Mount Sinai Hospital is up and running

While gearing up to participate in next month’s Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, you might be wondering how this tradition of a Marathon started…

Here’s a short history lesson on how it all began:

Legend holds that the world’s first marathon was run — unintentionally — in 490 B.C. by a Greek soldier, Pheidippides, who ran the 25 miles to Athens from the town of Marathon to announce a battleground victory over the Persians.  “Greetings, we win!” he shouted — and then fell to the ground, dead.

It would be more than 2,000 years before the marathon would make its return, at the revival of the modern Olympic Games in Greece in 1896. In that event, 17 runners ran 40 km, or 24.8 miles, with Greek runner Spyridon Louis taking the gold medal with a time of 2 hr. 58 min. 50 sec.

Inspired by the event’s success, Boston inaugurated its race the next year; it is now the oldest annual marathon in the world. In 1908, the marathon course at the London Olympics ran from Windsor Castle to the royal box at the Olympic stadium in White City (some sources say the Princess of Wales wanted her children to watch the start of the race from their home). The length of the race continued varying for years, but in 1924 that specific distance — 42,195 m, or 26 miles, 385 yd. — was made the worldwide standard.

The Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon started in 1990 (then called the Coors Light Toronto Half-Marathon & 5k) with only 1,500 participants. Last year’s Marathon boasted over 14,000 participants in the 5k, Half Marathon and Full Marathon. Now in its 21^st year, the Scotiabank Marathon is incredibly popular for being “flat, fast & festive” and one of the most competitive Marathon events in North America.

Whether you’ll be participating in the Full Marathon, Half Marathon or 5km, you’ll be taking part in a little piece of history!

Source:  Randy James, Time.  “A Brief History of the Marathon”.  October 30, 2009. www.time.com/time/nation/article/0,8599,1933342,00.html.  (July 20, 2011).

Jessica Romano wanted to get more active and so she decided to join the Mount Sinai gym with a co-worker. That is when she saw the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon ads.

“I thought it was a great idea and a goal to work towards,” she said, of her decision to participate in the 5k option.

Romano works in the Microbiology Clinical Laboratory and she is looking for others in her department to join her marathon team, the Little Buggers. And with a goal of raising $1,000 for Mount Sinai, the Little Buggers are well on their way.

“We are getting a great response from people who will sign up with us or support us. We’ve currently raised just over $400.”

Romano knows that there are a plethora of reasons to take part in the marathon, not only charitable ones but personal ones as well.

“On a personal level, it is encouraging me to stay fit. As I am doing this with the department I work for, I feel it’s a great team building experience and a wonderful way to get co-workers together out of work and have fun. The fundraising itself is very beneficial to the Hospital. It’s a great way to raise money and awareness for Mount Sinai as well as to fundraise for smaller areas in the Hospital such as the labs or certain smaller clinics that may not be as well known to the public eye,” she said.

To register for a run or walk, visit the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon website — and remember to sign up for the Charity Challenge when registering.

To sponsor a Mount Sinai participant or team, visit the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge web page, and click on Sponsor an Individual or Sponsor a Team. Select “Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation” from the list of charities and click on “Search”. You will then see a list of individuals or team names. Select one and go to their personalized page to make your donation.

Think Halloween should be more often than once a year? Here’s your chance to break out your favourite costumes, at the Best Dressed Costume contest at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon!

You’ll not only have fun running through the streets of Toronto wearing an outrageous outfit, you’ll also raise more funds for Mount Sinai.

The ‘Best Dressed Costume’ category is in all three events – categories are as follows:

-          Best Costume in the Full Marathon $2,500; Honourable mention is $500

-          Best Costume in the Half Marathon $1,000

-          Best Costumes in the 5km: 2 x $500

Don’t wear anything too uncomfortable or itchy – you have to finish the race in your costume!

All costumes will be judged by 3 Celebrity / Media Judges at the Finish Line.

What would you want to see cross the finish line? A giant carrot? A Paperbag Princess? Buzz Lightyear?

As you begin pounding the pavement to train for the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, it is important that you pay close attention to the shoes you’re lacing up. The decision behind what running shoes to wear for your marathon experience is a lot more complex than you might think.

Viki, a New Balance employee, took some time out of her day to offer some tips to runners in the market for a new pair of shoes. “It’s important to know what kind of foot you have,” she said.

The first step in finding a shoe is to undergo a gait assessment to determine whether your foot is pronated (turns in), supinated (turns out) or neutral. This is why it is essential to shop at a specialty store, especially if you’ve never purchased proper running shoes in the past. Employees in these stores, such as New Balance, have the knowledge and ability to help you find the right shoe for your foot.

It is also important to test out the shoe in the store before you make your purchase. This doesn’t mean put a shoe on one foot to see if it fits. You should be putting both on to walk (or run if possible) around the store for an extended period of time. This is the only way to ensure that they are a good and comfortable fit.

