Marathon To Hope

Random Update!

2009-09-28T21:07:00.000-07:00

Greetings Everyone!

Boy do I feel great!

Just went for a run to the oval and did a workout there. It was pouring rain and I felt like I was running in a world that was my shower. Run took about 40 mins, a little quicker than I had intended, but I do need to get my rest in. This week I'm running everyday except for Saturday, where I have a soccer game and Oval (gym) workout. I'm also starting to go to the gym more often to boost my overall body strength, well, at least that's the idea. Oh! I have another school cross country meet on Wednesday. Last week it was at McNeil Secondary and it went quite well. My school (McMath Secondary) did an awesome job placing many people in the top ten for both girls and boys. I'm looking forward to the BC High School Meet where there's sure to be much stiffer competition. Until then, I just got to keep running! Wish I could pull a Forrest Gump and run across the country right now... that'll have to wait for a bit.

ps. I like putting up pictures, and you'll have to excuse me but sometimes they'll be quite random. Just go with it ;)

September Updates!

2009-09-26T19:09:00.000-07:00

September 12th, 2009 - Port Coquitlam

My good friend Alec (who will hopefully be running beside me in March) had informed me that his Aunt Jan was attending the Great Canadian Head Shave in Port Coquitlam. This was an event that was being held to raise money for cancer research and Jan had raised an outstanding $3,505. I accepted his invite to join him and his family to witness Jan's head shave and congratulate her on her achievements. We got there a bit early, thus we had time to explore Terry's van, the exact one that followed him halfway across the country to Thunderbay, Ontario. It was now Jan's turn to go up on stage and have that full head of hair shaved right off. The spirit in that environment was was incredible, it was an environment full of giving people and positive energy and I was so happy to be a witness of it all. But it was as Jan was getting her head shaved that I truely began to feel inspired, inspired by her and all others like her who are out there with a goal to make the world a better place. Congratulations Jan! She came down from the stage smiling and looking happier than ever. I felt happy for her, proud of her success and determination. It was then that the MC of the event announced that anyone who was willing to shave their head could come on up and do it. I looked up at my friend Alec who returned my gaze, we were both thinking the same thing. I felt incredibly spontaneous hopping up on the stage and signing Alec and I up to get our heads shaved. We then went to work collecting money to use as a fundraiser for the event. In ten minutes, Alec and I raised over $150. I rubbed my hair as if to say "goodbye", well actually, to in fact say goodbye and prepared myself for the shave. Our names were called and we were ushered into two seats in the middle of the stage, all smiles. It took roughly 5 minutes for it all to come off, and placing my hand on my head, I not only felt my spectacular shinning baldness, I also felt the power of giving and it felt great! I waited a moment for Alec to finish, I was unbelievably proud of him. We walked down off the stage, still smiling, and were told by Jan that we would meet Terry's parents! I felt my heart beat race in circles and squares. It had just hit me that Port Coquitlam was in fact the home of the Fox's and here they were standing right in front of me! They congratulated us on our "bravery" and we shook their hands, posing for the camera. I looked into their eyes and I could see the face of a man who had so inspired me for much of my life. A man who, although I did not know personally, taught me how to fight whenever I had the strength or the heart. A man who put pride into the hearts of all canadians and strength into the bodies of millions of cancer patients.

September 15th, 2009

Our website is finally up! Please support the cause and make a donation through the website. Here is the link:

http://donate.bccancerfoundation.com/goto/marathontohope

We thank you for your generosity!

And so the journey begins...

2009-09-03T19:03:00.000-07:00

Hello and welcome my fellow comrades to the Marathon to Hope blog page! My name is Jamie and with the help from my family, friends and aquaintences, I'll be running to Hope, BC in hopes to raise $20,000 for cancer research. Upon asking my lovely manager, Kira what I should write she replies with a shrill "Oh, you don't have to make it look pretty, just be yourself". So here I am, this is me, a "not so pretty boy" with a goal to make a difference.

I am proud to say that today is the official "starting line" for the Marathon to Hope or it's "brithday" if you will. We met with a wonderful lady, Ms. Sacha Lehto from the BC Cancer Foundation and received an endorsement letter to set us off on this powerful journey!

I will be sure to keep you all posted "as the ball keeps rolling", or so says my crazy lazy manager who is sitting on the couch while I'm hard at work! :)

Jamie Andrews