My Very Own Dory: DCIS Day 6 Years Later 11.8.18

Six years ago today, I received the news that would change my life forever. Lots of thoughts go through my head this time of year, especially today and the days that follow: where I was then, where I am now, and all the days, weeks, and years in between. Rather than make some long, lengthy post, I decide to share a special "gift" I received back in August instead…a logo designed by a childhood friend  given to me after a post I made on Facebook (a post which mysteriously happened to appear in my feed today as I was typing this…things that make you go hmmmm….). To say I was touched is an understatement and I can't wait to see what the future holds for me and my very own Dory so what better message to share to today but that none of us are promised a tomorrow so what to do when given a choice? Live, laugh, be kind, love like crazy, and just keep swimming. 🐠❤️

Uno Mas: Nike X Regionals

And so….another "uno mas" and another "last” is right around the corner…. experiencing Cross Country Town USA both as a parent and participant. Signed up today for the Nike X Community 5K which precedes the Nike X Regionals race where Rick and his team will be running their last XC race of the season (and Rick’s last XC race ever sniff sniff) on November 11. The race will always be a memorable one, not only because it was my first time ever running an XC course but last year’s race was also my first race running for my IRun4 buddy, Jacob. Now let’s just see how packet pick up goes this year. In 2016 they had me registered as a 15 year old boy named Jefferson from Illinois LOL and last year they didn’t have me in the system at all but thankfully took my word that I did indeed pre-register. Geez, It seemed like the race was so far away and now it’s in a mere 10 days. Sigh.

#theclockisntlistening#notreadyforthefatladytosing #IRun4Jacob#justkeepswimmingandrunning #nxr #nxn

JoyCimino.com Digital Marketing and More Customer Spotlight: HippieChick Noms

Thank you, HippieChick Noms, for the opportunity to design your logo and booth banner. What a fun client to work with and what AWESOME natural, whole food, plant-based granola. Yum! They also offer other homemade, healthy, and delicious food items and are available for catering as well. Check them out on Facebook. 

As many of you know I design and sell custom t-shirts and apparel and have a Facebook page JKS Designs (if you haven't checked it out yet, be sure to and like my page...and of course sharing is always appreciated). Did you know I also have over 25 years in the graphic/print/web design and digital marketing business and offer a wide range of marketing services? I am available on a project-by-project basis and also on a part-time and/or contract basis on site or remotely should your company have marketing needs but you don't need a full-time staff member. Consulting services also available.

I'd love to help you with your next project no matter how big or small! Visit my new website, JoyCimino.com, to learn more about me and what services I offer. 

Every mile a memory: Rick's Last High School XC Meet 10.22.18

And THAT, my friends, is how you finish your senior high school cross country (XC) career. I laughed, I cried, I screamed, I jumped up and down, I hugged.

I have to admit this has been a very bittersweet season. Awesome and amazing because Rick has done so well but sad because I know this will be our last time as XC parents and it has been such a FUN four years that went by WAY too quickly and I am really, really going to miss this.

Yesterday's XC meet, the Rotem Invitational, was Rick's last high school XC meet held on our school's home course at Garfield Park. Every other sport at Mentor High School has a senior recognition night where seniors and parents are recognized on the field and but our last meet has always been elsewhere so there was never one for the XC runners. Since Rick's coach decided to hold the last race of the season at "home," the parent's club thought it would be nice to have a senior night with a pot luck afterward. Oh gosh, if I didn't need even MORE reason to get teary-eyed. LOL.

So how do you finish you ask? With a lifetime PR of 17:17 and winning your last XC race on your home course…not just winning on your team but winning the whole dang race and placing 1/113 runners and leading your team on to a first place victory! There couldn’t have been a more fantastic finish if we planned it.

There are no words to express how absolutely incredible it was when my Rick-star appeared out of the woods leading the pack the last 2.5 miles of the race to the finish. My kid…the one who joined the team because we really didn’t give him a choice four years ago found something in himself and became a true running rock star. Of course, he could have been dead last and I would have still been just as proud but dang…I will never forget these moments watching him shine for as long as I live. Thank you Aunt Nadine and Grandma Carolyn for being there to cheer him on for this most fantastic finish.

