Bluenose 2013 Race Recap

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Wow! What an amazing day it was in Halifax Sunday.  I’d like to do a short recap of my Screen Shot 2013-05-21 at 8.41.05 AMday and what made the Bluenose 2013 with team Love4Gambia such an amazing experience.  But before I begin with my details, I would like to give a quick shout out to the race organizers, the volunteers, and the community who all came together to put this event together and make it the wonderful experience that it was.  So, thank you!

This year was my second year running the Bluenose marathon.  It was really nice to know ahead of time what to expect in terms of the course, venue, etc.  Here’s a quick debrief of some of my Bluenose 2013 highlights from May 19, 2013:

5:00 – Wake up, shower, make coffee and breakfast, pack bags, get dressed, double and triple check everything. Take deep breaths.  It’s looking like it’s going to be a beautiful day to run outside.  Try to remain calm and save the adrenaline for the kilometers to come.

6:00 – Wake up Steve. Jump on the bed yelling “It’s your first 10km race today!  You’re going to run 10km! Time to get up! Time to get ready! Aren’t you stoked!” Only to get the following response: “Why are you so chipper; You’re more excited that a kid before Christmas”.  Well, of course I am…it’s THE MORNING OF THE BLUENOSE!!!

Steve and I before the run

Steve and I before the run

7:00 – Get bikes and pedal to the race start.  Luckily, clean NS was even providing VIP valet bike parking services to park bikes in front of city hall – they even fixed up my brakes a bit while I was running :) .  Take a last pre-race pee, do the nervous/happy dance to loosen up/question why I signed up for this race again/ the usual pre-marathon nonsense.

8:00 – Race start!  Woohoo, a bit sore from tree planting earlier this week and biking yesterday, but overall I feel well rested mentally and know that this time I have done the training to prepare me for the long run ahead of me.  After a few km’s of going a bit fast, I settle in on the pace I talked about with my coach, about 5-5:10 per kilometer – a bit slower on the uphills, and a bit faster on the downhills. Nice and calm.

9:00 – The kilometers are going by surprisingly fast and I still feel good.  The course is a lot hillier then I remember, but there are so many people out to cheer it is hard to be too negative about anything.  I think this part (Shubie Park) is my favorite part of the marathon- for a few minutes I cannot see anyone ahead or behind me and can just relax and feel like I am on a long practice run.  It gives me a sense of calm and time to just run before returning to the crowds on the streets.

10:00 – Run up Maple road hill, that’s right, I actually managed to run up the whole thing.  During the marathon last year, I remember walking up the never-ending hill, with people yelling at me, “you can do it” and “stay strong”, but this year heard “you’re killing it” and “looking strong”.  Definitely had the training behind me and felt a lot better throughout this section of the run, and that hill wasn’t nearly as bad as I remember it.  In this way, the marathon this year was a great confidence booster that really helped to show me how the training is paying off and just how much my running has improved throughout the past six months.

One kilometre at a time...

One kilometre at a time…

11:00 – alright, this is where it gets tough, 36km, about 6 kilometers to go, and at this point I was feeling it in my joints.  And the course definitely stays tough throughout this part, including the hills of Point Pleasant Park followed by the gradual uphill up South Park road.   A fellow marathoner (Kirk?) caught up to me around km 41 and shouted, “you’re effing fast – I’ve been trying to catch you this entire race, let’s finish this together”.  It was really just the push I think we both needed.  With this we got through the last 2km together to finish strong.

11:42 – The finish!  It is hard to explain the emotion that comes with finishing any marathon.  So many people help to get you through the 42km and it all comes together for that final moment.  It’s pretty spectacular, and I’ll leave it at that.

12:00 – So stiff – attempt to stretch and talk about the run; mostly try not to think about how much every joint hurts.  Attempt to bike back home (mostly me walking my bike at a very slow rate, stopping to ‘stretch’/lay down in various grass patches along the way).

