I cannot tell you how much it meant to me to have the support of the Pink Ladies- the amazing group of women who I race and train with and mostly admire! Most race faster than I yet support me on a daily basis. For the Little Washington race, everyone paid a little more for this awesome TeeShirt, and the extra cash went to Amani Children's Foundation! What an amazing, motivating surprise for me the night before the race. Thank you, Pink Ladies, for your camaraderie, your motivation, your love, and your money which has gone right to Kenya. I am so humbled.

Race Report: Kure Beach Double Sprint June 26, 2011

So I took my new perspective to the Kure Beach Double Sprint.

This is the race the you read about and think "That will be great! Little short 375m ocean swim, a short 1.5 mile run, normal 12m bike, the same short run again, and another quick swim to cool off at the end- EASY!" That's what I thought, given my love for swimming in the ocean and my dread of racing during a run. I love to bike, so there couldn't be enough of that. Truly this race seemed to be made just for me, since the run is split into two small pieces and I would get to swim twice!

Last year as I raced this race for the first time, I learned that it's not as easy as it seems! There are little chunks of difficulty that are lurking around every corner. I didn't foresee the blazing heat of the entirely unshaded course or fighting the waves that hit my thighs after the sandbar snuck up on me at the end of the swims, or running uphill after each swim to the transition area or to the finish line! After you make it through the second run and get your cap on for the final swim, how tough is it to then run down the beach to the second swim start? How can one mile-and-a-half be different from another mile-and-a-half? I can assure you that the mile-and-a-half runs during this race are the longest on the planet. They didn't highlight that part in the race description! During 2010's race I thought "Why on earth did I choose this one? Not next year!" But when registration opened up in January and I was feeling sluggish and the jeans felt tight, so I signed up again.

BUT remember: I took my new attitude! PERSPECTIVE! I am doing this for so many good reasons. I want to have fun! I want to enjoy my time! I want to be healthy. I want to be around for and set a good example for my children. And I want to make something out of it- I WANT TO HELP BABIES IN KENYA!

So this is how the race went: Swim was awesome. Thought to myself the whole time- they MUST have shortened the course, and thank the stars for this rockin' current. The run up the beach was a killer. Run to the bike= tolerable. Bike= True love! Hootin' and Hollerin' at my mentor and encouraging others along the way. 2nd run= hello miserable heat and hello patellar tendonitis. People I passed all along the bike course crept up on me and took me over. But then there were the residents of Kure Beach out there spraying their hoses to cool us down. I ran right for them and made sure to thank each one of them with a smile. I got to T4, threw off my shoes, and ran down the beach to the swim start, thankful for the beautiful water waiting for me. Great final swim (couldn't possibly have been 375 meters!) and again the best part: husband and kids at the finish. My 3rd son Baines crossed the line with me, and we promptly flopped down in the sand. I did it again.

And this is what the new attitude did for me that day: I took 4 1/2 minutes off last year's time. YES! See you next year, Kure Beach!

Race Report: White Lake Sprint May 15, 2011

After the Azalea Sprint Triathlon in March, I competed in the White Lake Sprint in May. I was so jazzed for this race, since everyone has really talked up the beautiful swim. "The swim makes the race!," I had heard. I was so excited! With cool water temps, the race was wetsuit legal. Although I did practice wetsuit swimming in the channel, once the swim began, I freaked out! The wetsuit was up around my neck, and I was panicking before I hit the 200m buoy, and the race started with a 750m swim! I confess that thoughts of my post-race cheeseburger flew through my head (I only purchase a cheeseburger after a race), but I really settled down when I thought of the babies I am racing for. Slow and steady and I finished the swim. MAJOR victory considering I had to muster up post-panic energy for the 14mile bike and dreaded 5k run. But guess what- I did it. And I sprinted to the finish to madly enjoy the faces of my darling children and husband who are so proud of my efforts. I may never hit a podium- but what I lack in speed, I make up for in determination. That is what TriForAmani is all about, and my new mantra: PERSPECTIVE. Which is harder?- a triathlon or just the thought of the millions of children who need help? With your support, I am making a difference.

What an exciting start to the 2011 season! After February's Bike to Benefit TriForAmani (which supported 7 NEW BABIES for a year!! ), my first race of 2011 was a huge success. March's Azalea Triathlon marked a year since my very first race, and I was able to take time off each tri component, as well as raise enough support to help another baby! So far this year, MY GOALS HAVE BEEN REACHED!!!! And let's keep it going! See what you can do at the "HELP NOW" tab!!

WHAT A SUCCESS!

I'm about to post top 10 Overall and Individual Race Results from our Bike to Benefit TriForAmani on February 26 hosted by Fitness For Life...... but bare with me for a moment.

