Ironman USA 2008 - Lake Placid, New York - Sunday, July 20, 2008 - I'm in!

I am back from Ironman USA - Lake Placid. Wow, what a fantastic weekend. I arrived Friday, left Monday. For those that have competed / spectated at an Ironman you know what I mean, for those that have not I highly recommend taking in this venue. I met people from all over Canada, USA and offshore, including four from Guelph who were competing and three others who were spectating too, two of who signed for 2008. It is way over the top excitement. The Ironman started at 6:30 AM for the women's elite, all others at 7:00 AM. Cut off time was midnight. On Sunday I was up at 4:30 AM and was not back to bed until 12:30 AM. Four hours later I was up to register for Ironman USA - Lake Placid '08. I'm in! Fantastic weekend scoping out the course, meeting with people from Canada, USA and offshore. I drove the marathon and bike route. Cycled critical parts of the bike course, swam in my wetsuit on the course. What a blast. Downhill on parts of the bike course...what a rush!

www.ironmanusa.com > 2008 Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid Sold Out July 23, 2007. On-line registration for the 2008 Ford Ironman Lake Placid sold out in just a couple of minutes after opening. Only 800 spots were available online after a record number of athletes signed up on-site earlier in the day. www.sportstats.ca/res2007/usares.htm

www.adirondackdailyenterprise.com and www.lakeplacidnews.com

Check out Raymond Britt's excellent blog re: Ironman USA 2007 and 2008

While in Lake Placid, on the Saturday afternoon I was heading into town to park in order to check out the expo and go for a swim in my wetsuit on the course. Traveling down Station Street I noticed a canoe shop, so I parked my van, got out and walked over to have a look. Inside was Joe Moore working on a solo canoe. We got to chatting. I was very impressed with Joe and his partner, Charlie Wilson, own and operate Placid Boatworks . Check out the link. Amazing boats they produce. Joe was kind enough to loan me a beautiful kevlar 12' solo Spitfire "packing" canoe, lifejacket and paddle to travel on the Chubb River adjacent to the plant. What a great adventure. What an excellent canoe! I have never seen such quality before. This boat truly is amazing and easy to "pack" on one's shoulder. Thereafter I made it for a swim. The next day there was Joe paddling his boat on Mirror Lake during the swim portion of the Ironman. Here is a photograph of Joe, from his website, paddling in a Spitfire.

Ironman USA Lake Placid 2008

I am going to Lake Placid, New York, USA next weekend to watch the Ironman USA Lake Placid on Sunday, July 22nd at 7:00 AM and then 26 hours later to register for Ironman USA Lake Placid 2008 on Monday, July 23rd at 9:00 AM ... not far from Guelph, Ontario, Canada. 363 days 22 hours later I will compete in my first Ironman at the 10th Ironman USA Lake Placid on Sunday, July 20, 2008. This plan has been in the works since 2006.

The Ford Ironman USA Lake Placid Triathlon will take place for the 10th time in 2008, as 2,000 athletes from around the world are scheduled to compete in the international event.

Swim course 2.4 miles = 3.86242 kms
Bike course 112.0 miles = 180.246 kms
Run course 26.2 miles = 42.1648 kms
Total 140.6 miles = 226.27322 kms
Guelph, ON to Lake Placid, NY 379.60 miles = 610.9069824 kms, 7 hours 8 minutes

Friends from Guelph have competed at Ironman USA Lake Placid in the past and some will be next week in addition to other Ironman venues in Canada and USA. Several are going to Lake Placid next weekend to watch to get a feel for 2008 as am I. Others, four, are going to compete - Georgie S., Jennifer M., Paul F. and Scott B.

I have had positive feedback on such, including today from Laura M. re: Lake Placid who writes "The swim has no hills :-), but it is a brute - since it's two laps. There isn't much room for maneuvering! I got many a kick to the face when I did it."

Guelph's own award winning Ironman, Triathlete and all round nice guy who I started to run with long before he ever dipped a toe in the water David Sharratt writes "Well, if your going down to watch it next weekend you will want to sign up right away. That's what happened to me after seeing everyone out there doing the Ironman. Make sure you stay and watch the final finisher. That's the best part of the whole day. I think it's a good idea to sign up the day after because you are giving yourself a goal and it's a year away. You will have tons of time to train for it. It will take you about 8-9 months to train for. Just make sure you don't start to early and wear yourself out. So, go for it Scott. Maybe I will join you next year? Have fun next weekend and cheer loud and clear for all the Guelph Triathletes."

I have competed in several Subaru Triathlon Series re: "Try, Sprint and Olympic" distances in the past, plus I have 70 race credentials since 2000, so with that I am familiar with the swim, bike, run and transition zone components, however there is more to be learned ... that's where my buddies come into play. Not to worry, been there, done that. Thanks friends. In fact I never even knew what a marathon was until a few years ago nor understood why people ran for hours at a time.

Guelph Lake II Olympic Triathlon September 3, 2006
134 / 215 2:55:47 SCOTT CAMERON GUELPH 11/18 M45-49
Bib # 167
1500m swim > 9/18 134th 33:28 2:14/100m 4:53 transition # 1
43.5km bike > 10/18 117th 1:24:44 30.8/kph 3:31 transition # 2
10km run > 10/18 120th 49:13 4:56/km

Lake Placid cut off times
Swim: 2 hours and 20 minutes (9:20 AM)
Swim/Bike: 10 hours and 30 minutes (3:30 PM)
Swim/Bike/Run: 17 hours (Midnight)

ETA based upon GLII times
Swim 2.4 miles = 3.86242 kms, 1:27
Bike 112.0 miles = 180.246 kms, 5:53
Run 26.2 miles = 42.1648 kms, 3:29
Transition # 1 and # 2 = :10
Total 140.6 miles = 226.27322 kms, 11:00 hours

11 hours would be an excellent time for me as would 12 hours, likewise to accomplish the course within the allotted time. Lake Placid is not an easy, flat course. The distances are longer than an Olympic course which will be trying. There are so many variables re: weather, 2,000 participants, etc. With that much training will have to be put into play over the next 12 months. I must spend more time in the water and on the bike. There is so much to learn in 12 months for 12 hours of excitement on the course at Ironman USA Lake Placid 2008. I am really looking forward to this.

Fellow runner, triathlete, Ironman Georgie S. from Guelph who is competing at Ironman USA Lake Placid 2007 next weekend writes "You are 100% correct when you said "If there is a will, there is way". Anyone can do it if they believe in themselves and are committed to the sport. Furthermore, it is a phenomenal accomplishment once completed."

