tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-68482515297335360732008-09-05T17:14:05.211-07:00Sophie's RunNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101231774865041223noreply@blogger.comBlogger6125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848251529733536073.post-22420089581833789692008-09-05T17:02:00.000-07:002008-09-05T17:14:05.323-07:00PerfumeWell today we finished Day 5 of the run. Today started in Smithville and ended just south of Fonthill. Tomorrow we will begin at the Pioneer gas station on HWY #20 just outside of West Lincoln. Although today was not very hot, it was very, very windy. We all thought we were going to have to wear 10 pound weights to keep us on the ground. Our team was so greatful to have company today. We were joined by Toni again and three new runners Pastor Bryce, Lindsay, and Jason. They were all from Lorne Park Baptist Church. What a great job they all did. Jason and Lindsay were only planning on running 7 km each, but they ended up doing the entire 17 km!! Before we began our run, we were paid a special visit from Cst. Heather McInnis #9605. She came to meet our crew and to wish us all the best. I also learned that Cst. McInnis lost her father to colon cancer. Today I dedicated my run to her and her father. We were also paid a special visit by Dave Kenny!! He suprised us all with a bouquet of flowers for Jill, Nat and I. Dave thank you again. That was a pleasant suprise<br /><br />Laverne and Shirly were well behaved today. I think the visit from Chocha Pat, and Jeff's constant babysitting kept the two in check!! We have decided that the two of them should get their bus licenses' upon their return. <br /><br />As we all continued to fight the wind, we were all excited when we passed the sign that said "Niagara Falls." Although we are still about 40 km away, it seemed so soreil to see that we have almost run to Niagara Falls!! <br /><br />We were also sad to have our last day with Kelly. Kelly is an inspiration to us all. Not being able to run about 6 months ago, she worked hard, trained, and ran the first 5 days with us. Great job Kelly. We will miss you!! Kelly's husband Jeff visited us on route. He has been so supportive of the run. He is a race car driver and has put the Sophie's Run logo on his car. We cannot thank him enough for the support!!<br /><br />Tonight we are staying in the Fallsview Hotel. The staff have been so welcoming. Thank you for the support!! The past two days we have been at the Comfort Inn in Hamilton and St. Catherines. Thank you all for your hospitality. We are all so overwhelmed with the kindness. <br /><br />For some reason, all I could think about today was my mom's perfume bottle that sits in my bathroom at home. Although this perfume has spoiled, I cannot bring myselfto throw it out. If I throw it out, I fear that I may forget her smell................or maybe I think she is coming home and will one day use her perfume again. I don't know why I couldn't stop thinking about this bottle. This bottle brings back so many memories of my mom. I remember as a little girl, watching my mom get ready for work. She would get up, make us breakfast, get us dressed, and then get ready. The last thing she would spray was her perfume. Today, I could smell the perfume and I could remember sitting there as a little girl as though I was there again............................<br /><br />Jill made a comment today that was so true. Running is a very emotional sport.................we agreed that we don't think about the sore feet or the length we have run, be we think about the events taking place in our lives, or the memories of those we miss dearly.<br /><br />Todays song was Chances Are:<br /><br />Chances are you'll find meSomewhere on your road tonightSeems I always end up driving byEver since I've known youIt just seems you're on my way...................<br /><br />Chances are I'll see youIn my dreams tonightYou'll be smiling like the night we metChances are I'll hold you and I'll offerAll I have..........<br /><br />I hope we all dream about our mothers tonight.............<br /><br />love the Sophie's Run TeamNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101231774865041223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848251529733536073.post-70842133632771223362008-09-04T17:14:00.000-07:002008-09-04T17:18:58.618-07:00Laverne and Shirley 09=04-2008So Day 4 is now complete. Us women have decided to nickname my dad and Uncle "Laverne and Shirley." Laverne, being my dad is always right. No matter if Shirley says to turn left, he knows it is best to turn that RV right. Hence, it is 4:40 in the afternoon and we just arrived at the hotel!!<br /><br />Yesterday we forgot to mention a very important little girl who came to visit us. Her name was Kennedy. She came to cheer us on and was wearing a "Go Jill Go" shirt. Is great to see the different generations that we are touching.