The general rule of thumb when it comes to fit is to go for a half-size bigger than your usual shoes. This will allow for the swelling that inevitably comes with long distance running.

With this information in your back pocket, you’ll be able to make an informed decision regarding your marathon footwear and on race day, you won’t have to worry about your feet. You can focus all of your energy on crossing the finish line.

Don’t forget – all Mount Sinai employees get a 15 % discount at the Hospital location of New Balance.

Since Mount Sinai Hospital became a participating charity of the 2011 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, we’ve raised a total of $193,687 with the help of over 200 fundraising participants! These funds have been used to provide excellent patient care, ensure our medical equipment is state-of-the-art and that our healthcare teams have the tools they need to provide the very best comprehensive care.

Now in our fifth year of fundraising with the Marathon, we’re looking to make a big difference this year by raising $90,000. One of the areas of the hospital that needs funding is the Right from the Start: Mount Sinai Hospital’s Campaign for Women’s and Infants’ Health. This campaign involves adding six floors to our Murray Street wing to bring together clinical care and research dedicated to women and infants.

This expanded space will help Mount Sinai build a better future for our single biggest group of patients, many of whom are our tiniest and most vulnerable.

This is just one example of the many other areas of care in the Hospital that need donor support. Whether you’re fundraising for a specific area of care, type of research or for the highest priorities of Hospital, your continued fundraising efforts will ensure our Bright Minds and Big Hearts can provide the Best Medicine.

What are you fundraising for?

Plans for the 2011 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon are underway! The Marathon will take place on October 16, 2011!
If you haven’t registered yet, be sure to register and get fundraising!

Registration is now a streamlined 1 step process – you can register for either the 5km, Half Marathon or Full Marathon.

As a Mount Sinai Hospital fundraiser, you can take advantage of registering at a discounted rate – register as a Charity Challenge runner and use the special pin code 11SGCC.

If you raised more than $500 last year, you’re eligible to register for free for this year! Contact us to get your free registration pin code.

The more you raise, the more you’ll get! You’re eligible for great prizes by reaching fundraising milestones and for being a Mount Sinai supporter! You can keep fundraising post-race until October 31st, 2011.

Support Mount Sinai Hospital by making a donation or by sponsoring an existing team!

Stay tuned for posts on health tips, interesting articles and interviews!

Dr. Sabine Cordes sent this report about her team’s run:

We really enjoyed the half-marathon.  It was a very early morning for us and our wonderful support crew spearheaded by Ryan Mui. We met at 7:15 in front of Smoke’s Poutinerie, because Joanna — the fastest among us — loves poutine and would run extra fast for it. We were all wearing team T-shirts designed by Ryan, which had “Team Cordate – if you have a backbone you’re one of us. Run for mental health” and a drawing of a running woman or man. In biology, you see, all animals that have backbones are classified as chordates. 

The Cordates gather at the start line: Mike Cook, Stephanie Almeida, Teresa MacLean, Joanna Yu and Sabine Cordes

We hustled over to the start, the clock struck 7:30am and off we went.  Running together in this event can be a real challenge, but Stephanie and Teresa managed to do so for a while. At the 8k mark, Teresa’s injured knee forced her to stop and this made her very sad. Teresa really wanted to do the run. She and Joanna after all were the ones who had inspired us to do this together — she was a champ! Steph bravely continued on without her. 

Our fastest runners were Joanna Yu and honorary Cordate Mike Cook, a graduate student in the Tyers lab. Steph and I were glad to see the finish line and we each gave a final kick to cross it well. If you were there, you probably saw Steph’s blinding smile. We were met by our wonderful support crew: Ryan, who had followed us with camera in hand and had carried our sweaters and water bottles, and Andrew Seto, a grad student in Irene Andrullis’ lab and a fast marathoner,and Betty Zou, an excellent half-marathoner.

Full of tales of our running adventures and misadventures and joined by the rest of our support crew, Atta Gourarzi, another grad student in Irene Andrullis’ lab, and Joe Bondy-Denomy, we headed off for brunch to “carbo-pre-load” for next year’s event. 

We found running for the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation and fundraising for research in mental health an incredibly rewarding experience and are glad we did it or tried to do it. Teresa’s doing lots of physiotherapy to strengthen her knee and the rest of us are trotting through our runs, which now feel so very short by comparison.

Thanks for all your support!

Yesterday was a big day. Over 20,000 participants took part in the marathon, half-marathon and 5K races. Several records were smashed – with new times set for the fastest men’s and women’s marathons ever run on Canadian soil, and the top Canadian runner achieving the Canadian Olympic standard for the 2012 games.

But the best record-breaking stat is this one: more than $2.5 million was raised for 115 local charities (compared to last year’s $2.3 million for 99 charities).