Boston Marathon 2008 will be my 20th marathon in 53 months. I have sported with the mountains of Lake Placid albeit skiing down the mountain. I have a fast wetsuit, bike and shoes, so with that ... let's go! The rest of me will keep up. 12 months of training should see to that! You know my motto ... "Work hard, Play hard”

"Life on the Run" has been busy

Photographs by fellow runner George Aitkin at the Waterloo Classic 6.17.07 (JSC # 1055 5KM 20.33 2nd place M45-49) (JDC 5 KM 20.43 - PB 1st place M13-15. 1st place "Parent - Child Team). "Topless" Scott at the start right under the "!" mark on the "Good Luck !" banner. By the way, "Good Luck" does nothing for me. I am not a fan of "Good Luck" in a race or life ... "Good Luck" is for games of chance which I do not partake in nor condone, albeit the odd lottery / fundraiser ticket will find its way into my pocession from time to time. I prefer "All the Best". Son, David in the orange singlet directly in front of me to my left. This is the first time I have raced topless. I ditched my singlet minutes before the start. David kept his. It was hot that day. The other photo of me was taken several metres from the finish line. Check out the false start by the runner in the black top. This was Scott's 70th race and David's 15th race, not counting school venues.


Recently, Chariots for Hire was nominated for Team of the Month as per below re: Guelph Tribune, Friday, July 6, 2007. Well done boys.


Greetings. It has been awhile since I have posted, so with that here is the update. "Life on the Run" has been busy.

David graduated from grade eight on Tuesday, June 26 and is looking forward to attending high school in the fall. Laura graduated from high school on Thursday, June 28 and is looking forward to attending Laurier University in the fall.

David finished up the football season on Saturday, June 23. On Thursday, June 28 David won the MVP Cross Country Award at school.

The Canada Day long weekend Friday June 29 to Monday, August 2 found us camping, hiking and biking at MacGregor Point Provincial Park in Bruce County. The weather was excellent. Great time was had by all ... Lyne, David, Connor (David's buddy) and I. When we returned home Connor's family invited us over for ribs. Thanks Clan Wood ... it was great.

I have also been enjoying sailing and canoeing as of late. Recently, David and I were in London, Ontario to pickup our third canoe, a 16' kevlar by Novacraft. I bought it earlier from a lady who was getting out of the tripping lifestyle in light of trailer camping. With that we are fortunate to now own additional excellent tripping gear in addition to what we already owned. This makes for great tripping with several in a group. This gives us two tripping canoes to go along with our 14' fiberglass Black Arrow canoe which I use to putter around. I lost a 16' Cadorette fiberglass canoe, my first canoe, last year in Quetico. So, with that I have owned four boats. On the weekend past I built another canoe rack. There are now have three canoes hanging in the garage / boathouse.

Saturday, July 7 I was up for a six hour paddle on the Speed and Eramosa River in Guelph. As per below are a few old photographs of the Speed River where I "put in" at the Gow Bridge which is still crosses the Speed River today. The Peter Gow used to be a toll bridge. The existing stone bridge over the Speed River was built in 1897 and is designated under the Ontario Heritage Act as a rare surviving example of a stone arched bridge. The stone bridge replaced an earlier wooden bridge at the same site. The bridge is named after Peter Gow, local tannery and mill owner who owned the land on the south side of the river. Peter Gow served as school trustee, town councillor, Reeve and Mayor of the City of Guelph. In 1867, he was elected to serve as representative for Wellington South in the First Parliament of Ontario.

Living is Guelph is great. It really is a wonderful city. I am a quick 15 minutes from my front door to paddling on the Speed. The early morning paddle was excellent. It really is neat to watch the city come alive from the seat of canoe. The nature, the people and traffic is all so amazing and so relaxing. In fact last night off for a paddle I went at dusk stopping at the Boathouse for a frozen yogurt. I have ran at night. One night I will go for a paddle.

Guelph's Italian Festival on the weekend past was a lot of fun. Lyne and I had a great time attending on Saturday night. It is a homecoming of sorts for many. I have lived in Guelph since 1985, yet my great great grandparents came here in 1851, marrying here in 1854 ... so by rights I and my children are Guelphites, more so than many, so I say. Regardless, Lyne is from Guelph and knows many. Guelph was first settled by the Scots re: John Galt. Many Italians settled in Guelph in the 1940's, with that Guelph has a wonderful Italian ambiance. Laura attended too with her buddies. Great night it was. Lyne and I checked out Guelph's historic Albion Hotel's patio en route home.
David is in engineering camp this week at the University of Guelph. He is having a great time. Monday he built an electrical powered airplane and studied Newton's e=mc2. Tuesday, David built a mini-putt golf game and is working on a boat. David takes the boat to water today at the UoG pool. Homework last night included muscles and organs...the strongest is the masseter (jaw), the fastest is Type IIx . It can contract more quickly and with a greater amount of force than oxidative muscle, but can sustain only short, anaerobic bursts of activity before muscle contraction becomes painful (often incorrectly attributed to a build-up of lactic acid). , The skin is the largest organ.

I have not been running much as of late. I have been enjoying the downtime both mentally and physically. However, I did enjoy a recent 90 minute "brick" workout at the Y put on by David Brooks. The workout is comprised of both "spin" and "run" on the indoor air conditioned track. If you want a copy of David's "brick" workout drop me a line. The air conditioning has is great in light of the hot and humid temperatures we having been experiencing as of later, upwards of 40 deg. C. = 104 deg. F. I do have some races planned for the balance of the year ... 10km at the Fergus Highland Games in August, Toronto Island 10km or 5km in September, Run for the Toad 25km x-country run in September and the Chicago Marathon in October. In the meantime, with cooler temps prevailing today I will run tonight. My son, David, will compete in the Fergus and Toronto runs too. Fergus will be David's first 10km race and his longest yet at 14 years of age.

I just checked out the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games 10km website and saw a neat photo. In the photo from 2005 as per below shows me in the white top with no bib number showing. My bib was pinned to my shorts. I ditched the top at the 1km mark. It was a hot humid race in 2005. Fellow runners Bib # 410 Michael Benham, # 531 Zeljko Sabol and Andrew Tersigni on the far right. Unfortunately Michael died a few weeks ago. His father Paul runs on. Excellent runner and young man Michael was as are Zeljko and Andrew (STS07 teammate) as is Michael's father Paul. I have always looked up to and learned from these four men as has my son, David.

