Jon Nabbs

Wrecked. Been reaching out to friends for a chat today - many of them unable to answer the phone.

Send the love this way. I need it.

I’m taking a day off in Moose Jaw. Don’t need physical rest (the body is sore but can push through) but mental/emotional. 227 days is a long time to not share the load with anyone.

Don’t want to make any more decisions for a while. Even just typing the word decision feels tiring. So many to make, and in this environment the majority of them are so high-stakes… how far to run today, whether to put on another Merino base-layer or whether that will make me sweat too much (a hypothermia risk in these winds), whether I’ve been outside too many hours and that tingling in my nose is just numbness from the cold or it’s the beginnings of nerve damage, whether I’ve brought everything crucial inside the tent so it doesn’t freeze overnight, whether I’ve charged my Powerbank and head torch, whether I’ve mixed the right concentration of electrolyte powder for how much I’m expecting to sweat today given the weather forecast, the terrain, the wind. Even the tedium such as whether to wear my grey socks or my brown ones. I just took a shower and found myself internally objecting to the need to decide whether to hang the towel near shower as I got in or to fold it and place it on the basin…

Wrecked.

New additions to the team. Dubbed them Terry and Ed (as in Fox and Hillary). Thought the feet would be well-served to be shod by such adventurous legends.

Left to right shows the current line-up. Left pair has 1,500Km on the clock. Middle has 400Km. Right has zero. Interesting on the left pair to note more intense wear on the outer edge of the right foot. I must not be striding symmetrically.

Nearly 5,000Km of the journey are complete now and my key tool in my tool-kit have performed well. The way I look at it, my shoes are doing their job if I can put them on and forget they’re there: they don’t give me any new injuries or hesitations. They just do their job.

I only carry two pairs with me at a time, so it’s goodbye to the Blues Brothers. Thanks boys, it’s been real. You’ve keep the feet in order since Grand Falls, New Brunswick. That’s about 1,500Km, and they’re still in good nick. thanks for the new pair!

Gratitude. Awe. Joy. Pride.

Can’t believe this place I’ve envisioned for so long is now in front of me. Spiritual heart of the cross Canada run.

4,333Km down.
3,000 to go.

Thanks to everyone who has helped make this moment happen.

Let’s find a cure!

Great to speak to students at L’Ecole St Joseph and Sir James Dunn School in Wawa this week. What a terrific time I had in Wawa. Thanks for having me!

Great fun to speak to the students at Central Algoma Secondary School this morning. We chatted about New Zealand, about cancer research, about rainy tents, smelly clothes, about running, and about choosing a life of struggle over a life of ease!

An honour to be able to visit. Thanks CASS Huskies!

Super fun finishing the run at Serpent River Campground Thursday night. It was already dark when I arrived to check in. I’d already run a marathon, but couldn’t resist sprinting around inside the reception area with Mckinley! The kind staff donated my tent site, as well as some firewood to keep me warm, and then made a donation to help kids fighting cancer! What a beautiful visit! I’m so glad I stopped here!

Cross Canada Run for Child Cancer
ROUTE: DAY 151
Blind River to Livingston Creek, ON
46Km

Honk, wave, come join me for a few miles, or simple come say hi!!

Didn’t make it all the way to Iron Bridge yesterday

Roadside plantar fascia strapping job. Looking tough!

Latest ni**le. Add it to the list:
- Patellar tendonopathy
- hamstring tendonopathy
- Achilles tendonopathy
- quadriceps tendonopathy
- plantar fascia patchy

This game is all about management of attrition.

Time to don the costume and get going

Day 148 route: ESPANOLA to SPANISH
49Km

Come out and say hi!

Day 147 of the mission to run right across Canada for children with cancer:

Visit to the Paediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) today. The visit was made possible by the team I met at CHEO, in Ottawa. These hospital visits are the real deal. I remember what it’s all for when I’m here. I like running, and I’m always reminding myself how lucky am to be attempting this solo crossing of Canada, but some days - despite best efforts - it is easy for the mind to forget these things and be more preoccupied with the enormity of the task. I’ve run 3200Km run, and still around 4000Km to go.

When this happens - which isn’t too often - a part of me feels spoilt. I’m doing this fantastic adventure for a meaningful cause; “how could I not be totally pumped?!”

