the link in the upper left of this page or by contacting us either at 519-576-1659 or at ggibson@outreach.ca. Thanks for your support during this time of financial challenge! GG
In addition, we were encouraged by a couple who indicated interest in becoming a regular monthly supporter and another who are planning to increase their monthly support in the near future!
If you would like to make a contribution during the special appeal campaign, you can make it on-line by clicking on the link in the upper left of this page or by contacting us either at 519-576-1659 or at ggibson@outreach.ca. Thanks for your support during this time of financial challenge! GG
Sunday, October 15, 2006
57 Minutes 53 Seconds -- The Great Oktoberfest Road Race!
This morning, I ran in my second Oktoberfest 10 Kilometre race with my good friend, Ron Bonar (pictured with me). My 'chip' time of 57:53 (the interval between crossing the electronic start and finish lines) was a personal best! It was a glorious autumn day in Waterloo and there were over 1,000 people running.
Although my race time was just a little more that 30 seconds faster than last year's effort, I felt a lot stronger all through the race and was not looking for an ambulance as I crossed the finish line.
One of my long term running goals has been to beat Ron, who is also the District Superintendent for the Christian and Missionary Alliance denomination in central Canada. Today, I caught up to him just after the 5 K race marker, but was unable to go by him at the end of the race. He's still the champ by about 10 seconds. Maybe next time!
We enjoyed a victory brunch afterward with two beautiful race fans -- my wife, Dianne, who cheered me on from the car just after the 4 K marker this year, and Ron's wife, Jennifer, who is a new grandma just like Dianne. A perfect end to a great time of exercise and fellowship! GG
Saturday, October 07, 2006
Crossing Paths at the CHI "Walk and Roll"
The Gibsons cross paths with Neil Cudney many times in the course of a year. Dianne sees him at work where he serves as Director of Pastoral Services at Christian Horizons. He is part of the church planting team at Mill Crossings Church in Cambridge, ON (they attended some seminars I held). Neil is a conference official with the United Brethren in Christ (one of my leadership resourcing projects this fall). He is also an active volunteer with Children's Homes International (where I serve as vice chair of the board).
Last Saturday, Neil and I literally crossed running paths in the CHI "Walk and Roll" at RIM Park in Waterloo, ON. Neil, a "Clydesdale" (a jogger in the heavyweight division), contacted me to sponsor him to run 10 kilometres to raise funds for CHI's ministry to children at risk in Guatemala, Ethiopia, Sri Lanka, and India. I offered, instead, to run with him to verify for his sponsors that he had really completed the commitment!
When I arrived at RIM Park at 10:00 AM on October 1, it was raining and I discovered Neil had already started his run! So I took off on the "out and back" trail along the Grand River, map in hand. Out near the end of the trail, I found him. He had already made the turn and was on his way back. The photo (staged after the fact) shows the completion of the 6 mile odyssey. We tried to imitate (unsuccessfully, I think) the Olympic scene in the movie, "Chariots of Fire."
The following week, I received a copy of Neil's e-mail to his sponsors, reporting that he had completed the 10 K and that it was time for them to cough up their money. I sent a follow-up message to his distribution list verifying that he had indeed done the distance and signing off with the words, "Surprised and impressed ..." The best reply was: "Hey Glen I have my suspicions. I think he rode his motorcycle. I'm in South Carolina but I guess I will have to believe you guys."
Way to go, Neil! It's an honour to associate with great guys and to help you make a difference in so many different places. I hope our paths continue to cross! GG
Tuesday, October 03, 2006
Four Ways to Help in Our "Special Appeal" Campaign
This fall, we have undertaken a 60 day (October 1 to November 29) "special appeal" campaign with our family, friends, and ministry partners. Our goal is to raise at least $25,000.00 in donations and contract fees to ensure meeting our support budget by year end.
Here are four ways you may participate in that campaign:
One-Time Cash Gift. Consider writing a cheque (payable to "Outreach Canada" and marked "Gibson Special Appeal") before the end of November. Donations may also be made using major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or on-line on the link in the top left hand cover of your screen. Gifts from both Canadian and US donors qualify for an income tax receipt (US donors should contact us for more information).
