A Spartan for the Final Season

With only one more class needed to finish my degree and only one more year of eligibility to run for the university, I took a French class for fun and planned to run every day.  However, my biggest goal was to inspire other athletes to be leaders on the TWU Spartan track team.

First: A Kudos to my 4 years at Trinity Western University.

In the beginning, it took a bit of convincing to make the switch from where I was at a local university to attend and train at TWU.  When I did decide to make the switch I was all in: the faith community, the high-level of academics, and the elite level of training that TWU offered could not be beat.  I was challenged in many ways and have graduated a better person full of confidence to pursue all of my God-given dreams.

Second: The final XC season.

Just as we planned in training, I came out faster at every race throughout the season than the previous year (about 30+sec faster over 6km).  I placed 3^rd, 4^th, 2^nd and 7^th respectively, in the CIS season, finishing 7^th at nationals.  Our women’s team took home the CanWest Championship banner and trophy for the second year running (pardon the pun *wink*) and finished 2^nd as a team at our National Championships.  The word of the year for our team was ‘history’, and even though we wanted to make that by winning our National Championships, that National Championship race made history in and of itself!  Race day included 100kph winds with gusts of up to 140kph!  We will all be talking about our week out in St.John’s, Newfoundland for years to come.  Also, TWU’s XC team made history by giving back to the local community and inspire young runners in schools to participate in athletics.  We hosted a School Spirit Contest across the entire school district in St.John’s and surrounding communities awarding two winning schools with a running clinic from the TWU XC team.  The run clinics were a great success which brought as much joy to the elementary students as it did our team. Finally, and especially meaningful to me, was that the love of my life flew all the way across the country to watch the race and tour the countryside with me afterward.  The history books will say, that I have the best family who ever supported an athlete.

A few girls from one of the School Spirit Run Clinics

Royal Blue: color matched for TWU

That's me, second row, tucked in like a cyclist to defend myself against the brutal wind!

Hanging onto our well-earned Championship banner

Alex and I exploring the east coast

One of many Newfoundland fishing town

We were awarded honorary Newfoundland status after getting 'Screeched-in'

Living out of the back of a rental van :)

Fogo Island - a must visit on the east coast

Fogo Island's beautiful coast

In order to wrap up my time at TWU, here is a list of a few of my accomplishments during my university career:

-          Best finish at CIS XC Nationals : 5^th (2013), 7^th (2014)

-          Best finish at Canadian XC Nationals: 14^th (2013), 19^th (2014)

-          Named to Canadian World University XC Team 2014 to finish 17^th individually, 3^rd as a team

-          Best indoor 3000m: 9:36 and CanWest Champion (2013, 2014), 4^th at Nationals (2013), 6^th (2014)

-          Best indoor 1500m: 4:31 and 6^th at Nationals (2013), 11^th (2014)

-          Canada West Student Athlete of the Year 2013

-          Hosting the School Spirit Contest during our trip to Newfoundland for the 2014 XC Nationals

-          A graduating GPA equivalent to an A-

As for the goals that I set out to accomplish this season, I did not make the Canadian team for XC Worlds - God knows that it doesn't fit with my new line of work anyway (more to come) - however, I do believe I succeeded in leading myself out of a job as Team Captain on the TWU track team because I am not missed yet from a void of my input, lol, but I am happy to say that the team is full of beautiful candidates for future leadership.

Cheers to the next season of athletics and of life!!

Indoor Weekend 1 - 3000m

For the CIS Track & Field athlete, it is indoor season (which means running around tight ovals in a dry building).  Last weekend we were lucky enough to run on the 307m indoor track at the University of Washington (307m? Ya, we don't know why either).

Most of my teammates would agree that the first meet of the season is terrifying.  Will I best my PR (personal record)?  Did I remember my spikes? What pins should I use? 
Should I take a nap?
Did I eat too much breakfast?  Do I remember how to race?????  Yes, I thought these things before my season opener 3000m.  I was happy to get to run in the fastest heat of the weekend with my teammates Sarah and Regan as we were all going for the auto qualifying time to make Nationals.  Sarah took it out hard with the pros.  I ran even paced right on target, pulling Regan along all the way.  It felt steady and controlled (ha! I do remember how to race!)

