In previous years the only reason I would be doing a ‘birthday run’ at 2 am would have been to evade flashing lights. But now, in my thirties, I find myself strapping flashing lights to my back, lacing up my runners and heading out the door at 2 am to start an epic adventure. 

As a self proclaimed ‘non-runner’ I don’t know what was going through my head when I asked if I could join this run. I often find myself saying ‘I don’t want to, but I will’ when faced with the idea or invite for these types of  extravagant adventures. So living true to the ethos I found myself accompanying the squad on what was to be my longest run to date. 

Two o’clock in the morning, four friends, (Myself, Mike, Marvin and Sean), 37 miles (60 km) ahead and the darkness of night still upon us. As we began our run in the still, early hours of morn we smiled to ourselves as we passed half cracked garage doors muffling the remnants of what we used to call fun. Music quietly blending with the slurred murmurs of half drunken laughs. The journey had begun and the stark realization that my idea of ‘fun’ now teeters on the brink of insanity had begun to sink in. 

Untrained and on the move, running vest loaded with water, electrolytes and of course sour keys, we began to make our way along the waterfront path. The reminder of how vast the world really is glaring as I moved, one foot in front of the other along empty streets and pathways, under the glow of the stars in a perfectly clear sky. 

As early kilometres passed we ebbed and flowed. Running as a group, in pairs and as individuals. Fuelled by laughter and adrenaline, the vibes were high as we cruised through the early stages. Thinking back, this might have been a slight oversight of the grind that was to ensue. 

Thirty kilometres down before dawn and feeling great (another lie I may have told myself). I do believe there is something to be said about running in the dark. No real idea of what’s to come or what has passed. A meditative flow of movement with minimal external distractions. But as I moved into uncharted territory, the early morning dawn of light upon me, things began to change. 

How quickly the mood can evolve. Paces had settled amongst the team and separation had occurred. No signs of the crew in front or behind. Just me, the open road and early morning sun. It was only after I had been running what had felt like the equivalent of the first thirty kilometres that I decided to take a peak at my watch. What a harsh reality that brought. As my knees began to ache and my mind began to wander I realized that I had only clocked another five kilometres. Yes, five kilometres just hit me the same physically and mentally as the previous thirty. It was at this point that I first thought I might be in trouble. 

As I continued down the road the mental battle truly began. I hadn’t seen the squad in what felt like hours, I was tired, sore and wanted to stop. As I completed my first ever marathon I knew only one thing. I must continue moving forward. I was in need of a boost. So I reached out to the Homies following along on the Instagrammer. Words of encouragement and celebration flooded in. There was once again wind in my sail, but for how long? We were soon to find out. 

At this point the kilometres were a giant blended fruit smoothie of emotions. Not wanting to stop, but needing not to run, I resorted to walking. To my surprise, although still “slow”, I was able to hold a faster pace walking than I could running at this point. 

Energy low, morale even lower I continued to trudge along the side of the Lakeshore Road towards Cobourg Beach. As vehicles whipped by I basked in the little reprieve their breeze offered. When suddenly I heard a voice. 

“Go Unc!” 

Thats it I was finally hallucinating. 

“Wooooo! You’re killing it!”

Ok, ya, that is not the voice in my head. 

As I came to my senses I realized I knew this voice. I looked across two lanes of traffic to see none other than SteezyJord himself. In the flesh, hazards on, riding the shoulder, exuberant with energy and vibes. Just what I needed… A ride! 

As much as I wanted to jump in that car and call it a day I knew that was not an option. So I absorbed the energy from across the road, dragging myself from the depths of the pain cave I was in and began to run.

Back and forth McSteezy went from me to the rest of the squad. No updates on how far back they were, just that they were still moving and so should I. 

Every now and then I would check my shoulder, just to see if the Homies were closing the gap on me. Nothing. Time after time, nothing. I prayed for that gap to close. I needed the support of the team in these last kilometres. 

Turning into one of the last subdivisions coming towards the Cobourg downtown strip I heard what I thought was a cyclist approaching from behind. I expected another athlete to cruise by on their morning ride, but to my surprise it was Mike. Running like he had just begun his day. Smile on his face, loving every minute of the pain in my eyes, he casually sauntered by and continued running down the road. P.s. this was the second time he had caught me after turning back to run with Marvin and Sean. What an animal. 

The streets now beginning to fill with the morning traffic of dog walkers and early morning riser, Mike once again turned back towards the others. I wish I could have, but I knew there was only one direction for me. The beach. 

In pain, drained mentally, physically and emotionally I was one step closer with every demanding stride. The taunt of the lake stark as it waved to me from blocks away. I could taste the reprieve of completion. 

As I rounded the last corner onto the lakefront board walk I was greeted by a familiar smile and an "Is that an Uncle G in the wild" from Ms. Sarah Wilson. What a wonderful greeting while I gathered my thoughts surrounding the realization of the accomplishment made. Six and a half hours and Fifty Five kilometres beneath my feet from Bowmanville to Coubourg. I was done. Nothing left to give as by mind and body told me it was time to lay down as I awaited the arrival of the boys. 

Not long after the Homies appeared. High fives as they continued to cruise by to complete their last five kilometres to hit sixty. Kodos to them. As much as I told myself I should join them, I was already in recovery mode. 

Thirty minutes later the three returned. Drained themselves. Tired hugs and high-fives all around. A total team domination of many neighbourhoods along the way, we had completed what we set out to do. 

Total milage:

Uncle G- 55 km

SeanFlash- 60 km 

MarivnHypeman- 60 km 

Mike ‘Das Boot’ Boot- 67 km 

As another year passes by and you are faced with the start of the next don’t forget to dream big, set goals, chase adventure always.

Peace and Love, 

Uncle G