Rim2Rim4Roy - Mission Accomplished!

Team McGraw [My brother Scott-left, me-center and Jeff McMahon celebrity keyboardist with Tim McGraw-right] tackled over 24 miles, with 11,000 feet of elevation change and raised over $10,000 for the Tug McGraw Foundation in memory of our father Roy Hadfield, whose adventurous spirit lives on in all of us.

It’s difficult to translate our 12-hour fast-packing adventure across the Grand Canyon. Tuesday morning, we stood at the top of the North Rim at 8,200 feet and could see all the way across to the South Rim, or in our case, the finish line. It was an overwhelming view that literally took my breath away. It’s not that people haven’t traveled from rim to rim on foot, it’s just that most have done it over several days, not hours. I tried to digest the enormity of it all, but like geometry, it just didn’t make sense. It was the first time I had ever seen the finish line from the start, and what lay between seemed nearly impossible.

The temperature range was almost as extreme as the trail with the morning temperature at 29 degrees and 80 degrees at the base of the canyon. We followed the infamous North Kaibab Trail 14 miles and descended over a mile deep through layers of red rock glowing in the

morning sun. I took a million pictures, but knew there was just no way to capture the essence of what I was seeing. This view couldn’t be bottled it could only be earned. We had a schedule and had to move efficiently to reach it, but nature just kept tapping on our shoulders which made it tough to avoid stopping.

Our strategy was to fast-pack down the trail, which involves moving efficiently hiking and running and working with the terrain. We ran the more subtle declines and hiked the extremes to conserve energy for the toughest part of the day, the climb back up to the South Rim. The Phantom Ranch served as an intermission. It sits at the base of the canyon and was the lowest point on our journey (2,450 ft). I’m not sure what I was expecting at Phantom Ranch, but it surely didn’t involve the shadow of darkness that greeted me at the campground entrance. It caught me by surprise and chilled my soul.

We crossed the Colorado River on the Silver Bridge and began the dauntingly steep nine-mile climb up to the South Rim. At this point, the reality of the journey began to set in. The Bright Angel Trail is a series of switchbacks that weave straight up the side of the canyon. The higher we climbed, the harder it was to breathe, but the view certainly made up for it. Although my legs were faltering, my mind was racing with thoughts of my father, memories shared and how much he would have enjoyed the trip. He worked day and night to provide for the family and I think he would be happy to see us celebrating his life.

As the sun was setting, so too was our journey. I looked back and a flood of emotion filled my mind. I could see the North Rim and the magnitude of just how far we had come. It was as if my father was standing on the edge with us smiling and gently letting go. Our family journeyed to the depths and it was time to climb out of the canyon and celebrate the man that did so much for so many. It is the uncertainty of the unknown that fuels my fears, but it is my father’s spirit that leads me to unveil the mysteries of life.

Jenny

**I want to thank everyone who supported the team and donated to Rim2Rim4Roy. I also want to thank my brother Scott for having the courage to take on this adventure is his busy life, my sister Wendy and mother Doris who were there with us in spirit, Jeff McMahon and Jennifer Brusstar from Team McGraw and Tug, for giving us reason to reach beyond our limits. And finally, I'd like to thank my husband John Bingham, who supported us every step of the way. He is the best life crew a girl could want.

100% of the funds raised will go to the Tug McGraw Foundation and enhance the quality of life of children and adults with brain tumors and their families by stimulating and facilitating research that addresses the physical, social, emotional, cognitive, and spiritual impact of the disease. Tug McGraw continues to inspire and help improve the quality of life for brain tumor survivors and their families. Rim2Rim4Roy was created to honor his mission and celebrate his life.

T-Minus 4 Days And Counting...

Four days to go until we head to the Grand Canyon for Rim2Rim4Roy.   The four of us (my brother Scott, Jeff McMahon-friend and superstar keyboardist, and my husband John-crew) will journey to the North Rim of the Grand Canyon and run to the South Rim tackling 25 miles of rugged terrain and 11,000 feet of elevation change.  I can hardly wait to get started...

I want to thank everyone that donated to the cause.  100% of the funds raised will go the Tug McGraw Foundation, a charity that is near and dear to my heart.  We lost our father to a brain tumor two years ago and we created R2R4R in his memory.  It will be a cathartic journey that will celebrate his life and support a charity that is making a difference by enhancing the lives of children and adults with brain tumors.  A win-win for sure.

It's been awhile since I've done something "new" and the uncertainty of the unknown is bubbling up all kinds of nerves and nightmares.  My favorite dream was getting lost on the trail and ending up in the middle of Alaska at a Starbucks!  It's taper madness at it's very best.  Every time I get caught up in the madness, I think about my training, the people that have supported me along the way, and all the families that will benefit from the good work the Tug McGraw Foundation is doing.  The unknown, although it can be scary, fuels my inner explorer and challenges me to reach beyond my limits.  The view is much better when you earn it.

Off to packing and dreaming...