Sarah got the auto.  I got the auto and Regan was less than a second off...except...then the times were converted from the 307m track to a 200m track and that put me off the auto by a second. (*sad face).  We were so close though and since I ran so controlled I'm looking forward to running 15sec faster than THAT next time! (At least THE coach thinks so!)  So thankful for team, and athletics, and sweating and TWU and God's grace!

Next up......Seattle Feb.1 - The Mile
(watch on flotrack.com) <---but you might need an account

Also don't forget about my trip to Uganda to race for Team Canada at the World University Cross-Country Championships!  I'm in need of some help to get there and I am raising $$ support through the CIS Adopt-an-Athlete program.  Check out my last blog for details on how to donate for a taxable receipt!!

Thanks All!

En Route to run in Entebbe, Uganda

I am very excited to announce that I was named to the Canadian National team going to race in Entebbe, Uganda in March!

Ah ha!  I bet some of you thought I was trying to run TO Africa but actually I am hoping to fly to Africa and then run the World University Cross-country Championships.  What a tremendous blessing and opportunity I have to be fast enough to run for Canada in a World Championship as such.  I am the only athlete from Western Canada (on the girl's side) and will be the one to represent Trinity Western on this Canadian team.  I so look forward to sharing faith and hope with my teammates and spread joy throughout the team.  I do not know any of the other team members besides their name, school and 6K run time so I look forward to making some friends.

Another exciting thing about Uganda, is that a family from my Church is moving to Uganda at the end of January so I will get to be their first visitor!  AND they are all going to come cheer our Canadian team on to victory!!! (I mean...we hope for a victory).

Now, as a student and athlete, I am committed to studying and training. While the Universiade / World University Championships are a tremendous opportunity to compete at an international sporting event and to meet and influence athletes from other countries, unfortunately, they also create a huge financial burden. I am looking for help to fund my trip that will cost about $3,500 (which includes travel costs, accommodation, food & team fees).   This financial commitment is unrealistic to achieve unless financial support is found. This is the reason for my post today.

If my story somehow inspires you or excites you, I ask that you would adopt me!  A donation as little as $25 to the CIS Adopt-an-Athlete program in my name will get you a taxable receipt!  Just follow the instructions listed below before February 12th to collect the tax-break benefit.

Adopt-an-Athlete Overview

  The Adopt-an-Athlete Program was developed with two objectives in mind:

•      To aid Canadian post-secondary student athletes in finding financial assistance to enable compete in international sporting events.
•      To provide a means by which individuals and/or the corporate sector can "invest" in Canada’s student athletes.

     Why Donate?

  Financial constraint is one of the main reasons an athlete leaves national or international sport. It is incredibly time consuming for the majority of student athletes to attend university/college and to train for and compete in sporting events. Thus, after studying and training, there is little time or opportunity to earn or save money.

  Many post-secondary student athletes are of such a high athletic caliber that they are able to represent Canada at international sporting events such as the Commonwealth and Olympic Games. However, to do this, outside support and financial assistance is required.

  Once they retire from competitive sport, many athletes take up careers in the sporting arena. Attending international events gives these athletes the opportunities to make more contacts to aid in their job search.

     Your Donation

  Your donation will assist CIS international programs by contributing to the following expenses:

• Accommodation and meal costs
• Transportation fees (to/from and during the Games)  
• Administrative and entry fees and team fees

     Procedure for Donating

  In order to obtain a tax receipt, the following procedure must be followed:

1.    Make your cheque payable to Canadian Interuniversity Sport.

2.    Attach a covering letter for the unconditional donation with your cheque. The attached letter/form must be used.

3.    Forward cheques, along with the covering letter, to:

CIS International Programs Office

 Adopt-an-Athlete Program

801 King Edward Ave., Suite N205

Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5

Attention: International Programs Services

Any questions or concerns can be directed at the athlete requesting sponsorship or CIS International Programs Services – (613) 562-5670 or canada@universitysport.ca.

