The Day Before........

10 weeks ago today I lay in the middle of 34th Avenue SW, Calgary in absolute agony, after taking a fall on the ice after another heavy snowfall. As I lay there all I could think of was if I would be able to recover in time to begin this momentous journey I am about to undertake, starting at 6 am tomorrow morning.

Everytime I tried to get up the pain cut through my lower back like a knife, and it was only due to the kindness of a number of people, who came to my aid, that I was able to get up off the road.

Obviously the fact I’m typing this means I’ve recovered to the point that my journey starts tomorrow. I should take this opportunity to let you all know that I’m walking the PCT from Campo, on the US/Mexico border, all the way to Manning Park in Hope, BC. Due to commitments I’m walking 1330 miles this year and returning to finish next year. I won’t bore you with the details of my recovery, which resulted in losing 3 weeks of valuable training time, but get straight into acknowledging a number of people who contributed into helping smooth the way for this walk.

For anyone who followed my blog, of the inaugural Walking People out Poverty trek along the SW Coast Path in England, during the summer of 2014/15, the first names will be familiar. The working poor, that Opportunity International supports, could ask for no greater champions than Doris Olafsen and Jo-Anne Morris. So I would begin by thanking you both for the incredible emotional support that you have provided along the way. Please know how much I appreciate everything that you do, not only for me but the people this walk is being undertaken for.

Next I would like to thank the brains behind the blog, Ed Temple and Andrew MacDonald who have collaborated on not only the blog but an incredible website detailing every facet of the walk. Ed has been especially helpful in teaching me some neat tricks on not only the blog but also Facebook. Thank you sincerely Ed and Andrew.

The next group I would like thank are a couple of sponsors, and first out of the gate is Ben Oldfield who works for Manulife Real Estate, and when I approached Ben about his company acting as a sponsor there was no hesitation. Through Bens efforts Manulife agreed to cover the cost of my insurance, and an evacuation off the trail in the event of an emergency. Obviously this is a huge weight off my mind.

My second sponsor is Ms. Cecelia Dennis who is the owner of the Shoppers Drug Mart in TD Square. This branch of Shoppers is one I have used for many years, and Cecilia very kindly offered to fund all of my first aid kit without me even asking. Obviously, as the walk is being undertaken for charity this kind of gesture is most gratefully appreciated. So sincere thanks are extended to Cecilia and Ben.

i would also like to thank a number of folks who have joined me on my training walks, most of which occurred on weekend jaunts around Nose Hill Park, especially during the winter months when the temperatures were in the minus twenties a lot of the time. The only advantage with this kind of training is the workout you get, especially as the trail “moves” every time you take a step. I believe this will help us considerably once the going gets tough on the PCT. (Pacific Crest Trail).

And so I would ask the following to take a bow; Dave Dziadyk, Andy Weldon, Bruce Bynoe, Norm Lippitt and Ben Moerman, (there will be more about Ben in a future blog). Thank you all.

Tina and I have benefitted hugely from the experiences of a couple of Calgarians we have met over the course of the last couple of months. Katie Copeland and Tom Caldwell have both undertaken and completed the PCT, and so it is with great thanks to Katie and Tom for “enlightening us” and sharing your stories. We hope we do you proud. 

I reserve a massive thank you to Tina Donkers, and her husband Dave Nordin, who very quickly agreed to join with me for the first month of my journey. I should point out that Tina is walking with me, but Dave isn’t. I will share a funny story but make it brief. Last summer I was training on Nose Hill, with my back pack, when I met a couple of cyclists who rode by. A little while later I saw them again and it turned out that Dave works for a client I represent (I didn’t recognize Dave at first with his bike helmet on). Anyhow we got chatting and when I explained what I was training for Dave immediately suggested Tina join me. Thankfully Tina said yes, and she has been a godsend and she has been terrific with her organization and spreadsheet skills. I feel very lucky to have her along, so I owe Tina and Dave a huge dept of gratitude.

I’m reserving my final round of thanks to the person most deserving of the praise I’m about to send her way, and hopefully she will not be embarrassed. 

Liz Smith is my heart and soul and without her emotional support this walk would not be happening. Liz doesn’t truly understand why I’m undertaking such an arduous challenge at this stage in my life, but because of the tremendous love we share Liz is extremely supportive. So Liz please know I’m forever in your debt, and I’m suspecting it’s going to cost me, A LOT, when we go to Tokyo in October. It would be remiss if I didn’t mention the selfless task Liz has of looking after Lola-bear, our beautiful OES (Olde English Sheepdog) of 2 1/2 years.

So, as I get ready to post my first blog of Walking People out of Poverty for 2018, I will echo the words of my greatest hero Sir Winston Churchill. During Britain’s darkest hour in 1939, Winnie gave one of the truly great speeches in history which I’m going to steal from so here goes.  

As we prepare to set out on this arduous test all I can offer up to this trail is my blood, toil, sweat and occasional tears.

Before I post this blog I should take the time to acknowledge, and thank, all of those people who have already supported my quest by providing their hard earned money to sponsor my efforts. Please know I greatly appreciate your kindness and generosity so a huge thank you is sent your way. 

You can be part of my journey by reading my blogs, sharing my blogs with others (or on Facebook) or by making a donation here: https://ca.opportunity.org/fundraisers/2018pct

Thanks for your support!

Peter T

Tina enjoying a refreshing lunch time drink, I’m going to have to keep an eye on her. We were making up the trail mix on Saturday afternoon and Tina kept sneaking some!!