Fundraising Update

Hello Blog Buddies!!!!

This summer has been a busy one! Since my decision to run my first full marathon back in April, I've been crazy busy learning all about this crazy world of running. I have to say- it's been an amazing experience so far as this opportunity has opened so many more doors for me.

Because of the Team Diabetes marathon in Honolulu I took my interest in Triathlons and turned it into getting INVOLVED in Triathlons. To my content.. I've found a new sport to challenge me physically and mentally and now I have something to obsess over through the winter!

I've also taken on this incredible challenge of trying to raise $8,000 for Canadian Diabetes. What I've found out is that this horrible disease affects so many people everyday. Through street sales, raffles, BBQ's, websites/blogs, and just plain spreading the word about what it is that I'm doing... I've met some incredible people that courageously fight diabetes everyday.

Sports and an active lifestyle have become such a vital part of my life that I couldn't ever imagine not being able to enjoy the things I do. I couldn't imagine losing the mobility in my limbs, or relying on insulin injections to keep me going.

There were a number of factors that drew me to this cause. The first is something I think everyone has taken notice of, it's the epidemic taking over young people today- LAZINESS

It's unreal how teenagers, and kids are growing up in a generation of videogames, computers and fast food. Now- I'm not about to get into a serious rant about this.. everyone knows how this debate goes down- fast food and video games vs healthy eating and outdoor activity. And I'll be the first to admit- technological advances have no doubt provided us with some incredible conveinences and I am not one to complain about them- I live in the world of high speed internet and text message my friends more often than I actually talk to them on the phone. However, it seems to be that choosing a healthy life style and living actively is like swimming upstream everyday. I'm going to stop here.. no need to get my self all boiled up midafternoon on a Thursday....

Back to the cause.... right- If part of the fight for a cure for Diabetes is raising awareness for prevention, then I will do my part in spreading the word and lead by example by making healthy choices and endorse healthy living. Everyone can benefit from that.

Today my fundraising has reached $4,869. I am $1,331 away from my minimum to participate in Hawaii and still quite a ways from my goal of $8,000. Many thanks to everyone who has donated already, and for anyone else who wants to make a contribution you can link to the secure Team Diabetes donation page HERE

You can email me anytime if you want more information - EMAIL ME!

Monday morning ice packs

It's Monday morning and I'm sitting at my desk with my shoe off and my foot resting on an ice pack.

After a few good runs last week, nothing especially long or hard, but 4 good runs, my oversensitive and temperamental tendon is sore and achy. This time, I don't have the luxury of the 6 weeks of rest to heal, I have a half marathon to run in three weeks, and have just started the full marathon clinic. Not to mention the third and final triathlon of the season (for me) in two weeks.

IB Profen and anti-inflamatories - here I come!

My first full-half marathon

I've offically registered for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. I'm doing my first half marathon!




A number of people I've talked to now have advised that I try to do a half marathon or even two before I head to Hawaii to run my first full marathon. Makes sense.

So... here it is.. my first reall half marathon.. let the training really begin.

BREAKING NEWS* This just in.. I'm going out to Calgary for the long weekend to visit my Mom.. you know what that means... heading out to Banff to train in the mountains!!! Woo Hoooooo!!!

Ecoli?.. No thanks

Wow! What a week it's been, I've been a little absent with my postings, so there's lots to say.. I guess I'll start with an update from my race on the 13th.

This time I was able to avoid the chaos and panic that ensued pre-race in Orangeville. I was properly organized equipment wise, and fully prepared for the hour + drive out to Grimsby in the Niagara region. When I arrived (with the full hour to prepare myself as planned in previous races), I heard a nasty rumor as I headed towards the registration booth. NO SWIM! Just as I get up to sign-in, I hear over the loud speaker "There will be no swim today as the Beach has been closed due to high counts of Ecoli". hhhmmm... okay then.. I can do without the swim today, that's fine.



To compensate, they turned the Tri's into modified Du's. So I came looking to do my second Sprint-Triathlon, and ended up doing my first modified Duathlon. I guess this wasn't all bad news, running is supposed to be my strongest element, so here is an opportunity for me to really challenge myself.

I wasn't completely happy with my first run. I think I just started off thinking too much about "pacing" and not realizing that 2.5K really isn't that far, and "pacing" is something I couldn't afford to do seeing that everyone that I passed on the run was going to pass me within the first few minutes on the bike. So, I finished my run feeling strong and started the bike portion.. and that's where it all went down hill.. (well- not literally.. the course was flat.. just figuratively). I finished the first run in the top 20, and by the time I struggled my way through the bike on my good-for-nothin' mountain bike, I was in 44th place going into my second run. GRRRRRR!!!!! It's sooo frustrating to be working so hard and seeing people working half as hard as you, flying past you at twice the speed! When your hands are tied and it seems like there is nothing else you can do, the energy level starts to plummet, and you start to lose that competitive edge and just get frustrated. I left for the second run feeling good and just giving it all I had. I made up for alot of the lost time on the bike, and the 2.5km run was over in less than 14 min. I'm happy to say that these little runs are not at all challenging anymore, which is probably a good thing seeing as I'm supposed to be running a 42Km race in a few months.



I was happy with my second run, I pushed the way I expect myself too, but overall I'm pretty disappointed. This race was supposed to determine if I move up into a longer distance race for the next one of the series, but seeing as this time I couldn't tell if my swim has improved, and seeing how I just get annihilated in the bike, until I get better equipped, I'm going to have to stay in the Sprints.

