OK maybe I shouldn't have said last RACE of the season....

The YMCA tri was the last triathlon of 2011, but this year I did something I never thought I'd do.    Triathlon has taught me never to doubt what I can achieve..... with the right training and the right mental attitude, even I who had never run a mile until October 2009 can reach most any goal.  Last year I learned that I CAN do triathlons!!!!  And October 15, I learned that I also can run a half marathon!   I traveled to Baltimore to run the Baltimore Running Festival's Half marathon with one of my dearest friends Jennifer Schwartz.  We did it!!  Truth be told, this race was sort-of a litmus test to see if in fact, I could do it without being miserable.  What do you know?   Although it was hard.... (really hard!!!!), I did it!  and loved the feeling of reaching that accomplishment.

Perhaps you are wondering how running this 1/2 marathon figures into TriForAmani.... do you have a guess???????

:)

Race report: 2011's last race of the season

The YMCA Wrightsville Beach triathlon on September 17th was my last triathlon of the 2011 season.  It was a chilly morning, which was interesting until I got in the water... I realized I like racing in cooler weather!  Remember the 120' heat index Little Washington race in July!?  Quite different!  Once I got in the water, I felt great, since the lower air temperature made the water feel warm.  I enjoyed this race, and it was cool to have a friend in town from Raleigh for the race as well as many of my in-town Pink Ladies participating.  During the bike, my children cheered me on as the course takes the athletes right by the turn to our street!  By the end of the race, it had warmed up, and my friend Melanie and I  both sported out TriForAmani tees on the run!  :-)  Largely due to the February Bike to Benefit TriForAmani,  we raised enough to support 10 more babies in 2011!

Race Report: Little Washington Olympic Distance Triathlon: July 30, 2011

OK ouch. Wow. Yes. It was a hot day. Not sure I would have made it without the iced towels they offered at the mile 1.55 and 4.6 mile turnarounds.

Actually what? Of course I would have made it. I would never have thrown in that towel. YES the heat index reached 120 that day. YES I thought the night before that I was in over my head and WHY WAS I DOING THIS!?!?!?. But as the race went on, I chilled out more and more, and never once did I question if I would get there. I took time off of my swim. I improved on the bike. In fact, even though at mile 20 on the bike my knee screamed, "you will never do a half Ironman!," I never EVER questioned whether I would make it through this race. The babies' voices are now a part of me. A triathlon is nothing compared to a minute of their deserted lives.

There was a guy whom I passed on the bike, then he passed me, them I passed him, etc. We ended up calling each other "yo-yo." He finished a minute or so before me on the bike (tip of the hat: I averaged 20.3 on the 24.5 mile ride which is FINE by me!), yet there I was, encouraging him on the run. I was there to yell "yo-yo" as he finished. Me. I am doing this and I am doing it right... I'm doing it with a smile.

The joy of being the last to pull across the finish line after the group of pretty impressive girls I have come with is the best part of the day. I have a HUGE cheering squad and it feels like nothing I've ever experienced. I don't think I'd trade it for a podium age-group medal. But in the 35-39, I'll never know! My Pink comrades are fast, not to mention ladies from other places!

FS Series's Little Washington is a great race. There are many uber-athletes. I love to see them, and many are actually my friends. Their bodies are beautiful and their times are fast. One uber-man in particular was heading into the finish as I was heading out on my first of two loops of the 10K. He was cramping. (>100 degrees!) I offered him the rest of the water from my frozen-the-night-before-do-anyting-to-make-it-easier-to-run-transition-bottle-of-water, and I have never seen a more grateful face. We are the same in some way. YES I totally admire that breed- the podium finishers- more than you can imagine.

YEt I am also so proud, SO EXCITED to be me. I am there, too. With a smile, I'm finishing a mile swim, a 24.5 mile bike, then a 10K, and all the while knowing I am doing it not only for me and the example it sets for my children, but for the wonderful people who support me in my quest to raise money and love for those darling, innocent babies in Kenya who need a chance. It is tougher there now more than ever. Can you help? I'm not stopping. One more triathlon this year then...............

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!