Silent Auction Success!

This past Saturday I held my Silent Auction Fundraiser for Scope at the Moon Under Water Brew Pub and it turned out to be a great success! As a result of the past few weeks of hard work, preparation and people’s wonderful generosity, we managed to pull off quite the event! We had a broad assortment of items, which meant there was something for everyone! Over 60 people attended at various stages of the afternoon/ evening and had fun bidding on items, playing my Mum’s bottle and card game, guessing the number of eggs in the jar, and enjoying a pint of the Moon’s great assortment of beers.

I was completely blown away with people’s generosity and support – we managed to raise a lot of money for Scope, which was the reason for being there, and we also had a lot of fun. The event was a joint effort of friends, family and the Brew Pub, who graciously donated their pub to host the event.

Thanks to everyone for coming out and showing your support – I really have been overwhelmed these past few months with everyone’s kindness and generosity in support of Scope and my goal to run in the London Marathon on behalf of Scope. I really do hope this great energy will “carry” me through the 42.2 kilometres in London on April 22nd!
xo J.

Running Friends and Fundraising

This week, I was reminded how wonderful people can be…

Chris and I spent much of our Saturday trekking around shops in downtown Victoria looking for any last minute donations we could add to the Silent Auction Fundraiser. We had low expectations as we know stores often get asked for donations, yet when we approached store managers and talked about Scope and supporting people with disabilities, people were very supportive and many offered us items to be used in the auction, or passed along information to their bosses. It was just great being out there and meeting with people and chatting with them about the Marathon and Scope – people are great!

On Sunday, I ran out to Sidney with my two running buddies, Heather and Kat. They had agreed to try out my 32 km route to Sidney ending with a brunch at the Roost and had even agreed to the plan to convince Heather’s husband Lee (and my husband Chris) to meet us out there so that we had a ride home. The run was so much fun and it went by very quickly having Kat and Heather there. We ran from our houses in Vic out on the Galloping Goose Trail, along the beautiful Lochside Trail, an extra loop out by the fields near Welch Road, out to Beacon, to the airport and back down East Saanich Road to the Roost Farm Bakery and Cafe. I could not have done it so well without Heather and Kat there for support and it made me very appreciative of having such wonderful running friends, who I am getting to know better after each run. I also was thankful that Lee and Chris were willing to drive to the Roost to meet us, and were happy to accept yummy brunch for payment!

And finally, this past week (and along the journey), I have been overwhelmed with the generosity of family, friends and colleagues who have donated items for the Silent Auction, sponsored me online, or have just been there with supportive words – you guys do not know how much it means to me to have such great support. It is really, really appreciated.

Hope to see you all on Saturday! A reminder that the event will run from 3:00-6:00pm, but the Silent Auction will be closing at 5:30pm, so make sure you come in time to bid!

xx Jani

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An Affair with Running

It just dawned on me. I am having an affair…..with running.

Last week, I overheard my husband Chris tell someone “if I want to spend anytime with Jani these days, I have to run with her.” At the time it made me laugh, but this past Sunday evening, as I ran along Dallas Road in the sunset completely absorbed in my happy running world, I realized that I have indeed committed to “Running”, and we are having quite the relationship!

Since December, we have been spending no less than 5 days a week together, on some occasions for quite extended periods (usually Sundays). We have deep heart-to-hearts, we tell secrets, we laugh together, and Running knows how to console me when I am feeling stressed or down. Running also takes me on all sorts of adventures, up mountains, along trails, and along the cliff tops of Dallas Road in the sunset – all very romantic! But don’t get me wrong, Running can also be quite demanding and requires me to ‘hang out’  despite wailing winds, dark nights, and pouring rain.  However, no matter what, Running leaves me on a “high” – feeling stronger, and more confident, fit and free! Good thing my even more AMAZING husband is very supportive of this affair with Running and on most days, will actually join us! 😉

With this week’s post, I am including a few snaps from our recent ski trip to Mt. Baker. The sun was shining, the air was clean, and it reminded me again how blessed I am to be “able” to ski, to snowboard, to climb, to dance, to hike, to bike, and to run. Not all of us have these opportunities, so for those of us that do, let’s never take it for granted. It is this thought that continually drives me to train hard for my Marathon goal that I am doing on behalf of Scope, and help them meet their amazing goal of giving people with disabilities the same opportunities as everyone else. xo J.

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