We are looking forward to our vacation at a cottage we have rented for a week later this month and our (David and I) canoe trip to Killarney next month. My sister Heather has left today for their canoe trip north east of Killarney.

I will get back to this post later with some photographs and hopefully some first time video.

Track'n & Trip'n

Great run last night at the track. John, Jerry, Allen and I ran Thursday track with some more speed, 1600m, 1200m, 800m, 400m with full four minute recoveries under the guidance of Coach John Marsden, 6:00 PM at St. Jame's High School track. Son, David timed. This followed Tuesday night's 3 KM time trials which I was not going to do in light of Sunday's 5 KM 20:33 race and need to take recovery time from a busy training / racing schedule. However, I got the run bug and ran. Here are the stats:

Tuesday, June 19, 2007 3 KM Time Trials 12:06.4. I had more to give, but in light of not coming out fast for the first of 7.5 laps in lieu of planning just to do a light recovery run I am very pleased with this time. Sub 12:00 is the next goal. This is down from 12:21.6 on Tuesday, May 8, 2007 3 KM Time Trials.

Thursday, June 21, 2007
1600m 5:54 PB
1200m 4:29 PB
800m 2:52 PB
400m 1:12 (1:09 PB 8.30.06)
4 min. rest between each distance, David Cameron timed, John M., Jerry D., Allen P., Scott C. ran.

Fellow Guelph Victors' John M. was fortunate to attend the Prefontaine Classic on Sunday, June 10, 2007. Meanwhile Christina C. placed first in her age class in Curitiba, Brazil, South America's 5ª Editel Race of the Historical Center of Curitiba 10 KM

Scott runs the ING Ottawa Marathon, Sunday, May 27, 2007, 3:29:00.7. 18th marathon in 42 months. I was not impressed with Ottawa this year. I was on track for a PB. All was going well until the 36km mark at which time the marathoners merged with the half marathoners at their 15km mark running at a pace 1+ minutes per km slower than the marathoners. It was great running solo for the most part, but when the merge occured with 6km to go what a crowded shoulder to shoulder mess on the course it was. I doubt the organizers and the sponsors will ever structure such a greedy money grabbing cost saving venue again. This was disgusting to me and many others.

After Thursday night GV track it was off to Nick and Julie's for the Chariots For Hire STS305KM07 team BBQ. We all had a great time with family and friends. The women are considering entering Chicks For Hire STS305KM08 team.

It has been a long time coming, but it has now been done and I am really looking forward to it. I have booked our canoe trip. I have not paddled Killarney Provincial Park since the early 1970's. Thirty plus years I am returning this August with my son, David.

Killarney Provincial Park (map). I have also camped and canoed at Killbear Provincial Park, canoed tripped for several days on the French River and worked two summers as a Forest Fire Fighther with the Ministry of Natural Resources based out of Sudbury, Ontario. To the west of Sudbury I ran the Friendly Massey Marathon in 2005, camping at Chutes Provincial Park.

We are going to enjoy a deep interior canoe tripping experience into Killarney's Threenarrows Lake located between the Blue Ridge South La Cloche Range and the Lac Cloche Mountains.

Panorama of a portion of Threenarrows Lake.

We are looking forward to canoeing, hiking, swimming, fishing and relaxing. Threenarrows Lake covers approximately 42.195 square kilometres (that's four square marathons) of rugged paradise, windswept islands and turquoise lakes beneath white quartzite mountains. We will approach Threenarrows Lake via 3160 metre and 395 metre portages. David vs. Dad portaging the canoe. Who is going to win this race? Another day maybe we can race x-country on "The Pig" 1550 metre portage, the steepest portage, up and down, in the park that was a tote road for logging from 1908 to 1927.

We will also enjoy spending time on George, Killarney, O.S.A, York, and Topaz Lakes. I hiked the Blue Ridge South La Cloche Range while we camped on O.S.A Lake in the early 1970's when I was a member of London, Ontario, Canada's 55th Sea Scout Troop. That's Killarney Lake in the foreground and O.S.A Lake in the background with the Blue Ridge South La Cloche Range to the north as viewed from "The Crack" on the Silhoutte Trail, 338 metres above sea level, south east of Killarney Lake.

It's not about the time. It's about the time together.

What a fantastic weekend it was. David, my son, arrived home Friday night from his grade 8 school trip to Quebec City. On Saturday, David's team won the football game in Guelph.

Thereafter is was off to Waterloo to pick up our race kits for Sunday's 5 KM Waterloo Classic.

After we got our kits and a pizza for lunch, we drove back to Guelph and then to Hamilton where David competed in the Ontario Football Alliance Provincial Flag Football Tournament. Eight six man teams, age approximately 14, young men and women mixed teams, from Ontario competed on CFL's Hamilton Tiger Cats' Ivor Wynn Stadium football field. The field was divided into four fields. David's team from Guelph, Tiger Cats, handsomely won their first game over the Stampeders, lost the second to the Lions, albeit did score a touchdown and then got skunked in the third game by the Dolphins. Regardless, spectators, coaches, players and umpires had a blast. We stayed to watch the semi-finals and final game. The final game ended after two quarters of exciting overtime play. The Steelers won out over the Dolphins. Dolphins are excited to be going on to Winnipeg. Congratulations to the Dolphins. We arrived home around 9:00 PM and headed to bed. Photographs.

Guelph Bears Senior Flag Football Team Tiger Cats at Ivor Wynn Stadium, home of CFL's Hamilton Tiger Cats, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada, Saturday, June 16, 2007. 2007 Provincial Flag Football Tournament.

Front: Quinn Wilson
Middle: Jonathan Beitz, Harrison Smith , David Cameron, Brady Kelly, Alex Daniel
Rear: Thanye Smith, ,

We missed out on The 2007 Mercedes-Benz Classic Mile held in Cambridge, Ontario, Canada ran at the 155 year old school, Galt Collegiate, on a narrow five lane clay track, but fortunately we are able to watch exciting highlights, interviews and video . Shedrack Korir won in 3:56:06. Awesome. We ran this event two years ago in 6:08.8, David in 6:55. Two years later, I think we would have been faster today. Guelph Mercury newspaper story.

