WOW: Preparing For My Favorite Race

For the past two years, I’ve participated in Jodi’s Race for Awareness in Denver.  The event is always held the first weekend of June, and has become my very favorite race of the year.

Why?

That’s easy.  It’s because we walk in honor of my dear friend Beverly who won her battle agains Ovarian Cancer two years ago.

Today also seemed like the perfect day to tell you about this event…  The world should be painted teal today for this cause, and for the many women who came before us, who didn’t fare as well as Bev did in her battle against Ovarian Cancer.

[pinterest]Bev and I are just about the same age.  We’re young.  We have our whole lives ahead of us… what I didn’t realize though, was that ovarian cancer doesn’t care about any of that.  It targets both the young and the old… all races and ethnicities.  And as a result of Bev’s diagnosis and the reality check that comes with having someone close diagnosed with cancer, I feel incredibly compelled to help raise awareness about its symptoms.

The tricky thing about ovarian cancer is that it’s rarely detected… which is where my friends at Jodi’s Race started their mission.

Sunday night, I had a chance to attend a pre-race event at Athleta in Cherry Creek mall.  Athleta is one of my ABSOLUTE favorite workout clothing companies, and the fact that they are a major sponsor of Jodi’s Race makes me love them even more.

Representatives from the Colorado Ovarian Cancer Alliance and Athleta were on hand to welcome us when we arrived for this afterhours event.  When we checked in we received information about the race, teal armbands, and a chance to enter to win a $100 gift card and a free race outfit!

Unfortunately, I didn’t win any of the big prizes, but I did win a super-cute new headband… and had a few minutes to shop around the store.  DANGEROUS, to say the least!  After all, they have gear for just about every activity you can imagine… and a few that I particularly adore.

After trying on a few casual dresses and one adorable purple striped tank, I made it out safely with said tank, and this awesome hat!

In addition to being able to have our own private shopping spree, they also served great refreshments to all of the guests.  On the refreshments table, they also had a Jodi’s scrapbook that had pictures from last year’s race, including several of Team Bev team members!  It was fun to peek through the book to see our team members who were included, specifically the Populorum boys!

There was also a formal presentation from the folks at Jodi’s Race that followed.  We heard first from Mary Phillips who told us all about Jodi and why she wanted to start the 5K.

It’s not a coincidence that they call it Jodi’s Race for Awareness, because that’s exactly what Jodi was trying to accomplish.  She wanted to make women AWARE of the symptoms associated with Ovarian Cancer because they so often go undetected.  Here’s a list of symptoms to be AWARE of.  There’s not an official scan you can undergo, you just have to be AWARE of your body.

We also had a chance to hear Lacey Henderson tell her amazing story.  She is the 2013 Sponsored Athlete for Athleta Cherry Creek, and has a tremendous story of triumph over cancer.  Lacie shared with us that she was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer when she was only 10 years old that resulted in amputation of her leg.  The great part of Lacie’s story… she hasn’t let it stop her for a minute!  She is an incredible athlete who competes in track and field and is recognized worldwide for her talent.  She mentioned “as long as you have a body, you can be an athlete.”  I find this to be very true.  We are all athletes in our own way… and as for Lacey, she certainly inspires me to honor that.

Several ladies from Team Bev

If you’re not familiar with the symptoms associated with ovarian cancer, I’ve included them below.  I think it’s incredibly important that all women take notice of their bodies on a regular basis, and stay tuned for these symptoms to present themselves.

1) Bloating
2) Pelvic or abdominal pain
3) Difficulty eating or feeling full quickly
4) Urinary urgency or frequency

Before she was diagnosed, my friend Bev spoke of her discomfort and I feel had a higher “knowing” that something was wrong.    Stay in touch with your body like she did.  It could save your life.

Shameless plug for my team and this fantastic cause:  If you are interested in donating to this cause and in honor of my dear friend Bev, click here for details.  As with last year, I’ll match any donations you guys make.

xoxo – Kelly