Welcome to North Carolina: Any Ideas?

Brian Fullford2 Comments

Thank you, North Carolina. Good to be here.

One thing I learned years ago with respect to blogging was that if one was not diligent about writing the blog would become stale. Fair to say that waiting one week before writing anything falls into the category of failing to overcome said obstacle.

However, the time has not been spent simply sitting around waiting for inspiration or the next re-run. My wife’s family had their annual beach weekend in which we celebrate her father’s birthday along with incorporating somewhat of a family reunion for the cousins in Orlando. It was an opportunity for me to talk with Lori Newberg who actively shares information regarding what she does to help in the Tampa area. Lori has been very supportive of our efforts and shares a desire both within the home and the community to look for ways to change behavior for the better.

Immediately after the weekend event was over I loaded up the car and headed to Siler City, NC to spend four days with Chris Gandy. I personally love a good road trip and you would be amazed how time flies when you have the CD player loaded full of music. Most of the Toad the Wet Sprocket catalog assumed the role of event soundtrack, appropriate and planned since Wednesday night at Cat’s Cradle will be spent enjoying the band live.

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Fitness to Purpose

Brian FullfordLeave a comment

Nitzer Ebb fans will get the title. They may also remind me the meaning of the song is probably not where I am going with this piece. And they would be correct. However the title alone does serve my purpose of pointing out the many ways in which you can satisfy both your need to get fit and to give back.

Years ago my good friend Chuck Schoonmaker asked me to participate in Jacksonville’s Gate River Run. A 15k (with a nice bridge at mile markers seven and  eight) seemed an impossible task but together we made it through. Now our pace was just fast enough to beat a snail but that was not the point. For me it was a watershed moment of proving what I could do physically.

That is not to say I was a lethargic sofa cushion. I played in a flag football league and engaged in a pick-up game of basketball from time to time. But participating in an endurance event requires a different degree of commitment and mental strength.

Once I had the Gate bug, running became part of my life routine. It was not until my friends Brian Thompson and Joe Peters approached me to take a leg of a sprint triathlon that I really began to understand what the draw was to these type of events. The interesting piece was not so much the sense of satisfaction you get from crossing the finish line (especially at a better time than your last) but also the sense of community and the inspiration from the other participants.

For example, after I finished last year’s Gate I fueled up and found a spot about 50 yards from the finish line. I wanted to cheer on my wife and our friends as they came by. What I was also witness to were pairs of obese competitors pushing each other to success along with few who fell along the route. Those injured, while bleeding and limping, had just as much intent on their faces as those who had finished much earlier.

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Change-Can Helps Ponte Vedra Beach Rotary Club

Brian FullfordLeave a comment

I will not lie, it was cool to introduce myself as a representative of Change-Can to the volunteers that came out. There was also an opportunity or two to talk about our vision which in turn fostered feedback.

My friend Chuck Schoonmaker is the president of the Ponte Vedra Beach Rotary Club. In a monthly meeting we have he shared that PVBRC activities are always open to whomever might like to lend a hand. When he posted on Facebook that they were having a clean-up of the Intercoastal Bridge off 210 I jumped at the first opportunity to act on behalf of Change-Can.

The weather was sunny, not too hot, and the people were great. Chuck also supplied Starbucks coffee and caffeine always helps motivate.

A big thanks to the St. Johns police representative and to all the motorists who drove safely as we walked the bridge along with the forwarding and following roads. I also need to give love to all the cyclists on their morning ride that waved and offered verbal support.

I coveted many bikes.

You can find pictures of the event here. Thank you to all at the PVB Rotary for making me feel like one of the group. I look forward to helping out at future activities.