Earth Day

Run, run, run
Becoming a runner, one step at a time
By Sam Goodwin
have always been an active person and a
I year ago joined the Wild Women’s Cycling
Club and love mountain biking, but heading
into 2010 I wanted to try something new.
I never saw myself as a runner until a
friend, who had just signed up for a half
marathon running group, inspired me. After
hearing him talk about all the group
runs and seeing how much fun he was having
I went to Avid and signed up for Una
McLeod’s 10 km class.
Week 1 • I would meet my running group
and was amazed at how many people had
signed up. We introduced ourselves and
headed out for our first group run together.
I had discovered I was the only one
in the group who had no running experience…Yikes!
But everyone was friendly
and we all shared the same goal, to have
fun and love running!
Week 2 • I found myself happily awaiting
Una’s weekly email; our schedule with
an inspirational message attached. At
first I was a bit shocked that she wanted
us training five days a week. This would
mean waking up on Sundays at 6:45 am to
eat and hydrate for the run, which certainly
was not my typical time to wake up on
my day off! The schedule was just a guide
and totally optional and I found it easy to
maintain! Our group was geared towards
us training for a 10km race at the end of
our 16-week class. I realized it’s mentally
challenging and not just physically challenging,
as it’s definitely mind over matter
at times. Someone once quoted “you never
feel guilty for doing a run but you sure feel
guilty for not doing a run” and it’s true.
Wednesdays were our hill training
nights. I have to admit these were the least
favorite nights for me at the beginning but
I quickly realized how much stronger it
made me and was amazed how rapidly my
body and mind strengthened. I’m sure our
ON THE ClOCk: Una McLeod cheers on
Sam Goodwin. Under Una’s tutelage,
Goodwin is ready for her first 10-kilometre
race.
Thinking of grant writing? Here are an expert grant writer’s
TOP 5 GRANT WRITING TIPS:
1. Know your project and your goal. These aren’t always the
same thing. Know what you are asking the grant to do for
you. What do you need, when you need it and why?
2. Do your homework! Act like the grant has already been
awarded. Get quotes, create a realistic budget and gain
re-sumes from all involved in your project. Paint the
picture in detail.
3. Search for the grant that fits your project. Notice I didn’t
put this one FIRST? If you try to find grant money first,
and then put a project to it, you may find problems.
4. Be concise and hard-hitting in your words! Say what you
are going to do, how you will do it, when, and what you
need. Do not fluff a grant—they don't award on fluff.
5. Include everything. What? I just told you NOT to fluff,
right? Yes…. But, include everything that counts. If you were
evaluating your application, what would YOU want to see?
If my tips confuse you, and you are trying to write your own
grant, call me and let me help you write your grant properly!
Already have a grant writer? Allow me to review it!
I have over six years grant-writing experience,
and have helped get over $2.3M awarded!
Jennifer JM Salisbury
www.platinumbusinessdevelopment.com
Jennifer@platinumbusinessdevelopment.com
604 485-0564
Powell RiveR living • april 2010 • 11