2:00-4:30 – Recover- shower (very painful with the random chaffing marks acquired during the run.  I kept jumping around yelling when the water would hit a different spot, washing the salt from my accumulated sweat into the sore – this might be the worse part I foresee about running in The Gambia), followed by eat, rest, eat, rest, and enjoying the feeling of accomplishment that comes with completing a tough marathon.

5:00 – Team Love4Gambia supper at the Armview.  This was one of my favorite parts of the day.  Because I started at 8:00am and finished around 11:30, I started before most people arrived and finished after everyone had left.  This post-run celebration was a great medium to catch up with other runners and to do the runner talk about times, how you felt during the run, and of course, how you could have “pushed just a little bit faster”.   Everyone on team Love4Gambia did an amazing job; many people completed a new distance for the first time, and many people helped to fundraise for the health education programs for youth in The Gambia.

Some Team Love4Gambia at the start

Some Team Love4Gambia at the start

In summary, it was a pretty epic, wonderful, awesome, and “Christmas-like” day in Halifax to be a runner!  It really goes to show that it is the more simple things in life that count: running, community, being outside, and so forth.  What really made this experience different for me from last year (besides the training) was being apart of team Love4Gambia.  This was an amazing group of over 60 people that participated in events ranging from the youth run all the way to the marathon.  It was great to see the green team t-shirts throughout the day and just to yell “go Gambia” and get a positive response in return.  This also gave me a lot of purpose in my run; I believe running can be used to accomplish great things, as an individual and as a community.  I believe this was exemplified through the Bluenose yesterday and the sense of community and pride it sparked throughout Halifax and Dartmouth.  So many people pushed their individual limits to run new race or run faster times, and the community pushed it’s limits by organizing the largest event to date with over 14,000 participants!  This is also what I hope to do with my run across the Gambia, (on a smaller scale of course).  Yes, it is an individual run, and I will challenge myself physically and mentally on an individual level to overcomes the challenges that come with running across a country.  At the same time, I hope this run will bring communities in The Gambia and Canada closer together through the universal sport of running.  We ran as a team in support of the NSGA this past weekend here in Halifax, and I will be running with children in The Gambia who are the recipients of the NSGA’s life-saving programs.   Please support me (Click the donate button on right and select love4gambia), as I use running as a means to connect Nova Scotia and The Gambia in order to promote health in both location.

Also, check out Love4Gambia on the CBC!  Tv link (love4gambia is about 9 minutes into the show) and the newspaper article.

Much love,

Jennifer

“…and all I have to do is run!” Introducing Love4Gambia team member: Megan Aston

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The Bluenose Expo is already open!  The kids run is tomorrow! And the big day is on Sunday!  The time is here!  I really don’t know where the time has gone; it seems like just yesterday I was meeting  Erin Poirier, my coach, Cliff Matthews, and my support team, Pa Modou.  Now, it is already marathon time!  I’m one of those runners that gets major nervous before a run, so even typing this up is giving me butterflies in my stomach and making my legs feel gooey.  I am so excited to run with 50+ people that will be sporting the bright green 2013 Love4Gambia t-shirts in support of the NSGA.  It brings the meaning of running a marathon to a whole other level for me.

Today, i would like to introduce Dr. Megan Aston (MA), a NSGA Board Member and love4gambia team runner who will be taking part in the Bluenose this weekend.  She has done a phenomenal job fundraising, and we are so lucky to have her apart of the team!

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JP: So Megan, how did you become affiliated with the NSGA?

MA:  I became involved with the NSGA through both my work as an associate nursing professor at Dalhousie University and my involvement with Bedford United Church. Many of our nursing students travel to the Gambia through their summer teaching program and I personally began working with the NSGA in 2008 when I travelled to Sierra Leone a part of an HIV/AIDS screening and education program. My husband and daughter travelled to the Gambia with Bedford United church in 2009 and we were involved in lots of fundraising. Since then I have been a board member.

JP: How long have you been a runner/walker?

Megan with team Love4Gambia in 2012

Megan with team Love4Gambia in 2012

MA: I began running three years ago with my neighbor. My first event was the 5km resolution run in Halifax, and my second was with Team Love4Gambia 10k, BlueNose marathon. Since then I have run two half marathons.