Words cannot express how I feel to have received such encouragement and support from the riders, the staff at Fitness For Life, and also those who didn't ride and supported anyway! This was not about me, but about helping babies in Kenya who might not otherwise have a chance at even health- or better yet family!- things that we might take for granted on a daily basis. Yet I feel successful and loved, and it rocks. So I'll go back to basics and say THANK YOU to you all who believed in me and something I feel is so important. I am truly humbled and grateful, not to mention the 5 BABIES who will have that chance thanks to a fabulous, FUN DAY!

Without further hesitation..... here are the results!

TOP FUNDRAISER! JOHN BLACKWELL! cycled HARD and won the top prize package including a massage from Miranda Shelton (she also rode!), Gift Certificates from Two Wheeler Dealer, Moe's, Fitness For Life training, & Hands on Health, a painting from Blue Hand Home, Bleach trays from Salling & Tate, a tee from Surf City, a TriForAmani Tee, and a 5 LITER BOTTLE OF WINE FROM RED BANK WINE! Nicely done, John!

TOP MALE: RICKY DEVINNISH! Rode an inspiring 14.0 miles! What a treat to ride his coattails at the end of the day! His prize package included: Gift certificates from: Two Wheeler Dealer, a masage from Miranda Shelton, Jerry's Food Wine & Spirits, Try Sports foot package for shoes, socks, and yankz, Moe's, Fitness For Life training, Haircut & Style from Panache, a TriForAmani tee, and tee from Surf City- Nice ride, RickyD!

TOP FEMALE: ELIZA BLACKWELL! Way to ride, my friend and inspiration! 14.11 miles on the toughest course on the Computrainer system- Alcatraz!! Prize package included: Gift certificates for: a massage from Miranda Shelton, East Coast Acupuncture initial & 2 follow-up visits, Two Wheeler Dealer, Try Sports Foot package of shoes, socks, & yankz, Fitness For Life Training, haircut & style from Panache, Moe's, a TriForAmani Tee, and a tee from Surf City!

RANDOM DRAW: Thank you for enormous support, JENNIFER ROYALL! How appropriate that your name was drawn! Prize package includes: Gift certificates from Two Wheeler Dealer, Fitness For Life training, Moe's, a TriForAmani tee, a tee form Surf City, a bamboo tee from BikeCycles, and a bag from Omega Sports! Thank you for the support, friend and lucky winner!

Winners of each race are:

7am: Eliza Blackwell

8:15: Matt Hamm

9:30: Greg Miller

10:45: Jennifer Coleman

12:00: Misty Brown

2:45: Ricky Devinnish

and the top 10 for the day are:

#1 Eliza Blackwell- 7am race- 14.11 miles

#2 Ricky Devininsh- 2:45 race- 14.0 miles

#3 Matt Hamm- 8:15 race- 13.0 miles

#4 Brandon Davis- 2:45 race- 12.74 (also ran the Run for Ray half marathon that morning!)

#5 Billy Block- 7am race- 12.71 miles

#6 Bryan Tate- 7am race- 12.38 miles

#7 Greg Miller- 9:30 race- 12.18 miles

#8 Jane Ellison- 7am race- 12.1 miles

#9 Jim Hundley- 2:45 race- 12 miles (also ran the Run for Ray half marathon that morning!)

#10 Brad Southerland- 9:30 race- 11.96 miles

CONGRATS TO ALL WHO PARTICIPATED!! WE RAISED over $5000 for Amani, sponsoring 5 children for a year! I am truly blown away!

Anyone who wants to know further results, please email me! I have them all and everyone did an amazing job and put forth a fabulous effort for those sweet babies!

THANK YOU EVERYONE!

Babies who were orphaned now have homes thanks to your support!

Please read below, and see for yourself how RIGHT NOW lives are changing due to support for Amani Children's Foundation...... and even hitting closer to home, two of our babies from last year now have HOMES... something we so often take for granted!!!! Come out this Saturday and help take care of more babies until their parents find them and take them HOME!

REAL stuff from Jane Stephens, founder of Amani Children's Foundation sent on Feb 23:

Hi Jane,

I'm in Kenya! We've been on the road and just got to Nairobi and email, so I hope it's not to late to get this to you!

How exciting to hear all that's cooking with TriForAmani!! We arrived for Open Day on Sat, and the first family I met was a couple who had just adopted their second little girl from the Nyeri home. (Katherine Bilhah) Their first was Wambui. I was, of course, beside myself to meet a family with little girls we'd been praying and working for for so long and began telling them all the miracles that have come together to support the Nyeri home over the last two years.