But then I get the privelege of being welcomed in to a centre like this, where everything seems more precious. I get to meet with wonderful nurses and doctors doing the real heroic work, and with the brave, bright young humans fighting for the chance to stay alive.

It’s the honour of my life to be welcomed in to this environment.

It’s that same sentiment I felt so strongly after Dad and Mum passed, and another friend, a 34 year-old mother of two, was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer: remembering that death is very real acts to clarify, simplify, and beautify the rest of life.

Everything unimportant falls away, leaving only what truly matters. And the list of things which truly matters is beautifully small:

Service. Love. Application. Simplicity. Enthusiasm.

Day 147 of the mission to run right across Canada for children with cancer: Visit to the Paediatric Oncology Group of Ontario (POGO) today. The visit was made possible by the team I met at CHEO, in Ottawa. These hospital visits are the real deal. I remember what it’s all for when I’m here. I like running, and I’m always reminding myself how lucky I am to be attempting this solo crossing of Canada, but some days - despite best efforts - it is easy for the mind to forget these things and be more preoccupied with the enormity of the task. 3200Km down, and still around 4000Km to go. When this happens - which isn’t too often - a part of me feels spoilt. I’m doing this fantastic adventure for a meaningful cause; “how could I not be totally pumped?!” But then I get the privelege of being welcomed in to a centre like this, where everything seems more precious. I get to meet with wonderful nurses and doctors doing the real heroic work, and with the brave, bright young humans fighting for the chance to stay alive. As a foreigner in a foreign land, it’s an honour to be welcomed in to this environment. It’s the same sentiment I felt so strongly after Dad and Mum passed, and then another friend, a 34 year-old mother of two, was diagnosed with stage 4 brain cancer: remembering that death is very real acts to clarify, simplify, and beautify the rest of life. Everything unimportant falls away, leaving only what truly matters. And that list is beautifully small: Curiosity. Simplicity. Empathy. Imagination. Service. Responsibility. @childhoodcancercanada @childcancerfoundation

Route update for Sept 13 - 18 of the Trans-Canada Solo Marathon!

315Km from Ajax to Tobermory, ON, on the beautiful Bruce Peninsula. Searching images of Tobermory online, this place looks like the Mediterranean. Who would’ve thought this exists in the Canadian interior?!

In other news, after successfully ticking off the week of 41Km/day on the road in from Kingston last week, the mileage is now stepping up to 45Km/day for the week ahead. That works out to exactly 7 days to clock the 315Km and arrive at Tobermory on the shores of the second Great Lake of this run, and also one of the largest lakes on the planet; Lake Huron!! From there, we’ll catch the ferry to Manitoullin Island, the largest fresh water island on earth. Canada you monster! Canada you beauty! Let’s go!!!

After a fun weekend in Toronto, I’m delighted to announce that the makers of my favourite running shoe, , have come onboard to sponsor the cross Canada run!

As a self-confessed gear nerd, I did thorough homework before setting out on this trip, and landed on Topo Athletic as my shoe of choice entirely of my own accord.

My first pair (“the black beauties”) lasted me about 2500Km before I begrudgingly parted with them back in Grand Falls, New Brunswick). Then the Blues Brothers came on the scene and got me all the way to Toronto. Now my new blue and gold pair are part of the team. (I christened them Jeff and Tony, after my two favourite Otago Highlanders rugby players - whose playing strip is also blue and gold - from my childhood.)

Then after so many long, lonely days pounding the pavement through the Canadian countryside, I was blown away to hear that Topo Athletic were both aware of the project and willing to support it! They’ve now offered to ship new shoes - my Phantoms 3s - to me every 3 weeks, to wherever I am along my route through Canada. This equates to approximately 1000Km per pair; a standard rule of thumb in the running world.

To the kind folk at Topo Athletic, thank you for your generosity in supporting this fundraiser. Looking forward to pounding the pavement all the way to Vancouver with feet and legs well taken care of.

Looking forward to finally making it to this weekend. Cant believe it’s nearly time - biggest city in Canada - been pounding the pavement for 126 days from way out on the edge of the continent. Whoop! Here we go. If you live nearby, I’d love to see you! Join me for a few miles and do what us humans are born to do: run with each other! (And smile & connect while we’re doing it).

