2019 S.W.E.E.T. Ambassadors: A Year in Reflection
Our 2019 S.W.E.E.T. Ambassadors shared a personal look back at their year—what they learned, what they accomplished, and how their goals grew and shifted along the way. Each reflection offers a unique glimpse into their journey and the impact of staying active, connected, and inspired.
Lauren Prufer
So my goals were to qualify for the Canadian Mountain Running Team and to run a sub-17 minute 5k. Lofty goals!
It was a bit of a comeback year after 2 years off for back issues. From Jan–Mar, training went well. But in April, I got a femoral stress fracture. I cross-trained aggressively and had to drop out of my goal road races.
I returned just in time for Mountain Running Nationals with minimal workouts. I aimed for top 3 to auto-qualify for Worlds. I executed well—until I fell hard on the final downhill, finishing 4 seconds behind 3rd. Still, my leg felt great and I applied through the general pool.
A month later—I made the team! At Worlds in Argentina, the course was pure mud. I bootskied down the hills and finished 33rd. Not the result I hoped for, but it fired me up. I’m still chasing that sub-17 5k and waiting for racing to return.
Chelsea Pandelidis
My goal was to complete three big hikes during a two-week trip to the Canadian Rockies. First up was Lake Louise in Banff: we hiked 20 km to two tea houses via Plain of Six Glaciers, Highline, Big Beehive, and Lake Agnes. The next day, we added a 10 km hike up Sulphur Mountain. Then came a two-day 40 km loop on the Iceline Trail in Yoho—gorgeous, quiet, and... blister-inducing (note to self: break in boots!).
Our final adventure was the Tonquin Valley in Jasper. We modified our 4-day route to 3 days to avoid the worst sections and rest my feet. Day one: 23 km through mosquito-infested beauty. Day two: my partner woke up violently ill. I set off alone to find help, eventually finding refuge in a ranger cabin. An acupuncturist staying nearby offered treatment—it worked! We hiked 23 km out the next morning and went straight to the hospital. It was a parasite. Lessons: expect the unexpected. My feet recovered, the trip was unforgettable, and yes—we're still together!
Melanie Rebane
What a year we have had! I picked up a new mountain bike after 15 years away and set out to do one of North America’s most challenging 8-day stage races. During the journey, I was diagnosed with Rheumatoid arthritis but that made me want to persevere even more. I did 4 gravel races (had to take up gravel to get in the miles) and 2 mountain bike races before the big day.
Here is a link to my video story of the BC Bike Race—watch closely and you’ll see a Bushtukah jersey. https://www.instagram.com/tv/B8cGTWPJvx3/?igshid=1avr2cngy12zz
I can’t thank Bushtukah enough for this opportunity—I purchased my bike travel bag, 5 bike kits, shoes, jacket, tires, and nutrition through them during my training year. The journey was the adventure! The race was the grand milestone to an amazing beginning.
Now I have taken you fat biking with the whole family and I look forward to training with my daughter this spring to take her to B.C. to experience it with me!
Juliet Haynes
Thank you for the opportunity to be a SWEET Ambassador. My “period of influence” started on March 31, 2019, after completing the Around the Bay 30 km Road Race and following my brother’s passing on March 13. His struggle with mental health, my role as ambassador, and my work in mental health motivated me to inspire others to engage in physical activities for both physical and mental health.
I volunteered as an Envirocentre Bike2Work “Team Royal” Captain in May, riding to work despite flooding. I pledged to cycle 150 km in June for Sick Kids Toronto and reconnected with the Bushtukah Stittsville Trail Run Club. In May, I completed my first full marathon during Ottawa Race Weekend, supported by friends.
I captained a Bushtukah SWEET Team for the Shopper’s Drug Mart Run for Women, raising money for Women’s Mental Health. Later, I volunteered as a half-marathon instructor and raced in Dawson City, Yukon. After some injuries, I focused on yoga, hiking, and trying new activities this winter. Pandemic plans canceled my Indonesia trip, but I keep active with daily walks and home workouts.
Jamie-Lee Voltz
My sport goal for 2019 was to run a 50K trail ultra. It felt do-able after a strong first year of trail running in 2018. While I didn’t complete the 50K, I achieved unexpected sport and life goals. I’ve always been very competitive—often most with myself. In 2019, I shifted from pushing to be “the best” to focusing on having the best experience. This shift allowed me to put more energy into motivating others and enjoying the social side of being active.
A lightbulb moment came during Ottawa Race Weekend. I didn’t hit my time goal and the pressure stole my joy. After that, I focused on having fun, connecting with others, and being grateful for what my body can do. I skipped the 50K, but enjoyed races, trail runs, and November Project events more deeply.
A teaching from Mohawk Grandmother Barb Brant still guides me: “You don’t always have to win. Sometimes it’s best to let others win, so they too, can know what victory feels like.”
Carole Pion
Wow, I had a full plan for 2019 but my health decided otherwise. I wanted to do a Gran Fondo in Mont Sainte-Anne with lots of hills, but I’m not strong on hills. I trained on my bike trainer in fall 2018 and winter 2019 hoping to meet my goal. I was also supposed to do my first 70.3 Ironman relay in summer 2019, doing the bike leg, hoping not to disappoint my team.
In March 2019, I was diagnosed with cancer on my skull (front part). My world changed completely—I couldn’t train and only thought about the cancer. Luckily, it was basocellular cancer that could be removed with no further treatment. I had surgery on June 21, the Ironman Tremblant weekend. Two weeks after surgery I was told to rest, and four weeks later I was walking and running slowly.
I stayed determined and completed two half marathons in September and October 2019, enjoying both despite not training for personal bests. I’m doing well now and plan to do two half marathons this spring if Covid-19 allows.
Nora Lara
My goal was to complete a Spartan Race Trifecta: Sprint (5k + 20 obstacles), Super (12k + 25), and Beast (21k + 30). I’d done Sprints and Supers before, but bailed on the Beast—until becoming a SWEET ambassador gave me the push I needed. After 10 hours and nearly 4000m elevation, I completed my first Spartan Beast! I felt so pumped I signed up for a second Trifecta—completing all three races back-to-back in one weekend.
After that, I discovered orienteering: my new favourite sport. A mix of treasure hunting and trail running, I tried it on foot, snowshoes, and fat bike. In total, I completed 24 events last year across a range of disciplines. My best memories weren’t the toughest races I did solo, but the ones I shared with friends—especially first-timers.
If I inspired even one person to move more, I met my goal. These tough times are what we’ve trained for. Let’s keep pushing, encouraging, and crossing finish lines—together (2 metres apart!).
Meet Our Past S.W.E.E.T Ambassadors
Over the years, our SWEET ambassadors have inspired women of all ages and abilities to get active, try new things, and build community through sport. From first-time 5Ks to epic bike tours and trail adventures, these women have shared their stories, celebrated personal milestones, and helped make SWEET what it is today. We’re proud to highlight some of the incredible ambassadors who’ve been part of this journey.
