All About Jennifer McKenzie

I am not a natural runner and I actually don't really like to run. So why would I once again torture myself by entering another marathon? I don't know. Glutten for punishment? Seriously though it was on my bucket list to run a marathon outside of Canada. And why choose Chicago? Well I always wanted to visit the city so why not cross two things off the bucket list at once.

The training for this marathon was ok. I didn't put too much pressure on myself. I had some good long runs and some bad ones. My best long run was one of the 32km's we had to do. The worst was the last 32km's we had to do.

I spent a lot of time between chiropractor appointments, physio appointments and massage therapy appointments to keep my body working well enough to make it to the race and perhaps even finish.

As the days got closer to the race, the nerves got worse. And then it was race day. The morning of we got up early to go about our morning prep routine. Eat, stretch, bathroom, hydrate etc. And then we walked to the race start with thousands of others. It was pretty crazy walking up the streets of Chicago that morning. We just followed the crowds and new we would eventually get there. We checked our bags and then waited in line for the bathrooms one last time. Before we knew it, it was almost start time.

The corrals were jam packed and we had to climb over a fence in order to get into the open corral. And then slowly we walked towards the start and then a slow jog and then there it was.... the start. Here we go!!!

It was was overwhelmed as we ran through the start with how many people lined the streets. It was incredible. How could you not feel good about starting such a thing when so many people came out to support and encourage!

I felt good for the first 6 miles. Kept a slow steady pace. By 6 miles though my knees started to hurt. By 10 miles every step I took sharp pains went through my knees. My back at this point started to hurt. I had this weird foot pain that I had never had before. At that point, I knew that today was not my day for a good race.

I run 10 & 1's. Meaning I run 10 minutes and walk 1. This gives me the slight rest I need to pick up the pace slightly during the 10's. I tried to keep up with them but after 13 miles the walks were a little longer. And eventually it became more that I would run when I could. Sometimes, I could run without pain. Sometimes, not so much. But I kept moving forward. I tried to stay out of my head but knowing that I still had so much of the race left, it is hard not to second guess yourself. There were so many times that I thought I should just stop. But deep down I knew that I had to keep going. Even if I walked, I knew that I had to cross that finish line.

And mile by mile I got closer to the end.

At about mile 23 some guy asked me how I was doing and told me I could keep going. We walked together and chatted. Turns out he was a 9 year lymphoma survivor. He had a great story so I walked with him and then, just like that, we had one mile to go. He asked if I felt like I could run the last mile and I said "Yes!". And he said "He knew I could do it". So we ran.... I let him go after a while. His pace was faster than mine. I won't ever forget that guy. An inspiration.

But then before I knew it, I saw the 800 metre sign. And I picked up the pace. I turned the corner and what the hell? There is a hill? What? At the end of the race? That is just cruel!! But I picked up the pace again and I ran up that hill and then I turned the corner and there was the FINISH line. And I picked up the pace again. As I crossed that finish line I laughed, I clapped and I teared up. And then I grabbed the beer they had waiting for us.

Running a marathon is an accomplishment no matter how long it takes you to complete it. I was happy to see my friends at our meeting spot and high five them on a job well done. We did it.

And with this run, I say goodbye to my running life. I may go on the occasional run but no more races for me. My body has rebelled against it and this time I am going to listen. I left my shoes at the park in Chicago. Said a farewell. And wished them well.

Leaving my shoes behind, I put my flip flops on and waddled back to the hotel. There is pain during the race but there is also pain after the race. You know someone who ran because of that waddle. You grimace going down stairs. You use props to get up from seats. It is pretty hilarious. Is it worth it? Oh probably.

Overall, the Chicago marathon was a great experience. I certainly didn't have the race I wanted but I am so happy to have done it.

So i love music. I try to see a lot of shows and I have an eclectic taste in music. But I have an admission to make. I kind of have a thing for the boy bands. Or I used to. I remember in high school loving New Kids but was too ashamed to ever let anyone know. I remember going into a music store with my mom one day and bought the New Kids tape (Yes, I am that old) and told my mom it was a birthday gift for a friend. I couldn't even admit to my mom that I liked them!

I remember when NKOTB got back together and went out on tour. I thought that would be my chance to revisit my youth and finally see them live. Got the tickets. Went to the show. But alas, drinking that bottle of wine before the show might now have been a great idea. I barely recall being there. Ok my bad. It happens right?

Cut to a couple years later when they decide to go on tour with the Backstreet Boys. Really? Yes, please! So I beg my friend who has some great connections to get me stellar tickets which I happily paid for. And finally the weekend had arrived! They were playing two nights. Saturday and Sunday and I had tickets to the Sunday show. Until i woke up Sunday morning and looked at the tickets.... the tickets were for the night before. Ok. Is this the universe telling me that this was not meant to be? I screamed, not going to lie, there were some tears and then I focussed. I called up Showtime tickets and bought two tickets to the Sunday night show at double the original price I paid. This show better have been worth it!