After the run into the downtown on Saturday morning, I’ll be taking it easy on Sunday. Check out my most recent Instagram post for the detailed route this week. I hear there’s a Kiwi get together in Toronto Sunday too. Hope can make it!

Route Update - from the mission to run right across Canada for child cancer.

Toronto this weekend. But before that it’s the run along Lake Ontario this week:

Tues Sept 5 (today): QUINTE WEST

Wed Sept 6: COBOURG

Thu Sept 7: OSHAWA

Fri Sept 8: SCARBOROUGH

Sat Sept 9: DOWNTOWN TORONTO

Sun Sept 10: Day in Toronto

Come out to visit. Say hi. Bring the kids. Join me for a few miles! Make a donation! Or just honk your horn and make some noise :) What a week ahead!

Day 102 of Trans-Canada Run: 37Km.
St. Nicholas, Quebec.

Back in Terra Nova National Park, way back on about day 10 of this whole adventure, I ran up to the Visitors Centre at about midnight one evening after finishing my days run. It was freezing. A lone camper van sat parked there. It drive over and asked if I had any coins I could change with them for the laundry machine, which would save them the long drive to town. After changing coins, they invited me in to the camper for a cup of tea, and we stayed up chatting til 2am. And then we spent most of the next day sat there chatting and drinking tea as well. I really enjoyed Sam and company, and was sad to see them go. I posted about them in an earlier post. They went further east in Newfoundland, then up to the Great North Peninsula where Sonia got badly injured with broken ribs, before they headed on to Labrador. I lost hope crossing paths with them again on this trip.

On Friday, Id finally navigated my way out of Quebec City and was back on my favourite 132 highway heading west. Personally, it had been a tough + sad time in Quebec City and was wanting company. It was raining, and the forecast was for more rain. Running solo in this for 7 days through to Montreal was not super appealing.

Then, out of nowhere, I see a black campervan which has pulled to a stop in the road ahead of me, and a smiling face pop out. Sonia!

It was so surreal. It took me a moment to realize what was going on. I checked for traffic ran over and hugged her, and shook Sam’s hand! We chatted briefly, and then since I still had 17Kms to run, they went ahead and found a campsite. I did my miles, met them at the van, and we stayed up late chatting inside the van, just like last time back in Terra Nova National Park. Sonia cooked a beautiful warm dinner, we drank tea and chatted til late.

We then spent most of the next day doing the same thing. Such a nice surprise. Just what the doctor ordered. Such a good 24 hours!

Hoping to see Sam and Sonia again out west at the end of the year.

Time for a progress update!

Since we are now officially 2,000Km on this Trans-Canada Solo Marathon, I figure it’s a good day for our first progress update (they’ll be more frequent in future, guys. Promise!)

This next phase is where it’s at!! We are approaching the big smoke - the oldest and most populated parts of Canada. Checking out the map, you’ll see there’s going to be a run of some of the biggest, oldest and most interesting cities in Canada, and since these cities of Southern Quebec and Southern Ontario are all situated quite close together, it’s all going to be in quite quick succession over the next short while.

So, here’s the state of things:

• Current location: Montmagny, QB.

• First up is Quebec City: Just 60Km up the river. Will be there tomorrow afternoon.

• Then it’s Montreal, 260Km further on. Will be there 7 days later.

• Next up will be Ottawa, 182Km further up-river. 4.5 days later.

• Kingston, Ontario 170Km on from there: 4 days.

Then it’s the big boy,

• Toronto (biggest city in Canada with 6Million people): 300 Kms. Will take a further 7 days.

Should be in Toronto in 23 days time. Will be super close to my 33rd birthday, on August 29!!

Looking forward to more miles and motivated by what lies ahead.

Trans-Canada Solo Marathon days 84-89 cont’d:

In Edmundston, New Brunswick, I was welcomed by an Councillor from the local city government. Denise was very active in fundraising projects for cancer patients herself, and thanked me on behalf of the city for the work I was doing for Canadian children. It was one of those moments that takes me out of my own daily routine of miles, muesli bars, & social media updates, and reminds me that this project is actually effecting other people. I was touched.