JP: How did you become involved with Team Love4Gambia?

MA: I was inspired by Erin, who first ran across the Gambia in 2011. I knew her as a nursing student at Dalhousie, then an accomplished youth health nurse, and finally an amazing runner.

JP: Why is it important to you to run for The Gambia as part of Team Love4Gambia?

MA: Running/walking for Love4Gambia is a way to ‘advertise’ our cause as it is a common activity that most people can do. It connects people between the Gambia and Nova Scotia as we now have runners on both sides of the ocean who run for Love4Gambia every year.

JP: If you ran or walked in the Bluenose run last year, can you share a highlight of your race?

MA: I first ran in the Bluenose in 2011. I ran 10km that year and the highlight of my run was running towards the finish line with a group from Love4Gambia standing on the sidelines cheering me on and giving me high fives. I ran across the finish line crying I was so happy… happy to be part of this amazing experience and Love4Gambia. I raised about $500 that year. Last year, I ran a half marathon for Love4Gambia and raised over $1,000. This will be my third year running for Love4Gambia and I am so excited.

JP:  What?s been the easiest part of your training this cycle?

MA: It is so easy to train as I run with my friends Jennifer and Kathy three mornings a week.

JP: What?s been the most challenging part of training?

MA: It has been challenging running in minus 10 degree!!

JP: What is your favorite part of running/walking?

MA: I love running with my friends and being part of Love4Gambia on race day. Our T-Shirts are awesome and they help us spread our message all over Halifax!

JP: How do you keep motivated?

MA: I am motivated by thinking I am privileged to live in Canada where I can run every day and stay healthy and strong. Being healthy in mind, body and spirit is important for all of us. Being able to ensure all of us have the opportunity to live our lives like this motivates me to keep going so I can raise money to help Love4Gambia. My friends and family are awesome and really keep me motivated… they are donating a lot of money…. And all I have to do is run!

JP: What are you most looking forward to on race day?

MA: I am looking forward to seeing our Love4Gambia supporters along the race route cheering us on as well as running with other runners in Love4Gambia and my friends.

JP: What advice would you give to other runners to assist them in their training for the Blue Nose Marathon?

MA: Remember that every time you run, you are running for Love4Gambia, no matter how fast or how slow your run! Enjoy each step, be very proud of yourself, and get ready to celebrate with other Love4Gambia supporters and runners on race day, at the beginning and end of the Bluenose marathon!

JP: Great!  Thanks for that Megan! Having a significant reason to run definitely makes it a lot easier and has been motivation for me as well as I prepare for the Bluenose and for Gambia.

To support megan, please click here!

For more information about team Love4Gambia at the Bluenose or to sign up to run with up, click here!

Looking forward to the Bluenose 2013!  Go team Love4Gambia (team green!) and have a great race!

Bluenose Team Love4Gambia Updates & Meet Kristen, Running for Gambia

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Can you believe it?!?  Just one short week until we will all be laying down for the last sleep before the bluenose!  I’m getting nervous just thinking about it, and excited…actually really excited.  It’s going to be so much fun to run, not as an individual, but as a part of the team. Today, I would like to introduce another Love4Gambia runner, Kristen Callaghan.  But before I get into that, I would like to let you know about two exciting things:

Love4Gambia 2013 Tees

Love4Gambia 2013 Tees

First, the Love4Gambia t-shirt design is in!  They are green, bright, and will definitely make all love4gambia runners stand out on race day!  Can’t wait to cheer you all on and be cheered on right back. All love4gambia runners that raise over $50 automatically get a tee!

Second, Team love4gambia will be having a post-bluenose celebration event at the Armview, Sunday, May 19th at 5:00pm.  It will be a great way to meet other like-mindedScreen Shot 2013-05-11 at 9.36.01 PM runners on the team and to enjoy some good food and drinks (you will certainly deserve it after running in the morning).  I even hear there will be a special Gambian cocktail.  Mmmmm.  Anyone can come and the Armview has generously agreed to donate 15% of the bill back to Love4Gambia.  So the more the merrier!