And that’s $2.5 million — so far. The races may be over, but the Charity Challenge continues for another month.

FunRaisers Debra Kwinter and Frances Bartlett are 100 meters from the finish line

If you’re fundraising for Mount Sinai, I recommend sending out two race reports. Write one for your donors, telling them about your event and how much their support meant. Write another one to the folks on your list who haven’t yet donated and let them know they can still support you.

Your earlier solicitation may have arrived at a busy time or while they were on vacation. Whatever the case, most people will be glad they still have the opportunity to show their support – for you and for Mount Sinai.

On behalf of the Foundation’s FunRaisers, I’d like to thank everyone who participated in the Charity Challenge for Mount Sinai. Runners, walkers, donors — you’ve all made a difference. I know that as Debra and I walked those last few hundred meters of the half-marathon, we found it pretty inspirational to think of all the people who had supported us with donations, messages of encouragement, even colourful banners!

 Thank you. You were all right there at the finish line with us.

For the last two years, Cristina Rubino, a York University biology student, has been volunteering in various departments at Mount Sinai Hospital.

“Everyone in Volunteer Services has been amazing and extremely supportive,” she says. “They helped me find great volunteering opportunities with Dr. Keunen and Dr. Walfish. I have learned so much through these experiences.”

Cristina Rubino: student, volunteer, founder of the Mount Sinai Miracles Club and 5km participant

Her time at Mount Sinai has inspired Rubino to establish the Miracles for Mount Sinai club at York University.

“I wanted to do something unique to honour the support and mentorship I have received at Mount Sinai,” she said. “The club’s mandate is to raise money for the Foundation by organizing events on campus.”

For its first event, the club is going off-campus and taking its message to the streets: Rubino and seven others will be participating in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon 5km walk this Sunday. Their team, Miracles for Mount Sinai, has been actively fundraising.  

Rubino’s club is planning a presentation at the University’s annual YorkFest. For 2011, the members are working towards an on-campus tennis tournament and social event.

 “I never realized how exciting and satisfying raising money would be, especially when it goes to an important cause,” said Rubino.

Today’s blog post is by Heather O’Brien, captain of the Max and Bea team.

It is all about the frame. Have you had that experience where you see a work of art in one frame and hate it and then you see it framed a different way and you fall in love with it? We humans are so interesting that way. You can take a picture of a human skull, make it pink, surround it with swirls and bling, place it on a child’s sweatshirt and it is adorable. It is all about the frame.

I have been thinking a fair bit about re-framing as I head into the last couple of painful and challenging weeks of my half-marathon training. Great cognitive efforts have been invested in creating ways of tricking my brain to make my body do things it does not want to do. For those of you who are not familiar with my story, running is not my activity of choice. Not simply because I don’t like it, but because health struggles over the years have made running a movement that my body does not do with ease or respond well to.

My re-framing has spanned from the ridiculous to the rational to the relational. For example:

“You know when your struggle will end, and that it has an end … they don’t know when it will end … or if it will.”

“You have to get home somehow, do you want to do it fast or slow?”

“Your body CAN do this, use the movement that wants to be released from the mom with ALS whose legs can’t move anymore.”

“If you get up and run, you get a Starbucks Vanilla Late … Grande.!”

“One step, one action, one movement, one moment … this is how we get through life, the good, the bad, the hard and the easy.”

Heather O'Brien re-frames her training look

“This is not supposed to be easy. This is supposed to be hard.”

“Head down, one step at a time.”

“If I can find the strength to finish this, maybe you can find the strength to believe that life will be okay again one day, and you don’t need to kill yourself when your mom dies.”

“You ARE doing this; like it or not, you are doing this.”

“If spirits exist and you can help me … please help me breathe … please help me keep my body moving.”

“You can only do what you can do; you will run until you can’t and then you will walk till you can run.”

No matter how I re-frame to get through each run, the amazing thing to me is this — we are capable of unbelievable and unimaginable things when our hearts motivate us. When we can find a way to get our brain to release its control and let our heart send the messages, we can do more than our brain could ever imagine.

Move over silly brain, we have a half-marathon to run and money to raise.

Heather O’Brien.

When I asked Charlene Girt, a member of the Mount Sinai Hospital team, if she had any fundraising tips, she said no, at first. Have a look at her current results, and I think you’ll agree that she was being modest.

After a little reflection, Charlene – a Mount Sinai patient and donor - realized she did have some wisdom to share. “Above and beyond anything else, it’s my great affection for Mount Sinai that fuels my fundraising. You can do it if you really believe in what you’re doing it for,” she said. “I went from this rather hesitant person to a very active fundraiser!

“I had a birthday recently, and I told my friends I would really like a donation for the walk instead of a present. I’ve contacted just about everyone I know: if I had an e-mail or snail mail address for someone, they heard from me! My cousins, who don’t live in Toronto and probably won’t ever come to Mount Sinai, agreed to support me after I told them that they would benefit from the incredible medical research being done at the Lunenfeld.

