Day 129 September 12, 2011 Maple Creek to Medicine Hat AB 71km – Guest Blog Russ Jenkins

Well this morning went a little different then I had expected. I told Mike and Riley that I was not going to step foot in Saskatchewan and that I would deposit them safely at the BC border. So needless to say I was not happy when Mike tricked me into an Orientation of the MCC across enemy lines. Both Mike and Riley say it was not planned but I think we can all agree they are not to be trusted! After all they have had a little time together to plan.

Alberta border

Unfortunately my plan to run with Riley through the entire province was put in jeopardy when I mysteriously strained some ligaments. So this meant that I would be spending a little more time in the MCC and thus I needed to prepare. Prepare what you may ask? Well I felt that the MCC looks like a big rig and as such I should dress appropriately (see attached photo). Also I felt it very important to remind Riley that he was entering southern Alberta, home to the Calgary Flames. I think some times Riley needs to be reminded that the Flames not only have a Stanley Cup, but also happens to be the best team in western Canada!

Group Dynamics

At different times before my first day and during it both Mike and Riley told me about the others bad habits. At first I wasn’t really listening, however every single one turned out to be true. Examples: Mike feels he has the best smile in the world and is not afraid to tell you about it. Riley on the other hand always plays Tap Zoo when he wakes up. As in first thing!

I think the best part is how they both act as a married couple of 40 years. They both boss each other around then talk very highly about the other when they are not there. It is pretty cool that after 137 days together these guys make a great team

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No really that’s how things work! And then all of a sudden we are all mad because it is 10:30pm and we are not in bed.

Day one for me in Alberta did not see as much running for me as I would have liked. The good news is that tomorrow I plan to follow a great phrase that I was told once; well it is a word really. Attack! I will thank Rod Senft for teaching me that one. 

Riley’s note: Russ did a great job setting up a place for us to stay at the fire hall in Medicine Hat. The firefighters there were amazing. They let us park in their parking lot, let us put air in our tire (whereupon we discovered a flat tire), cleaned all the bugs off the front of the MCC, something we have been unable to do, let us do laundry and cooked us dinner. Awesome!

I also got to meet one of their firefighters who was recently diagnosed with prostate cancer thanks to the fire department screening program. He hadn’t had any symptoms but it was caught thanks to early detection. He is scheduled to have surgery soon and I wish him the best of luck.