Showtime. I loved it. And I mean I really loved it! The way they weaved together the two bands was perfect and they played all the great songs. You could tell both NKOTB and BSB were having a blast and in turn everyone in the audience did too. Susan and I laughed and sang and danced the entire time. They put on a great show and it was worth every cent. And to feel like I was 16 again.... priceless.

Matthew Morrisson opened up for NKOTBSB.

What do you even say about last night? What we should be talking about is how the Vancouver Canucks took us on an amazing journey to the Stanley Cup Finals. We should be congratulating Boston on a well deserved win led by Thomas who was lights out as their goalie, but the focus is on the riots that happened afterwards.

I am going to say very little about the riots. The people who took part are idiots and not Canucks fans. They were there to start trouble and that is it. They have painted all Vancouverites and Canucks fans in a bad light and it overshadowed what should have been a night of celebration.

What I do want to say is that I am so proud of the Vancouver Canucks. Like I said, they took us on an incredible journey and although they didn't win the cup, it was fun just to be along for the ride. For the last few months we have believed in blue and for the true fans of the Vancouver Canucks, we will believe in blue today, tomorrow and always.

I know people are disappointed we didn't win last night. I am disappointed. But most of all I am heartbroken for all the players on the Canucks who didn't get to claim the prize they so covet. I think that is what brought me to tears last night. It wasn't that we didn't win but that I wanted it so badly.... for them.

And so the city and players are left still seeking Stanley but I am left with admiration for the team that almost got us there.

I am not sure there are really words for how I felt after game 6. I really wanted us to win it in Boston mainly because I just don't handle game 7 situations very well. But we didn't win it in Boston. I felt like we played a solid game in the second and third period. But the first period... could we maybe just go back and have those first 10 minutes back?

I was pretty emotionless through much of the game. I needed to give myself a talking to after the first period and get back in the game. We still had another game after all!

And I am so tired of people jumping all over Luongo. Did he play great? No! Although he didn't get much help from the D. Did we need him to be? Yes! But it is what it is. He is still a goalie that has gotten us to the Stanley Cup Finals and has taken us farther than any other goalie for a long time.

But I am happy for Schneider because I thought he played great. And it was great for his parents to be able to see him play in a game!

And I am happy we got on the board. That we were able to get some past Thomas and go into game 7 knowing that we CAN score against him. (I love how I am always saying "we". Like I am a part of the team. But I do feel like we all are!)

As I walked home, I walked along Granville Street and through the crowds. People were quiet but I still sensed optimism. I saw people high fiving each other. People laughing and smiling. It was great to clear my head.

Tomorrow is a new day. And could be the day we win the Stanley Cup.

Tick tock. Tick tock. The clock could not move any slower today!

We play for the Stanley Cup tonight.

I am freaking out!!!

That is all.....

I had no idea what to expect going into game 5. Either the Canucks were going to come out like they did in games 1 & 2 and play their game OR they were going to play the Bruins game and end up down a game in the Stanley cup playoffs.

I feel like saying I was nervous is a broken record but when you want something as much as I do or this city does, nerves are just going to play a part.

The first two periods were tight. The Canucks managed to kill off some extremely important penalties and Luongo kept them in the game. Luongo had his magic back. He was in the zone. 

We out hit the Bruins with Edler leading the pack with 10 alone.

Tanner Glass had an incredible chance to open the scoring but fanned on the shot. I kind of feel bad for him. Really he had an open net and missed the puck!

And then just like that, Lapierre scored and we were up by one. I loved seeing Lapierre's happy dance after he scored! Pure joy! And we all celebrated with him!

And Rogers Arena was loud!! They never let up and that is exactly what the Canucks needed. It is like a friend said "we willed them to win". So proud of all the fans there last night. You made all the difference!

But there was still 15 minutes to play after Lapierre scored. My friends and I waited on the edge of our seats hoping that we could hold them off. And then the buzzer went. Oh what a feeling!! We are one win away from winning the Stanley Cup. It seems unreal. We all knew that this was the ultimate goal but now that it is really here...that it is a real possibility.... I don't know....it's just so crazy to think about!

But the Canucks are going back to Boston. A loud and hostile environment but if they can bring it like they did last night, they will win the cup. And the city and long time fans of the Vancouver Canucks are going to have a dream fulfilled. I can't wait until Monday!

Note: Photos courtesy of Canucks.com

I was horribly anxious yesterday. By afternoon, I literally felt sick to my stomach. I don't know if it was because I was worried for this game based on the results of Monday. But I generally feel this way when I consider it an important game. I know it was only game 4 but I felt like it was important to see how we responded to Monday's game.