Sunday morning brought on the 5 KM rematch between David and Dad at the 9:00 AM Waterloo Classic. I woke at 6:00 AM, David around 7:00 AM. We arrived in Cambridge shortly before 8:00 AM. David slept the entire way. I brought David a peeled orange and Gatorade. It was a gorgeous day, sunny and warm. While David slept in the van I tended to getting the timing chips for both of us, washroom duties and a warm up run with fellow runner Chris Duke. At 8:30 AM I woke David. We made a trip to the washroom. The isolated men's washroom was no longer as it had been discovered by others, so with that David made a secretive dash, with Dad's encouragement, into a woman's washroom stall with no concern. Thereafter we went for a brief warm-up run. Thereafter, I pin my bib to my shorts, ditched the singlet, hat and sunglasses in the van. This is the first time I am going to race topless. It was going to be a hot, humid and hilly course. David was fine to run with his singlet on. At 8:58 AM we took our position front and centre on the start line of the Waterloo Classic which was comprised of 1,200 runners competing in the 3 KM, 5 KM and 10 KM distances. David and I enjoying competing against each other at this venue in the 5 KM race. This was our third year competing.

David was immediately in front of me on the start line. The gun went. We triggered our watches as we crossed the timing mat. I led ahead of David running not far behind. We knew the course vividly. The first 500 metres incurred some pitted holes in the surface of the road which both David and I were concerned with. David commented post race that he twisted his footing in a hole. However beyond that it was smooth running.

The first 1 KM clocked in at 3:48 minutes. I was fine with this. I have ran faster, but thought pacing is the order of the day for a good time. The first water station was at 1600 metres. There was enough water for a quick sip and splash on the run. The 2 KM mark at the top of one of the hills clocked in at 8:00 minutes. At this point I hear "Get off the course old man". Guess who? It was bib # 1054 passing me with a big smile on his face, a 14 year old runner named David Cameron. "Old man" I thought, # 1055. I had never heard this before from David. I smile to myself. I holler to David "Go hard when you hit the 3 KM mark", as it is downhill for the most part to the finish line. At the 2.5 KM mark I am running parallel to Lauier University thinking of my dear daughter Laura who will be attending Laurier in three months. I am so excited for her. She is back in Guelph on this day working and completing school projects due on Monday.

At the 3 KM mark my watch reads 12:15 minutes. I know at this point a sub 20:00 minutes is most likely not going to be the order of the day on this hot, hilly, humid course. Temperatures are in the mid 20's degree Celsius. However, I am hoping my competitor David can sub 20. I see David 30 metres ahead of me. He turns to look back a few times after the half-way mark. I wish he would not take time to look back. Running out of the park approaching the 4 KM mark I am running faster as I am passing runners on the downhill. I wonder if a sub 20 may be possible. I begin to reel in David.

As we approach the final turn at the 4400 metre mark I am side by side David. David complains of cramping. As a concerned loving father I have compassion. However, I know David has it in him to continue and I know that David would want me to run strong as do I for David. I encourage him to sprint to the finish which is approximately less than 500 metres away. I tell him it will soon only be the likes of a 400 metre sprint around the 400 metre St. James track that he has ran many a time. I also tell David that he is en route for a PB5KM. I pass David hoping that I will be a target for him to pass and finish ahead of me. I really do. I want him to win this re-match race. However, he knows he has to earn it. I sprint to the finish line 400 metres away. The 400 metres bends to the left. Runners do not see the finish line until there is 40 metres to go. I cross the line, stop, turn around with open arms hug my son David who crosses 10 seconds later. We are both jubilant. We both had fantastic races. David had a PB. I got the Clan Cameron race crown back in my pocession from David who beat me at the Billy Taylor 5 KM Guelph race a several weeks earlier.

After a walk through the water mister, the first of its kind we have ever seen, we sidelined ourselves by the finish line to cheer on other racers competing in the 3 KM, 5 KM and 10 KM events. David was enjoying sitting I brought for him in the shade at the finish line by the road icing his legs and neck. Dad was ringing the Boston Marathon '07 cowbell, cheering and taking photos. Later on we met up with our running friends and enjoyed wonderful post race draw prizes, music with a band, excellent pizza, bananas, watermelon, grapes, water, Gatorade, BBQ'd hamburgs...which I rarely eat. However, in light of a busy race season I was going to enjoy some serious r&r time for a few weeks.

Checking the race results we learned as follows:

30th Waterloo Classic, Sunday, June 17, 2007 5km

Place Bib# Name Gun Time Class Class Place Gender Place Pace/KM Gun Time City

29/501 1055 J. Scott Cameron 20:33 SM45-49 3/18 28/245 4:07 20:33 Guelph
32/501 1054 J. David Cameron 20:43 SM13-15 1/19 31/245 4:09 20:43 Guelph

Waterloo Classic, Sunday, June 17, 2007 5 KM Parent Child Team

1st 41:16 Clan Cameron (20:38)
1. 20:33 J. Scott Cameron
2. 20:43 J. David Cameron

In addition to our finisher's medals David received a 1st place medal M13-15, Dad 2nd place medal M45-49 and we each received a Parent-Child team award plaque.

Thereafter we continued to socialize with other award winners and friends who participated in the Waterloo Classic including David Brooks 17:22 5 KM, Elizabeth Waywall 43:08 10 KM, Brian Williams 50:39 10 KM and David's wife Lynn who came to spectate. Elizabeth's husband Jim Estill, crossed the finish line with 49:26 then promptly flew to California. Many other runners from Guelph participated too. I even meet up with fellow clansman Neil Cameron 40:46 10 KM. Check out all the results at www.roadraceresults.com and www.chiptimeresults.com

Left to right: Brian Williams, Elizabeth Waywall, Scott and David Cameron, David Brooks (photo by Lynn Brooks)

Records show Gordon Scott scored a time of 50:30 10 KM. Congratulations Gordon. Next time please be sure to come and say "Aye". Wow, could it be the same Gordon of Tiree incognito? I knew he was going on vacation soon. When he said "the Mainland" I thought he meant Scotland, not Canada.

The Record Waterloo Classic news story.