Manon offered me a bed at her place. Staying with her and husband Rene for 5 nights as Manon shuttled me to & from my start & finish points every day was an experience I’ll not soon forget. I loved my time there. Every evening Rene would have the brazier lit as Manon and I returned from the road, and we’d eat dinner together on the veranda, relaxing, drinking, talking as the long New Brunswick summer evening lulled along.

When the time came to leave Manon and Rene, I was sad.

The next day was the last time I’d be in New Brunswick on this run. Seeing the Quebec border was a fantastic moment!! The end of The Maritimes! The start of the seriously big provinces. The Canadian heartland. A new chapter. Jubilant. Overjoyed. 3 provinces down in the 2 largest country on the planet.

Body - how, oh how, have you managed this long??

Mind - business as usual.

Heart - fuller & fuller the closer I get to Vancouver, the more of this land I see, the more sunsets I experience and the more good Canadians I meet.

Ran on the Trans-Canada Trail, an old tramway (therefore dead-flat!!) along Lake Temiscouata, all the way to Rivière du Loup on the banks of the St Lawrence River.

First moment cresting a rise and seeing the big, wide-open St Lawrence was special - arresting.

Taking in the expanse of one of the widest river deltas on earth, it hit home. This run has now officially progressed. We’re in fresh-water territory now, and we’re not going to see Te Moana again until I cross the Canadian interior, the prairies, the Rocky Mountains. About 5000Km. 2.5 x the length of New Zealand. And hopefully, all before the Canadian winter hits (with its -40 degree temps) in a few short months.

Trans-Canada solo Marathon days 84-89 cont’d:

I’d heard some social media supporters had rallied together to buy me some new shoes! It was a little surreal to see the shoes when Manon handed them to me. The energy and support! These shoes aren’t cheap, and here she was on the roadside in the middle of nowhere, giving them to me!

I christened them, “the Blues Brothers.”

I never like to part with my gear, and my trusty black Topos were no different. The general rule of thumb for running shoes is that they’re good for about 1000Km. The black beauties had bested the 2,500Km mark, and we’re still in great nick! A couple of holes, but still did the job. I’d had in my mind that they’d last me until Edmundston, or maybe even Quebec City.

Nevertheless, gave the blues brothers a go… and they felt funny. They were the exact same make, model & size. That’s the difference between new shoes & ones with 2500km on the odometer I suppose.

Thought I’d better wean myself on to the new shoes, since there was such a big difference. Kept the black beauties inside Shania for a couple of days.

Manon accompanied me for the day, until we met Tammy, another supporter, in Perth-Andover. Tammy presented a crocheted Kiwi she’d made me. Adopted it as the mascot for the Trans-Canada Solo Marathon, and the next day my TikTok supporters christened him Kiwi Canuck! The official name for the group of supporters also crystallized around this time: “Team Kiwi for the Kids!” Love it! The supporters are centred mostly around my TikTok account, and are mostly Canadian. The level of energy, support, encouragement, and commitment from them is totally surprising, intense, and humbling. Ideas, side-fundraisers, PR opportunities, and all sorts of other advice & support abound during my daily live TikTok broadcast as I run along the roads. With the help of Team Kiwi for the Kids, I’m optimistic about what this project could achieve.

After my 41Km for the day, Tammy took me in the car to show me the bilingual town of Grand Falls. I got a Subway sub, we saw the terrific waterfall right in the town centre, and then Tammy took me to the Best Western Hotel where she’d paid for a room for me for the night!!

Trans-Canada solo Marathon days 84-89 cont’d:

There’s a picture perfect town in the middle of nowhere, along the banks of the St John river in the New Brunswick heartland, not far from the border with the US state of Maine. Not a scrap of litter can be seen here, and fresh, flower-pots hang from lampposts on cobbled footpaths, and when I ran into town at 11:30pm the other night, there was not a breathe of wind nor a soul to be seen.

By the time I’d signed off from my TikTok Livestream, found a patch of grass and pitched my tent, it was 12:30am. A mist was settling. I still hadn’t seen - or heard - a soul. Not a birds call, not a dogs bark, not a boy racers engine… nothing. Then one car drive past. The whole scene was partly beautiful, partly spooky!

I’d heard further south in Nova Scotia about the money that was centred up in New Brunswick. 2 companies dominate commerce - and much of community life - in this place, and I’d just unknowingly ran into the nucleus of one of them: Florenceville, New Brunswick, headquarters of the global potato/food giant McCain.

