A Celebration

My friend Heather lost her life to cancer Sunday, January 8th. Being with her and her family during her last few hours was an experience unlike any other. It is time I am grateful for.

I had been worrying about how my husband and I would explain this loss to our boys. When it came time to discuss it with them, Owen shocked us both with his reaction. He said, "It's okay because Heather had the Terry Fox cold. But now that she died, she is better. Now all her friends and family can gather together and celebrate her life." He had been taught about Terry Fox in school in October, so I knew that that was how he understood what cancer is. We aren't sure where he had learned about funerals, but he seemed to have interpreted it in the best possible way.

Last Saturday, we did just that. We gathered with many of Heather's friends and family and celebrated the joyful, fun filled life she had led. Although we were all so very sad to have lost Heather, we were also happy to share our many stories of the times we had spent with her. I think she would have been pleased to see us all laughing at her antics!

The night before, while out at a friend's birthday party, I caught myself laughing and having fun. I felt bad, that I was out enjoying myself even though Heather had passed away only a few days prior. But, I reminded myself of something someone had passed on to me, "you need to live the life that she would want you to live." So that is what I'm going to try to do.

I'm leaving on a jet plane for a week in sunny Cuba. I'm looking forward to having some quiet time to reflect, relax and reconnect. A few mojitos and some time on the beach with my hubby are exactly what this girl needs.

My Event Site with the Canadian Cancer Society

The Canadian Cancer Society has their system up and running for the new year. So, I officially have an event page on their website! Let the fundraising begin!

http://ccssk.convio.net/goto/twelvein2012


There is a tab where you can make a donation called "Support Janaya" and there is also a tab where you can "Join my Team". Lets see how much we can raise for this worthy cause!

Running Together 150 km Apart

My friend Sarah joined me in this first run of the year. We didn't actually run together, but rather supported each other from a distance as we both completed the event. She ran her race on her treadmill in Prince Albert and I ran mine outside in Warman....a virtual race partner!

Here's what Sarah has to say about her experience:

When Janaya first started talking about her running project for 2012 I was so excited for what she was going to come up with and to find out how I could support her on her journey.  At the beginning she didn’t have a full plan, but the initial goal was to start the year by running the Nike Women’s virtual 1/2 marathon.  I thought this would be a great way to start the year off right, and a winter virtual run was PERFECT for me as I am not an outside winter runner in cold and ice so I haven’t done any winter races.

I am very comfortable running on my treadmill as it is MY TRAINING GROUND!  With an almost 3 year old and almost 1 year old I get my runs in on my treadmill while one or both are napping!  At times I would feel guilty for putting my kids down for a nap and getting on the treadmill but it was my “me” time after which I feel much refreshed and ready to tackle the rest of the day with the boys with all the energy it takes to keep up with them.  Other times the boys would hang out, one playing and one in a bouncy chair or jumperoo watching me run, and again I would feel guilty, yet at the same time I believe that it was good for the boys on several fronts 1) it is a good fitness “model” for the boys,  may times when I was done my run Brady would get on the treadmill for “his turn” and there were times he would last 10-12 minutes while watching a cartoon! 2) It taught them both great independence skills to entertain themselves while watching me run as they knew very quickly I wasn’t getting off.  At times it was trying for me as Brady would request to watch cartoons and running for 1/2 an hour to Mickey Mouse Club House can be a daunting task.

When it was time for the run it had to be organized. Kevin was working that day so I arranged for a sitter to come over.  I decided to run on the Sunday as I could watch a football game (my best long run training is done on Sundays during NFL season!!!!), however, it was playoffs and I had arranged for a sitter at 11am and there was no morning game on that day.  I got many strange comments from people when they found out I was getting a sitter so that I could go for a run.....but some things just have to be done.  

My last 1/2 marathon was run in December in Las Vegas when Rylan was just 9.5 months old, and I finished in a watch time of 1:55:07, I was worried about how the treadmill time would hold up as I usually have a much slower pace on the treadmill.  As there was no football on, I ran while flipping through channels for entertainment and was very happy to finish in a watch time of 1:52:39!  It was the highlight of my day as later that day my Green Bay Packers lost out in the playoffs!  

In the end I was glad that I was still improving. I am still not at my pre-kid pace, but I am getting close!!!!!  I was excited to have Janaya also complete the race and share a “virtual” celebration with her afterwords!  