After the 5 KM race, David and I made a 90 minute journey to Belgrave, Ontario to meet up with my sister's family where four canoes and eight canoeists spent a glorious three hours paddling downstream on the Maitland River. Thereafter we enjoyed a wonderful dinner on the farm before making the trip back to Guelph. We had a lot of laughs while we were there. Flapping in the breeze was the Durnin laundry. I suggested that my sister did not wear thongs. My sister thought I was referencing the type of thong you wear on your feet. Trust me, my sister wears thongs on her feet. Another story was about speeches at a farm neighbour's wedding where many folk were bused in on a highway bus. The hosts decided to invite the bus driver to join them for dinner instead of staying alone in the bus for hours on end. When "Joe" was asked to stand and give a speech to his brother the groom, "Joe" stood and commented to all, "Thank you for inviting me. You all seem like very nice people". "Joe" was the bus driver. The brother "Joe" commented, "I have nothing more to add". I even got to play "horse whisperer". That was cool. This must make up for the time I let the four horses loose out of their corals while it was feeding time. Sorry, I didn't put oats in their troughs ... they bolted for the hay. In the stables I checked out the Durnin canoes ... not the Maitland River poly canoes, but the Kevlar boats - Temagami and Kipawa. Wow, that was so neat. I can't wait to canoe again, albeit having only been on land a few hours. No doubt Lyle would have loved today's trip on the Maitland.

When I got home there was a lovely tomato plant, six geraniums, a card and a 473 ml "keg" of Maclay's traditional pale ale sitting on the front porch. Aye, thanks for the Father's Day gift Lyne. That was nice.
Lyne and Casey on the mighty Eramosa River 6.14.07

In Guelph Victors running news ....

The Guelph Victors win in Brasil. Christina takes home a trophy in Curitiba.

Last weekend the Victors women swept the New Hamburg Classic, with Kelly in first, Jenniffer Umphreys in second and Gina in third. Kelly doubled up as first Master's.

Bob Harris ran a 5k in Toronto on Father's Day, after raising more than $27,000 for Prostate cancer research.

Elizabeth ran a 43 minute 10k in Waterloo. In the Waterloo 5k, Dave Brooks ran a 17:22, follwed by Peter Glaab with an 18:22, and Scott Cameron with a 20:33, finishing 10 seconds ahead of his son, David.

Jen Bergen ran a 6:19 mile in the Cambridge Classic mile.

The rest of us will run a 3k time trial on Tuesday.

We will begin Thursday track with some more speed, 1600, 1200, 800, 400 with full recoveries. 6:00 PM at St. James.

Marathon workouts (multiple times 1600m to 2400m, with 60 second rest) will start up on Thursdays in late July.

What a great weekend it was. Thanks everyone.

On a very special remembrance this weekend, we lost a very special friend and fellow runner Michael Benham at 19 young years of age. Michael passed away on Thursday, June 14, 2007. No doubt our sincere condolences are offered to Michael's family and friends. Paul (father) and Michael (son) Benham ... both Guelph Victors, two exceptional men, runners and wonderful friends that David and I respect. My son David and I admire them both. Paul and Michael are one heck of a father and son running team in Guelph. Aye, David and Scott to be as fast at Michael and Paul ... wouldn't that be something. We have always looked up to these two men. "We will always remember Michael's love of fishing, animals and running. We will miss his wonderful sense of humour." was written in the obituary. David and I spoke to Michael not only about running, but also one night at track about fishing. Man, I would love to know where Michael's favorite fishing holes are. Maybe Paul will share.

Right after David's football game in Guelph on Saturday we both made visitation to the funeral home. I only learned of Michael's demise a few hours earlier. Paul and I had been chatting via email a few days earlier. Life was great. I hugged and cried in Paul's arms. It was very tough for both of us. It really was. Paul and Tina have a wonderful family. As soon as I found out I emailed my running community. No doubt many who know Michael's family responded.

On Sunday, when my son David and I ran the Waterloo Classic 5 KM in my heart of hearts I was running the 5 KM with thoughts of Paul and Michael. I said nothing of the sort to my son David. In Waterloo, David said to me "Wouldn't it be nice if the Benham family ran the 5 KM" The 5 KM is Michael's specialty. That comment from a 14 year old choked up this 48 year old.

After the race while en route to check the results "I Will Remember You" by Sarah McLaughlin started to play. I have played this song many times on my guitar and piano. I lost it and cried thinking of Michael. It was tough thinking of Michael and his Dad, Paul, running many a race together ... father and son. Here David and I were together, on Father's Day, father and son for the third time at the Waterloo Classic. Had Paul and Michael ran the 5 KM no doubt they would have rightfully won the Parent-Child Team award and Paul would have bumped me to 3rd place medal M45-49. Michael would have been on the M15-19 podium. In the end, I'd like to think the four of us won it on this special day of racing.

SCOTIABANK TORONTO WATERFRONT MARATHON
Sunday September 25th, 2005 Toronto, ON

Place Gun Pace Chip Bib# Name City
111 1:27:39.3 4:10 1:27:33.9 3329 BENHAM, PAUL GUELPH
Gender Category 0-12 12-21.1
98/2089 8/304 Men 45 - 49 49:32 38:08

218 1:33:31.5 4:26 1:33:31.5 3327 BENHAM, MICHAEL GUELPH
187/2089 1/27 Men 19 & - 46:38 46:54

Enjoy it while you can ... it may not last forever. That David and I did. # 66 race for Dad. # 15 race for David. Our 8th time racing each other. David won last at the Billy Taylor '07. Dad won on Father's Day by 10 seconds after David passed me at the 2 KM at 8:00 minutes. "Get off the road old man" I heard as David passed me at the 2 KM. It was great watching him lead on by 30 metres, but he was wondering as he looked back a few times. I wish he would not look back. This is the first time I have seen do such. Mind you I have only trailed him in a race three times. Once at the Billy Taylor 5 KM '07 and the second last year at the Waterloo Classic 5 KM where David placed 2nd M13-15 22:05 and Dad placed 1st M45-49 21:49. Run hard to the finish I was saying to myself. You are the future. I suggested to David after to watch his tangents as he missed one. It really is fascinating to watch your child grow from behind, whether it be in a race or in life.

I clipped David at 4,400 metres hoping he would sprint on to pass me. David finished 32nd 1st M13-15 20:43, the "ole man" 29th 2nd M45-49 20:33. This was an exciting PB (personal best) for David on a hot, humid, hilly, full son course.

What's next, I was asked by Brian Williams, fellow runner, friend and City Editor of the Guelph Mercury, regarding David and I competing against one another? I suggested to Brian, that I don't know until the next one. Maybe the Fergus Scottish Festival and Highland Games 10 KM on Sunday, August 12, 2007. This would be David's first 10 KM. I think we shall. Last year David splashed me as he volunteered with Lyne. This year Son runs.

Aye, what's it really all about ... racing with Son David? It's not about the time. It's about the time together. In short we had a blast of a Father's Day.