Every second building, park, art gallery, museum, statue and park bench seemed to be named after someone who’s last name was McCain. And they obviously pump a lot of money into the town, keeping the streets spotless!

It rained a lot the next day. I did some grocery shopping, then parked up in a cafe to work and wait out the rain. A local saw Shania (the pram) outside, and we got talking. He shouted me lunch - I was happy.
He works for Movember, the prostrate cancer initiative, and was on holiday from his home in Toronto. He was a great guy, and given the alignment of our causes, he offered support for when I arrive in Southern Ontario.

Didn’t get running til 7pm. Annoyed at myself. Only got 22Km done before I decided to cut my losses. I’d make up for it through the rest of the week.

Pitched on a patch of grass in a settlement just down off the Trans-Canada highway.

Got underway early the next morning, and Manon, a local supporter who’d heard about my run on social media came out to the roadside to meet me. She had a new pair of my runners - Topo Athletic Phantom 2s - to hand me! Unreal!!

Trans-Canada solo Marathon days 84-89:

In Woodstock, the local ribs festival was on and it was Saturday night. I love local food festivals (the more commonplace the produce, the more interesting the festival!) so after my 35Km day in the stinking hot sun, I took a load off and enjoyed some bbq ribs and live music. Outstanding!

Next day I picked up some better clothes for running under the hot, hot sun. Long, loose and breezy is the key (and fashion doesn’t come into it) which resulted in me buying a cheap, oversized business shirt for the top, and pyjama pants as bottoms… complete with lots of little bright red motorbikes.

Left the clothing store and walked back to the point on highway130 to carry on where I left off yesterday. I had my t-shirt wrapped around my head + neck for sun protection, my sunglasses on, and Crocs on my feet (my comfy shoes for when I’m not running).

Did my warm up exercises, swapped my Crocs for runners, and began the days run.

Miles came easy along the tranquil St John river, despite it being hot enough to fry an egg on the tarmac.

2 hours later, nature called. Loudly!

I’d tried a new hydration/fuelling powder that afternoon (always a gamble) and by the looks of things, my stomach was rejecting it.

I knocked on the door of a nearby house, deliberately removing my hat and sunglasses, and the shirt wrapped round my head, before knocking.

A car was parked in the driveway.

A lady in her 60’s answered the door. As I began to speak, I sensed something was off.

She listened politely enough as I explained my situation, but intuition told me something wasn’t right. I recognized the quiet voice, and I trusted it.

She told me to wait, and ducked inside to speak to someone else.

Returning a minute later, she ushered me in. I hesitated for a moment, but was busting, so decided to take my chances. Beggars can’t be choosers…

*** This post exceeds the Instagram word limit. This post is continued on my blog: www.jonnabbs.com ***

A few technical dramas lately, meaning I haven't updated for a few days. But happy to say in recent days I've ticked off Nova Scotia. 2 provinces down, 7 to go!

Made it to Dieppe, then on to Moncton the beautiful Acadian city on the Bay of Fundy, where the world's largest tides occur.

Jason and Amanda Savage kindly hosted me after hearing about my run on social media. Jason then offered to take me out to the Bay of Fundy so I could see it for myself. Got to see the Hopewell Rock formations as well. The Bay is big, and it more or less empties out twice a day. You can walk on the ocean floor out from the Hopewell Rocks for a good 1.5Km, but you can't muck around, as when the tide turns it covers ground fast!!

Enjoyed seeing a local busking festival in Moncton and did some maintenance work on the pram.

Great to be in New Brunswick now - my last Maritime provinces before it's into the big ones: Quebec, and then Ontario the beast!! First up will be Quebec in about 9 days time.

But first, I've got Fredericton, Woodstock, Grand Falls, and Edmundston here in New Brunswick.

J

Tuesday night, heading west beyond James River en route to New Glasgow.

Neil Stanton, whose family I stayed with in Havre Boucher, had just dropped me off on the side of the highway. It was 9:30pm on a hot, humid Nova Scotia night.

I'd chosen a secondary road for this section to New Glasgow, wanting to avoid the noise and traffic of the Trans-Canada, and hoped I could find a more quiet, peaceful path. And I was soon rewarded for the decision.