“Even my doctors at Mount Sinai, who have been so fabulous to me, were not immune,” she said. “I dropped off sponsorship forms at the Hospital, at my dentist’s, my chiropodist, my opthamologist, my hair salon.”

Finally, Charlene advises sending out updates every few weeks. “That will remind all the people who have been meaning to support you, but haven’t done so yet.”

Words from a master.

–Frances

Hi, my name is Madeline and I am your blogger today!

Let me start off by explaining that I am not a runner. I actually loathed running growing up but, at the beginning of this year I challenged myself to do something out of my element and worthwhile. This is why I have joined the 2009 Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront 5k. Not only will I be running as an individual (yes, running!), I have joined the Charity Challenge and will be raising funds to support Mount Sinai Hospital.

Trading in my working shoes for running shoes

Today, exactly two months away from the marathon, marks the start of my training. I will be involved with various aerobic exercises such as swimming, brisk walking, jogging, and utilizing aerobic equipment such as a treadmill and stationary bike. Incorporating these various forms of activity will not only help me complete my goal but also improve my overall health.

My daily routine already incorporates mild to moderate aerobic activities that will help me train. For example, I walk to and from Toronto’s Union Station to work, take a walk during my lunch, use the stairs, and play and dance with my two-year-old niece. As busy as you think you may be, it is easier than one thinks to perform numerous aerobic activities throughout the day to help you prepare for a 5k challenge!

Over the course of the next few weeks I will continue to share my insights and tips as I train for my adventure. Should you have any advice for me, I welcome your feedback. Now, grab your running or walking shoes and I hope you will journey with me for a worthy cause!

- Madeline

My name is Keiko, Development Associate, Events for the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation. You may have seen my name as the main contact for this Mount Sinai Hospital initiative and I want to thank all you for taking the time to read our lovely blog.

I would love to join the many runners and walkers who have signed up already, but I have a medical condition that prevents me from going the distance.  However, I still can participate by sponsoring my friends and colleagues who inspire me with their determination, commitment and willpower. I am also participating through this blog and over the next two months, I hope to use my fundraising knowledge and provide encouragement and tips on raising funds, recruitment, using the Artez online system and much more.

Great prizes!

I am thrilled to highlight the incentive prizes you can receive based on the amount of funds you raise.  Each item is functional and useful — and best of all, they are Mount Sinai branded!  The prize structure starts at $250, where you will receive a small sports bag, and when you raise more than $3,000, you will receive an iPod Shuffle. My personal favourite is the cooler chair — It is perfect for taking to a soccer game or a picnic!  Don’t worry, regardless of the amount you raise, you will receive a Mount Sinai rope bracelet just by joining the Mount Sinai team!

I’m here as your resource, so please feel free to contact me at kokutsu@mtsinai.on.ca at any time during your journey to the finish line!

- Keiko

Runner or walker? Full or half or 5km? Disciplined trainer or cross-your-fingers and hope-not-to-cry risk-taker? Epsom salts or massage? Energy drinks or water? Power bars or gel packs?

These are topics that consume marathoners. If you’re one of this crowd, you know what I mean. And if you’re a newcomer, you’re probably learning how much time and enthusiasm can be devoted to discussions about shoes, energy snacks, training schedules, event routes, et cetera.

As for me: walker; half-marathon; disciplined trainer (for the duration of the training schedule, that is!); Epsom salts; water. And I like those little jelly-like energy cubes. They’re light and even when they’re squashed they taste pretty good.

This will be my sixth half-marathon, and my third time walking the half in the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon. Last year I signed up at the last minute to walk the 5km, and I did a little fundraising for Mount Sinai. The walk was great fun – there’s such a sense of purpose and action being part of this massive group taking over downtown roads and expressways.

Fundraising for Mount Sinai made the experience even more memorable. As Charlene Girt says, this is an amazing place and it’s easy to ask for support when the cause is such a good one. So thanks to everyone who supported me last year, and thanks to everyone who has or is thinking about sponsoring me  this year!

–Frances.

Editing your pledge page is easy as 1, 2, 3!

1. Log in as a ‘Returning Fundraiser’ on the Scotiabank Group Charity Challenge website. *Your username and password was created when you registered to run/walk for the marathon.
2. To customize your personal page, click the ‘Fundraising’ tab. A Fundraising Menu will appear on the left side bar. Click on ‘Customize Personal Page.’
3. The editing page will appear; you can add photos and videos and personalize your message.

A few tips:

• Photo Opt – Post a photo of yourself. If you are running for someone, put a photo of that person and explain why they have inspired you to run for the cause.
• Speak your mind – Use your own language or favourite sayings. Explain why you are supporting Mount Sinai and how your friends can help!
• Use basic HTML – If you or someone you know is HTML-proficient, you can change the font, font colour, alignment and add hyperlinks.
• Your five minutes of fame – Use the video feature on your digital camera and take it with you on your daily walk to document your journey. Then post the video on your page to show your supporters how you are training.

