I've had to deal with the passing of my dear friend Cathy in July to that stupid thing called cancer. Cathy was like a mother to us, a grandmother to our children and just a great friend in general. And just recently another dear friend Larry passed away after his long fight with cancer. I know that as much as I wanted them to still be alive, they are no longer hurting.
Also during these low point in my life I have managed to do some pretty amazing things. I raised $2000 for the local handicap accessible playground that was destroyed by some teens who vandalized it by lighting it on fire. I help a hockey tournament which we collected Kraft Dinner for a homeless organization which helps get them off the streets and lastly I hosted my first ever race event that I put together in 3 weeks, with no budget, minimal advertising and just word of mouth and the use of social media. We also raised $600 for a bursary to help people in affordable housing to pay down some of the college debt.
I've been asked to sit on the board of directors for our local nonprofit housing corporation. I live in affordable housing, and having my input into what works or doesn't work here is just a small, but important role to me. It is teaching me what to do and what not to do, and that leads me to my last bit of challenges that I've overcome.
Earlier this year I was told to stop running by my dr. I said I would after the 3 races were over. Did I listen? Kind of. I didn't train at all for any races this year. I would just go run the 5k races and was still in the 35 min range. I knew I needed to step up for my half iron distance in sept and about 3 weeks before I went for a 15 km run and that was it. I swam here and there, and the bike was a given, I love to bike. I set out to complete a half iron distance race, and I did. I came in second last and 2nd in my age category.
On Thursday November 19th I won an award for my running. I received first in my age category (30-39), as I ran all my races this year with the local running club and as of that night I was elected as the president of our local club. That said I am excited, scared and nervous about the next chapters in my life and I know I have the of the past committee to support me in the future.
Here is looking on to a great 2016 race season, and a better 2016 personally.
KT
