"Three strikes you're out"...NOT!

"One, two, three strikes you're out". That's how I felt after the experiences of the past year.

Strike One, I lost my job in August. Strike Two, my Dad passed away in September. Strike Three, the economy went into the dumpster in October. I was down but I knew I was not out. Its taken much of the past year to figure it out.

Strike One: I got fired. Laid off if you prefer that. I hated the job! I was a square peg in a round hole. I knew it before I started. The money was a big attraction, but the real reason was that I was running away. I've had lots of time over the past year to wallow in self pity and blame (I know how to play the victim very well now...not good).

The job I was running away from was one I didn't really want to take. Before I took it, I was absolutely determined never to work in an advertising agency again. Not that they were bad, but after 10 years in the Ad Agency business, I had done my time, change was under way and it was time for a new breed to take over. I felt like the Pete in 'MAD MEN': he knows his world is changing, but he can't or won't change with it.

It took 5 years for my obsolesce to play out. Changing advertising agencies sped up the process. What I didn't like was the process of getting the advertising made. What I liked was working with clients and staff on solving business problems. That's what got me in the business in the first place. I had forgotten that. My next 'job' will be helping people and businesses achieve their full potential.

Strike Two: Dad died. That was a bitch! Psychologists would have a field day with me. Way too much 'stuff' to get into in this blog. The nut of it was that I played second fiddle to him my whole life. As the 'good son', I felt I had to let him win. I stifled my true passions, beliefs and energy into doing 'just enough'.

Lots of thinking about this over the past year, much of it while running. Time to 'unleash the beast', to let it hang out. The only competition now is with myself. Duh! How far can I go? Who cares...I just want to have fun and enjoy the ride.

Strike Three: the economy tanked. Can't blame that any more with the recent news that we are out of the recession. I don't care anymore. I don't want to talk about the global or even national economy. I have met way too many people over the past year right here in Ontario who are surviving...forget that, who are doing well! They go about their business not seeking fame or glory. They are positive people who are working hard to grow their business. Too bad the media doesn't report that. I have ranted on this before. Enough talk, now action.

They say that the only sure things are death and taxes. How depressing. And stupid. The only thing that is certain is CHANGE. We have always lived in a 'time of change'. Just ask the indigenous Arawak Indians who inhabited Jamaica before Christopher Columbus 'discovered them' in 1492. Their world changed pretty quickly after he arrived.

The rate of change is the key.

Last fall I felt I couldn't stay ahead of the tsunami. I felt I was George Cluney in "The Perfect Storm". The bad news is that it was a perfect storm for me. The good news is that I survived. Now on with thriving.

Until next time...

How I am getting my bad knee in shape for the Reggae Marathon

The light at the end of the tunnel is not a train!

After so publicly committing to running in the Reggae Marathon this December in Negril, Jamaica http://reggaemarathon.com/blog/ I have been frustrated with the left knee injury. The same pain kept me from finishing the Toronto Marathon many years ago.

True confession: I did this to myself. I got a great pair of Nike racing flats for my birthday from one of my kids. Loved them. Felt like I was running barefoot. Unfortunately I did some long runs in March in them that is the root cause for the injury. I know, I know...

But with help from Mike McCluskey, founder of of the Wasaga Beach Road Runners http://sites.google.com/site/wasagabeachroadrunners/ (he and his wife are great story tellers), my road back is starting to look good. Here are the things I am doing:

1. Stretching. Before and after each run. Yes, my bad habit of not warming up or stretching before and after running is gone for good.
2. Good running shoes. The Adidas Supernova Cushion 7 shoes are fantastic http://www.adidas.com/campaigns/running_fw09/content/products-grid.aspx?clicktop=FOOTWEAR. Great support with 'Adiprene' in heel and fore foot. And the toe box accommodates my 'wide-ish' feet.
3. Shorten my stride. Mike suggested this along with faster turnover. It took a while to get used to this, but now I find I can run faster with less effort and stress. Thanks Mike.
4. Walk after a run. Whew, just how long has it taken me to figure this out. Now I finish every run with about 10 minutes of walking. Helps get the pulse rate down, and keeps the muscles from tightening up.
5. Massage. I now massage the muscles above and below the knee more regularly. I really don't know if this works, but it feels great.

Mike suggested one more thing: Ice the muscles after each run. He suggested sitting in a bath with ice cubes! Imagine a male from Jamaica doing that? NOT!. I can handle an ice wrap however and will add that to my routine.

Shameless fundraising plug: Please donate to the Canadian Diabetes Association. This link will take you to the blog post with detailed instructions and the official donation form: http://mykalsreport.blogspot.com/2009/08/how-to-donate-to-reggae-marathon-run.html. I will update the progress shortly.

Until next time...

PS: Picture above taken by Sally this past July at Beach Area 6, Wasaga Beach

How to remain optimistic through this recession

I have no clue!

But I do have some thoughts that came to me this past weekend after I received an email from one of my sons that really moved me emotionally.

He wrote to say, "Thanks for dinner the other night and thanks for everything you have helped me with, guided me through and sometimes just let me do things you may not have agreed with and still you supported me through. It has been a tough year with family and work, but we are getting through it. I am at a loss for words, as you are always the one who provides me with motivating words, but you are the most persistent and hard working person I know".

After a lot of thought over the weekend (including some focused thinking while running this morning), I drafted this response: "Thank you very much for the email. This is what keeps me going. I learned a long, long time ago (around age 10 or so) that there really is no absolute worst thing that can happen to you...if you remember one thing: there are things you can change and there are things you cannot. Spend your time on the things you can change, 'F' the rest. The only things I can affect are my mind and my attitude. Based on that, I can accomplish anything I want. The key is to know what you want (and a secret here, want lots of things, big and small, important and not so important). My final 'bit of wisdom' for a Monday morning...Keep smiling :)"

I am sure that is not the most profound words of wisdom I have ever given, but they work for me. And as another of my son's commented years ago after loosing ugly at a baseball tournament, "...don't worry Dad, we get to play again tomorrow".

Until next time...

How to donate to the Reggae Marathon Run Dec 5

Here is how you can donate to the cause for raising money in support of the Canadian Diabetes Association (I am running in the Reggae Marathon in Negril, Jamaica on December 5, 2009)

To donate with your credit card:

1. Print the form below
2. Complete the form with your name, address (including postal code)
3. 'Check' the box with your donation amount
4. 'Check' the box with the type of credit card (Visa, Mastercard, American Express accepted)
5. Complete the credit card information (including signature)
6. Mail the completed form to: Canadian Diabetes Association, 4 - 556 Bryne Drive, Barrie Ontario, L4N 9P6

To donate with your cheque:

1. Print the form below
2. Complete the form with your name, address (including postal code)
3. 'Check' the box with your donation amount
4. Make your cheque payable to: Canadian Diabetes Association - Reggae Marathon
5. Mail the completed form to: Canadian Diabetes Association, 4 - 556 Bryne Drive, Barrie Ontario, L4N 9P6

Thank you for your support.

Until next time...