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2006 Year End Pledge. If you are not currently in a position to respond, you may make a pledge toward our special appeal to be paid by the end of the calendar year. We will include pledges in calculating campaign progress.
Monthly Support. To help us move forward with our ministry, consider becoming a monthly supporter or, if you are already, increasing your monthly support to reflect changes in the cost of living or renewed support for our work. We would be happy to send you information about “OC Express”, a way to give through automatic banking withdrawal or credit card transaction.
Partner Referrals and Introductions. Perhaps you know people who might have a natural interest in the ministry we do? Your contribution at this time might be to arrange for us to meet them over coffee, a lunch appointment, or hosting a dessert party. Contact us if you would like to help us expand our network of prayer partners and financial supporters.
Here's how to get in touch. Contact us at ggibson@outreach.ca or at 519-576-1659.
We will be posting an update on progress toward our $25,000 goal on October 15, October 30, November 15, and November 30. GG
Here are four ways you may participate in that campaign:
One-Time Cash Gift. Consider writing a cheque (payable to "Outreach Canada" and marked "Gibson Special Appeal") before the end of November. Donations may also be made using major credit cards (Visa, MasterCard, American Express) or on-line on the link in the top left hand cover of your screen. Gifts from both Canadian and US donors qualify for an income tax receipt (US donors should contact us for more information).
.
2006 Year End Pledge. If you are not currently in a position to respond, you may make a pledge toward our special appeal to be paid by the end of the calendar year. We will include pledges in calculating campaign progress.
Monthly Support. To help us move forward with our ministry, consider becoming a monthly supporter or, if you are already, increasing your monthly support to reflect changes in the cost of living or renewed support for our work. We would be happy to send you information about “OC Express”, a way to give through automatic banking withdrawal or credit card transaction.
Partner Referrals and Introductions. Perhaps you know people who might have a natural interest in the ministry we do? Your contribution at this time might be to arrange for us to meet them over coffee, a lunch appointment, or hosting a dessert party. Contact us if you would like to help us expand our network of prayer partners and financial supporters.
Here's how to get in touch. Contact us at ggibson@outreach.ca or at 519-576-1659.
We will be posting an update on progress toward our $25,000 goal on October 15, October 30, November 15, and November 30. GG
Sunday, October 01, 2006
Next Big Race ... Oktoberfest 10 K Run in Waterloo
I'm training for my next running race -- the Oktoberfest 10 kilometre race on October 15 in Waterloo, Ontario. I am looking forward to having several "racing buddies" to run with -- Ron Bonar has already registered; our son, Paul, is just about to sign up on-line; and a couple of other friends and family members are considering it.
Last week, it was fun to do training runs in three interesting locations. On two warm and sunny afternoons (Tuesday and Thursday), I ran with my friend, Dave McCann, along the Bow River in downtown Calgary. Wednesday morning, I watched the sun rise over the Calgary skyline while running in Nose Hill Park on the north side of the city. Saturday morning, I ran along a section of the Grand River Trail in Waterloo with my friend, Neil Cudney, during the "Walk and Roll" fundraiser of Children's Homes International.
My hope in the upcoming race is a sub 58:00 which would be a personal best time at this distance. For results and a photo, check back here on October 16. GG
Last week, it was fun to do training runs in three interesting locations. On two warm and sunny afternoons (Tuesday and Thursday), I ran with my friend, Dave McCann, along the Bow River in downtown Calgary. Wednesday morning, I watched the sun rise over the Calgary skyline while running in Nose Hill Park on the north side of the city. Saturday morning, I ran along a section of the Grand River Trail in Waterloo with my friend, Neil Cudney, during the "Walk and Roll" fundraiser of Children's Homes International.
My hope in the upcoming race is a sub 58:00 which would be a personal best time at this distance. For results and a photo, check back here on October 16. GG