#thanksforthememories #lusciouslocks #everymileamemory #belegendary #proudxcmom #proudmamabear #onceacard

Rick before his first race, time trials freshman year, and after his last race, Rotem. You've come a long way, buddy! 

Rick's award (shirt), bib, jersey, and since it was also Senior Recognition Night, I received a flower.

For all the pictures and videos taken, visit the team photo album here.

Click below to see the videos of:
Rick run at that beginning of the race
The first pass
The second pass
The third pass where he came out of the woods leading the pack with no one behind (mentioned above)
And the finish of all finishes!

On a side note, if you watch as he runs past me, there is an orb. I'd like to think that was my dad, Papa D, letting us know he was there too. He was always at all of the grand children's sporting events and sadly he never got to see Rick run...this is the not the first time I've seen an orb and it always makes me smile when I see one.

IRun4Jacob: How one boy and his family changed my races...and my life

Have you ever wondered why I sharpie IRun4 Jacob or wear a make-shift sign on by back when I do a race? It's because of this guy. I'd like to introduce you to my buddy, Jacob (left) and his twin brother, Joe. August 31 was a big day for them...that is the day they turned 5! 

What is IRun4 you ask? It's a non-profit organization where athletes of all levels and kinds – runners, walkers, yogis, triathletes, etc. – are paired with children and adults with physical, mental, and developmental special-needs. I first learned about the program in 2016 from one of my Ragnar teammates and she mentioned she sent all of her race medals to her buddy. I thought how cool, I could send my buddy all the race shirts I never wear to someone who would. After waiting for over a year and half to be matched up, I received the news last November right before the Nike Cross Regionals race that I finally had a buddy from Arkansas and that day my life was forever changed. Nike was my first race as his buddy and he has been "with" me ever since. He and his twin brother, Joe, were born at 29 weeks old. While Joe is in perfect health now, Jacob has a host of medial issues. He has an immune system disorder called hypogammaglobulinemia and then low to no antibody response to vaccines, which are two very rare diseases in pediatrics. He also has chronic lung disease and cerebral palsy. Every day is a challenge, especially during cold and flu season because so many people are sick making it difficult for them to even leave the house. His mom, Rebecca, and I have become dear friends and even though we've never met in person, we talk daily and have become the best of friends. 

Jacob has become more than just someone I run for, he and his family are now my family too. So today I would like to wish a very happy birthday to a boy (and his brother) who inspires me every single day. Jacob, you and your family are blessings in my life and I thank God every day for you. Happy 5th birthday's boys and God's blessings for many, many more. xoxoxo

#IRun4Jacob 

Happy 5th birthday, boys. Love and hugs from the North Coast! 

Sweet Jacob wearing my shirt from the Nike Cross Regionals race.

Nike Cross Regionals with Rick's XC team...my first of many races as Jacob's buddy.
Sharpie credit: Paul Cimino.  He has gotten so good with the sharpie he can have it done in less than a minute.=)

My makeshift sign when the weather is too cold and I can't be sharpied.

The Run for Someone is a different program but
I got a medal to send to Jacob because I run for him.

Lots of race shirts for Jacob. These are just a few of many.
When my son Rick does a race too, he gets a shirt to give to Joe.

Officer Mazany Blue Ribbon 5K 9.23.18: Here's to You West Geauga Class of '88

Hmmmm, perhaps partying all weekend with people you grew up with IS the key to a great race after all. The inaugural Officer Mathew Mazany Blue Ribbon 5K benefited the family of Office Mazany, a Mentor police officer who was killed by a hit-skip driver on Route 2 during a traffic stop this summer. I wanted to do it because it was for a good cause and the race was right up the street from where I live but hesitated signing up because of my class reunion. Even this morning I considered bailing…after all, I supported the race with my entry fee so did I REALLY need to go? Well I’m glad I did. It must have been the "power of 88" because not only did I NOT hurl at all, but I managed to pull of an AG award. But not only that, ran my fastest 5K of the year AND was only 30 seconds from a lifetime PR. What the???!! Here I was just hoping to not throw up! LOL But get this….what song from my playlist came on during my last mile shortly before the finish but Kick Start My Heart from Motley Crue…. Coincidence? I think not. Perhaps a certain "DJ" was playing "DJ". I smiled, thought to myself "this one's for you, Class of 88" and seemingly out of no where, found there was a little left in the tank for a decent finish so I picked up the pace. When I rounded the corner to the finish and saw the clock just changed to 24:00, I couldn't believe it and out of no where once again, had a little more left to kick it up one more notch. LOL So thank you, class of 88 for an absolutely incredible weekend and getting me to that finish line this morning.