I wish my daughters Laura and Jennifer had been with us. When I arrived home, Laura had a beautiful Father's Day card for me and two wonderful books, one on BBQ'ing. We are going to do that together. She can dance on the grass while I cook. Laura won't run...she dances...wonderfully. Jennifer lives in Toronto.

Colleen and Laura following their last dance recital at Guelph's River Run Centre 6.9.07

Laura graduates from high school.

Running hard for Father's Day glory

BRIAN WILLIAMS - Guelph Mercury - Page A2 (Monday, June 18, 2007)

Running strong two kilometres into a 5K on a hot Father's Day morning, the last thing a 48-year-old needs is for his 14-year-old offspring to tap him on the shoulder, say "Get off the road old man," and then start to pull away.

But that's one of the gifts Scott Cameron got from son David yesterday at the Waterloo Classic road race. Geesh, can't wait to hear what Scott gets for Christmas.

Don't get the wrong idea, folks, it's all in good fun with these two. If it's possible to have a grudge match without the grudge or a rivalry with a rising star where you hope he wins, this is it.

David had his first taste of victory over dad in April at the annual Billy Taylor Memorial Road Race in Guelph. That day, Scott was feeling the combined effects of a cold and the aftermath of the Boston Marathon. Plus, he started too fast. Not even two kilometres into that 5K he could hear the breathing and footsteps of the person behind him. Scott knew it was David. Then he felt a tap on his shoulder and there was David with a grin on his face. "He just looked at me and said 'Nice pace, dad.'"

In the Billy Taylor 5K, runners get out onto Stone Road and turn around to head back toward the university's Alumni Stadium. That means the faster runners see those behind them heading the opposite direction. David made the turn first, setting up a father-son high-five and the realization for Scott "there was no catching him then."

There wasn't a whole lot of trash talk leading up to yesterday's rematch. "I told him I want the crown back," Scott said. He also hoped he might catch David a little tired after his school trip to Quebec City this past week, followed by three flag football games on Saturday.

But Scott didn't need any extra help. The "old man" was running smart yesterday. Even though David created as much as a 30-metre gap between them, his more experienced dad reeled him in and they were side by side with 600 metres to go. Scott was encouraging him to go full out to the finish in the hope his son would stick with him. "I was hoping he would win," Scott said, but the combination of dad running hard and David cramping up meant dad won by 10 seconds, in a time of 20 minutes, 33 seconds.

Yet with the crown back where it should be on Father's Day, there were no long faces in the Cameron clan post-rematch. Watching them hang out together, seeing how they joke around, you can tell how close they are. They even dress the same on race days, their sleeveless orange tops making it easy to pick them out in a crowd.

One really telling moment came during the awards ceremony. Seeing Scott grab both his still and video cameras when David was called to go up on stage to receive his medal for placing first in the 13-to-15 age group didn't seem out of place at all. Proud fathers don't tend to miss these opportunities. But a few minutes later, it was Scott's turn to receive his medal in the 45-to-49 category. Without any prompting, proud son realized his dad's accomplishment was worth celebrating, too, so he grabbed the camera and positioned himself in the same spot where dad had photographed him.

Not long after that, they were able to be photographed together in victory as they returned from receiving their award for top parent-child team.

Matching tops, matching photos, matching special memories. David will always remember this time spent with dad and grow to appreciate it more and more as he ages, meeting people along the way who weren't lucky enough to be able to say "Yeah, my dad is pretty cool."

And it only makes sense David will start winning more often. He's getting bigger and stronger and it seems he's trimming his race times every time he laces up his shoes. But don't feel sorry for Scott, by spending this kind of quality time with his kid there's no way he can lose.

Football, Running, Canoeing

Wow, what can I say. We have a huge "Father's Day" weekend planned.

Son, David has just returned home from his grade 8 class trip to Quebec City, Quebec, Canada. David is exhausted. I am going to let him rest. He will tell me all about the trip another time. Fantastic city QC is. I am glad he went.

Come morning it is off to David's 10:30AM football game. Thereafter it is over to nearby Waterloo to pickup our race kits from Runner's Choice for the 30th Waterloo Classic 5km Road Race. They have the coolest shirts. You have no idea what they are until you pick them up. Two years ago the shirt had a dinosaur on it chasing runners.



Thereafter we head to Hamilton, Ontario, home of the oldest road race in North America, the Around the Bay 30 km. I have ran this for the past three years. David has ran the 5 km route for the past two years. Both courses are a blast. We will not be in Hamilton to race. David is one of a few football players from Guelph chosen to compete at CFL's Hamilton Tiger Cat's - Ivor Wynn Stadium David will be playing three games competing at a NFL-CFL U15 Flag League Provincial Tournament. If all goes well, David and his team will enjoy an all expense NFL-CFL paid trip to Winnipeg, Manitoba to compete in the National Championships July 4 to 6, 2007. They will be playing in Winnipeg Blue Bomber's Canad Inns Stadium. What a fantastic opportunity. Come the end of the day on Saturday it is back to Guelph to sleep.

Unfortunately we most likely will not make it to the Cambridge Classic. What an exciting race this would be to attend. Both David and I competed in this race in 2005 and spectated last year. This is one of the most exciting races to enjoy in North America.

If you can, you absolutely, positively must go to this race! This makes for a great day out for the entire family whether you are competing for fun, racing or spectating. There are "fun" races for the children as well. All races on the cinder track. There is nothing like this in North America. This is as close as you will ever get to the glory days of Roger Bannister breaking the four minute mile with a time of 3:59.4. Check it out at Elites compete at the end of the day. Two years ago to watch the 4:00 minute mile be broken on this track was awesome. It did not happen last year. Oh man, this is so cool. To watch Ed run on a cinder track ... lucky you. This gig is done up right. anyways, sincerely, without a doubt of hesitation ... i really hope everyone of you who reads this post will tell your family and friends and GO! ... it really is a special time. Tonnes of spectators will be there. It is a blast watching the fire truck wet down the track before the elites race at Galt Collegiate High School for the Cambridge Classic 1 miler . If the Globe and Mail gives this pre-race half page coverage then this has to be an event not to miss. Check out the 2005 website, Loban Rotich was AWESOME !!! He crashed the 4 minute mile. It was unbelievable to watch. We will remember this FOREVER. This year is stellar! Who else will be competing you wonder? Guelph's own Reid Coolsaet and nearby Meghan Brown . Both Reid and Meghan are wonderful individuals. David and I have chatted several times with Reid. A few nights ago I was told that Meghan used to run with a pack I was with when she was in high school at St. James. Nearby, Milton's Ed Whitlock too ...he is AMAZING to watch on a 400 metre cinder track. BBQ, strawberries, ice cream etc., etc. too ... if you enjoy this. Frig > read this! . Rotich will return to Cambridge on 16 June for his third consecutive Classic Mile appearance. This time he will bring his younger brother Shadrack Korir who is fast becoming a world class middle distance runner of acclaim. The last race will go at 8:30PM - Shedrack Korir should smash the course record as he is in fantastic shape and the track is very fast.