I started into the story of TriForAmani, then realized that none of it was even conceivable to this lovely, happy family from Mt. Kenya, so I shortened it all to, "So many people have loved and cared for your girls from far away--and we're so happy to know that you're now loving and caring for them forever-beyond anything anyone else could do."

I'm attaching a pic of them. I don't think it does justice to their mom's "new mom" glow, but it does show how precious these little girls are!!

Galen is being adopted by a Dutch family!! They go to court in a few weeks. And Abby is being adopted by a single Kenyan businesswoman. She is as bright and strong a force as Abby! I'm hoping to catch up with her in Nyeri! Your efforts for them have already taken root for a lifetime!

THANK you!!!

Jane

Prize packages are blowing up for the Feb 26 FUNdraiser for TriForAmani!

Sign up now for any one of the 7 races- and get a great workout for a great cause by emailing janeellison@gmail.com. $25 minimum donation but the best prize package goes to the highest fundraiser for the day! Check out more on the events page!

Check out the new event information about the awesome fundraiser to be held on February 26 at Fitness For Life!! And in other fabulous news, our family had a yard sale to get rid of many things that had been sitting on our garage unused, and raised $506 for Amani!! The "Stuff" in our garage will now translate to a baby being supported for half a year! All before 11am..... that's a great start to a Sunday!

Happy 2011, everyone! I hope you like the new website design and find it informative as well as inspiring. I feel like 2011 will be a huge year for TriForAmani, and I hope you will help me add many, many babies to the list of those we are sponsoring! (Remember, just $1000 takes care of a baby for an entire year! Every little tax- free bit adds up!)

I am trying my best to ramp up publicity, fundraising, and training for TriForAmani, and haven't lost any steam- in fact, I'm more motivated than ever! It feels great to be making a difference in the lives of those innocent little children at the same time as I'm making my life healthier and better for my own family. Archie has been saving money to send to Africa and has even learned to ride a bike! Kids triathlon in the future, maybe?? ha!

If you're on facebook, check out my TriForAmani page and "like" it to let others know!! If you feel inspired to spread the word or send the love, please don't hesitate. Check back soon!

Fifth and Final Race of the Season: A Huge TriForAmani Success!

SERIOUS SUCCESS!

On July 31, 12 amazing, strong women competed in FS Series Sprint and Olympic Triathlons on my old stomping ground of Washington, NC! (I lived there from '84-'89.) It was super to go back there as an adult and with determination to complete my longest race yet- a mile swim, 28 mile bike ride, then a 10K run. This is double the distance of any of the other 3 races I've completed. I was nervous! But, two days before I left for the trip, I received the story of Michael- the baby whose face I thought of during the run- who will receive a year of support thanks to TriForAmani. Read below from Jane Stephens, founder of Amani.

"Jane,

I just got home from our summer trip to Kenya. On Wed. night before going to the airport, we stopped in to say good-bye at New Life Home, and a few minutes after we got there, the police showed up with a baby. He had been brought to them by an old man who had found him in an empty apartment. We read the man's accompanying statement saying he wanted to make sure the baby was taken care of. He and his family had put every piece of baby clothing imaginable on him before bringing him to the home. Under all the layers of clothing, the baby's tiny fingers and toes were still peeling from birth. Eunice thinks he was born earlier that day.

They arrived with him at 5:45 PM--very fortunate, because after 6PM, new babies have to go the the hospital before coming to NLH. Eunice and Nurse Margaret were delighted by him and Mary Beckenham named him Michael in honor of the kids in your group. The staff were all beaming over the choice, saying that indeed he did look like a little angel. I can't remember ever seeing a more beautiful child-- and right after birth.

I'm attaching pictures I got from his first night. They don't do him justice or the spirit of night. It was so special.

I thought it might be good to know you're carrying him with you as you run."

I don't know about you, but this hits home to me!! Keep sending your support! And check out baby Michael!

YES! another tri, another beautiful baby supported for a year!

Eat at Moe's Southwest Grill on Oleander Tuesday July 27th with this flyer and 20% will go straight to Amani!

Come Support TRIFORAMANI!

Local Tri-Athlete Jane Ellison is raising funds for The Amani Children’s Foundation.

triforamani.blogspot.com

If you enjoy good food and a good cause, come July 27th to Moe’s Southwest Grill, 4401 Oleander Drive

Present this flyer and 20% of your purchase will go directly to orphaned children in Africa!

Eating for a good cause!