I hope this information comes in handy! Feel free to contact me at mcuadra@mtsinai.on.ca should you have any questions or some suggestions to share.  

- Madeline.

I have been receiving some inquiries about the event, specifically about registration and fundraising.  So I thought I would share some answers to some of the most commonly asked questions with you!

Q. Where and what time does the 5k event start?
A. The 5k walk/run will start at 10:20 a.m. at Canadian National Exhibition (CNE) grounds and travel along Lakeshore Boulevard to the Nathan Phillips Square finish line.  Shuttle buses will be provided between the CNE and the Nathan Phillips Square.  For more information, visit the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon details page.

Q. What do I do if someone gives me a donation in cash or cheque?
A. When you collect donations from your supporters — either in cash or cheque (payable to Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation) — all you have to do is record the donations you received by logging in as a ‘Returning Fundraiser.’ (Click on the ‘Fundraising’ tab, then ‘Manage Cash & Cheques’ on the left menu.  Follow the instructions to ‘Enter New Cash or Cheque Donation.’  To complete, click ‘Add Donation.’  You will receive a notification indicating the cash or cheque donation was successfully added.)  Once the donations are logged, send the cash and cheques to:

Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation
Attn: Keiko Okutsu
522 University Ave, Suite 1001
Toronto, ON M5G 1W7

The status of the donations will be changed to “verified” when the gift has been processed by the Foundation and your supporters will receive a tax receipt in the mail shortly thereafter.

Q. The registration process seems so complicated!  What’s the easiest way to register?
A. Registering for the 2009 Charity Challenge is a two-step process.  You have to first register for your event (i.e. 5k, half-marathon, or marathon).  Once you’re registered for the event, you then have to register to fundraise online through Artez Interactive.  For step-by-step instructions, visit the Marathon Resource page.

Better yet, if you’re free on August 13 or 14 between 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m., come to the Hospital Cafeteria!  A Foundation staffer will be there to personally register you!  Don’t worry if you’re not able to make it – I’m only an email away.  Send me your request at kokutsu@mtsinai.on.ca and I’ll be happy to register you!

-Keiko.

Charlene Girt knows that supporters come in all shapes, sizes and even species!

The envelope around Lily’s neck contained a donation for Charlene’s 5km walk. Lily apparently gave up her rollover treats in order to support Charlene – and Mount Sinai Hospital.

Thanks, Lily!

–Frances

One of the first things I was excited to do when I started training was to put together a music playlist perfect for running. Music motivates me — during my commute, while cleaning, all through work — so I was so sure that music was going to be my best friend on the run.  

For my initial music playlist, I selected songs with an up-beat tempo that would help me pick up my speed and test my limits. As I started running on the first couple days of training, I noticed I ran faster as the beat sped up and would slow down when the beat slowed down. The tempo of my music selection was throwing my body off and I began to question my music selection and whether I needed my iPod at all.

Last week, I left the iPod at home and found I was more aware of my surroundings. I learned how my body was reacting to my movement and actually felt like my training was getting me somewhere. My mind was clear, I was left with my own thoughts, and it made my routine a little more enjoyable.

I am still not quite set on running without music. Music is great for the warm up to get me moving and it also is relaxing when I need to cool down. With the right choice, music makes the run fun!

Listening to music during your routine is a personal preference. If you are going to listen to music as you run or walk, I recommend picking music with a steady tempo. I have heard that classical music is perfect but I prefer a little Bob Marley. What are you listening to?

- Madeline.

My heart has nicely rested high in my chest, contained from beating right out of my body only by my ribs, ever since I hit the “confirm change” button on the marathon registration page this morning.

I have just begun the 12th week of training for my first ever half-marathon, but I was not officially registered for it until today. I had initially committed to running 5km and signing on as the captain of our Max and Bea team. The goal for our 17-member team is to raise $100,000 for the Max and Beatrice Wolfe Children’s Centre where I work as a children’s grief counsellor. I figured that it would be a fun idea to try and see how far my body would allow me to go in training towards a half-marathon. Somewhere between that thought and now, I somehow found hope and a little belief that I might actually be able to run 13.1 miles on September 27th.

I must confess that I do not like running. My body moves in its own unique way after years of spinal surgeries for a chronic condition I have had since I was a child. Numbness and weakness in my legs prevent my body from running like it should. My ankle is blistered and scarred from my brace, which keeps me from falling, and new pains in my body whisper reminders that I have a greater responsibility than others to be careful.

So with all of that shared, why am I running, and how am I convincing myself to get out of bed at 6 a.m. to beat the heat and run before a day’s work?