The official cover letter to attach with your cheque payable to the CIS Office:

CIS International Programs Office

Adopt-an-Athlete Program

801 ave. King Edward Ave., Suite N205

Ottawa, Ontario, K1N 6N5

Attention: International Programs Services

Dear Sir/Madam:

We are pleased to provide support for CIS International Programs Services Adopt-An-Athlete Program. Enclosed, you will find a cheque in the amount of

$_________________. This donation is made unconditionally, and without any right, privileges, or personal benefit to me, and/or my organization, and/or my immediate family.

Without limiting the unconditional nature of my donation, I would suggest that support be provided to __Canadian University Cross-Country Team________ (sport).

Sincerely,

  

______________________________

Signature

______________________________

Printed Name

______________________________

______________________________

______________________________

Address

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

This request for donation was made by ______Alison Jackson_______________________

(Athlete/Club)

 

2013 CIS/CANWEST Cross-Country Championships

Early September, I remember Coach Bomba saying, "This year is about team."  Then fall practices began in the outdoor sun and fresh air with teammates cheering and egging each other on to run more, train consistently, and attend the ice baths rigidly.  We had a team vibe going on.  The new vibe this year was due to old steady beats and fresh new sounds both local and from 'round the world.

As the season progressed our race stats amplified our team excitement.  Our boys were consistent and strong and our women's team never left a race without a medal.  My individual season race stats were 4th at Seattle Sundodger meet (season opener), 2nd at WWU Lake Padden, and 3rd at B.C. Championships in Abbotsford (which put me on Team B.C. for Canadian Club Nationals 7K race coming up Nov.30 in Vancouver).  I had a grrrrREAT! race at B.C. Championships pulling out a killer final half of the race to negative split and bridge gaps between me and the leaders.  Two weeks after this race we were in London, Ontario for our CIS Championship meet (CANWEST Champions would be awarded at this event also).

Coach Bomba detailed what 'taper' would look like for us, and although I have tendencies to continue all my triathlete activities I did slim down my volume 'un peu' (a little) according to his plan and tried hard to stick to that plan.  I had to keep reminding myself that Bomba knows best (when it comes to running, that is!).

Anyway, the taper, the mental attitude, the confidence in my training and ability and tactics, AND God's blessing for it all to come together at the right moment lead me into finishing 5th spot nation-wide (CIS) and  CanWest Champion!!!  Is that exciting? Yes, but there is more!  Our women's' team made history by bringing home the CanWest Championship banner!! Remember...."This year is about team!" AND...that 5th spot over-all nabbed me a spot on the Canadian University team going to compete at the World University Games (FISU) in Uganda in March!!!!!

The thing is, I couldn't be more proud of our ladies and men.  Our women's team was 13th last year and moved to 4th this year in the nation, and our men's team climbed from 14th to 7th!  This weekend held a lot of celebrations for me and when I celebrate my successes I always think of the people in my life that encouraged me, believed in me, and made sporting opportunities possible.  My family (especially my number One fan Momma Farkash and major sponsor Pa Farkash) and my new family (especially a bus driver hubby), my Quest leaders, TWU Spartan athletics, Wentings Cycle & Mountain Shop, Phoenix Velo Cycling Club members, Coach Bomba, my training buddies that push me to run and run and run...  I can look back a few days to many years and piece together a journey of people that raised me up, God has shown me His goodness in this way.  Thank you!


Here are a few links to race results and news articles from the weekend:
TWU Spartan Article
CIS Championship Results
Race VIDEO

Alison Jackson - 5th CIS, 1st CanWest - 21:25.1

Looking forward to Canadian Nationals Nov.30, long winter cycling rides, Christmas, indoor track w/TWU and running in Uganda!!