Cross Canada Run

We stayed at the serene Noah’s Ark RV Park near Revelstoke, BC last night and I took a walk around the campground after getting up this morning to enjoy some quiet moments in this nice campground. I thought about the things that I needed to do in the near future: work with Jay to contact all of the mental health groups and community clubs in western BC to advise them of my arrival on June 11 so that we can hopeful work with them to maximize awareness in the area; plan my life after the run; take care of financial obligations that resulted from this journey, etc…all the things that heightened my anxiety level.

I have been feeling some pressure from my family. In part, they are worried about my financial situation, and rightfully so, as I continue to draw on personal loans to complete this journey. My mom is especially worried about my future given that I am living off of debts, something that she’s strongly against and which I am also not very proud of. On one hand, I am a little worried about my situation as well but on the other, I know that I will probably be able to pay back the loans in a year or so once I hunker down on a job after my run. There might also be the possibility of documenting my run at some point in a book or something like that but it’s a long shot and I have decided that if it happens, the excess proceeds would go toward research and awareness of the illnesses. Anyways, those were the fun things that occupied my mind as I paced up and down the campground this morning.

When I returned to the RV I found an envelope on our picnic table with the words “Mental Health Donation” written on it. I suspected it was a nice gesture from either the operator of the park or their caretaker. The thing about it was that the campground operators were already giving us a complimentary stay at the campground in support of the cause. Now this donation on top of everything?! I didn’t even check the amount of the donation because I was already tearing up. That envelope seemed to have diverted my attention away from my personal worries and made me focus on the run. Frankly, I have been sidetracked by personal concerns and desires for awhile and felt that I have not been committed to the run as much as I should. This served as a reminder for me to refocus on the run and put aside my personal concerns. I was reminded of the reason why people have supported this cause in such passionate ways is that they realize how devastating these illnesses can be and how desperate we are in need of public awareness and understanding. By shifting the focus away from myself, I became less anxious about what will happen next and more at ease with where I am in the present. I am always amazed by the fresh perspectives that one gains from letting go of things.

I recently came across a wonderful website www.CureTogether.com, which helps people anonymously track and compare health data, to better understand their bodies, make more informed treatment decisions and contribute data to research. One of the cofounders, Alexandra Carmichael, had contacted me to offer her help in spreading the words about this cause and I’m very greatful for that.

Total distance ran: 7672 km
Current location: Salmon Arm, BC

Upcoming Schedule:
May 24 – 25     Kamloops
May 27 – 29     Merritt
June 3              Abbotsford
June 4              Langley
June 5              Coquitlam, Burnaby & Surrey
June 6 – 7        Vancouver
June 8 – 10      Richmond
June 11            Victoria