Rob Hardy going strong
Rob Hardy walking hard at the Lachine/Bonneville marathon
DIANE HUNTER diane.hunter@eap.on.ca
cancer,” Hardy explained. “In 2012, I lost my balance and, in 2013, I created the Wobbly Walker Walker-thon.” Hardy finds solace in humour and often makes jokes about all that he has accomplished. He puts his humour to work at Participation’s Music Hall Theatre Productions as a musician, playwright and actor. “We received a standing ovation at our last show at the NAV Centre,” saidHardy with a smile. “We have a few shows coming up there inMay called Participation’s Music Hall Theatre Productions ADowntown Abbey Spring Special Featuring May Flowers and Naughty Goings On ”. The shows runMay 14 and 15 at the NAV Centre in Cornwall. “It’s not easy doing a marathon, or deciding to do 100-year-oldmusic,” laughed Hardy. “Some things don’t work out. But some things do. I always stay positive. I think that is the key to success. Always look on the bright side of life!” Born in England, Hardy immigrated to Canada in 1980 and now lives in Alexandria. Musically speaking, Hardy has played everything from classical, to Soul, R&B, rock’n roll, and ragtime. He has performed just about everywhere from Wembley Stadium to cruise ships. He enjoys a silly sense of humour, and loves tomake people laugh. When Hardy became ill in 1996, he created a bucket list that included recording and performing FifthDay Suite, a symphony recorded in Prague, in the Czech Republic.
He did that along with two other CDs. InMay of 2010, FifthDay Suite was performed to an audience of 800by theTorontoPhilharmonic, conducted by Kerry Stratton. And then he got sick again and created another bucket list.The new list included performingmusic and making people laugh. Hardy also founded a 120-km Terry Fox Bicycle Challenge in 2001 to help him get over his cancer and get on with his life. He created the walker-thon after a balance condition made it difficult for him to continue with marathon cycling. Hardy represented Canada in the 2003 and 2005World Transplant Games and has completed six 354-km Rideau Lakes Cycle Tours, and six 120-kmTerry Fox Challenges. In 2004, after recovering from leukemia and a bonemarrow transplant, Hardy cycled 1,000 kilometres for a friend who died of skin cancer. “It was so surprising because he was only 22,” said Hardy. “It promptedme to go out and do something crazy.” In 2016, after recovering from two blood clots and a total hip replacement, he will walk the HUGO Rollator with his handy walker for a total of 42 km at an average speed of 8 km an hour. “Next marathon, no walker, I hope,” Hardy said. So far, Hardy has managed to put more than 6,000 km on his walker and hopes to put a lot more before retiring it. “I amgoing to use it to destruction,” exclaimed Hardy. Hardy said some of his balance problems may be fromcataracts. “Everything is getting,
not blurry, but strange,” explained Hardy. “This may be causing my balance issue.” Hardy is scheduled to have surgery for the cataracts in August. The most important results for Hardy so far have been on January 9, at the Dome in Alexandria. He walked 30 km in 3 hours, 38 minutes and 14 seconds. On December 24, he walked 25 km in three hours. Hardy trains four days a week doing 10 km for three days and 30 km on the fourth. “InMarch, I start 35 km training runs,” stated Hardy. “If I can encourage other people to do this, it’s all worth it,” said Hardy. “If people were to get up more and move around, it would save our health care system somewhere around $14 billion. I always feel good when I amfinished. Everyone is always happy.” “So where do I go from here you ask,” quipped Hardy. “I did jiu jitsu for 18 years. I had my black belt. I had leukemia when I got it. I prove tomyself that I can do it. Some people say I can’t or I shouldn’t, so I go out and do it. I think marathoners have to have a mind-set for it. It’s a way of life and when you’re out there, everyone is happy and cheerful. It’s a different type of community. You have a group of people encouraging each other and helping each other.” When he is racing around the track, Hardy always has a smile and encourages others as he ‘flies’ by. “Anyone can do it,” smiled Hardy. “A good attitude turns into a good life.”
Rob Hardy has been in many marathons and many musicals. From running to cycling to walker runs, as well as singing, dancing and playing musical instruments, he just keeps on going. When most people have a hard time getting to the gym, Hardy has been going strong, training and competing with his walker. He said it is all part of his recovery. “My best speed is 10 km an hour,” said Hardy. “I don’t see this as any different than bicycling.” Hardy has had several health issues over the past few years. However, he said it just makes himwant to try harder. “I was in the hospital for three months in 2013,” said Hardy. “I was very depressed when I came out. I had lost a lot of my balance and could no longer bicycle. Then the doctor and my wife told me to get a walker, and I’ve been flying ever since.” Hardy has been in several half marathons including the Lachine/Bonneville half- marathon and is really looking forward to his first full marathon. “My very first marathon is onMay 29,” exclaimedHardy. “It’s the Scotia Bank OttawaMarathon.This is my first ever full marathon.” Hardy has been a Terry Fox teammember since 2001 when he was diagnosed with leukemia. “In 2001, I was racing bicycles and ridingmarathons at the time to get over the
Le Journal, Cornwall
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Le mercredi 10 février 2016
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