<br /><br />We began the day in Stoney Creek. Today our police escort included to officers. They ensured that we were safe as we ran into Smithville. Although it was still hot, today we had a breeze that made the running more bearable. We continued on HWY #20 through the beautiful countryside. The scenery was beautiful. I have to say that this was tough day for me. My mom and I used to love to take day trips into Niagara, often taking the back roads. I can remember our last trip to Niagara together. Deep down I think she knew she may have not been with us much longer. Being ill from her chemotherapy, she would push herself to spend the day with me and visit local markets and restaurants. These are the times I miss most. How does one fill these voids? This is the struggle that I still face each day...............<br /><br />As we continued down HWY #20, we were lucky that the Rotweiller that wanted to attack us was tied up by a chain. We all wondered if he would be a good mascot for the RV. Our first stop was at a gas station with a sandwich shop attached. This was in Fulton. The ladies there were so kind to offer us a free lunch. After a quick break, we headed out. We all ran our hearts out!! Kelly, Jill, and Natalie have been so supportive this first week together. Our first day ended in Smithville. We have to thank the Dell Pharmacy in Smithville!! Marta, Debbie x 2, and Valerie we miss you already. They were so kind to come out to meet us and support our cause. What a welcoming community!! After we left Smithville, we went to eat at the Judge and Jester Pub in Grimsby. Ross was gracious to offer our whole team lunch. The food was amazing!! We were able to speak with many of the patrons in the pub about our cause. They were all touched and inspired by our mission to save lives. Thank you Annie for your support as well. She took care of us and made a donation to Sophie's Run. The kindness that everyone has shared with us is overwhelming. Our team cannot thank everyone enough. We will use your kindness and run our hearts out to New York. Tomorrow we will begin our day at 10 am at the Tim Horton's in downtown Smithville just off HWY #20. Special thanks to Jeff for all your help again today.<br /><br />One of the songs that I listened to over and over today was "Holy Mother" by Eric Clapton and Stephen Bishop. The words are so meanful for the journey we are all on............<br /><br />"Holy mother, where are you? Tonight I feel broken in two.Ive seen the stars fall from the sky.Holy mother, cant keep from crying.<br /><br />Oh I need your help this time,Get me through this lonely night.Tell me please which way to turnTo find myself again.<br /><br />Holy mother, hear my prayer,Somehow I know youre still there.Send me please some peace of mind;Take away this pain."<br /><br />Until tomorrow, our team thanks everyone for their support.<br /><br />Nicole & TeamNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101231774865041223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848251529733536073.post-9970072994779681222008-09-03T16:50:00.000-07:002008-09-03T16:53:36.461-07:00Well Day number 3 is all finished. We ran to Stoney Creek today. We started at the edge of Hamilton and made our way on the hottest day yet. The humidity was overwhelming, especially running the first 2 km on fresh ashphalt. What a day!! We were honked at and cheered on by everyone in Hamilton. Cars would yell to us "We saw you on the news and wish you all the best of luck. Keep up the great work." Jill even had a gentleman give her $10 as she was running by his car. After the first 5 km, we stopped at a plaza outside a Walmart. We set up our awareness table and had a young gentleman come up to visit our table. He spoke to Jeff about not feeling well and having some sympotms that were on our educational materials. After making a donation to the run, he told us he was going to go to the get checked out by his doctor. This is what the run is all about!! Education + Awareness = Lives saved!!<br /><br />A good friend of Jill's, Toni, came out to run with us today. She did great!! As we headed back out after our first stop, the heat was our biggest challenge. This is when I feel that Jill's mom and my mom were taking care of us all. As we continued to run, cars and trucks were honking and cheering us on. Everyone respected on the roads and welcomed us in their community. As we finished our day, we stopped at a bar just outside Stoney Creek. At the bar, a young lady told us that she lost her mom to colon cancer. These are the stories that keep us moving. <br /><br />The togetherness that our team feels is overwhelming. It is true when we said it is not about the race, but about the journey. This is a journey!! We have all been brought together to make a difference. The first song that I listened to today was The Beatles "Let It Be." I think the words speak for themselves about how we are feeling:<br /><br />WHEN I FIND MYSELF IN TIMES OF TROUBLEMOTHER MARY COMES TO ME SPEAKING WORDS OF WISDOM LET IT BEAND IN MY HOUR OF DARKNESS SHE IS STANDING RIGHT IN FRONT OF MESPEAKING WORDS OF WISDOM LET IT BE LET IT BE LET IT BE LET IT BE LET IT BEWHISPER WORDS OF WISDOM LET IT BE<br /><br />As we make the journey, we do hear words of wisdom. These words of wisdom keep us going!! Until tomorrow..........