Thanks for the post Sarah!

One down, Eleven to Go!

I completed the Nike+ Women's Half Marathon: a run to benefit the leukemia and lymphoma society yesterday! Registrants had the choice of doing it on the 14th or 15th of January and am I ever thankful that I did it when I did! The weather was perfect for a long winter run. The temperature was somewhere between -5 & -10 degrees Celsius, there was no wind and the sun was shinning. If I had waited until today, I would have been confined to the treadmill due to the gigantic snowfall last night.

This was my first virtual run. I really enjoyed the fact that it was up to me to decide when I wanted to start. I didn't have to get up super early and get to a specific location at a specific time, etc. etc. I got organized, had my morning coffee, snuggled with my boys while my ipod charged and then I finally hit the road around 11:00 a.m.

I'm sure that there are many people who would argue that a run of this sort has some drawbacks when compared to an organized event. True, I had to stop many times for vehicles because the roads weren't blocked off for me, I had to plan my route so that I went past home a couple times so I could stop for a swig of Gatorade, I slipped and landed on my duff once and there were no emergency personnel there to assist me (thank goodness!! and I don't think anybody saw me!), there were no strategically placed port-a-potties and no large cheering crowds or entertainment along the way. However, for this run, I was thankful to be able to just lose myself in my thoughts and go the distance without worrying about everything else. There was no pressure of keeping up with or being passed by other runners, I was able to modify my course as I went along (anyone who lives backing the Rockwood lake probably thought I was bonkers because I went around it three different times!) and I had my own support crew.

It was so nice around the 9 mile point, to come around a corner and see my husband and boys there cheering for me. The boys probably think I'm nuts, but one day they'll understand.

When I registered for this run, I told Heather I would put the treadmill right next to her bed so she could be with me while I did it. She laughed and thought that was a good idea! Instead, I was able to wear the necklace I gave her when she was my maid of honour. It's a simple gold chain with a letter 'H' charm. I will wear it as I run each of these runs this year.

I felt Heather's presence with me as I covered the distance of this half marathon. I started the run listening to a playlist I titled 'nice'. It's some folky, pleasant, slow music. The type you hear on commercials. I took the time to reflect on my relationship with Heather and some of the times we had shared. But, around the halfway point of my run at mile 6, I decided it was time to take things up a notch and switched to my playlist called 'kick some ass'. I know she would have approved!

As I circled the lake, the sun was shinning so warmly. I thought of Heather's vibrant, beautiful smile.

It seems for me, things start to hurt and fall apart shortly after the 10 or 11 mile point. For a couple reasons (I've been limited to the treadmill and have just started getting back outside for a couple runs, my cross training class has been on hiatus since the middle of December and the roads were icy) around that point my one hip and knee really started to bother me. However, the main source of Heather's pain in the last few months was her right hip; so, rather than impede my ability to finish, my sore hip actually fueled the fire in me to finish!

The Nike+ is not completely accurate when it comes to distance, but it took me 2 hours and 10 minutes to get to the 13.1 mile point. I'm sure this is generous in my favour as the best time I've ever had was 2:18 last Spring. But, nonetheless, it felt GREAT to complete this run!

I am thankful to have had a friend Sarah Keith join me in this event (she completed her run today and we are having a 'virtual beer' together tonight) as well as my sister-in-law Lynn who ran half a half marathon to support me today as well.

I am nervous for next month's event. This sudden dump of snow has reminded me what a regular winter looks like....and it's not really giving me the urge to get outside and run! But, I will....even if I have to wear my parka and walk it. I will be at the Hypothermic Half February 12th in Saskatoon. I'm going to register for it right now.

Thank you

I need to take a couple more days to clear my thoughts before I write much more, but I just wanted to take a second to say thank you so very much for all of the support and encouragement. I really, really appreciate all of your kind words and it has reaffirmed for me the decision to proceed with this.

I have also been asked by quite a few people how donations can be made. I am in the process of setting up an event with the Canadian Cancer Society Saskatchewan division. Once that is established, any pledges or donations will be able to be made online. I believe that I will also be able to accept donations and issue tax receipts as well if necessary. I will let you know once this is up and running.

Again, I am thankful for each of your comments and messages. I should have known not to expect anything less from such a great group of friends and family.