And now, back to meeting Kristen, who will be running her first half marathon on May 19th:

JP: How long have you been a runner?

KC: I’ve been involved with sports all my life, but I only started participating in races during university, now that I’m not playing any organized sports.

JP: How did you become involved with Team Love4Gambia?

KC: Erin is my sister- she created Love4Gambia and completed the first run across the country. Joining the team 2 years ago was a given to support her.

JP: Why is it important to you to run for The Gambia as part of Team Love4Gambia?

KC: Although I originally joined the team to support my sister, it didn’t take long for the cause to become important to me too. After hearing her stories, I quickly understood how important NSGA’s work is to all Gambians and wanted to do my part to help.

runner at the blue nose

Kristen and her niece at the 2012 Blue Nose

JP: You ran the 5km as part of Team Love4Gambia last year. Can you share a highlight of your race?

KC: The last two years I was impressed by not only the enthusiasm of the whole city during the Bluenose, but also the team itself. People I never met before were cheering for me just because they recognized my shirt. Last year’s highlight was being able to do the run with my sister- only 4 weeks after her daughter was born. She is the best role model around!

JP: What’s been the easiest part of your training this cycle?

KC: Getting out on the road to start running. I know that I need these training runs in order to finish my first half marathon.

JP: What’s been the most challenging part of training?

KC: One thing I’ve learned training this year is that intervals (800s, 1000s etc) are a lot harder than you expect!

JP: What is your favorite part of running?

KC: The feeling of accomplishment after you improve your time, or finish a long run you weren’t sure you could do.

JP: Where is the most unusual place you’ve run?

KC: No memorable unusual places. The boardwalk by the water in Charlottetown is one of the prettiest though.

JP: How do you keep motivated?

KC: The goal of completing my first half is pretty good motivation- if I need any more, Erin is always great for support and answering any questions I have.

JP: What are you most looking forward to on race day?

KC: Running as a part of the team with both of my sisters and knowing we are doing something important for a great cause.

JP: What advice would you give to other runners to assist them in their training for the Blue Nose Marathon?

KC: Find a family member or friend who supports you that you can share your progress with. Having your own cheerleader sure helps!

JP: Thanks so much Kristen and good luck with your first half marathon.  Looking forward to seeing you and cheering you on in your love4gambia t-shirt!

You can click here to support Kristen’s run for Gambia.

Also, if you would like to join team love4gambia at the bluenose, please click here.

Thanks and good luck to all Bluenose runners!  Enjoy the taper week!

Jennifer

Erin, the Original Love4Gambia Runner

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The Bluenose is just 11 days away!  Today I asked Erin Poirier (EP) some questions about the Nova Scotia Gambia Association and why she started and continues to run for Love4Gambia.  Quite an inspiring person!

 

JP: How long have you been a runner?

 EP: I’ve been a runner since…. always. I started running when I was 15 to stay in shape for high school basketball. I quickly realized that I had more talent (and more love) for running than basketball. I began doing road races when in my early 20s. Over the last 3 years, I’ve run across a country and run and raced though pregnancy and my daughter’s infancy.

JP: How did you become involved with Team Love4Gambia?

EP: I’m the founder of Love4Gambia- it was my brainchild. In 2011, I became the first person to run all the way (424km over 17 days) across the nation of The Gambia. I was running for the Nova Scotia-Gambia Association. I was running to keep kids alive.  I was running because NSGA needed help and I thought that I could turn my talent for running into that help.

JP: Why is it important to you to run for The Gambia as part of Team Love4Gambia?

EP: This year, my run for Team Love4Gambia is important to me as a mother. Nine months after my run across The Gambia, my daughter was born.

My beautiful child was born in Canada. Our great country boasts an under-5 mortality rate of just 6 children per 1000. Most of these six deaths are from chronic illnesses such as congenital heart defects and cancer. In The Gambia, 98 of 1000 children like my sweet baby die before their 5th birthday. That’s almost one per ten children.