<br /><br />Love the Sophie's Run Team<br />P.S. Thank you Shannon for the Alphabets. You rock!!Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101231774865041223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848251529733536073.post-37354549239978236882008-09-02T17:42:00.001-07:002008-09-02T17:42:41.522-07:00Hot Hot Day 09-02-2008Today was another success. We completed 21 km. It was a very, very, very hot day. The heat got to us at times, but we managed to get through it. We were very lucky to have the support of our police escort Tom. He directed traffic and made sure that everyone knew that we were running through Burlington. Our first awareness was at a plaza in Burlington. Three young high school girls came over to visit to find out what we were doing. They were encouraged by our campaign, bought markers and signed our banners. We were touched that we were able to engage a younger crowd. Then we went to meet the Mayor of Burlington, Cam Jackson. He was very welcoming of us. We met with him and learned about his efforts to raise awareness for colorectal cancer. Then we carried on our journey. This is when the heat started to take its toll and the lactic acid in our legs built up. We fought through it though!! What was so encouraging was people telling us that they saw us on the news and how proud they were of our awareness campaign. At our next stop we continued to touch people. People bought our shirts and continued to sign our banner along the way. After our run, we went to dinner at the Queen's Head in Burlington. They treated us to lunch!! Thank you!! We continued to touch and share our story. A gentleman at the bar came up and handed us $40 and wished us well on our journey. What a day!! We all realized that this campaign is touching lives and will save lives. I felt my mom with me today; guiding us and making sure the team was safe. I still feel that we were all chosen for this journey. I am blessed to have a great team with me. My dad, uncle, Jeff, Jill, Natalie and Kelly.......what a team!! Us girls do wonder how long my dad and uncle will last........lol........they are taking good care of us women!! Thanks,Nicole & TeamNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101231774865041223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848251529733536073.post-58164773728591174672008-09-02T17:41:00.000-07:002008-09-02T17:42:08.323-07:00The First Steps 09-01-2008"Today was an emotional day for all of us. It is somewhat soreil...........an idea that started almost 2 years ago is now a reality. We are all motivated by the awareness and education that it will bring to colorectal cancer. We are all feeling great. No blisters or sore feet yet. We would also like to thank everyone who came out, volunteered, and participated in Sophie's Run. We are all so greatful. Tomorrow we will be starting in Burlington and running to the border of Hamilton. Will keep you posted on our progress........" Thanks,Nicole & TeamNicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101231774865041223noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6848251529733536073.post-29150882236752336592008-09-02T17:35:00.000-07:002008-09-02T17:36:28.848-07:00Hot Hot Day 09-02-2008Today was another success. We completed 21 km. It was a very, very, very hot day. The heat got to us at times, but we managed to get through it. We were very lucky to have the support of our police escort Tom. He directed traffic and made sure that everyone knew that we were running through Burlington. Our first awareness was at a plaza in Burlington. Three young high school girls came over to visit to find out what we were doing. They were encouraged by our campaign, bought markers and signed our banners. We were touched that we were able to engage a younger crowd. Then we went to meet the Mayor of Burlington, Cam Jackson. He was very welcoming of us. We met with him and learned about his efforts to raise awareness for colorectal cancer. Then we carried on our journey. This is when the heat started to take its toll and the lactic acid in our legs built up. We fought through it though!! What was so encouraging was people telling us that they saw us on the news and how proud they were of our awareness campaign. At our next stop we continued to touch people. People bought our shirts and continued to sign our banner along the way. After our run, we went to dinner at the Queen's Head in Burlington. They treated us to lunch!! Thank you!! We continued to touch and share our story. A gentleman at the bar came up and handed us $40 and wished us well on our journey. What a day!! We all realized that this campaign is touching lives and will save lives. I felt my mom with me today; guiding us and making sure the team was safe. I still feel that we were all chosen for this journey. I am blessed to have a great team with me. My dad, uncle, Jeff, Jill, Natalie and Kelly.......what a team!! Us girls do wonder how long my dad and uncle will last........lol........they are taking good care of us women!!Nicolehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18101231774865041223noreply@blogger.com