“I am a woman – wife, mom, daughter, sister, aunt and good friend – for whom “sport” has been a constant in my life since early childhood.

For many years I trained as a National Level gymnast and later as a Provincial Level swimmer.

2010 will be my third year in triathlon and I am so excited about my goals which include achieving some top age group results! 2009 was a great year. I completed my first half ironman and first Olympic distance triathlons and I am TOTALLY hooked. I LOVE this sport. I also qualified for BOSTON Marathon and plan to race it in 2011 with my mom!

I try to live as healthy and balanced life as I can and set a good example for my son and hopefully for people who know me personally and those who know me through my blog. Given my upbringing, I believe that physical fitness is so important in people’s lives whether it be the weekend warrior, the age grouper or the pro – taking part in some way is what it is all about. If I am able to accomplish anything through my endeavors it would be to inspire people to get involved in sport on whatever level suits their circumstances. It is something that truly enriches life.

O.N.E. has been sponsoring me since 2009 and their products are AMAZING! In particular, for me, drinking coconut water during my workouts provides enhanced hydration and eliminates painful muscle cramping. O.N.E. is a constant training partner! Give O.N.E. products a try – I did and I am hooked!”

To find out more about Jill check our her blog at http://jillcostantino.blogspot.com/

The African Children’s Choir™ is made up of some of the neediest and most vulnerable children in their countries.  Many have lost one or both parents to poverty or disease. The African Children’s Choir™ helps these children break away from the everyday cycle of poverty and hopelessness.

Choir Selection

Before being selected to join the Choir, children, generally aged between 7 and 11 attend Music for Life camps.  These camps are fun and stimulating environments that provide a break from the daily hardships the young children face at home.  Games, crafts, music and devotions are some of the activities the children look forward to at camp. Once the children are selected, Choir Teams will spend a few days visiting the children’s homes to determine their needs and suitability for tour life.  They then have the difficult task of selecting the group of children who will form the next African Children’s Choir™

Breaking the cycle of poverty
Education is the key to positive change for Africa. Hoping to break the cycle of poverty, families make great sacrifices to send their children to school. However, most schools in Africa are poorly equipped, quite often with a student–to–teacher ratio of 100 to 1.

As they come from some of the most needy families, the African Children’s Choir™ is committed to helping Choir children physically, spiritually, emotionally and academically, giving each child an opportunity to reach their God-given potential.

While touring with the Choir, the children are exposed to a world of new possibilities. Chaperones, host communities and caring professionals share their wide variety of experiences with the children, exposing them to many new ideas and encouraging them to dream.

After returning to Africa, the African Children’s Choir™ provides care and education that builds on the unique international exposure the children experienced abroad. The children receive a quality education, leadership training and spiritual ministry at the Music for Life Primary School in Kampala, or at other well-equipped schools in their respective countries.

High Achievers

At the Music for Life Primary School in Uganda, class sizes are kept small.   A team of dedicated teachers offers a traditional core curriculum, as well as classes in Computer Studies, Art, Music and Swahili.  A stimulating extra–curricular program also helps develop students’ athletic and artistic performance skills.   For instance, the school is home to several soccer teams, and hosts Choir concerts during the school year for students’ families and the local community.  This approach has proven successful each year as the children’s examination results are among the highest in the country.
Selection into the African Children’s Choir™ means a long-term commitment and investment as the children are supported through their secondary and post–secondary education. Scholarships, school visits, camps and counseling are just some examples of the support given.  The African chaperones currently traveling with the Choirs are only a few of the many graduates who were once part of the African Children’s Choir™.

For more information including sponsorship opportunities and the Choir Tour Schedule please visit their website at www.africanchildrenschoir.com

I run competitively in this extreme sport. Running and living a healthy lifestyle today is not only a way of life for me, but also a growing passion and I have an immense respect for active lifestyles.

I have a deep commitment to the sport that goes beyond my desire to compete. Mine is an inspirational story to tell about overcoming adversity, the importance of perseverance and beating the odds.

I was in a near fatal car crash when I was 16 years old. My best friend lost his life and mine was nearly lost when I lingered in a coma for over 17 days. I also suffered paralysis on my left side, as well as multiple fractures. I awoke on that seventeenth day. I have never stopped running nor given up, despite facing the biggest challenge of my life.

The support of my family, pure tenacity, courage, inner strength and faith helped my recovery process. However, as only those who have had a personal experience with this type of trauma would truly understand, the road to recovery is long and arduous… physically, mentally and emotionally. As the impact is life long, my passion for running has been a beacon and has helped me deal with moments of self-doubt and despair.

I was born in Williams Lake and grew up in Prince George & Penticton, BC. I also lived in Victoria for several years. After my accident, my desire to see the world, experience new things, and to be honest, to escape from the reality of my life at the time, led me to travel extensively for several years including backpacking through Europe, working in a pub in Northern Ireland, teaching conversational English in Latvia and Estonia. As well, I spent time in Australia picking up odd jobs to support my travels including working as a hairdresser in Byron Bay, working in a pineapple factory in Brisbane and assisting in setting up for stock car races in Surfer’s Paradise. I also spent some time in parts of Asia, as well as New Zealand and Fiji. I was lucky to have been invited to stay with a Fijian family while I was there.

I am an optimist and I have a strong constitution. My love of running and desire to compete, has led me to a new, exciting and very positive chapter in my life.

Read a featured article about Logan

Learn more about Logan at www.logansrun.ca