On a different note; my real marathon clinic starts this week with the Running Room. I'm really looking forward to that. Today is my day off, but I will start with the program tomorrow. (LOL- that sounds like a procrastinators guide to quitting smoking.. )

This weekend I played in the last volleyball tournament of the summer. It's so much fun and we played really well, unfortunately this particular tournament signifies that the end of summer is near. At the end of the day Sunday, we watched the Pro's battle it out, he's a pic of me and team mate Ryan watching the action courtside:




Well- that's all for today. Coming soon, I'll be able to tell you all about my training program with the Running Room.

The Fine Art of the Tuna Pancake

Anyone who knows me, knows that although I am muti-talented in a variety of different skills, arts, sports etc.. , my cooking capabilities are something that I could do nothing less than improve on.

Being as co-ordinated in the kitchen as the white guy on the dance floor (sorry for the stereo type guys..) it's hard sometimes to maintain a healthy diet. I can stick to the basics.. I make a helluva chicken stirfry, and a gourmet pizza to be reckoned with. However, anything beyond University Cooking 101 and I'm stumped. Now don't confuse my lack of understanding of preheating, broiling and marinating with lack of enthusiasms.. because let's make one thing very clear.. I LUUUVVVVEEE to eat!.

When your as active as I am, fuel is a must. For a couple of years now, I've managed to conquer the art of the healthy snack, I'd much rather munch away on trail mix, fruit bowls or a granola bar long before I would pick up a bag of chips. Water has long since been my beverage of choice far above any sugar filled soft drink or other trendy "fruit drink" like SoBE or Fruitopia. Still, I am always searching for new ways that even I can create a healthy, fuel filled, body boosting meal that fills my belly and satisfies my appetite each and every night.

I've tried "simple-to-do" "anyone-can-cook-these" recipe books, but when the "recipe for dummies" recipes call for items that I've never ever heard of... it's a bit discouraging right from the start. Besides, most of the recipes require at least more than one pot to cook with.. and that's just not something I'm willing to invest in right now. I own ONE pot and a frying pan and if I can't make a meal out of that.. then it's just not simple enough for me to cook.

Last night, Tena, my good friend and volleyball partner extrordinaire, cooked a little something up last night - as we opened up a can of Whoop-A$$ on the beach!!!! Ahem.. sorry.. couldn't resist.... anyhow.. Unfortunately Tena is as unequipted in the kitchen as I am, and as we both moaned with hunger and complained about having nothing to eat, Tena throws out "I think I'm just going to make Tuna Pancakes for dinner". WHAT?!?!?! Did you say "Tuna Pancakes"?? What in Gods name is that?? And have you become so desperate in the kitchen that you've concocted something called Tuna Pancakes and have convinced yourself to actually eat it? And further more- you've actually premeditated the fact that your going to eat this later tonight??!?!? Please explain.

Ok- so it's not as bad as it sounded at first and as Tena explains it, Tuna Pancakes actually sound healthy, protein packed and most importantly- easy!

When I got home, I decided to give the Tuna Pancake a go.. here' how it all went down:

Necessities:
1 can of Tuna
1 Egg
Some diced tomatoes
Some grated cheese
1 frying pan

Workflow:
Add can of tuna (including all the tuna juice) into a bowl. Crack the egg into the bowl and mix it all up. Add in the tomatoes and the cheese and heat up the frying pan. You may want to spray the pan with a little PAM, or use a little oil..

Then, just like little mini-pancakes, put the tuna into the pan. They end up looking like little Crabcakes and cookup like omelets 'cause of the egg. You flip them over after they fry for a bit, and in less then 10 min- voila! TUNA PANCAKES!!!

Tena suggested that you add a bit of Oatmeal (or just plain oats) to the mix for a bit of texture, but I didn't have any. I had a bit of Cottage Cheese on the side for a little "j'ne sais quoi" but it's not a must.

This recipe made four little pancakes and were the perfect little treat for a late night meal after playing hard on the beach.

So there you have it... Sarah's newest kitchen experience. Thanks Tena!!!

I hope someone tries out this recipe and let's me know if they enjoyed them just as much as I did.

S.

Fundraising update

My fundraising total has now reached over $4,200!! So many thanks go out to everyone again and again who continue to support me.


Here are a few pictures from my last race in Orangeville. I've got another one coming up this weekend...





If I'm going to move up from my last race standings... I'm gonna have to work hard. Between the organizing and hosting the BBQ, traveling for work (which left me in New York City in 115 degree humitiy- not exactly ideal for running) and this holiday long weekend... I haven't been able to stick to my training schedule. I've been getting in a swim here, and a run there.. but not the focus that I was hoping to have. This week it's crunch time..

BBQ Success

Many thanks go out to everyone who helped, supported and stopped by my Jazz Festival BBQ this past weekend. Alot of work and planning went into this event and I couldn't have done it without your help!

After all my costs were covered I ended up with over $400 going towards my campaign. I met some great people, many diabetics stopping by to say thank you, people that just came up to make a donation even if they didn't want to stick around for a BBQ and family and friends that hung out to support me in my quest to raise $8,000.

Here are some pictures from the Friday and Saturday night affairs:

This is Dave from SunTV, they interviewed me for a segment they are doing about different communities around Toronto and what I was trying to do for Team Diabetes.


It's a little dark... but this is the street view of the BBQ and my house!


People coming by enjoying the food and the Jazz!








More pictures to come.. as soon as I fure out what's wrong with Blogger...