Day 12 - rest day

Not much to say today. After 12 years I still have days that I just miss my mum. Today is one of those days. I just sometimes wish she was here to talk to.

Day 11 - short run

It was a good run today. It was a good day. It started out a little frustrating at work - I've been feeling a little lost in my new job. But the run was great at the end of the day and the energy that I have had since is great. The interesting part of the run was using the Nike+ system that connects a little chip in my shoes to an IPOD that the running lounge lent me which calcuated exactly how far I had run based on my stride. It really was amazing, and I am definately going to be buying Nike shoes just so I can use the technology! Ingenious really.

Running aside, I really have had a thought these past few nights before going to bed (that's when I generally write my blog) that I should share some stories of my mum and the wonderful person that she was. Have you ever had anyone in your life that EVERYONE liked? That was my mum. She made all of my friends feel so welcome and a part of our home. She went out of her way to make strangers feel loved. She was a nurse, and she gave so much of herself...sometimes too much. But she couldn't stop giving. One of the things that I remember most (and appreciate more-so now that I am older) is that she was one of the first people in the medical field in Ottawa to look at the AIDS crisis differently from the rest of the population. When everyone else was scared to deal with people with AIDS, and when nurses and doctors were going into rooms wearing full protective gear, and before Princess Diana became famous for holding the hand of an AIDS patient without gloves, my mother was already in their homes giving medication...and hugs. She was a firm believer in the power of hugs, and of touch, and I think that's why today I am so touchy feely so often. The simple action of touching a patient with bare hands, and not being afraid in a time when others were so afraid really set her apart. I have many stories, and over the next few months I hope to share more with you so you can get to know this person in whose memory I am training and running.

Day 10 - short run

I have a new running partner! You'll meet her in my video...

We went running and thought we did a nice short 5km, but it turns out we did a little less than that cause I was a little confused about the trail. But it was a great opportunity to try out my new shoes again...and to realize that I need to return them because I got a blister. I've never spent so much time thinking about all of my needs before - you would think you just put on some shoes and run, but there is so much more to it! It was a beautiful day to be running in and a relief not to be in the chilly air. I think I am the only person who enjoys running in the warmth of summer, and I am even looking forward to running in the heat of Hawaii! Last year the temperature in Maui was about 27 C, which is fine by me!

I ended the day by reflecting on how much I am enjoying this while eating an entire container of Cookie Dough Ice Cream. Yes, nutrition is very important. I need to remind myself of that...but sometimes you just need comfort food.

Day 9 - rest

It's so ironic - this day is a "rest" day, but it sure doesn't feel as though I am resting! My rest days are filled with prep for my cabaret, and the mailing out of fundraising letters and such. I just want to get the majority of my fundraising done and overwith as soon as I can so I can really begin to focus on my training - both the running itself and meal preparation. But I suppose I have to be patient...it will all come! My body definately needs the rest - I was dragging today, but I know that tomorrow will be great.

I am thrilled - a woman from work has decided to join me in running the marathon! It's amazing to have that kind of support, both for me and for the organization. I've also had some great support from people who I least expected it from. So thanks guys!

Day 8 - long run

This picture is one of my favourites of my mum - it was taken right before she started intense chemo that eventually made her hair fall out. She was beautiful with or without hair.

Today was the second of our long runs...although it was still short in comparison to what we will be doing, it was a difficult run - mentally I wasn't with it because of a long night at work and little sleep. Physically I was just drained. But I managed the run, and completed it in good time. Then went back home to bed. So...what have I learned? To value my sleep! I need more. So what did I do about it? What any normal person would do...I went home and went back to bed! It was lovely. And now I am just getting up at 2:30pm and starting my day again. Ah the weekend...

Day 7 - rest

Well it was a rest day...but little resting was accomplished as I spent most of the afternoon looking for new running shoes. Found a pair, paid a fortune (first time I have paid retail for shoes in three years) and they should be pretty good. Then went to the gym - I have to keep upper body strength so I don't wither away and turn into a rake. :) That's it for today - it's 3am, and I have to get to bed!

Day 6 - short run

OK, so today was a short run - only 5km, but it was really difficult. My feet really hurt today. Plus...well, I watched video and I realized my belly is not where I would like it to be...although ironically I wear the same size pants as in high school! Anyway, I discuss in the video the drug that is allowing a member of my team to really function and treat his leukemia as a chronic disease rather than a life saving one, and I have to wonder what life would have been like if mum had had access to the same drug 12 years ago...

