Go for an “Olympic” Run

I just got back from an “Olympic” Run.

Unlike the Pope, I don’t think Rio 2016 will get on my case about the liberal use of the “O” word.

By my standards, my run this morning was Olympian. Under a scorching hot sun I pushed this 213-pound, 51-year-old mass across Toronto’s famous Bloor Viaduct and back for a 10.8K trot. Not bad considering I clocked it at 56 minutes.

So pompously I sit on my butt, albeit one that discarded 1,046 calories, and encourage you to do the same. Go on an Olympic Run.

Why Olympic? Well you can’t underestimate the power of motivation. Motivated I was. Right before my run I had a look at The Globe and Mail’s female medal domination video. Then I read an uplifting story about Desiree Scott’s impromptu radio interview with her mom. I closed the loop looking at the best video clip of the week when rugby captain Jen Kish put an Olympian hug on her cancer-battling father after our women beat Team GB for the bronze medal!

(If you want a legion of inspiration and reflection on our female athletes’ successes read Bill Cooper’s super-cerebral piece, #HerGames.)

The inspiration doesn’t just end with old men. As some T1ers headed out for a social game of beach volleyball last night, one commented on how the day’s action had him elevated to play. The wall-to-wall multi-channel coverage provides endless conversation points with my barbers, my sons, and even perfect strangers at an inhabited Muskoka resort over the weekend. I don’t ever recall talking to perfect strangers at a resort when a hockey game is on.

The Olympic Run can extend to your day. Your meetings. Your lunch date. You can fire up instant motivation by watching the amazing Canadian Tire ad, #StepUpStandTall. I think it’s another beauty from Neil McOstrich at Cleansheet. Though I haven’t verified it. Every day, Canadians take the podium in Canada.

Or, crank up the SportCheck #WhatItTakes spot. I am unabashedly stealing every word from that script for my next pregame speech.

The Olympics are only every two years, and that is what makes them both so amazing and so aggravating. Why can’t we have a season of Olympics? I could easily listen to Scott Russell weekly, tell stories about great Canadians. I know, it just wouldn’t be the same.

So far Rio hasn’t messed up the Games the way the world’s media said they would. So far Michael Phelps has continued to amaze. So far the Russians have received the reception they deserve. So far it has been an Olympics to remember.

I can’t wait for the rest of the run!