Most of these deaths are preventable; caused by malaria and diarrhea. This year, my run is for the mothers of children under 5 in The Gambia. The money I raise helps NSGA continue its fight against malaria and helps NSGA educate communities about safe drinking water, fighting against water-bourne illness.

JP: You ran the 5km race as part of Team Love4Gambia last year.  Can you share a highlight of your race?

mom and baby at race

Blue Nose 2012

EP: That 5km race was just 31 days after the birth of my daughter- I’m amazed that I  survived it! I started running when my baby was 3 weeks old. I had completed exactly 3 runs before race day and only 1 was a full 5km. My sister Kristen ran with me to help get me to the finish and it was pretty special finishing with her. My biggest highlight was running past my newborn and husband on Brunswick Street just before the finish line. I dreamed of my baby while running across The Gambia and now here she was, wearing a tiny team Love4Gambia tshirt.

JP: What’s been the easiest part of your training this cycle?

EP: My year-long maternity leave was very good to me in terms of training. My daughter loves running with me in the baby jogger. She was also a pretty good napper and I was able to do some harder workout runs on the treadmill while she napped.

JP: What’s been the most challenging part of training?

EP: I went back to work when my daughter turned one in April. Time has become my biggest challenge. I miss her at work all day and want to be with her when I pick her up from day care. I’m now doing many of my runs after she goes to bed.

JP: What is your favorite part of running?

EP: Running has become such a big and defining part of who I am that it’s hard to pinpoint one part. I’d say that it’s that running helps me be the best mother, husband and human that I can be.

JP: Where is the most unusual place you’ve run?

 EP:  Gosh, that would have to be Day 16 of my 17 day run across The Gambia. It was 24km straight through Serrekunda- the throbbing market centre of urban Gambia. Think the equivalent of Midtown in Manhattan. The traffic is insane on a normal day. We had a police escort. When we began running, we learned that the President’s convoy was going to pass and two lanes of the four lane road shut down, placing all the traffica and my run in half the road. It was nuts. You can check it out here (and think about how brave Jennifer is, she’ll be running here in 6 short weeks!):

JP: How do you keep motivated?

EP: When running gets hard, I think about two things. (1) This (being this training run, this race etc) is nowhere near as hard as running across a hot African nation and (2) This is nowhere near as hard as natural childbirth

JP: What are you most looking forward to on race day?

EP: This year, my half marathon run is really special because I’m running with 2 special people as they embark on their first ever half marathon: my youngest sister Kristen and Muhammed Ngallan, NSGA’s Executive Director. I can’t wait to experience the race with them and to see them feel the pure joy of accomplishing their first big half marathon.  You never get to relive your own first half marathon finish but pacing a half marathon virgin gets you pretty close. My other sister Laura is also running her first EVER race for Team Love4Gambia. I’m going to thinking about her out there on the 10km course for most of the race.

Running with Muhammed is going to bring me back to my own run across The Gambia. Muhammed is very close with my Gambian team, Pa Modou and Kebba. Pa Modou and Kebba would LOVE to be in Halifax for this race but can’t. Muhammed will pretty much be the best closest thing to running with my Gambian guys.

JP: What advice would you give to other runners to assist them in their training for the Blue Nose Marathon?

EP: During the race, remind yourself to drink in the experience and enjoy it! Remind yourself to look at the spectators who are spending their holiday weekend cheering you, a stranger, on! Look at the volunteers who are there for you, helping you succeed. Look at your fellow racers and feel the camaraderie of running next to them. A race like the Blue Nose brings out the best in our community. Smile. Enjoy.

And of course, donate to Team Love4Gambia!

Click here to support Erin. Just $5 will go a long way for this run in honour of mothers of children under 5 in The Gambia. Just $5.

 

Laura on Love4Gambia: A Runner Reborn

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That’s right folks!  Just 12 days till we kick off the Bluenose Weekend, 2013.  Today, I am excited to introduce you to Laura Callaghan (LC) from Newfoundland who will be running her first race at the Bluenose May 19, 2013 with team Love4Gambia.

JP: How long have you been a runner?

LC: This is my first race! Many (many) years ago, I used to run track in school. Unfortunately, life and school really got in the way over the years. It has only been in the last two years that I have started running again. I am only now starting to consider myself a runner!

