First weekly update

What a long week!
But a really good one. It started on the 21st when Ralf and I attended a family friend's wedding. We had a wonderful time, the food was incredible, but our intentions of leaving early didn't work out as planned. Home late to bed and up at 5:00 am on the 22nd to head to UBC for the Scotia Bank Half Marathon. I completed the run in 2:09; my time was hampered by an ongoing muscle injury but it was a great race. I had a special shirt made up with mom's picture and I wore it during the race. The t-shirt has my website and Run for Joy across the front. Lots of spectators were encouraging the racers along the route; I had several call out 'Run for Joy' and clap. I couldn't believe how moving that was. My mom would have loved it! I had a special surprise when an arm came out of the crowd just before the Burrard St. Bridge - it was Ralf! It was a good moment to have a familiar face cheer me on. We clasped hands briefly and I carried on. Later that day I headed to work (night shift) and and when my shift was over at 6:00 am I headed straight to the Physio!

Annie and I were out and about putting up posters, meeting with people and getting things rolling for the rest of the week. We met with Cheryl Austin. Cheryl is a RN, now retired who was diagnosed with M.S. a few years ago. She has two young children and has had to stop working. She has offered to join us in putting out posters and agreed to join us in upcoming meetings and share her story. I put together the final mail outs and Ralf has been busy collecting pledges: he pointed out to Annie and I that he is way ahead!! Ralf's boss, David, took us to lunch and was the first to sign our t-shirt. My sister took a large batch of posters to her office, my dad was busy passing them out at his different stops on his bicycle routes. It has truly become a family fundraising effort.

On Friday June 27, I had the privilege of joining the last leg of the Law Enforcement Special Olympics Torch Run. A group of us met up with the main group that had been running for 4 days and over 80 Km. With full police escort and Olympic Torch out front we ran three abreast with the athletes in the middle. There was a wonderful response by the people of Delta. Motorists at intersections honked and cheered, children ran to school fences and people lined up outside businesses to clap and cheer. With one member of the group leading different 'army style' chants we ran down Ladner Trunk Rd with a few stops for contributors including the Delta Fire Hall on Harvest. We picked up some final athletes as we turned the last corner. The run finished with a reception at Delta PD Headquarters. After a few speeches and thanks to the many volunteers, everyone was welcomed in for a BBQ and refreshments. What a feast! And what a lot of work by all participants and volunteers. Well done! And hello to one of the athletes' who ran with me: and good luck, Curtis!

Off to Victoria tomorrow for a two day bike trip on the Galloping Goose trail up to Sooke. I hope I can sit when I return (150 km round trip), lol. I have stocked up on gel seats.
Take care everyone and talk to you soon.

Welcome

Hello everybody...

welcome to my blog.

In this space, I'll keep you up-to-date with my fundraising efforts and my training for the marathon, as well as share some personal stories here sent to me from others who are also affected by MS (and on my website www3.telus.net/runforjoy).

As the marathon approaches, watch this space for photos!