As a three-time Charity Challenge racer with Team SCI BC, Karin Kratz knows a thing or two about how to go the distance. She signed up for her first Charity Challenge in 2020 during the pandemic and participated virtually from her neighbourhood of Comox, raising an impressive $3,715 for people living with SCI. In 2021, she returned and knocked it out of the park yet again! And now, in 2022, she decided to take on her biggest challenge yet and completed a half-marathon at her local track. What follows is her first-person account of the trials, tribulations and TRIUMPHS of reaching that accomplishment.
On May 27th I went to the track at the local high school. I had booked the track for 8 AM until noon. My friend Verna took Adeen for a play date with her pup Tule. I am grateful he had fun!
At about 8:10 AM I had received the key for the washroom (so important!) and began shuffling wheelchairs and cookies (of course there were cookies!) down.
My dear friends Lise and Pam arrived and immediately sprang into action to help. Within moments a whole party had been created. Lise is a master of celebration parties!
Pam joined me in the initial lap. She would run many more laps over the next 4 hours!
I was surprised to discover that the track was covered in a rubber coating that stuck to rubber wheelchair tires like glue. Oh dear! It was like going up hill all the way.
Our track antics entertained folks who ran and walked the track for their exercise. We sang songs we knew words to, and many we knew a few words; making up the rest or relying on Joan’s perfect kazoo playing and Lise’s exuberant cheerleader skills.
And our little happy troupe entertained many students on their lunch break….
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After 42 laps I had travelled 21.1 km in 4 hours and 26 minutes. Truly my worst timing in any race I have ever done! IT WAS TERRIFIC!
THANK YOU to Joan, Lise, Pam, Louie, Leo and Lorin! You made it possible to fly through 4.5 hours of wheeling. WOW!! I am SO grateful!
Thank you to everyone who sponsored me and donated to Spinal Cord Injury BC. Thank you to everyone who supported me, in so many ways, in this adventure! Thank you for making a beautiful event and helping to make the world a little more wonderful. You matter. Your kindness and caring is making a difference in this world. Thank you for being in my life!