I guess I might have had a reason for the anxiety. We lost the game. But I think we lost more than the game.... or at least I did. I lost the faith that people of Vancouver would stick by their team. More and more people were throwing themselves off the wagon that they were barely holding onto in the first place. I supposed I shouldn't be surprised. This is what supposed fans do in this city.

But maybe that is a good thing that they have abandoned ship? Maybe it is the die hard fans of the Vancouver Canucks who have believed in this team for so long that will lift the Canucks up and propel them forward. Propel them to play like they have throughout the playoffs. Like they played in games 1 & 2 of this series.

We know they can play better. We know they are tired and beaten up but I also believe they have what it takes to win just two more games. To win the cup for their city and for the fans who love them the most.

It may have been a Monday but you wouldn't know it! People were at work yes and work was getting done but I think everyone was mostly thinking about the Vancouver Canucks and the fact that it was game day! So much excitement!! Our office was buzzing. Chatter about the game. Hands and faces being painted. Pictures being taken. We were ready to rock this game!!

We convened for a cocktail prior to heading to Rogers Arena to watch the game. So amazing that even though it was an away game they managed to sell out the place. The organization did it right. $10 for a ticket and the money went to Canucks for Kids Fund.

The environment was great not unlike home games. People just excited to see their team play! And what a great opportunity for those who can't afford playoff tickets to at least get a sense of what the vibe is like....

Although, game 3 was not the best night for this. The Canucks got blown out 8-1. But what frustrated me the most was people filing out of the building before the game was over. Come on people!!! This is OUR team!!! We must support them through thick and thin! A loss is a loss is a loss. It doesn't matter if it is 3-2 or 8-1! You are either supporting the team or your aren't. So they had a bad game? It happens! Surely you didn't think we were going to sweep them? I mean this is the Stanely Cup Final! Boston is there for a reason....because they are a good team!

Just like the players, fans need to shake the loss off and look to the next game. I look forward to seeing what they bring to the table for game 4!

Saturday was a perfect day. Seriously sunny! A rare thing here in Vancouver these days. People were out and about in full force!

I met up with my friend Simone and we walked from Kitsilano to Rogers Arena to take in some of the Party in the Plaza. Amazing how many people came out! From a DJ, to facepainting to people getting the Canucks logo shaved into their hair! The energy was electric!

We then walked up to Granville to see what the action was like there. Another sea of blue. You could sense the excitement in the air. Almost game time!

We literally had to fight our way through the crowds to get to St. Regis Bar and Grill where we were watching the game. Reservations are the key people! No waiting! No lineups!

We had a blast watching the game. There is nothing like being surrounded by friends who are all there to cheer on the Vancouver Canucks. And there is nothing better than watching your team win. But more than that, there is nothing better than watching your team go up two games in the Stanley Cup finals! We are 2 wins away from what this city has been waiting for the last 40 years.

We left the bar and poured out into the streets with the rest of the city. Granville Street was insane. High fives. Big smiles. Cheers and chants of ``We want the Cup!`. This is the Olympics x100 because this is our team. This is our Vancouver Canucks and we are all in this together!

Note: I took a ton of pictures on Saturday and will update this post with those soon!

I woke up yesterday morning at 4:50am and bounced out of bed. Finally game day!!! I needed to work off some of the nervous energy so hit the gym and then got ready for work! Jersey on!!! Ready to go.

I was a pile of nerves all day. By 2:00pm I was pacing. I could barely contain my excitement. But at least I was not the only one. We have an office full of Canucks fans!

By 4pm I was settled in at Manchester Public Eatery with my friends. Luckily we had reserved seats so there was no issues with us finding seats. Note to all. Do not try and save a seat for someone if they are going to be late. It is going to hit the fan at some point! There is a story there but I won't bore you with the details.

Finally the puck dropped!!! Game on! And what a tight game.... Luongo was incredible once again and kept us in it after a barage of penalties including a 5 on 3. There was scrappiness too and even a little finger nibbling? But really, what do you expect if some guy shoves a finger in your mouth!!

And then we waited.... waited for someone to score.  And they did. With 18 seconds to go in the third Hansen passed to Torres who drove it home! Now that is what I am talking about. If it is going to be a one goal game, that is the way I prefer it. There is none of the anxiety of holding on to the lead through any periods and then the awful 1 minute countdown with the goalie pulled to see if they can tie it up. 18 seconds. I can handle that! 

The bar went nuts!!! We went nuts!! To win the first game is huge.

Could this really happen? Could the Canucks win the Stanley Cup after waiting all these years? 3 more wins is all we need. But let's not kid ourselves. There is still a lot of work to be done. But with last nights win, I'm more confident and was able to go to bed with a smile on my face.

All Rogers Arena photos courtesy of Canucks.com