Sunday morning at 7:30AM we are on our way to nearby Waterloo, Ontario for a 9:00AM start. This will be our third year competing. Here is how we did last year: 6.19.06 Waterloo Classic 5km David 22:05 2nd M13-15 (age 13) vs. Dad (age 47) 21:49 1st M45-49, 1st place Parent / Child Team. David was ahead of me by one metre at the 4km mark. Prior to then we were jockeying for the lead against each other. In the end Dad chips in only 16 seconds ahead of David. What a race. Sunday's race is going to be an exciting event. We race each other. We are out to leave the dust in the other's face, regardless of being father / son. David won the last 5km race we competed in, beating Dad by 23 seconds. I have several valid reasons as to why this happened, but I am not going to grovel. I am very pleased for David. By the way, son David and I are right behind the two running thugs with the black tops on. Don't squint as you cannot see us, but you can see fellow Guelph Victors' Andrew Tersigni and Josh Kramer in matching GV singlets to the left of the runner in the white singlet. A & J ran the 10km in '06. We hope to see them at the '07.

This will be race # 15 for David, # 66 for Dad. Oh, oh! I just checked the tally. David has more 5km race experience than Dad! David 10 vs. Dad 9. David won the last 5km against Dad at the 28th Billy Taylor Road Race 5.29.07. I am sure Billy must be smiling. I used to own Billy’s home where David and I used to live at 17 Forest Hill Drive in Guelph with daughters / sisters Jennifer and Laura, when I first started to run. Billy’s ghost must have been in the house! Aye, Taylor...sept of the Clan Cameron.

The course is fantastic. It sure looks fast. Be sure to click on "show elevation" at the bottom of the map. It reminds me of the last six miles from the Boston Marathon's Heartbreak Hill to the finish line on Boylston Street. In addition, the last 400 metres bends to the left, so with that you will not see the finish line until you are upon it. Run hard come the turn off of Erb Street on to Father David Bauer Drive (FDBD) or as I refer to it as Fast David Brooks Drive. David is a great friend, coach, runner, website guy, Y instructor, etc. who is going to, if all goes as planned cross well under the 20 minute mark. We have other friends from Guelph competing too including 10km competitors Elizabeth Waywell, Chris Duke and Brian Williams from Guelph. We will meet up with many other friend too. Lloyd Schmidt organizes a fantastic pre, race and post race venue for all.

Come noon, it is off to spend time with my sister Heather, brother in law Mike, nephew Marshall and Ethan to celebrate Father's Day. We are going to spend the day canoeing the Maitland River to Ball's Bridge. We are all looking forward to this trip. We have done this trip a few times. It really is a lot of fun. H'mm, maybe the winner of the race rudders the stern while the other paddles. Writing of paddling, Lyne and I enjoyed a wonderful dinner on the back deck yesterday prior to taking the 12' boat ( I have come to learn that well versed canoeist refer to their canoe as a boat, so boat it will be) down to the Eramosa River for a paddle. My or should I say Kyle's and Jonathon's Kipawa had the night off. We will take her out another night. What a nice night it was. It was nice to canoe under the wooden covered bridge I saw installed in 1992 from my 16' boat I lost in Quetico.


Above is a postcard of days gone by on the Eramosa River at Gow's Bridge, an ole toll bridge. I enjoy canoeing under the restored arches. Billy's home is just over yonder a few streets behind the mill.

Have a fantastic weekend. Enjoy it. It only happens once. Best wishes to all for a Happy Father's Day.

"Everyone must believe in something. I believe I'll go canoeing." Henry David Thoreau

"August is laughing across the sky.
Laughing while paddle, canoe and I."

It has been a week since the www.shoretoshorerelay.com . By all counts everyone who participated really enjoyed the event and look forward to returning. Several of my team mates have published post race reports which I will include at a later date. What an amazing experience it was for 12 grown men. In the meantime enjoy a read of fellow team mate Art's thoughts at http://www.writedesign.ca/shoretoshore/shoretoshoreracereport_artkilgour.doc and and photographs at www.writedesign.ca/shoretoshore I will post more about team mate Phil later. Phil is doing well as of writing. Chariots for Hire is looking forward to our team BBQ on 6.21.07. Guelph Mercury post race photo / story. For update see Monday, June 4, 2007 posting as per below "Chariots For Hire" On Fire.

Since the STS it has been very busy at the Cameron Croft with work, life, children and all. The downtime from running has been welcomed, however, the next race is in eight days where son David and I race each other for the third year in a row at the 30th Waterloo Classic Road Race 6.17.07 David vs. Dad www.runwaterloo.com . David and I are racing each other in the 5km road race. We both podium finished last year and won the parent / child team award. Stay tuned. Several weeks ago David beat me in a 5km road race here in Guelph.

Saturday, June 9, 2007, 1:30 p.m. brings on daughter Laura's dance recital. This will be Laura's last dance recital with www.hollyhughes.ca . Laura has been dancing with Holly Hughes for many, many years and is a stellar dancer. Laura dances in five productions tomorrow. I will post a photo of her shortly thereafter. I am very proud of my daughter Laura's talents. Laura heads off to Laurier University in the fall to study english with sights on teaching in the future. No doubt while "Laura at Laurier" will be involved with dance . H'mmm, now if David and I could get Laura interested in running with her dancing legs. This would be fun. In the meantime, Laura enjoys to cheer us on. Yes, Laura enjoys canoeing and camping, however, she is not quite there yet regarding canoe tripping. Hopefully one day. I am sure it will happen.

