All News Articles
November 8 , 2009
Team Diabetes Athens Race Report
On November 8th I attempted the full marathon in Athens, Greece following in the footsteps of Phidippides. Unfortunately things did not go according to plan and I did not finish the race. The race began bright and early with 15C temperature and buckets and buckets of rain. After freezing for 2 hours at the startline waiting for the race to begin we were off. Usually the first 5km are the hardest for me but I knew by kilometer two that this wasn't going to be a good run. I guess because of the cold I was cramping up and the aches and pains were beginning already whereas normally they don't start until at least 20km. Not a good sign. What I didn't realize was that course is taken down at a six-hour-pace not at six hours. Running slightly slower than this pace I quickly realized that I did not get any race services - course markers, fresh water, powerade, bananas, etc. I had some granola bars and 20 oz of powerade with me but I was relying on these services. Being without slowed me down even more. At around 22km I was hit by a bicylist. I was already feeling quite lonely and nervous considering that the course was open to vehicles, and I was the only runner I could see in front or behind. The Athens Classic Marathon route was chosen to be the "true first marathon route" and therefore wasn't chosen for its scenic properties. I stopped and waited 10 minutes until the next participants came along so that I could continue and feel a little safer. I met up with two americans. We continued on power walking on the sidewalk until some race officials aggresively encouraged us to get into the van and get transported to the finish line. I was quite upset about how everything came about.
October 4 , 2009
Run for the Cure
On October 4th I met up with the ladies from Women In Science and Engineering (WISE) Sudbury to participant in the 5km Run for the Cure for Breast Cancer. I haven't run in this event since high school and since I now have some training experience I could look on the whole experience with new eyes. It was lovely to enter into a race and there be no timing chips. Everyone was there for the charity, to dress in pink or just to get a fun run in. The atmosphere was lovely. They even had a stage set up and got people to dance to 'warm-up.' The kids especially enjoyed this. Actually as expected this event was very family friendly. Lots of kids, strollers and many dogs.
Because I completed my longest-run-ever yesterday I was feeling pretty sore this morning. Last night I was even wearing toe-seperators, the kind you use to paint your toenails, in order to keep my toes/blisters apart. So running so soon after meant I now have blisters on top of blisters - yum. And I'm now walking a little slower after the 5k than beforehand. I have no idea how anyone could participate in the Goofy Challange at Disneyworld (run a full marathon on sat and a half-marathon on sunday)!!
On a personal note, my grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer this year and as such I dedicated my run to her.
September 20 , 2009
Ottawa Army Run
On Sunday I took part in the Army Run in Ottawa. It started off with a bang - literally - they shot off a cannon to start the race. It was a beautiful course that started downtown and ran along the Ottawa canal all the way to the experimental farm, around Dow's Lake and then onto Queen Elizabeth Drive back downtown. Dave followed me the whole way cheering me on every 5kms or so. It meant a lot to have someone on the course with me since I was running alone.
I started out pretty strong setting a new personal best for the 10km with a time of 73'49". The second half of the run slowed down as I was having a lot of pain in my lower back. My new orthotics have been great for my feet, no pain there, but they are a killer on my lower back! Ultimately I came across the finish line with a chip time of 2:47:22 coming in 317/334 in my age-gender group.
After the race Jen, Melanie, Jim and I went to Le Nordik to soak in the nordic baths. Jen asked about massage cancellations and luckily there was an opening so I had a 60min swedish massage to aid in recovery. Thanks Jen! I love massages! We stayed at the spa for almost 4 hours - I love that place - especially the hot tubs.
September 1 , 2009
An Online Auction has been organized for September 2009
From September 1-30, 2009 you will have the opportunity to bid on a selection of items while supporting my Team Diabetes campaign. Here are just some of the auction items collected to date:
Go to http://www.realauction.ca/teamdiabetes-sudbury to bid now!