JP: How did you become involved with Team Love4Gambia?

LC: I became involved through my amazing sister, Erin Poirier. Most of you know her as the first runner for Team Love4Gambia. She is the reason I was introduced to the NSGA, as well as the reason I started running again.

JP: Why is it important to you to run for The Gambia as part of Team Love4Gambia?

LC: As a medical professional, I really appreciate the importance of many of the NSGA programs (clean water, sexual education, malaria education). In watching Erin start the Love4Gambia campaign, I have been able to witness what a huge effect one person can have. This has made me realize that I can help make a change. Although in the grand scheme of things, committing to raising $50 and running a race may seem like a small thing, if it makes a difference to even just one person then it was worth it.

JP: What’s been the easiest part of your training this cycle?

LC: Rest days!

runner winter training

Winter training in Port Aux Basques, NF

JP: What’s been the most challenging part of training?

LC: I can think of two. The first is that I am trying to train in Newfoundland, which must be one of the hilliest (is that a word?) places to train! Also, I was just away on vacation and it is very difficult to get runs in when you are away.

JP: What is your favorite part of running?

LC: The beautiful scenery. That is what makes training in Newfoundland possible! There are running trails to be found everywhere: around lakes, in the forest, along the coast.

JP: Where is the most unusual place you’ve run?

LC: On a cruise ship on the Mediterranean Sea. My friend and I were going to run around the little track they had, but it might have been 200m long so we would have been pretty dizzy by the end. We decided instead to use the treadmill, which has its own challenges when the boat lurches!

JP: How do you keep motivated?

LC: I keep reminding myself of why I am doing this. Also, I am pretty competitive, so when I get super tired I tell myself that if my sister can run across a country, I can finish my run!

JP: What are you most looking forward to on race day?

LC: Not only is this my first race, but both my sisters will also be out running the half marathon. How cool is that?

JP: What advice would you give to other runners to assist them in their training for the Blue Nose Marathon?

LC: Just do it! And get a running partner. It is so much easier when you are training with someone else. It gives you just enough push to get through the tough runs.

Thanks so much for taking the time to answer these questions Laura, and all the best to your first race at the Bluenose!  I’m sure you’ll be great!

Click here to support Laura’s run for Gambia.

To sign up for the Bluenose and/or join the Love4Gambia charity challenge team, please click here.

Introducing Rachel, Team Love4Gambia Runner

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The Bluenose run is just 15 days, 14 hours, and 13 minutes away!  The Love4Gambia teamLove4Gambia Blue Nose Runners is growing quickly, and I would like to introduce a new runner from the team every couple of days leading up to the race.  This is a great way to learn about who is running, and why they have decided to run for team Love4Gambia.

Today, I asked Rachel Avery (RA), 16 years old, some questions about running, the Nova Scotia-Gambia Association, and what these both mean to her.  I found her story and reasons for running quite motivating and inspiring!

JP: How did you learn about the NSGA?

RA: As a member of the Bedford United Church, I learned about the NSGA at a young age. This March, I was lucky enough to have been given the opportunity to travel to The Gambia in a group named Benno, along with 20 other people, to witness the work that the NSGA does, specifically through Peer Health Educators.

JP: How long have you been a runner?
Rachel in The Gambia

Rachel in The Gambia

RA: I don’t really classify myself as a runner. However I have been playing soccer for many years, and while in elementary school, I used to run with the running club, and participated in the Youth Run for the Bluenose a couple of times. So, although I am not necessarily a runner, I have always been involved in sports.