What's more important than my victory though is the reason behind the race; a community coming together and showing support for a fallen hometown hero. That means more than any award or finish line result. Together we raised over $6000 for his family and before the awards, they called Officer Mazany's brother and put him over the loud speaker to address the crowd. You could hear in his voice how touched he was and after losing my own brother in a tragic way, I know how it feels to have the support of complete strangers so I am glad I was there to be a part of it.

Stats

24:20

2/31 AG

12/139 Females

33/243 OA

Splits

7:51, 8:16, 8:04

I even had Paul Sharpie "88 is Great" next to my
IRun4Jacob "tattoo" for good luck.

Of course wearing on of my very own custom-designed  JKS Designs tank tops! 

Race awards and another shirt to send to Jacob! Yay!

Patriot Day 9.11.18

17 years later...

And as I was getting ready for my morning run this morning, I found myself doing the same. The words I wrote on Facebook four years ago still hold true every Patriots Day and every day.

Never forget.

+++

When I went on my morning run today, I started to reflect on what I was doing that fateful morning 13 years ago. For whatever reason, my mind drifted to not what I was doing, but to what those who lost their lives that day were doing… I’m sure there were several that were out for their morning runs contemplating the plans for the day just like I often do. I thought about how they had no idea what was going to happen that day, just like the rest of us, and how a seeming innocent morning would change our world forever. I thought about how they must have felt if they were one of those in the towers, in the Pentagon, or on one of the planes. I thought about how their loved ones must have felt, watching in horror as the events were unfolding, or how it must have felt knowing they were hearing their loved ones voice for the last time. I realized that after 13 years, the sadness I felt on that day really hasn’t changed. 

I still get chills when I hear GWB’s bullhorn moment as he stood in the rubble of the Twin Towers…"I can hear you! The rest of the world hears you! And the people – and the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon" and the crowd’s prolonged chants of "USA! USA!" I am thankful we had a president at the time who wasn’t afraid take a stand and go after those who caused us harm. I’m not so confident the current powers that be would make that same decision. I hope we never have to find out.

Many people “say” they’ll never forget, but do they truly live by those words? I can honestly say I haven’t forgotten. Because of my involvement in the Young Marines program and our yearly trips to DC for Veterans Appreciation week, I’ve been fortunate to watch the Shanksville memorial go from a small shack with a flag way off in the distance marking the spot where the people aboard Flight 93 met their deaths to the beautifully designed monument it is now. I've also been there as our Young Marines were one of the first youth organizations to lay a wreath at the Pentagon Memorial and as we toured the Pentagon twice and walked the same hallways that were destroyed by the airplane. No matter how many times I’ve been to either memorial, I can’t help but think about the events that day and think about the lives that were lost. There really are no words to describe those emotions and those experiences are ones I think about often. And watching videos of that day brings about the same sadness today as it did 13 years ago.

God bless those who lost their lives that day, their families and friends who miss them terribly, and God bless the men and women of the armed forces, the police, EMTs, and firefighters who willingly do what they do to keep us safe.

God bless America. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

At a risk of sounding patriotic, we need to make sure the infamy of this day never slips from our minds. So raise a glass: to those who died that day, innocent of wrong to those who have died, avenging their deaths and to those who will die, making sure it never happens again.

 

#neverforget #neverforget911 #911 #unitedwestand #onenationundergod #shanksville #twintowers #pentagon #flight93 #weremember911 #godblessamerica #911memorial #trueamericanheroes #patriot day