Jenny

When It Rains, It Pours

Wow, what a weekend we had in Chicago. Chicago Endurance Sports trained a team for the Chicago Half Marathon and for many, it was their first shot at the distance. So I was pleasantly surprised to see so many of them show up at the start Sunday even though the rain was coming down in sheets!

Chicago had what they are now calling a "20-Year Rain" with over 8 inches in some areas this weekend. It just kept coming down. The race staff had to make a lot of last minute changes due to flooding and tackled the huge challenge of putting on the race in horrible conditions. I must say I was really impressed with our runners for showing up and towing the line on a horrible day (and a day that was perfect for sleeping in). I am equally impressed with all the volunteers and family and friends that stood out there helping us run the race. The Chicago Half Marathon staff did a phenomenal job in challenging conditions and we all got through it one inch at a time.

Sometimes racing in the worst conditions make for the best of memories.

Congrats to all that were involved and here's to drying out!

Jenny

Country Roads

There's something about a winding road that sucks me in and takes me for a ride. I was out in the country this weekend at our annual girls getaway and had the chance to run on an open, winding, hilly country road. There is almost nothing better...no cars, plenty of wildlife and fresh, crisp air. It was the perfect training run for my upcoming Rim2Rim4Roy Adventure across the Grand Canyon and a most excellent way to defrag and unwind.

I'm 30 days out from my GC Adventure and getting in a lot of great training these days. Some long, fast hikes, some trail runs and a lot of climbing workouts. It should be a good recipe to get me through.

I want to publicly thank everyone for their support (emotional and financial). We're just beyond the half way point of our goal to raise $11,000 for the Tug McGraw Foundation. (Which also happens to be the total amount of elevation gain on our journey)

If you are interested in making a donation to the team (every penny counts), CLICK HERE.

Happy Trails,

Jenny

A fun training run and a bad hair day...

I'm back from a long weekend at the Virginia Beach Rock n Roll Half Marathon. This is one of my favorite races of the season and a fun way to end the summer. It was a funny race for me and I struggled a little with the humidity. I think mostly because the weather in Chicago has been dry and cool all summer that I just wasn't acclimated for the 87% humidity even though the temps weren't crazy hot (75-80).

I can always tell how I will do in a race based on what my hair looks like:) Nice, smooth curls = a strong race. Out of control frizz = a tough race. And the minute I stepped off the plane in Norfolk, my hair looked like Rosseane, Roseannadanna. It's actually a great barometer for knowing when to cut back on pace and go with what the day brings, and I did just that. I actually used this race as a training run for my Rim2Rim4Roy challenge in early October. I ran to the start, ran the half marathon and then walked back to the hotel. Twenty miles in total and a perfect training day for me.

So I guess we're headed into fall, and with that begins my search for the perfect carmel apple. Because what is fall without carmel apples? Not a fall at all...

Happy Trails,

Jenny

It's Working...

I had the pleasure of cheering and supporting our Triathlon Team yesterday at the Accenture Triathlon (the world's largest ). We (Chicago Endurance Sports) had over 160 athletes racing and it was an absolutely beautiful day to swim, bike and run.

I sat for a while on the edge of the water cheering on swimmers and noticed a nice trend. Mothers, fathers, and grandparents walking along with kids in tow. Many of the kids had "Go Dad or Mom" on their shirts and all of them were eagerly awaiting a chance to cheer them on. I have to believe this is going to have a profound impact on the next generation and how active they choose to be. With parents as role models out there in the water and on the roads getting it done, their kids are going to choose to live an active lifestyle because it will be normal. And what a great way to be proactive in the battle with childhood obesity.

Way to go moms, dads and grandparents! You are a tremendous role model and your achievements today will make a huge impact on children tomorrow.

Keep it up...

Jenny

Rim2Rim4Roy

I realized the past few months that I've pretty much been living in a fog for the past two years. After losing my father to a brain tumor, my gram and dog to old age, I just went "away" emotionally and physically. Almost in autopilot...

The good news is that I am realizing this and that must mean I am on the other side of it. Life rolls up and down and it sure is nice to be on the up part again! Speaking of up and downs, I am doing something that has been on my Life List for years. I've created an event (personal) called Rim2Rim4Roy to honor my father and put my strengths to good use.

This October, my brother Scott, a good friend and celebrity keyboardist Jeff McMahon (of Tim McGraw), my husband John Bingham and I will tackle twenty-five intensely rugged miles over 11,000 feet of elevation change in the Grand Canyon to raise awareness and funds for the Tug McGraw Foundation.

Our journey will take us 8-10 hours and none of us really knows what to expect (except maybe sore quads). I can hardly wait to take the first step. One, because it will be a cathartic adventure and will feel good to finally put action into something I've felt so helpless over. And two, it will be an epic adventure that I hope to bring others to down the road and continue to honor my father and raise funds and awareness. Stay tuned on that account...

We are shooting to raise $11,000, the total amount of the elevation gain and loss. If you are interested in supporting our cause, you can donate HERE.

More details on training and the Rim2Rim4Roy Adventure coming soon...

Happy Trails,