10Km or so into the run, it was pitch black, and had started raining lightly. It was warm, and the rain added to the humidity. I was running just in my shorts and shoes to try cool off.

By 11pm, I came across an intersection and a lonely street light illuminating a building that looked like a local community hall. I stopped for a minute to grab a bit to eat, standing shirtless in the warm night rain and watching the steam rise from my skin. There was not a soul around. This was my first night of night running on this adventure, and it felt good. I made a mental note to myself that - after so many weeks pounding the pavement on the noisy highway - I'd finally found that stillness that adventure can offer, and that I should take secondary roads more often. "NOW I'm on an adventure," I thought.

Something moved in the trees - something big - as I ran on! It sounded too big to be a cat or a fox. "YAAAH", I snarled at it, the same way as I would toward a cow or a horse that was getting out of line. Do Canadian wildlife respond the same way as New Zealand farm animals, I wondered? I was originally worried about how to handle the wildlife, but then I was told one golden rule: whatever you do, don't run. That made sense to me, and sounded the same as dealing with bulls and horses back home. That felt easier.

I'd been told about coyotes back in Whycocomagh, and couldn't believe how cunning (and screw it, I'll say it: wiley) they sounded. They work in packs in the night, calling out from within the trees to lure domestic cats and dogs, before tearing them apart.

Perhaps noise was a black bear or something else? I made sure my bear spray was in it's pocket. And jogged on...

Part 1/2

Go to next post to read on...

We are into the 4 digits! 1,000Km down!!!

Been a long 56 days, but body is rising to the challenge and getting battle-hardeness. Onwards and upwards. 7000Km to go. In the game now!!

A particularly big thank you to my friend from Grand Falls-Windsor, Stephen Bonnell.

Steve works for the Royal Bank of Canada, and when he saw me walk in to his branch, smelling awfully and without the correct documents to open an account (in order to bank all the donations that Newfoundlanders had handed me in person), he welcomed me in, offered me his encouragement for the journey, found a way to open an account for me, and then waived all bank fees until I reach Vancouver! He then shouted me out to lunch for some much needed healthy food! (Far too much carbs and fat on this trip, not enough leafy greens!)

Since then Steve had also continued to advise me about things like social media - which hasn't been my forte - including how to deal with negative and cowardly comments. If that wasn't enough, he also rallied his workplace to donate, raising an additional $160 for children with cancer.

Steve is a fellow adventurer at heart, and told me about his dream to do something similar to my run. But he then told me about a car accident he had which has impacted his mobility. That has meant long adventures aren't an option anymore, and that now he's happily turned his attention to family life!!

I reckon I left the Royal Bank of Canada in Grand Falls-Windsor the most grateful person in town!! I was vibrating at a different rhythm. I was grateful for all the cash donations I'd collected from the wonderful Newfies, grateful to Steve for finding a way to open an account so the funds could be deposited & donated, grateful for the waiving of the bank fees, grateful for the encouragement and advice, for the 2 x Subway footlong subs, grateful for the fishing rod and mosquito head net he gave me from his house when we drove back from lunch (forgot to mention that before) and lastly and perhaps most profoundly, I am grateful that I am able to be here, doing this beautiful adventure, seeing this amazing country, and meeting so many wonderful, generous souls.

To everyone who has supported so far, thank you!!!

Arohanui,

Jon

Happiness & gratitude!

Day 40: 37Km to Corner Brook

A few days behind with the posting. Made it to Corner Brook. Lucky to stay here with Kaila, and to meet Douglas. A great couple!

Some nourishing conversations to stave off the loneliness and get me back on the road. Great to talk about poetry, running shoes, the local First Nations, maori culture, movies and books.

Got another coat of waterproofing treatment done on the tent.

25 degrees tomorrow.

8 days and 215Km until the ferry at Port aux Basques!
And Stanley Cup final tonight!

Day 39: 14Km Deer Lake to Pynns Brook

Short one today. Only 4 hours sleep last night, and legs that have been a bit niggly after the last few day's efforts. So a lighter day today, which is not unwelcome with the heavy rain. Must be getting 20mm or so, it's been pouring all day. Warm though, so OK conditions.

Made it to the house of Kenny, who I'd been put in touch with through the friend of a person I met back in St Johns.

Good to be here. Great guy. Need rest.