This is the part of my journey that is most important. This is the part that first snuck the crazy idea that I might actually be able to run 13.1 miles into my head and has motivated me ever since. I am not running alone. In addition to my loyal cousin Sarah who has been my training buddy, and my cheerleader partner Patrick, I have had a host of amazing children, young adults, and spirits at my side. They don’t know that they have already logged almost 100 miles, but they have been there for each and every awkward step. When I have felt like crying, I have thought about the tears that I have watched them cry. When I have thought of quitting, I have thought about how they don’t have a choice to quit their journey.

These amazing kids, youth and families are the clients that I work with each day at the Centre. The Max and Beatrice Wolfe Children’s Centre and its Dr. Jay Children’s Grief Program are programs of Mount Sinai’s Temmy Latner Centre for Palliative Care that support children, youth, and families when someone important to them is dying or has died, as well as children and youth who are dying. Apart from our space here at Mount Sinai Hospital, we are completely funded by donations.

The support that we are able to offer is continually at risk of being unavailable to families because of funding shortfalls.

This is why I run. This is why I will crawl across the finish line if that is what it takes. This is why I will swallow my pride and ask for sponsors to come alongside me and my team in this journey.

If you are interested in joining our team, you would be so welcome and can do so here.

If you would like to sponsor our team, you can find our fundraising page here.

-Heather O’Brien.

With only a week and a half to go before the big day, I’ve completed my last long run (14 kilometres on Sunday) and am now down to doing a few easy runs to stretch my legs and rest up for my first half-marathon in nearly 10 years!

I used to train regularly and was a fairly competitive road racer in my twenties and thirties – not good enough to take on the elite runners but usually able to place in my age group in most of the races I entered. Now, a series of busy jobs, two kids and too many years later, it’s a different story.

I still enjoy running, but haven’t trained for a race in a very long time – until I decided a few months ago to take on the Scotiabank Half-Marathon to raise funds for Mount Sinai. It really was like starting from scratch – taking one step at a time – even though I’ve been running since I was in high school.

I’ve had to re-learn pacing, effective workouts, proper clothing, hydration, nutrition, rest and how to keep motivated during those long runs. A decade or two ago, I could do hard workouts five or six times a week, recovering very easily between runs. Now, I need to give my ageing body time to rest between runs or risk injury. I run every second or third day, trying to stay on a trail or grass rather than on the sidewalk, which is brutal on the knees. I alternate short, faster runs with interval workouts and a weekly long run. I hear the Scotiabank route is flat, so I didn’t bother with hill training. That may come back to haunt me, but we’ll see soon enough.

I don’t like to run with a water bottle as I find it throws me off balance slightly, so I mapped out a route that has a number of water fountains along the way. A few weeks ago, I also started experimenting with eating energy gels during my long runs. I like the PowerBar chocolate ones – they taste like chocolate pudding! Mmmm. The optimum for me is taking one gel about 45 minutes or an hour into a run. Others like to take them before the race and/or as soon as 30 minutes into the race. It’s all about experimenting and seeing what works best for you. And did I mention they taste like chocolate pudding??

I think I’ve done everything I can to prepare for the race. I’m not thinking about setting a PB or placing in my age group as I know those days are long gone, but I’m excited about the event and looking forward to seeing the Mount Sinai gang out there doing something for a great cause.

Go team!

- Jackie DeSouza

As we start the last week before the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon, I want to share some inspirational numbers:

Today, the 100th person signed up to run for Mount Sinai!  777 donations have been made in support of our participants, and $53,962.18 has been raised so far.

What an amazing accomplishment!  But let’s keep the momentum going. We have a week to go until the event and a month before the Charity Challenge closes.  Imagine… if each of the 100 participants asked 10 of their friends for $10 each and raised $100 more, we could exceed our $50,000 goal by over $10,000!

Kate Dockrill of the Max & Bea team has a few great tips.  She said she couldn’t ask for big donations, but she was happy to ask her friends, colleagues and family for support.  Her strategy was simple, and genius — “I try to ask everyone in person; that way, they can’t say no to my face!”  Most of the donations she has collected are in cash — in toonies, five and ten dollar bills — and the technique has been working like a charm.

You have all proven to be great fundraisers and I know that with your continued effort, we can reach our new goal of $60,000 (yes, $60,000 is now officially our new goal!).

Remember, every donation counts and tax receipts are sent for all gifts.

- Keiko

Mount Sinai Hospital is set to run and walk at the Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon this Sunday. With over 100 Mount Sinai staff and supporters participating in the race, over $64,000 has already been raised and the numbers are still rising. Congratulations, and let’s keep going!