Day 5 - rest

Alright - no video today sad to say. :( Today was a rest day, which I really needed. I have the intention of going to the gym or swimming on my rest days to work my upper body and core to give me the centre and some strength, but today I woke with a sore neck and left shoulder that got progressively worse thoughout the day, so I literally rested. I didn't do any activity that would have put any more strain on it. It could be how I was running, but I think that it has more to do with how I slept on it. Tomorrow will tell. Ibuprofen will help.

We had a meeting tonight with the Team and discussed fundraising and brainstormed ideas. I had already had the idea that I would like to do a cabaret evening at the restaurant, and that was solidified when I got an e-mail from a friend who was interested in helping out. So that is my plan - no date set yet, but I am thinking of mid-July. The idea would be to have a number of friends who are musically inclined get together and perform 3-4 numbers each - it would be a great evening of various styles of music. Of course I would sing as well! I have a couple of friends who also perform in drag, so they would be a lot of fun as well. A fun evening of entertainment would be a great way to raise money, awareness, and see lots of friends that I haven't seen in ages. The Majestic seats 160, so even if I can get 100 people the place would be busy and would be a great excuse to support a great cause.

I've got to get to bed, but tomorrow is another day of running! I'm going to go back to the Nike Running Lounge and try out their shoes and their Nano to see how that works. More reporting tomorrow...

Tips for training...

Check out this link for a great video on training and choosing the right attire for your needs (You will need Quicktime to view it)...Click Here

$1000 mark reached!!!

Not only is my accountant a genius for getting me back the biggest return to date, but he also donated to my cause and I have now surpassed the $1000 mark!! Yahoo!

Day 4

Here is inspiration for training today...

Now that you've had a great laugh, I will share how the day actually went. :)

Tomorrow is a rest day, that I am really looking forward to! We also have a seminar with the group which should be really inspiring. Yay!

Day 3

Thanks to everyone who donated today! My donations keep increasing and it keeps me motivated to run knowing that I have the support of my friends! Thanks guys. Today was a run on my own, and tomorrow we have another group run. There are advantages to both - I like the group run because the conversation keeps my mind off of the running, but I like running alone so that I have my music on. But either way I'm runnin! :) Oh, and ya I look pretty attractive in my video blogs don't I? Great lighting! I think I need a cameraman...

Day 2

God - a long weekend and of course I had to go out! Today was difficult in terms of a hangover, but more so in terms of my knees. They are sore today and I don't know why. I think I need to buy new runners. So I went shopping today and tried to find a pair, but with no luck. I am going to contact my old boss at Reebok and see if he can help out. I did manage to buy moisture wicking shirts and a waistband to hold water and such for my longer runs. Enjoy my log for today! There is some AMAZING news in it!

My first run

The first day of training was a tragic day - pouring rain, and really cold. Just perfect. I struggled to get out of bed, but I managed to do it, and the first thing that I did was to check my e-mails. I had one message and I opened it to read a note from my friend Megan who I hadn't heard from in ages. She had made a donation and told me about losing her brother to Leukemia when they were very young. Honestly I spent the morning thinking about that story, and thinking about the fact that I had a new donation - and another person to run for. I decided during my run that honoring my mum was too small. I am running to honor those people in my donors lives who are affected as well. It was really strange to feel emotional during a run, but it gave me a lot of energy and the 6km seemed very easy! Check out my video entry for the day!

The Journey Begins

On Friday night I sent out a letter to all my friends and family and aquaintances giving an update on all the things happening in my life. Here is a copy of that text...

Well, friends and family. It’s been too long. Many people I’m sure have been wondering where I have been and what I’ve been up to. Many of you likely haven’t. But in case you’ve been suffering withdrawal because you haven’t had your Steven fix, I’m here to ease your pain! ☺

This year has been a crazy one that’s for sure. I began the year still in Alberta where I stayed on after Forever Plaid closed, and did some tech work for the theatre there for their next production. I arrived back in Vancouver mid-January and began working for Rockport again. The agreement was that I would work on contract with the company until such time as they found a replacement for me. This also allowed me time to look for the “right” job. I spent time taking further Scene Study classes at the Lyric School of Acting from February to the end of April. These were amazing twice a week classes, and I really felt as though I grew a lot.