Kure Beach Double Sprint Triathlon June 27, 2010

Another race, another baby helped for a year! YAHOO! Donations are adding up, thanks to friends and family, and Moe's Southwest Grill for letting people eat good food for a good cause for a day before each race! I am so proud of myself for completing my 3rd Tri.... For Amani!! The Kure Beach Double Sprint Triathlon was a cool setup- 374 meter ocean swim, then 1.5 mile run to the bike, a 12 mile bike, then back on with the sneaks for the 1.5 mile run back to the ocean and then the same swim repeated with a sprint to the finish line..... in the sand! Perhaps the coolest part (other than the locals who generously hosed us down with garden hoses as we ran by!) was having friends and family there at every transition. Emmy and Pete (from LA!) were at every start and finish of each component, and the Tutino family and my children were all there with our favorite Blackwells at the finish line. What a feeling!

Now, the plot is thickening, just as the heat is on- literally and figuratively. I don't know what I've gotten myself into but on July 31st I will compete in an Olympic distance triathlon which is a mile swim, 28mile bike, then a 6.2 mile run in my old hometown of Little Washington. I am terrified! But I will be with 11 of my favorite ladies who are also racing, and I will just remember that I am racing for those darling faces in Kenya. TriForAmani!!!

Do you think that since I am doubling the distance we could double the support? Could we take care of 2 babies with this race???? Let's try it! Send in your donation today!

2 DOWN!

By completing the Wilmington Athletic Club Triathlon, I reached my goals in more ways than one! Thanks to a few generous donors and a successful fundraiser at Moe's Southwest Grill (Thanks Johnston!!!), we have taken care of another beautiful child in need in Kenya!! (picture soon coming!) I also reached my personal time goal in this race, but don't think I would have stopped for a second. Racing for these children doesn't leave that option on the table. Please consider supporting Amani Children's Foundation through a donation that will go straight to Kenya!! Better yet, JOIN ME! Think of how we can exponentially grow the support when you use your creativity and physical stamina to do something powerful! Anything and everything is far more than the children have now!!! Stay tuned..... I think the plot is thickening!

Add one to the books!

Keep the love coming! Next race is April 11th!

Let's keep the momentum! I will be racing in the WAC (Wilmington Athletic Club) Sprint Triathlon on Sunday, April 11th! Still racing for those faces in Kenya- they are still my motivators when I would rather play in the garden or enjoy a nap while the kids are quiet. I think of those sweet children and .... off to the gym. Consider joining me!! It's fun! Every little bit adds up... if you feel so inclined, send a little support in the way of a check made directly to Amani Children's Foundation to Jane Ellison, PO Box 403, Wrightsville Beach, NC, 28480.

Also, EAT AT MOE'S on Oleander Drive near College Rd in Wilmington on Thursday, April 8th! 20% will go to support Amani Children's Foundation! Thanks, Johnston for the love!

I did it!

SCORE one for me and one for Amani!! Race #1 the Azalea Festival Triathlon was a success on so many levels. Most importantly, I had FUN! Additionally, I raised more than my target amount to send directly to Amani Children's Foundation! www.amanichildren.org Last, I beat my personal goal times for the race! What an experience. It was so much fun to do this, and to do it with Lucien who rocked the house in what was also his first triathlon!!

But I'm not finished yet!!! My next race is April 11th! Please keep the support coming in and stay tuned for more ways you can help :) I feel like this is just the beginning!

It's hard to believe that my first race is coming up in just 10 days! I've not sold you short: I've been swimming, biking, and running more than I ever thought I could! I have learned so much about myself and have made great strides in my physical and mental stamina. When I first wrote you, I believed that I could do this, and now I am certain.

The one thing I have fallen short on is building and communicating about Tri for Amani. Now that I have a base fitness level in place for these races, I hope to find a little more time to spend on Tri for Amani. The gist is: I desperately want to raise money for Amani Children's Foundation on my triathlon journey. To me, making this less about me and more about helping others is critical. The beautiful faces of Kenyan children have been my focus when training has been tough, the rain has been cold, the winds have been blowing, or the water has been chilly under the bubble. I think of the children we can help together and I swim smoother, I bike faster, and I run with a little less of a grimace and a lot more of a smile. I am doing this Tri for Amani, and I need your help.

What can you do? Take your pick, or pick all of these!

1- do a little dance, send a little love, or say a little prayer for me the morning of March 13th!

2- Support me! Send a check made directly to Amani Children's Foundation to my home address (PO Box 403, Wrightsville Beach, NC 28480). I'm hoping to support (at least!) one child with every race, sending the money in together- Remember: supporting one child for a year is only $1000. I have $325 so far for my first race, and every little bit counts! Let's see how many children we can help!

3-Join me! Sign up at setupevents.com and let's play! Spread the word that you are training and racing to help Kenyan children and tell everyone about Amani Children's Foundation. amanichildren.org is full of great information and INSPIRATIONAL FACES! If I can do this, anyone can!

Thank you for your support in whatever capacity you give it. It's brought me far to this point!