In the meantime, I have posted a photograph of my dream boat as per above. Additional photos can be seen at http://ffdba.com:80/kipawa/kipawa.htm . For years I have longed for an excellent tripping canoe. As a youth I vividly remember building fiberglass canoes and tripping throughout Northern Ontario. Years later I would come to own two fiberglass canoes, a 12' and a 16'. The 16' I tragically lost in the rapids while lining the canoe through a treacherous set of rapids along side a rugged 1,160 metre steep and hot day of a portage in the summer of 2006 in Quetico Provincial Park www.ontarioparks.com/ENGLISH/quet.html with my sister, Heather, brother in law, Mike, two nephews Marshall and Ethan and my son David. My sister's family own two Swift boats, a Kipawa and a Temagami.

"Anyone who says they like portaging is either a liar or crazy." Bill Mason 1929-1988 http://www.redcanoes.ca/bill

I have lined many a canoe without incident, except for this time. I had gone from being up to my neck in water hugging the rock wall to climbing 40' to line the canoe. The bow leader successfully looped over an overhanging dead tree which I had not factored in to the lining. However, the stern leader caught the tree. Thereafter everything happened so fast. The canoe 40' below moved downstream. I shinnied out on to the dead tree with my paddle and knife trying desperately to free the canoe all for not. The canoe went starboard and filled with water submerging itself only to later wrap itself around a huge boulder in the rapids sending the gunnels and thwarts exploding into the air as I hugged the dead tree realizing how fortunate I was that I did not crash 40' below onto the rocks and into the rapids as a result of the leaders tugging on the dead overhanging tree.

Recently the opportunity came up to aquire my dream boat. I am now the proud owner of a unique 16.5' Kipawa, 42 pounds, www.swiftcanoe.com/canoe/modern/kipawa.htm ultra light kevlar canoe which was designed and built by world renown canoe designer John Winters www.greenval.com/jwinters.html. The canoe was sold by Swift Canoe www.swiftcanoe.com in 1997 to Lyle F..

The meaning of Kipawa http://www.kipawa.com/aboutkipawa.htm Thankyou for the "gift" Lyle and John.

It is rare for a designer to actually build the boat. Mr. Winters designs boats and sells the plans to companies who manufacturer the boats. The canoe I purchased I knew was unique. Recently I was advised by one of the founders of descendants of Swift Canoe, Jo Brabant: "As I thought, your Kipawa was definitely trimmed by John Winters himself. I do not know what kinds of woods that he used on the boat, but they are certainly exotic woods and you have a very special one of a kind boat." and in the words of John Winters "Sometimes hard to tell what wood I used because I rarely built two boats alike and some look very similar unless one looks closely. This one looks like the seats were basswood with leather inserts. The decks, thwarts etc. were honduras mahogany and the rails were laminated of sitka spruce and mahogany. The yoke was cherry. The Redwing on the decks is hand carved so they aren't always perfect. The boat looks well cared for and it is nice to hear people getting enjoyment from them."

Wow, I knew it was a unique canoe. The aforementioned only confirmed such. Thank you very much Jo and John.

More so special was meeting the gentleman who I purchased the canoe from. Lyle and I chatted on the telephone the day before I was leaving for my epic 305 km STS race. I told Lyle that I would meet with him upon my return. Within 15 hours of my return, my son David and I, met with Lyle and his wife. The opportunity to meet with Lyle just to listen to his canoe tripping experience was well worth the time. Lyle previously owned a Kipawa, sold it, missed it and bought another. The one I own today. Lyle has owned several canoes. Lyle currently owns a beautiful canvas / cedar 12' red canoe that he rebuilt after finding the grandson of the original builder who had the plans to the canoe which was originally built in the 1940's. However, sadly, it was time for Lyle to pass on the Kipawa to a good home. To a good home I reassured Lyle it was going. Lyle knew this. Lyle commented to my son David that if David looked after the canoe it would last for many years. Imagine that, three men, three generations of canoeists standing side by side referencing the next generation, the fourth.

The Kipawa I bought from Lyle is absolutely amazing. It is a work of art and a beauty to hold. The yolk hugs you with warmth and compassion. The lines and features of this canoe are amazing. Lyle, his wife Cheryl, David and I chatted for quite some time. Lyle was kind enough to provide me with some UV protectant and an under seat pack which will come in handing for carrying maps, camera, and more. Lyle told me a story of the time when he was on the big waters in large swells on Lake Superior. Kayakers were following Lyle only to turn back, but not Lyle. Lyle canoed on to the next bay all the while seeing nothing but sky and the crest of the wave from the swell. Land was not to be seen.

"Take everything as it comes; the wave passes, deal with the next one." Tom Thomson, 1877-1917.

No doubt Lyle did just that. By the way I have descendant jack pine cones from "The Jack Pine" painted by Tom Thomson www.tomthomson.org on Algonquin Park's www.algonquinpark.on.ca Grand Lake that I collected while I was tripping through the Barron River Canyon http://www.doe.carleton.ca/~ngt/algonquin/barron/barron_text.html a few years ago. Galls from branches of the Tom Thomson's jack pine descendant have been turned into wine bottle stoppers by fellow tripper Ed H. of which I still have yet to see. I must call Ed soon.

When David and I drove away from Lyle's home with the Kipawa securely fastend to the roof of the van I mentioned to my son David to have a look at Lyle as he walks back to his front door. Lyle will not turn around to say goodbye to us and his beloved canoe. Lyle did not turn to wave goodbye. John Winters sums it up best when I told him the story "I know how Lyle felt. When I moved to Nova Scotia I had sell off my Winisk and Osprey that were built in 1991 and had a lot of miles on them. You get attached to a boat that has gotten you through the rough stuff."

With one hour of departing Lyle's home I was soloing in the Kipawa. The opportunity to have come to own a used canoe with only 20 to 30 hours in the water is incredulous. The stories that come with this canoe and unique characteristics could never be found in a new canoe. I am looking forward to canoeing the Kipawa this summer and tripping with it in August. I will never line this boat. This boat plans to be around for many generations.

Monday, June 11, 2007 I recieved an email from Swift Canoe's Jo Brabant showing me how I can solo the Kipawa. This is Jo in Minden, Ontario's Gull River, where I will be cottaging this year, cira 1990's.

"August is laughing across the skyLaughing while paddle, canoe and I, Drift, drift, Where the hills uplift On either side of the current swift. Be strong, O paddle! Be brave, canoe! The reckless waves you must plunge into. Reel, reel. On your trembling keel, But never a fear my craft will feel." Song: My Paddle Sings, E. Pauline Johnson www.humanities.mcmaster.ca/~pjohnson/home.html

Canoe quotes: www.canoe.ca/AllAboutCanoes/canoe_quotes.html