At the end of April my life was completely turned upside down and inside out. I was accepted at the Vancouver Film School to attend their full time Film Production program to begin at the beginning of May and was given a half scholarship. However the program was incredibly expensive, and after many months of difficult searching, I was also offered a full time job. So I had to make a very difficult decision, and in the end made the right one for me. I declined VFS and have decided that I will begin part time film classes at Langara in September. I then accepted the job that I was offered – I now work for the CHUM radio group for CFUN radio as an Account Manager selling airtime for the station. But that’s not all...

Knowing that I would not be traveling for Rockport anymore meant that I would also be in town a lot more. So I took a second job working for a new restaurant down the street from my place. So I now have two jobs! Yes, I’m a nutcase. But that’s not all…

My agent called me at the end of April as well to tell me that he was leaving the entertainment industry. While I was shocked it all worked out the best that it possibly could. I was taken on by a new agent at the agency, and she is wonderful. I remember my mother saying to me that I had horseshoes up my ass – yup, I guess so! So if you are counting that’s two new jobs, and a new agent. But that’s not all…

So with all these new things in my life I needed a way to get around because certainly public transit wasn’t going to cut it, and while I loved my long walks around the city, they weren’t going to help me out…so I bought a new car! Yes.. I got a 2007 Honda Civic! Love the car, love it. And while I certainly hate the process of buying a car it was made that much easier by the fact that a friend recommended a car broker who made my life really simple. But that’s not all…

For the first time in YEARS I have been dating! Yes, it’s true. Of course that doesn’t mean that I have found “the one” but I have been enjoying being able to actually get out on the town, meet new people, and just enjoy life in the city. But that’s not all…

Since I’m obviously not busy enough, I have also embarked upon a journey that will see me undertaking something that even now I can’t believe that I am going to do! I will be training to run the Maui Marathon on Sept 16 to raise money for The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society as a participant in their Team In Training. I will be doing this run in honor of my mother, Jill Sullivan, whom many of you know, or at least know of. She died in August 1995 of leukemia and while it was some time ago, it is still just as hard now to think about as it was the day after it happened.



Years ago I held a fundraiser to raise money for leukemia research, and when I heard about the Team in Training and the amount of money that they raise for research into blood related cancers, I knew that this was the right thing to do. I had been looking for a way to give back and also looking for a challenge in my life. This fulfills both in that it raises millions of dollars that goes directly to research, and it will also be a challenge to me physically and mentally to complete. The pain that I will endure in the training and competing is nothing compared to the pain that those suffering with these horrible diseases has to endure.

I would like to ask you to make a donation, however big or small, to help me in achieving my goal of raising $6000. Each donation helps accelerate cures for leukemia, lymphoma and myeloma and brings hope to the patients and families who are on the front lines of the battle against these diseases. Every little bit helps. Please use the link in this email to donate online quickly and securely. You will receive a confirmation by email of your donation and I will be notified as soon as you make your donation.

You can learn more about my efforts and make a donation by visiting the following Web site:

http://www.active.com/donate/tntvan/stevenbidwell

Thank you in advance for your generous support!

I would appreciate you cutting and pasting the portion of this e-mail that is in bold and forwarding it to as many people as you can to encourage them to donate as well!

So that is my life. I’m sorry to have been so horribly out of touch with so many people. As you can imagine, the months I spent looking for a job was in itself a full time job, and took up much of my time. I appreciate knowing that friends and family understand that, and know that I think of them often, even if I am out of touch.

I trust that this year has been amazing for everyone, and I look forward to hearing about all of your adventures, and sharing in my own as well in the months to come. Again, I would please ask you to consider donating to the link above. It would be very much appreciated.

Hugs and love to all, Steven

I sent that message out at about 2am Friday night/Saturday morning of a long weekend. People generally don't read their e-mail on the weekends, and I was worried that no one would really read the entire thing because it was so long. I was totally mistaken! I have been so impressed and amazed at the response!! It has been so flattering to know that people have taken the time out to not only read the entire thing, but to donate as well! As of today I have raised over $800 toward my goal of reaching $6000! Thank you so much to everyone who has donated, and is considering donating.

I have been touched by some inspiring and equally saddening stories from friends who have donated and who have been touched by some form of blood cancer. I am going to continue to add names to my donation list of those people who I will be running to honor in addition to my mum. This is all so much bigger than one person. It's time to make a difference! So to all of you who have even made it this far in my blog...thank you so much!