Here are some important pre-race details :

• Packet pick ups — parcels include your shirt, bib and chip — can be made on Friday, September 25 until Saturday, September 26 at The Toronto Running Show Expo at Direct Energy Centre, Exhibit Hall “D.” Free shuttle buses are available to the Direct Energy Centre from the Toronto Marriott Downtown Eaton Centre Hotel.  Read more…

• Scotiabank Toronto Waterfront Marathon will be sending confirmation e-mails with your bib number on Thursday. If you do not receive an e-mail bring personal ID to the Expo and find your bib number on the large board displays.

• Online registration is closed. If you are still interested in signing up for the marathon or 5k, you may register at the Expo — $100 fee for marathon and $45 fee for 5k. Registration is available only if participation limits have not been reached; the half-marathon is sold out.

• Start time for the marathon and half-marathon is 7:30 a.m. at Nathan Phillips Square.

• Start time for the 5k is 10:20 a.m. at the Canadian National Exhibition grounds in front of the Direct Energy Centre.

• Shuttle buses for participants and spectators will leave from Nathan Phillips Square for the 5k race and a baggage check area is available in the morning at Nathan Phillips Square. The cost is $2 per bag and opens 6:30 a.m. to 2:15 p.m.

• Still need time to fundraise? October 23 marks the last day of Charity Challenge fundraising. Be sure to let your supporters know how you did in the race and to make a last ask to support Sinai!

• Lastly, be sure to check the event details page on the marathon website for updates!

A big thank you to everyone participating and to our generous supporters. Together we are travelling the distance to support The Best Medicine. Good luck on Sunday and, more importantly, have fun!

-Madeline.

One finish line down, one to go!

 Sunday, I walked the half-marathon with our team captain, Debra Kwinter. We saw just one of our other team members, Jackie DeSouza, a half-marathon runner. We had every intention of sticking around to greet our teammates as they completed the 5km race, but we were too pooped. Once I crossed the finish line, all I could do was head home and into a bath filled with lavender-scented Epsom salts.

All smiles before the race...

 Painful muscles aside, the race was a lot of fun. Thankfully, the rain took a break for the duration, crowds shouted welcome encouragement and bands played on at different locations along the route.

 Our team had runners and walkers in the half-marathon and 5km events. Charlene Girt has led our fundraising drive from the start. “Walking the 5km took me about 60 minutes,” says Charlene. “I got boxed in by people carrying an enormous banner!” Charlene has raised an incredible $5,485 for cancer research at Mount Sinai.

 “It was a lot of fun and definitely worth the effort,” says Mount Sinai staffer Jackie DeSouza, who ran the half-marathon.

 Mike Edmonds also ran the half. A law student, he says he found the fundraising aspect of the event to be very motivating. “It kept me training!”

 Another Foundation staffer, Celane Chan, ran her first-ever 5km. “It was really motivating, because there were crowds cheering us on the whole way,” she says.

 Sunday’s event was a serious record-breaker. Kenneth Mungara of Kenya set a new record for fastest marathon time ever run on Canadian soil, with a time of 2:08:31. In the women’s marathon, Amane Gobena of Ethiopia set a new course record with her time of 2:28:31.

 For all of us on this blog, the most meaningful stats are for the Charity Challenge – and they are fantastic! As of race day, September 27, Mount Sinai supporters had raised approximately $78,000, nearly double last year’s total.

 Today, I’m thrilled to tell you that Mount Sinai Hospital currently ranks 4^th among the 99 participating charities. Our amazing staff and volunteers have raised more than $80,000 to date. That “to date” is important, because the Charity Challenge finish line won’t be crossed until noon on October 23, 2009.

 Our team has raised more than $13,000 so far. Thank you to everyone who has supported us! Like Mike said, you kept us going!

 –Frances

I have been a little quiet since the marathon, and not because I have been speechless. I have been in recovery mode.

The 5k event was a fun experience and seeing the community come together to support various charities was so moving.  As I hit the 2k mark, I could hear the crowd on Bay Street cheering us on and it gave me the motivation and encouragement to finish the race. Thank you to everyone who came out to cheer for the Mount Sinai runners and walkers!

To date, we have successfully raised over $86,000, and gifts are still coming in. This is truly an amazing accomplishment — thanks to everyone who supported Mount Sinai by participating and/or donating! It is because of supporters like you that we are able to provide The Best Medicine for our patients.

Fundraising for the Charity Challenge closes at noon October 23, 2009 so there is still time to ask your friends, colleagues and family members for their support. Any offline donations should be posted on your pledge page and the cash or cheques sent to Keiko Okutsu at the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation, 522 University Ave, Suite 1001, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1W7. You can reach Keiko at kokutsu@mtsinai.on.ca or 416-586-8203 ext. 3192 if you have any questions.

I am very proud to have accomplished my first 5k and have successfully surpassed my fundraising goal.  When I see my extended family this Thanksgiving, I’ll be sure to make a last ask to support Mount Sinai and maybe convince them to join in for next year, and I hope you too will join me and the rest of your colleagues and friends to run or walk for a worthy cause!

