“The Touch” is the title of this photo of Carter and I crossing the finish line at the Hawaii Ironman 2007. Carter has CF and it was his wish to cross the finish line with me. The Make a Wish Foundation granted his wish and Carter and I created “The Touch”.
I had no idea what to expect when I flew to Halifax for the plaster casting for the sculpture, nor did I realize how huge this was. Joseph and Brian have sculpted the Queen Mom, Katherine Hepburn, Lincoln, Bush, and the list goes on. They are currently sculpting 20 great Canadians to submit to the National Portrait Gallery in Ottawa – Carter and I are part of those 20 great Canadians – only 1 of 2 full body sculptures being unveiled. But if Ottawa does not re-open the National Portrait Gallery to receive these 20 great Canadians (big faux pas), then the National Gallery in Washington will take them! Regardless, this is a huge opportunity for CF! So many people are contacting Joseph and Brian and wanting to be part of this project and make donations to CF. CBC Maritimes was there documenting the sculpting process!
It was a great 1-day reunion with Carter and Fraser (his brother) and his mom and dad and I am so honored to be part of this project. They cut a bit of each of our hair to be put inside the sculpture so that we will live forever within this statue. We will live but CF will not!!!
Prior to the Halifax trip, I was in Chicago doing a few appearances for Saucony. Within 15 minutes of checking into my amazing hotel, I was out walking and bumped into an old triathlon friend from Toronto! Stefan had recently moved to Chicago to work!
The next day, I ran along the Lakeshore and fondly remembered the many times I had raced along that same stretch of pathway – Powerman Chicago, Mrs. T’s Chicago Triathlon and the new Accenture Chicago Triathlon. So many wonderful experiences that I owe to sport. I then met Stefan for a swim at the Eastbank Club which is where Obama and Oprah used to work out! Then some walking and shopping and then it was off to the next retailer visit at Running Away Multisport in Deerfield. It was another terrific evening – great store, great people and even Dr. Boas from the CF Institute dropped by. I had done a talk at the CF Institute a few years ago so it was quite ironic that I was back there again!!
In between all of these trips, I was at the Mississauga Marathon Weekend cheering on our athletes. Everyone ran so well-most had PBs – Jen, Rob and Bonnie. My sister struggled a bit but the air quality hasn’t been kind to her breathing and Gord went on the marathon course accidentally (he was doing the 1/2) and that added some time to his run (I think he secretly wanted to do the marathon!). Barbara did the 21 km walk in preparation for her 60 km walk for breast cancer in Ottawa. But Barbara did her first every 5 km run in April and 10 km run in May – so we are super proud of her commitment to become a runner! And in Florida, Rob and Risa did the Florida 70.3 and did fantastic! We really missed being there to support and cheer for them.
Lots of other fun things going on – training Fenway is the big joy right now. Yesterday we took her for her first swim. She was amazing. Her little legs just started moving and away she went – a completely natural instinct.
Oh yes, of course there was her first trip to downtown Toronto when I did my CBC work on the Dextro Energy World Cup in Seoul. Fenway’s re-count of Toronto – “lots of noise, horns, cigarette butts and no grass!” Our re-count of Toronto – “it is a long way down from the 13th floor to a small patch of grass especially at 3 a.m.!!” But it was priceless.
Healthwise, it is all status quo at the moment. I am officially infection free but my lungs are really not much better (72% down from 100% last year). Breathing at rest is no problem, but breathing while exercising is tough – every workout feels like intervals and tempo but that is ok – I am slower but I can at least still swim, bike and run. I am going to run at the Peachbud 10 km run on the last Tuesday in June. I will be starting the race last and Subaru is sponsoring me $1 for every person I pass en route to the finish line. The money goes to the charity supported by the race. Should be fun – I wish I still had a 34 min 10 k in me but unfortunately, that won’t be happening. I am not giving up on getting back some of my lung capacity – every millilitre I can regain means I can keep up with Dave a little longer!! I cannot let him beat me!!! That 5 km in Barbados was bad enough!!
This week is a non-travel week but plenty going on. Downtown to the CF Clinic, athlete training day on Saturday, Caledon Kids of Steel and Great Strides CF Walk on Sunday and dinner with family. Next week, I will be in Gatineau, Quebec for the Subaru National Dealer Meeting!
Train safe and enjoy the sunshine! Be well! Lisa