JP: How did you become involved with Team Love4Gambia?
RA: After returning from our trip, many members of the group were inspired by the NSGA, and wanted to remain involved with the organization. Another one of the youth on the trip, Max, told us that he had signed up for the Bluenose in support of Love4Gambia, and that we should run too. Now there are several of us running the 5k.
JP: Why is it important to you to run for The Gambia with Team Love4Gambia?
RA:  I witnessed first hand the impact that the NSGA was having in the Gambia, so it was very important to me to remain involved and do my part to contribute to the further education in The Gambia. Running in the Bluenose is the first way which I can start doing that.
JP: Great.  So what has been the easiest part of training?
RA: The easiest part of my training has been the motivation. When you are running for a cause that really inspires you, it is much easier to run than trying to get outside on your own.
JP: And what has been the most challenging?
RA: The most challenging part of training has been that I am out of shape. I have to work harder than I used to, and finish with a longer time. It can be a little disheartening, but it is something that I can improve upon by running more.
JP: What is your favourite part about running?
RA: My favourite part is when I have been running just long enough that my body adjusts. For around the first 1/2 mile, my body is telling me to stop and go sit down in front of the computer, but after I pass a certain point, I get used to the feeling of running, and feel like I could continue to run forever.
JP: And how do you keep motivated?
RA: Like I mentioned before, I keep motivated by reminding myself about why I am running, both to get back into shape, and to support an amazing organization.
JP: What are you looking forward to most on race day?
RA: I am looking forward to running with a group of people that I have become very close IMG_4496to while visiting The Gambia, as well as meeting others who share the same love for the NSGA as me.
JP: I’m looking forward to that too.  What advice would you give runners or walkers to assist them in their training for the Bluenose?
RA:  I am a bit of a hypocrite in saying this, but the best advice is just to start. Getting yourself to leave the comfort of your house, and run until your sore isn’t always the easiest thing to do, but it is a lot easier if you just start running.
JP: Thanks Rachel!  I wish you all the best in your training, fundraising, and running on race day.  Looks like you are more than ready to go!

To wish Rachel luck and support, you can donate to her run by clicking here.

To join Rachel and the rest of Team Love4Gambia roster on May 17 weekend, click here and know that we would be honored to have you run or walk with us!

Are you a Team Love4Gambia runner/walker who wants to be profiled?  Please get in touch with me!

Tricked by the Mayor!

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The Dinner Room

The Dinner Room

Last Saturday, I had the opportunity to attend the annual NSGA African dinner and auction.  I was told that this would be a good opportunity to share information about my Love4Gambia campaign, and to enjoy a great meal and good company.  I was also told that there would be a brief presentation about Love4Gambia 2013, with a message

Olga Milosevich talking about Love4Gambia 2013

Olga Milosevich talking about Love4Gambia 2013

from the 2012 runner, Andrea Moritz, and a god luck wish from the Mayor of Halifax, Mike Savage.  I was told to bring my running shoes that were donated to my run in January by Aerobics First.  The mayor was going to hand them over to me as a symbol of good luck with my 424km run across The Gambia. Woohoo!, support from the Mayor, that’s pretty neat!  The only thing was that I have been running in the shoes since January (varying 60-85km per week), and they are quite dirty, stinky, etc.  Not exactly something I want the mayor to have to hold onto.  Nevertheless, I showed up with the runners in a grocery bag and gave them to the event coordinator to have ready.

New Shoes from The Mayor and Aerobics First!

New Shoes from The Mayor and Aerobics First!

The event was excellent: well organized, with wonderful food, entertainment, company, and auction items.  When it was my turn to come up on stage I was jittery nervous, hoping not to jumble my words, trip, and so forth.  The MC, Olga Milosevich, and the Mayor, Mike Savage, both had very kind words for me.  Then, quite unexpectedly, the mayor pulled out a new pair of Mizuno Wave Rider 16s!  Holy moly, I was expecting my regular old running shoes, not a brand new pair!  I was definitely surprised!  I would like to thank Mike Savage or his good luck wishes, and Aerobics First for donating another pair of running shoes to train in for my Love4Gambia campaign.  Thanks to everyone at the dinner for their

New Mizuno Runners!

New Mizuno Runners!

wishes of good luck.  It really means a lot to me to do this with so much support from Nova Scotia.  This event was definitely a great re-motivator to continue pushing in my training and fundraising efforts.

 

Thanks again to everyone!

 

Jennifer

 

 

If you would like to support my run and health for children across The Gambia, you can donate HERE.  Thanks!