Team Nirvana – “Honor the Fight”

Submitted by Gerry Clare
Roving Reporter

February 20, 2015 5:47 p.m.

Last Saturday morning at Peter’s Point was sunny and cold, but not cold enough to discourage approximately 55 walkers and runners from showing up for Team Nirvana’s second annual event to benefit the cancer fight. Team Nirvana, a walking/running group was started by Lizzy Kawecki of Y Yoga in Gateway to Amelia eight years ago. It consists of men and women of varying ages, who trained for this event to complete 5 or 10 kilometers or ½ marathon distances.

Team N5 CropThey also made donations totaling $2200 to eleven different cancer fighting organizations of their choice. They met Saturday mornings at 8 a.m., rain or shine for training, but will now meet once a month until November 15th (then weekly) to train for next year’s event.

Lizzie’s parents, Jerry and Susie Kawecki, who are also local community volunteers support this effort and were on hand to help organize and run the event. Jerry’s Friends of Fernandina Aviation (FOFA) also helped at stations along the route, by handing out water and energy snacks to the participants. All in all, it was a brisk walk or run, but a very successful one.

Team N Group
Just some of the participants who braved the cold weather.

As one participant mentioned, she used to go to Jacksonville for the Donna Deegan event, but felt this event was much more accessible for people in our area. So, if you want to further that New Year’s resolution to get more exercise you may wish to contact Lizzie at www.yyoga.com for more information.

Gerry Clare.jpg 2Editor’s Note: Gerry began free lance writing for fun and is the author of a published book (available on Amazon and at Books Plus) about funny real estate experiences. Gerry is a longtime member of our local American Business Women’s Chapter, a volunteer cancer driver and church deacon who loves to read, travel and meet interesting people.

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Rose Bennett
Rose Bennett (@guest_29158)
9 years ago

As one of Lizzie’s original trainees, I know first hand after nine half marathons (eight Donna’s) what an inspiration she is. I would have never believed eight years ago that I’d be finishing a half. Watching her train others in the group, who had or who are battling cancer, train and finish their distance was inspirational, too. Our community has been blessed with Lizzie’s free training and her family’s community service. After a couple of races, I walked the Grand Canyon Rim to Rim and wrote Lizzie that I never could have ever imagined doing it if she hadn’t coached me through those races. THX, LIZZIE!