May 3 , 2009
SudburyRocks Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes
On Sunday May 3, 2009 I ran the 5k race at the Sudbury Rocks Marathon! I posted a chip time of 42:04 and came in 45/64 of women in my age range (20-29). 332/520 overall. Yay for being not last! And not completely terrible considering I had only 4 training runs before the race. Procrastination in my name! What was extra special is that I started the race with my friend Ching. She, however, is not into the endurance running and therefore took off like the wind finishing under 30minutes! (Which by the way is my 5km time goal - so jealous). I was doing okay for much of the run. The last kilometer I had a side stitch on my left side and ran with my fingers pressed into my side. "I can't walk now, the finish is just around the corner...sort of." Ching and Dave were waiting for me at the finish! I have another metal to add to my collection! Go figure that I would start having a collection of running metals and bibs.
March 26 , 2009
Lambda Article Features Team Diabetes Canada
In the Vol. 47 No. 14 issue of Laurentian University's Lambda newspaper, Mustafa Abdulhusein featured an article about Team Diabetes Canada and its Laurentian connection, me!
March 20 , 2009
2nd Annual Shoot for a Cure
Dooly's Billiards and Pub, in Sudbury ON, hosted "shoot for a cure". Tickets cost $10 per person in exchange for unlimited pool all evening. The event was less successful than last year but still raised $470.00! Thank you very much to Manager Nathan Poisson and the staff at Dooly's.
November 5 , 2008
Switching Team Diabetes Events
Due to a time conflict with my masters thesis I am unable to attend the Team Diabetes Prague event. I have received confirmation that I am able to switch races to the full marathon in Athens, Greece in November 2009. I am excited about this development and look forward to meeting my new team.
Oct 2 , 2008
Sudbury Green Party Response to E-mail Campaign
The Green Party has a more holistic approach to diabetes. We believe that prevention is the key, by giving Canadians more education on a proper healthy lifestyle and making more healthier choices more attainable to all Canadians we feel that diabetes among other illnesses will be reduce significantly. Currently our society is in a situation where healthier choices in food are not always practical for many Canadian families do to cost, lack of time to prepare healthy meals and lack of education. The Green Party is committed to change this by making healthier choices much more financially available by supporting eating local and local organic farming. Making healthier food cheaper and "junk food" more expensive. Making sure families have a livable income so they don't have to work 40 hours or more and not have time to come home and prepare a healthy meal, spend time with family and friends and participate in much needed physical activity.
We also understand that in certain circumstances medication is needed along with other medical supplies and the Green Party is prepared to:
Initiate a public inquiry into the rising costs and over-prescription of drugs.
Immediately embark on a commission to study and conduct a cost-benefit analysis on the feasibility of establishing, in cooperation with the provinces, a new crown corporation to bulk purchase and dispense generic drugs to pharmacies and the feasibility of establishing a national PharmaCare Program that ensures that effective pharmaceuticals are available to all Canadians who need them.
Gordon Harris
Green Party Candidate for Sudbury
greenpartysudbury@gmail.com
149 Lorne St, Sudbury ON, P3C 4P4
(705) 222-6974
Oct 1 , 2008
Make Diabetes an Election Priority
If you have diabetes, it should not matter where you live in Canada – but it does. Canadians living with diabetes deserve the medications, devices and supplies needed to manage their disease and avoid serious complications.
A federal commitment that ensures Canadians pay less than 3% of their adjusted family income on medications, devices and supplies would benefit all Canadians. Recent University of British Columbia research showed that for every $1 government invests in helping patients and doctors manage type 2 diabetes effectively, government saves $4 across the healthcare system by not having to treat diabetes complications.
Click here to e-mail all Candidates in your community and learn more about the National Catastrophic Drug Plan
Sept 25 , 2008
In the Media
The Northern Communications/True Steel Security "Dress Down Fridays" made the paper. The following article was published in the Sudbury Star on September 25 2008 in section C5.
Sept 16 , 2008
Northern Communcations Donates to the Canadian Diabetes Association
In their continued support of the Canadian Diabetes Association, Northern Communications and her sister company True Steel Security have held "Dress Down Fridays." In total $278.00 was raised and presented to the Sudbury & District Diabetes office.
In picture: Mike Shantz, Linda St. Pierre, Tracy Moland, Sandra Howell in the back, Debbie Corriveau, Daniel Caron and Dawn Brown (CDA)
July 28 , 2008
Advocacy Online Campaign Launched Today
On Tuesday July 22nd, Ontario’s Minister of Health and Long-Term Care, the Hon. David Caplan, announced the expansion of the Province’s free insulin pump and supplies program to all adults living with type 1 diabetes whose doctor prescribes one.
