Five kilometers does not sound like much, unless you are like me and the most you have run in the past has been from the downstairs to the upstairs. Tackling the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation CIBC Run for the Cure 5k for the first time can seem overwhelming, unless you have a plan.
To ensure my daughter and I were up to the task, we’ve started a training program, building from 0k to reaching 5k. This program alternates running with cross training (which is bike riding for us) and adds a rest day in the middle and at the end of each week cycle. Each day the number of minutes running increases enabling us to run the full distance at the end of the 6 week program, ideally.
To be honest, I thought training for the CIBC Run for the Cure during the summer months would be easier without school and a more relaxed work schedule. I forgot to take into consideration summer camp and vacation. Since my daughter and I are running this together, it makes sense to train together and that has proven tricky. There is only 49 days until the actual CIBC Run for the Cure and we’re just starting week two of our training program.
Some of my gear keeps me motivated to run but for days when my daughter and I are tired, when it’s easier to put off our training run until the next day, I remind myself of a few things:
- Breast cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in Canadian women.
- It is estimated that in 2012, 5,100 women will die from breast cancer
- 1 in 9 Canadian women is expected to develop breast cancer in her lifetime.
Then I look at my daughter and think how I don’t want her to fall within one of those statistics when she’s older. So we run.
It’s early days in our training schedule. My daughter understands why we’re running and is passionate about doing her bit. We plan to walk the route for the CIBC Run for the Cure, to be better prepared for the actual day ahead.
Although raising awareness is important, raising funds is also key. The funds raised as part of the CIBC Run for a Cure go toward innovative research, education and awareness. The fact that the mortality rate for breast cancer has dropped by almost 40% since 1986 shows that the funds being raised are making a difference. You can do your part by donating to our first ever Run. Imagine if every person who read this piece donated just one-dollar as a sign of supporting the community. Every bit counts and makes a bigger impact than doing nothing, hoping someone else will contribute. If you’re looking to help in a bigger way, you can also join us and run with the EverythingMom team, register your own Run or even volunteer. You can also join the conversation on twitter and facebook. Support the bloggers participating in the challenge by following the hashtag #CIBCRunfortheCure.
We’re working toward the goal of being able to run the whole 5k course on the day of the CIBC Run for the Cure but whatever our outcome we’ll do it together, training and running (or walking). The purpose of our participation in the CIBC Run for the Cure is to create awareness, to show support to members of our EverythingMom community who may be dealing with their own breast cancer struggle, to be proactive versus reactive about a condition that affects so many amazing women, and to work toward the hope that my daughter and your daughter won’t be a statistic in the future. Who do you want us to run for?
This post is sponsored by the Canadian Breast Cancer Foundation.