Holiday travel and transitions

After making the trek from Saskatoon to Pender Harbour, Tara Campbell is getting settled and looking forward to spending the holidays running on the west coast.

It’s 6 a.m. in British Columbia, on Monday, Dec. 21. My internal clock is confused and my routine is out of whack. We arrived last night, having travelled 18 hours by car from Saskatoon to Pender Harbour to spend the holidays with my family.

We began the trek on Friday evening. Candace, Skylar (our dog) and myself were on our way to Edmonton — the first destination of our trip. Over the familiar flatlands we drove, arriving six hours later. It was late by the time we found a hotel suitable for the three of us. I hoped for a peaceful rest but my tendency to not sleep unless it is completely silent and dark made it a long night.

I woke up very early on Saturday morning, my body and mind still working an hour ahead of the local time. I had only a few hours of rest. Nonetheless, I was excited to get downstairs for breakfast and a run but first, a walk with Skylar. We stepped into the -20 C air, snow falling and wind blowing, we walked, because that is what
we do.

RELATED: Celebrating Thanksgiving, runner style

Routine is important to me — I think it’s important to a lot of runners. And this time of year, it can be especially difficult to keep. For me, however, my morning routine is a near must-have. I’ll go to great lengths to keep, at least, elements of it in place.

Skylar and I carried on back to the hotel. I dropped her off in the room and down I went to eat before finding my way to the treadmill. Running has a way of mitigating exhaustion. I finished my workout energized, went back upstairs for a shower and then back for more breakfast. It felt good.

Some semblance of my routine was in place and in 48 hours we would be arriving at a family friend’s house in Pender Harbour, where we would spend three days with my family before returning to the Lower Mainland with them.

I now sit, writing this piece from a picturesque waterfront home overlooking the Pacific Ocean — the rippling water inching closer as I look out the windowed doors in front of me — it is calm. Nobody else is awake. This is familiar to me.

I take advantage of this time, knowing there will be many interruptions to my routine to come. It will be difficult for me at times but I’m learning that it’s OK and I’m getting better with transitions.

As the birds swoop down, coasting just above water, I look ahead in anticipation of what’s to come on this day: I will run on west coast terrain, breathe its fresh, damp air and be grateful for this time I have to spend with my family.