First Time for Everything

Running is something I have always done. It is an easy way to get in a nice training session when time, weather or conditions don't warrant a ride. Normally, running is an activity that doesn't last longer than an hour before I call it quits due to boredom, the sheer discomfort involved or most often laziness. On occasion the running experience can be described euphoric with runners high taking you along wooded trails or slick asphalt at a pace and with an ease most often reserved for deer and other nimble game. It is a feeling that comes when you least expect it. I love it, and I found it today, at least for the first 12 km.
I took up a challenge to earn some money for a project to build a classroom for a school in Kenya. Due to not managing to accumulate significant sponsor funds I was forced to give it everything I had and attempt to accumulate as many laps of the just over 1 km course as possible to maximize my contribution to what I felt was a very worthy cause, especially considering the current situation in that part of the world. In 2 hours I pushed myself through 27 laps, nearly 30 km, and earned a decent sum for the project. Apparently I now hold the record for an event that has been going on annually for a number of years.
It feels good to put training to good use and to my surprise the first hour and a half was actually a pleasure with the exception of two unwelcome pit stops at the local Shell station to empty a gut in distress. Staying fit pays off, and not only for yourself. If you get the chance take it. You may look like you rode bareback from Saskatoon to Boise and back for a couple of days after, but its a small price to pay.

Sunnmore

This past week I had the great pleasure of traveling north in this fine country to the area known as Sunnmore. Driving from Bergen involves a number of ferry crossings, narrow winding roads and much gawking at some of the most spectacular natural surroundings I have ever witnessed. We traveled through some of this country's finest ski terrain regions with towering peaks and narrow winding fjords filling the field of view.
I went for a run one day while we were staying in the outskirts of Aalesund and witnessed the most breathtaking natural contrasts I ever have in one single hour long run. I started off along the ocean running along small frozen beaches, over private docks and masses of shell clad rocks. The glassy ocean water reflected mountains and colourful boathouses alike. I then made my way through a high end neighborhood and into the hills jamming up a snow covered trail into a wonderland of untouched frost and fresh powder. At the top of a forest cover hill I turned to look out over what could have won me many a photo contest I am convinced. Unfortunately I don't with a camera so my words will have to do. In the foreground frost coated branches, behind a view of a glassy fjord, majestic jagged peaks with multiple layers of cloud toying with the gentle glow of the mid winter sun. Incredible.

Resurfaced

It has been far too long. I appoligize, but much has happened in the last month. Where will I begin?
My sister was in Calgary for the Christmas holiday arriving at the start of the month. It was nice to have here around again. I finished my last UofC exam of life mid December. It was strange to think I wont have anything to do with that place again. It has been an enjoyable 4,5 years, but I felt that the time had come to move on. Following the UofC exams I wrote the midterm for my final class which I took through Athabasca distance learning. After losing myself completely in the confusing loops of personal finance the seriousness of the next couple of weeks began to set in. In the next 14 days I wrote the final assignement for the class and studied for the final exam of my university career. I also managed to get in a few more hikes, ride my bike celebrate Christmas and the New Year. It was a hectic period, so hectic that it almost doesnt seem like it even happened. I was simply so focussed on finishing school and move on that it was difficult to remain in the present with my mind well into January and all that was to come.
On the first Thursday in January I wrote the final exam for my Athabasca course. The next few days were filled with packing all my worldly possessions into two bike boxes and a 140L duffel bag. I enjoyed a couple of final farewell rides on my regular training routes with the cream of the local cycling scene, met with a solid group of friends for last goodbyes at Vicious Circle and then left. By Monday I had seen the last of Canadian soil for a while and on Tuesday I stepped onto European soil in Bergen, Norway to start a new life. A life as a university graduate with a BKin, a small ATB bank draft, three bikes and a very open mind.
2008 is going to be about meeting new people, discovering joys beyond those found with a two wheeled machine between my legs, growing and figuring out what I want to do with myself.
I will be living on an island just outside of Bergen for then next 5 months. I am staying at a Christian school here, enjoying what is essentailly an extended holiday with no responsibilities, lots of incredible people, breathetaking natural surroundings, and seeming endless opportunities.
I have already managed a road trip to one of the most stunning parts of this fine country just to the north in Sunnmore. Some of the worlds finest powder skiing is found here and although I havnt got any planks sorted out yet I have a feeling I will be back there soon to enjoy that natural resource.
In the coming weeks I will be learning Telemark skiing in Hemsedal, travelling to visit my brother and his family in Drammen and taking a two week trip to Tanzania, Africa at the end of February.
I am back in the virtual world so stay tuned for a familier but different pdotproductions experience in 2008.