It's so good to be going back your way to do the Trapline again. This will be my third visit to this race, and each year I enjoy it more and more.

I guess the best way to start is to say, "If I can run, anyone can run".

I was hitting that age, were everything just starts to break down and go bad. My family doctor, Dr. Bob, suggested that after the third bad blood report in a row. Bob said, "We need to sit down and start talking about pills". I refused, but asked him to write up one more slip for blood work and in 6 months, when I got this one done, if it was bad, then we'd sit down.

That was about 4 years ago. Since then, I've dropped about 30 lb, feel great and blood work has never been better. However this is only the most insignificant benefit of my running. By far the largest benefit I've discovered was I have met a whole group of great individuals that share my passion for running. These are individuals from doctors, lawyers, council workers, housewives, students to seniors. Most have nothing in common, other than all have shared in the pains, joys and laughs as we do a run. Some are faster, some slower, however we all can relate. We all hate going up the hills and enjoy a down hill tailwind. I didn't know these people even existed.

I remember when I started, going around with my chest stuck out for a week or so, because I had just run a whole12k, for the first time. Then 16k and so on. And yes, I ached in places I didn't even know I had.

My work has me travel around this province, and even here I keep meeting runners. From stumbling in to a ½ marathon with the SKOPA Striders in St. Anthony, that was a hoot, with terrific memories. To getting my butt kicked by a senior in Marystown, (who would have thought, he'd be that fast). I've been having the time of my life.

My first marathon was a DNF. Yes, I joined a group from St. John's that headed to Ottawa. We trained all winter and spring, thru sleet and slush covered streets. Only to show up in the capital that May weekend to +30 degree temperatures. I made it to the 40 km mark before I fell face first onto the pavement. I awoke to these two young "angels" hovering over me. One was hosing me down with cold water; the other was attempting to get me to drink something. When asked my name and where I was from, I couldn't remember. This SCARED me, for I knew, "hey, I should know my own name". It took about an hour or so before I came back to my senses and my friends found me. One of the race directors gave me a metal, saying they carried me over the last 2 k. I still have it, but don't give it a second look. Five months later I received my First Real Marathon Metal, at the first Trapline.

My goal has always been to qualify for "the Boston Marathon". For me, a middle aged, in active, ex-smoker this would be equivalent to the Olympics. Not sure if I will make this goal this year, but I'm going to give it my best. I know this will sound corny, but I don't know if this running will add any years onto my life, but I get such a feeling of accomplishment after a run, Any run. Oh I might get mad at myself for starting too fast, fading too quickly, and I'm never fast enough. But I thank God for giving me to opportunity to put one foot ahead of the other.

Looking forward to seeing old friends this year and making new friends.

See ya on the roads
Gerard Fleet