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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Times Advocate, 2008-05-07, Page 12Crossroads 12 Times -Advocate Wednesday, May 7, 2008 Grade 4 teacher challenges self at Boston Marathon By Scott Nixon TIMES -ADVOCATE STAFF EXETER — "It was an awe- some experience." That's how Grade 4 Precious Blood School teacher Jeff Thuss describes his recent trip to the U.S. to compete in the 112th Boston Marathon for the first time. Thuss, 27, finished his first Boston Marathon April 21 with a time of three hours, two minutes, good for 1,467th out of 25,000 runners. Thuss says he was on pace for a time of two hours, 50 minutes, but "hit the wall" in the last couple of miles, when he says his legs just shut down. The 26.2 mile Boston Marathon was only Thuss's sec- ond marathon, although he's been in many big races and running is his passion. Thuss comes by his hobby honestly — both of his parents were run- ners. "It's in my blood, I guess," says Thuss, who says he's been running since Grade 4. Thuss said the beginning of the marathon was "just a wave of people," and there was a lot of bumping into people and jostling for position. A highlight for Thuss hap- pened at the eight mile mark, when seven -time Tour de France champion Lance Armstrong, also participating in the race, passed Thuss. Thuss stayed with Armstrong for four miles, but Armstrong then "took off." Thuss, who plans to run in the Boston Marathon again next year, says unless you run the marathon, it's impossible to understand how big it is. He says he focused on not letting the race overwhelm him. "You have to run your own race," he says, adding it's important to pace yourself early on. "The race is won hi the last part." Thuss had four time splits in his mind he wanted to meet during the race. Looking back on the marathon, Thuss says he knows he needs to train for longer dis- tances so he doesn't fade at the end. Thuss, who says he's always looking for a challenge, usually rims about an hour per day and longer on weekends, totaling about 65-70 miles a week. To train for the marathon, his wife Caroline, a teacher at St. Boniface, would drop off Thuss Marathon runner — Grade 4 Precious Blood Catholic School teacher JeffThuss recently com- peted in the 1 12th Boston Marathon. (photo/Scott Nixon) in Bayfield so he could run to their home in Goderich. He describes running as "my quiet time." After the marathon, Thuss said he felt tired for about a week, but he's already prepar- ing for next year. "The training started the day after I finished," says Thuss, who qualified for the marathon at a race in Niagara Falls. His finish in Boston automatically qualifies him for next year's marathon. Robert Cheruiyot of Kenya won the marathon with a time of two hours and seven min- utes. "That's fast," Thuss says, explaining it's about the equiva- lent of running a mile in four minutes and 40 seconds for 26 miles. Thuss is in his third year of teaching and his first at Precious Blood. "This is an awesome class," he says, adding his students were excited about his marathon and they were able to track his progress through- out the day. Project unveiled to protect Huron, Middlesex wetlands w ,LOW C041=1 3.111:. miatwo mire" $�xS,�O". im (hundred` OINe tiv+n,vnd d. M1wai hundred and rn<n,, }rillium Foundation Ontario e4vmrrq�,lend• an51 I.alih. Signamr<' snauu? 1,46 2Pnd be ., VPd1 b?"194b 20099 8 Wetlands project — Partners gathered Friday in Ailsa Craig to announce a `Healthy Headwaters Initiative' wetlands project, which will protect and enhance wetlands in Huron and Middlesex counties.The project was made possible by a $225,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). Pictured from left are JoeVan Overberghe of the OTF, Huron Stewardship vice -chairperson Ian Koetsier, program co-ordinator Angela Baitz,Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation chairperson Norm MacPherson, Darrell Randell of Ducks Unlimited Canada, Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP MariaVan Bommel, Joe Hogan of the OTF, stewardship co-ordinator with the Middlesex Stewardship Council Cale Selby and chairperson of the Middlesex Stewardship Council Don Fairbairn. (photos/Scott Nixon) AILSA CRAIG — Conservation partners in Middlesex and Huron counties shared plans for a three-year wetlands protec- tion and enhancement project last Friday, made possible by a $225,000 grant from the Ontario Trillium Foundation (OTF). Over the next three years, funding will be used to protect and enhance wet- lands within Middlesex and Huron coun- ties, focusing on the Ausable River watershed through the partnership Healthy Headwaters Wetlands Initiative. Lambton-Kent-Middlesex MPP Maria Van Bommel joined OTF representatives Joe Van Overberghe and Joe Hogan as they held a public announcement in Alla Craig to congratulate the collaborative partners. "We all have a responsibility to protect these special lands so they can continue to be a gathering place for aquatic wildlife and a healthy environment for plants," said Van Bommel. "This grant supports local efforts for wetland pro- tection." "The Healthy Headwaters Initiative will provide an opportunity for landown- ers to protect, restore or enhance wet- lands," said Huron -Bruce MPP Carol Mitchell. "This grant exemplifies the Ontario Trillium Foundation commit- ment to investing in the health of our environment and local communities," she said. The Middlesex Stewardship Council, Ausable Bayfield Conservation Foundation, Huron Stewardship Council and Ducks Unlimited Canada have col- laborated to form the Healthy Headwaters Wetlands Initiative, which will provide an opportunity for landown- ers to protect, restore and enhance wet- lands. The OTF grant will help to restore wetlands, creating six hectares each year, creating public awareness and engaging local community members to become volunteers. "The generous commitment of the Ontario Trillium Foundation will allow this initiative to support the great work of landowners to enhance and protect wetlands that are so vital to our well- being," said stewardship co-ordinator for the Middlesex Stewardship Council Cale Selby. Wetlands are one of the most diverse and productive ecosystems in Ontario. They provide habitat for waterfowl and more than 600 species of plants, ani- mals and insects, some of which are species at risk. Wetlands also offer numerous recreational opportunities such as fishing, hunting, wildlife view- ing, canoeing or nature photography. Wetlands are important groundwater recharge areas. As wetlands store water, they allow seepage back into the ground to replenish groundwater sup- plies. Wetlands also help reduce flood- ing and erosion by providing water stor- age, which slows down heavy surface flows, leading to less soil erosion. Angela Baitz, the program co-ordina- tor for the initiative, said "thanks to the funding commitment, staff working on the project will be able to provide tech- nical and financial support to landown- ers to create and enhance wetlands in floodplain and riparian areas." Rural and urban property owners will be able to achieve successful projects to improve the environment while retain- ing the enjoyment and use of their land. Staff will perform land surveys and site visits and facilitate on -the -ground improvements with landowners. The Healthy Headwaters Wetlands Initiative will help protect wetlands through the enhancement of floodplain habitat; creation of wetlands through small impoundments (areas created by restricting water flowing out of shallow, low-lying areas); livestock exclusion fencing; excavated wetlands (removal of earth to create a water retention area); and the creation of conservation buffers (small areas of permanent vegetation, designed to control pollutants and man- age other environmental concerns). For more information, visit www. abca. on. ca Soil testing — ABCA water resources technologist Ross Wilson gives a demonstration on how soil is tested to determine an area's potential for wet- land restoration.