Support the campaign to thank your MPP for insulin pumps and supplies!
Click on the LINK, fill out the form and press SUBMIT. On the next page you will find a letter to e-mail to your MPP.
http://e-activist.com/ea-campaign/clientcampaign.do?ea.client.id=27&ea.campaign.id=1149.
It only takes a minute and it is easy to do.
Thank you for being a Diabetes Advocate!
July 22 , 2008
Ontario Launches Diabetes Strategy
$741 Million Plan Will Make Patients Partners In Care. Ontario is investing $741 million in new funding on a comprehensive diabetes strategy over four years to prevent, manage and treat diabetes.
The strategy includes an online registry that will enable better self-care by giving patients access to information and educational tools that empower them to manage their disease. The registry will also give health care providers the ability to easily check patient records, access diagnostic information and send patient alerts. The registry is set to come online starting Spring 2009.
Other key elements of the strategy include :
- - Improving access to insulin pumps and supplies for more than 1300 adults with type 1 diabetes by funding these services for people over the age of 18.
- - Expanding chronic kidney disease services, including greater access to dialysis services.
- - Implementing a strategy to expand access to bariatric surgery.
- - Educational campaigns to prevent diabetes by raising awareness of diabetes risk factors in high risk populations, such as the Aboriginal and South Asian communities.
- - Increasing access to team-based care closer to home by mapping the prevalence of diabetes across the province and the location of current diabetes programs in order to align services and address service gaps.
June 29 , 2008
Rio de Janeiro Marathon
Rio de Janeiro, also known as the 'Marvelous City', is a place where people live life to the fullest! It is most famous for its annual Carnival celebration, but Rio is just as lively in the off-season.
Rio was the destination for my second Team Diabetes event. On June 29 2008 I participated in the Rio de Janeiro Half Marathon race in a time of 2:55:29. I was fortunate to find a few other Team Diabetes participants in the half marathon that ran at approximately the same pace. For the majority of the race I ran with Lisa but she went on ahead about three quarters the way through. Soon I met up with Amanda and Tammy and took a loooong walking break before I took off ahead and struggled the last three kilometers to the finish line. The dynamics of the Team Diabetes members this year was great since it was such a small group (25-30).
May 4, 2008
Sudbury Rocks Marathon
The Sudbury Rocks!!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes is Northern Ontario’s largest distance event. The event features a full slate of 5 events for walkers and runners of all abilities. It also offers Canada’s only age graded chase marathon – this allows EVERYONE the chance to win! A chase marathon is a staggered start by age and gender with prizing and finishing based on the adjusted times.
On May 4 2008 I participated in the Sudbury Rocks Marathon 10 km race in a time of 1:18:01. I was really impressed at how well the course was marked out and the encouragement given by the many volunteers! I hope to participate in next year's race on May 3rd.
March 11 , 2008
Northern Life Web Article
On Mar. 13 2008, my efforts with Team Diabetes was featured in a Northern Life Web article "Shantz shoots to raise $6,000 for Canadian Diabetes Association" by Kent Corness. To my surprise at the day of the interview there was a video camera - I had just finished at the gym - with wet hair and no makeup! I will be more prepared next time, physically and orally. lol
March 11, 2008
Sudbury Rocks Marathon Commercial
On Mar. 11 2008 I participated in the Sudbury ROCKS!! Race, Run or Walk for Diabetes commercial at the YMCA Sudbury. The whole commercial took about two hours to film and I had a blast doing it! The director was high energy. I only messed up my line umm 4 times. Oops.
March 7 , 2008
Shoot for a Cure
On Mar. 7 2008 Dooly's Billiards and Pub, in Sudbury ON, hosted "shoot for a cure". Tickets cost $10 per person in exchange for unlimited pool all evening. Two 50/50 draws were held; both won by the same very lucky person! The event was a great success raising $1171.15! Thank you very much to Manager Nathan Poisson and the staff at Dooly's. A special mention goes out to Nathan Misouri for selling tickets and organizing a friendly doubles tournament and to the Laurentian University SGA and GSA for organizing tournament and door prizes.