A New Year with a New Goal

Inevitably, I find myself feeling overwhelmed at the beginning of a new year. This is partly because January 1st is my birthday. It's funny how as a kid I couldn't wait to be another year older and now I find myself wishing I could just slow down the hands of time a little bit! That, and there is the pressure of the New Year's resolutions, there are so many new things that start up at the beginning of the year, the weather starts to get cold and the days are so short..... it just doesn't seem like there are enough hours to tackle everything that needs to be done!

However, this year I am trying really hard to avoid the "overwhelmingness". I am trying to focus on the things that really matter to me and my family and let the rest slide a little bit if I have to.

I am not really a fan of making New Year's resolutions. Instead, I am a goal setter. I set goals all year round. I make a 'to-do' list of goals at the beginning of most days, I make meal/food goals at the beginning of each week, I set financial goals, housekeeping goals, weight-loss goals, organizational goals, parenting goals,....really my list of goals is never ending. However, it seems that the only ones I'm really good at sticking to and achieving are my running goals.

So, here it is, my running goal for 2012. I've been thinking this up for a while, but I feel like I'm finally ready to tackle it! I am going to run 12 half marathons in 2012 and try to raise some funds for the Canadian Cancer Society in the process....and I'm going to blog about it!


Why? - My Motivation
Why Run?

So what's with all the running? It seems that running is one of those things that people either love or hate. I LOVE running. The list of reasons why I like it so much is virtually endless, but more than the rush of endorphins or the sense of accomplishment I feel when I cross the finish line at an event, running has given me a new lease on life. 

Suffice it to say, that there was a time, not so long ago, when the thought of lacing up a pair of sneakers and logging a few miles was COMPLETELY foreign to me. Not that it just wasn't something I did regularly, it was something I had NEVER done or even thought myself able of doing.

During this year, I will share my "running story" with you and hopefully it will become obvious why I've chosen to set this goal.  I want to celebrate my health and I feel like after everything I've gained from running, maybe I can use it as a way to help others. Which brings me to the next question.

Why the Canadian Cancer Society?

There are many worthy causes that rely on fundraising support, so why choose the Canadian Cancer Society? This decision was an easy one for me for a few reasons.

In Saskatchewan, 14 people are diagnosed with cancer every day. So, there are few of us who haven't been impacted by this disease.

My family and my husband's family are both predisposed to various cancers. We lost my mom's sister to breast cancer at the young age of 40. I would love it if my boys could live their lives without this fear or the fear of passing it on to their children.

Finally, a close friend of mine was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer. Heather has tumours in multiple locations in her body and there are no treatments to offer her. She is 31. So, while I feel helpless because, other than being there to support Heather and her family, there is nothing I can do to make her better; I am hopeful that raising funds for the Canadian Cancer Society will help people like her in the future.

Why Blog?

My good friends will have heard me say on more than one occasion that, "I would never blog". Mainly, this is because I feel like blogging assumes that what I have to say is worth the time it would take someone to read it. I am afraid of wasting people's time.

I'm not an expert on anything, my opinions on things are generally pretty straightforward, I don't have a witty sense of humour that would keep people engaged, I don't like to ruffle feathers, etc., etc. For the most part, my life is pretty standard and, in my mind, not worthy of a blog.

So, here's the BUT. But, I've had a tiny change of heart and am going to make this exception for one year because: 

I AM just a normal, average, happy person; and that's what makes this worth sharing. I haven't always been "average" or completely happy. Getting to "normal" has taken me a lot of effort....a lot of baby steps. But, if I can do it, anyone can! My hope is that, by blogging, maybe I can help someone who is struggling with their weight, see that normal, average and happiness are do-able.....

I also realized that I'm not forcing anyone to actually follow my blog. I'm just putting it out there. Whether or not you choose to come along for the ride is up to you....but I'm excited for what this year has in store and I hope you'll join me.

• If you're a runner (or have ever thought about trying it), pick one of the events and lets tackle it together! If the 13.1 miles of the half marathon seem a bit daunting, most of the events I've chosen also offer a shorter distance run. 
• Not a runner? Then why not come out as a spectator or volunteer and offer support from the sidelines. There's nothing like a smile and a cheer of encouragement during a race! 
• I would be extremely grateful if you would make a donation and help me support the efforts of the Canadian Cancer Society. 
• Finally, you can join me here as I reflect on the baby steps I've taken to get to this point and the elements that are motivating me to "put myself out there" (WAY out of my comfort zone) and we'll see how this all plays out!