Thank you all again and congratulations!

-Madeline.

P.S. Have a happy Thanksgiving weekend!

Lara O’Donnell is one persuasive scientist. The postdoctoral candidate in Dr. Dan Durocher’s lab at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute is captain of Team SLRI — at 12 members, the biggest Mount Sinai team so far.

Scientists at the Lunenfeld have formed Team SLRI to raise funds for research

 Even Lara is surprised by how quickly her team grew. “There’s been strong interest and a lot of enthusiasm about joining,” she says. “People of all skill levels are joining, with all different goals. Some staff have also brought in their spouses — there are no barriers!”

 Whether they’re doing the 5km, the half or the full marathon, the members of Team SLRI all share an interest in promoting research. “We’ve always had a strong running spirit in our lab, but people from all over the Institute have joined because the opportunity to raise money for the Lunenfeld is really appealing.”

 A dedicated runner herself, Lara has a few tips to share. “Have fun. You can’t put too much pressure on yourself,” she counsels. “Set personal goals. Getting a training program works well because it keeps you motivated and on track. Find the time of day you enjoy most and stick with that schedule. For me, it’s morning runs.”

 And last, but not least: “Send out your fundraising messages!”

It’s officially 60 days to Race Day! Mount Sinai has 31 participants and 5 fundraising teams and we’d like to take this opportunity to thank all of you. 

Team SLRI is the biggest, with 14 members (that jampacked photo below shows some of them), while the Leadership Sinai team is leading the pack in fundraising…so far (ahem, there’s nothing wrong with starting a little friendly competition, is there?!)…

Team SLRI: (back) Louise Brown, Jordan Young, Mantek Yeung, Meagan Munro, Marella Canny, Leah Kabaroff, Steffi Panier; (front) Jasmine Plummer, Lara O'Donnell

 If you haven’t had the chance to sign up yet, why not do it today. Start a team with friends and/or colleagues, fundraise for Mount Sinai and do some good for your health and  the health of many others in your community.  Need help getting started? Taline at the Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation will be happy to provide registration and fundraising support.

Already registered and looking for new ways to fundraise? Consider a garage sale or a bake sale at work – these are great ways to stimulate awareness and giving beyond your family or social networks.

Do use our fundraising  tips and resources. While you’re there, browse our fundraising incentives for a little extra inspiration for all that training!

Happy Training!

For a brief time, some years ago, I belonged to a women’s running group. Before we set out on our first jog through downtown streets to the lake, our coach explained her motivation. “Ice cream,” she said. “I love it, and I run so I can eat it without gaining a gazillion pounds.”

Her story made me laugh, but of course it wasn’t entirely accurate. It takes more than a committed relationship with frozen desserts to become a running Amazon like this coach!

Heather O'Brien is Captain of Max and Bea Team

As she trains to run her second half-marathon, Heather O’Brien, captain of the Max and Bea team, and children’s grief counsellor at Mount Sinai’s Max and Beatrice Wolfe Children’s Centre, looks to her clients for motivation. “When I’m running and I’m thinking of quitting, I realize our kids don’t get to quit what they’re going through, so how can I even think about it?

For race-day motivation, Heather has asked her clients to give her a story about their loved one who has died. “I dedicate each mile to a different person; it gives me inspiration – and distraction! – but it’s more for the kids to feel like they’re supporting me.”

For Heather, using the race as a fundraiser for the Centre “is standing up for what I believe in. It gives me a reason to advocate for our Centre and educate people about what we do.”

What keeps you on the move?

Wow!

 I just went to the Charity Challenge web site to see how many people are fundraising for Mount Sinai and the list of names goes on for 6 pages!

 This is a big, exciting jump from last week. Maybe the fresh, cool weather is inspiring people to trade running shoes for sandals. Perhaps the stories about why participants are supporting Mount Sinai are especially motivating.

 Why not check them out? Click on the link above; choose “Support an individual” or “Support a team”; select “Mount Sinai Hospital Foundation” and hit “Search”.

 You might read about Louise Brown, who’s fundraising for research at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute. With her colleagues in Dr. Culotti’s lab, Louise is studying the development of the nervous system in hopes of finding new treatments for spinal cord injury.

Catherine Hamilton is raising money for The Max and Beatrice Wolfe Children’s Centre, and its renowned grief and palliative care program for children. Then there’s the dynamic Leadership Sinai team, with its ambitious fundraising goal of $20,000, in support of this group’s $8 million pledge to Mount Sinai. And Team SLRI is moving full steam ahead with its fundraising for research.

Roupen Garabedian is running his first half-marathon for his family and for Mount Sinai

Don’t miss the wonderful Roupen Garabedian, a grateful dad who’s running his first-ever half-marathon to thank Mount Sinai for his youngest daughter – born here when his wife Nadia was deemed to be high risk.

 Wow.