For Tali

 

This is a photo of Tali.  A bright, 26 year old woman with her whole life ahead of her... until last Thursday night.  While jogging on the Washington Mall, steps away from the White House, Tali was fatally injured after being hit by a car.  She was my husband's cousin and a dear part of our family.  Life isn't fair sometimes.

On a daily basis, I am reminded how precious life is.  Unfortunately because I surround myself with ovarian cancer, I experience death regularly.  It always hurts and it never gets easier.  Somehow though, with a diagnosis, it makes more sense.  There is (at least) direct cause and effect. This death was senseless and I struggle to comprehend it. 

Tali was going to change the world.  Just back from the Sudan, Tali worked to bring relief to a struggling country.  She was passionate about helping others, often putting her own needs behind.  She lived large, loved deeply and smiled brightly.  I hope she knew how much she was loved.

It's Time To Shout

I stumbled on this blog this week.  It's Time To Shout is committed to creating a collective voice of people affected by ovarian cancer.  Even though ovarian cancer whispers, you don't have to.  This site was developed as a forum for anyone who wants to say something... even shout something.  I fell in love with the concept and the site immediately.  Check it out.  It is very inspiring.

10 States Signed On

First of all...thanks to all for the concern over my feet.  I certainly didn't mean to burden anyone with the aches and pains of my campaign. It is what it is and I am trying not to focus on it too much.  Bottom line... I am alive and well and able to participate in an awesome sport AND hopefully make a difference in the lives of others.  What's to complain about?  Really.  On a side note, I have just passed the FIVE year mark of being in remission.  So what's a little foot pain????
That being said, I have 10 of my 11 states planned for 2012.  It is all so exciting.  Every single one of the race directors has agreed to offer a complimentary race entry.  To further my commitment, I have agreed to donate the amount I save to OCRF in the name of the race.  All of the entry fees go directly to the cause.  Woo hoo. You'll be reading more about each race as it gets closer.  For now, there are a lot more logistics to work out but the ground work is set.  Stay tuned.

The Agony of De-feet

So frustrating with the 2012 creeping up on me.  I am once again side-lined by my heel spur and plantar fascitis.  I was doing very well until yesterday. I was diagnosed in November, babied it, did exactly what the doctor recommended and started training again.  It was going very well and I was able to run 5 miles again.  Added to that was the excitement of planning my 2012 calendar.  Dates filling in, responses back from race directors, opportunities to speak to women about early detection.... all good.  And then, BAM!  Limping, hobbling, crippling heel pain again yesterday. 
Back to the doctor today for another cortisone injection...gosh, I hate those things.  Holding the assistant's hand like a baby, I might have uttered a curse word or two.  And now, more rest, more ice, more time away from training.  Maddening, really. 
I have to stay humble, rest my body and take it as it comes.  All I can do is what is recommended but it is frustrating for me.  In the meantime, lots more planning to do.  My goal is 11 new states this season so plenty of logistics to focus on, even if I can't physically prepare.  That's the update.  Send me lots of healing thoughts please. 

Happy 2012

After a much needed break from social media and triathlon training, I have eaten myself silly and am ready to plan my 2012 race calendar.  Looking in the rearview mirror, 2011 was an amazing year.  My campaign gained a momentum I never imagined possible and I was able to tick off a dozen new states, bringing my total to 31.  My fundraising is on track and I now see that my $100K goal is possible.  I thoroughly enjoyed my holiday hiatus and am geared up to get things moving forward for this year.

This is the time of year I love...the planning stage.  I feverishly scour the internet for races, contact race directors, search flights, hotels, cars and begin to kick in my training.  Living in the Northeast, the weather has been very cooperative.  Today I ran in a short sleeved t-shirt, as temperatures hovered around 55 degrees.  November and December had me sidelined with plantar fascitis and a heel spur.  However, after a cortisone injection (ouch!), stretching, rest, ice and trigger point therapy, I am cautiously optimistic.

So you can start looking for my posts again as I pick my dates and states.  Please feel free to pass this blog along to your friends, family, colleagues and anyone else who may benefit from information on ovarian cancer.  The section on OCRF and ovarian cancer has information that can save someone's life.  And oh yeah....donations.  I will be sending out email requests for donations once my race calendar is set.  Thanks in advance for all the support.

I wish all of you a healthy, peaceful and prosperus 2012.