I recently pinged off a bunch of challenges over 10 weeks; Ottawa Marathon, my very 1st Ultra Marathon in Niagara then, I surprisingly went to Russia to climb Mt Elbrus. Honestly, for 2016, I had one challenge goal and that was to finish my unfinished business at the Ottawa Marathon; the other 2 challenges were a bonus.

I have realized I am a VERY lucky person to be able to take on these challenges. BLESSED! There are so many people who would like to, love to even, but can’t because they are dealing with health issues that prevent such challenges. Cystic Fibrosis is one of those serious health issues and it’s the charity I have chosen to raise awareness and funds for by running the Toronto Waterfront Marathon on October 16th.

Why Cystic Fibrosis? I truly feel blessed to have the lung capacity and ability to push my body the way I have over the last 4 years. It makes me feel guilty about my lazy couch potato 40’s but, I eventually got my butt up and out the door to get healthy again. * Just think about what I wrote in that last sentence.*  I had the ability to get healthy. Most of us have the choice to get healthy. I have decided to run for those who don’t get that choice. Day in, day out, they battle infections, deal with reduced oxygen and the deterioration of their major organs. They are at the mercy of their illness. They can’t just get up off the couch and choose to get healthy. I’ve decided I want to help the 4000 Canadians who are living with Cystic Fibrosis and I hope you join me in raising funds to find a cure – $ PLEASE CLICK HERE $

Cystic Fibrosis is THE most common fatal disease affecting young Canadians!

Another reason I have chosen Cystic Fibrosis is a family member I’ve watched deal with this disease over the 15 years I’ve known him; Erick Bauer. He has pushed through very challenging times and achieved more than most his age while living with Cystic Fibrosis. The daily challenges and many hospital stays that he and his wife Stefanie and parents have had to cope with haven’t stopped them from helping others who suffer. They have a built a community and charitable foundation that recognizes and helps others with Cystic Fibrosis. Most of us have nothing to complain about folks. I give a hand to Erick and others who find a way to give back. It’s truly honorable. My wish is Erick and his CF friends will all live long and wonderful lives and I would truly love to see a cure so this wish can come true. Check out this wonderful video about Erick and Stefanie. Go get the kleenex!

As most of you know I love to climb mountains. It’s really the reason I took up running and it’s what pushes me to keep training so I’m ready to take on my next mountainous challenge. I have often joked ‘if a money tree ever falls on me, I want to be ready to take off to a mountain at a moments notice’ and … thus …. I keep training. Well, this year that form of motivation really worked for me since I was able to head off to Russia to climb Mt Elbrus with 10 days notice. (There will be a blog post soon about that crazy adventure, I promise.) While climbing in Russia I came down with a pretty bad case of altitude illness. As if dealing with the decrease in oxygen at high altitude wasn’t enough I had to deal with headaches, nausea, loss of appetite, digestive issues and bad dizziness while climbing a glacier. It wasn’t pretty at times but I pushed myself to my limit. What helped push me further then I might have climbed was thinking about people who don’t have a choice or opportunity to take on high altitude adventures. I get to put myself in a situation where my oxygen is decreased and, if I can’t handle it, I turn around and climb down until I can breathe again. It was the very 1st time I enjoyed the descent more than the climb. I really examined myself and thought about ‘my limit’, so many don’t get to decide what their limit is they just have to keep going regardless.

I wish everyone could decide their personal limit. Those with Cystic Fibrosis can’t, their bodies decide for them. They are all rockstars in my book.

I am going to stand up for the victims of Cystic Fibrosis and run in a costume on October 16th. My theme this year will be 🙂 HAPPY FACES 🙂 #SmilesCanChangeTheWorld and, of course, there will be a tutu involved #TutusForCharity … the 1st $500 I raise guarantees I wear a tutu. Then come the happy faces 🙂 .. I hope to be covered in Happy Faces! 🙂

Let’s all help get closer to finding a cure 🙂 > $ PLEASE CLICK HERE $ < 🙂

There are over 180 charities as part of the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, they are all great causes. Pick a cause, get a tutu and let’s run for charity! #TutusForCharity