Race for the Cure

A couple of years ago, I decided that I was going to run a Marathon. I announced it on my gchat tagline and bought some running shoes online. I then went to target and picked out a new running outfit (not to be confused with my new tennis outfit) and running socks.

A few days later, my shoes arrived so i got in my new outfit, tied my shoes, and proceded out the door, ready to start my rigorous training program.

I think it was four blocks later that I stopped. And walked back to the house. Defeated. Oops! Spoke to soon--a marathon? isn't that something like 200 blocks?

I think ever since then I've secretly wanted to run, but didn't have any idea where to start.

Then my work decided to sponsor a team, the JAG Eagles, for the Race for the Cure 5K in DC. After some thoughtful consideration, I decided that it was time for me to set a goal, albeit small, that I could work to achieve.

Well....as most goals go, I stalled and stalled. Seth is amazing though. On Memorial Day, I was finally ready to start my rigorous training schedule, and Seth played the role of trainer! We started running laps around this park next to us, and then we moved to the track, and then to the trail and finally to the course.

Seth ran by me every step of the way. We all know that his legs are twice as long as mine and that he's the fastest runner in the world, so in reality I ran while seth shuffled next to me. But he never skipped a beat. He carried my water, and he pep talked me through everything.

At first the running was really hard. I threw up on occasion, and cried a lot. I know it seems silly, but it really is mental for me. I don't like to feel like I'm slow or like I'm falling behind. And I hate it when I don't reach my mini goals that I set. It is super discouraging to me at first. BUT, the thing that got me through was my honey. He was there to let me cry and talk me out of feeling sad. He went above and beyond the call of fiance duty and REALLY helped me overcome one of my weaknesses. I get choked up just thinking about it :)

OKAY, end of LONG before-story. On to the RACE!!!!

Here I am Stretching before the race!!!


Me and My Trainer: (my eyes look kind of buggy...I was really ner-bous!)


You may notice that the pictures look a little fuzzy. It wasn't the camera--that was the air. It was WAAAAAAAAAY foggy and humid. We had a heat advisory that started at 9 AM. At one point my car said it was 97 degrees. Phew!

And here is our Team!!!

(Missing from this picture = Kyle and Kristi and Julies)

Poor Team-Leader Heidi was sick, so she didn't walk the race with the rest of the team. But we did get her some awesome breast cancer earrings so when she wins our company JAG award (the most prestigious of all awards) she can wear them. Others on our team "Slept in for the Cure" which is actually legit--it's an official part of the race!

I ran with Whitney for the first 2.5 miles, and then she kept running while I had to take a little break and walk/shuffle for a block, and then i finished off the race. At the end, seth had to run off the course because he'd forgotten his bib, so i took off at a full sprint! I may have knocked a few people over, (not really), but I made it right before the next minute! I then threw up. And then....well, ya know.

While at the race, we saw our friends Christy and Sharri, who also ran. They were fabulous and quick! We all enjoyed some carbonated yogurt together!

I loved being able to accomplish a goal with the help of Seth and the encouragement/cards/thoughtful words of so many friends and family. It may not seem like a big deal to run a 5K, but to me it meant more than just a run--it's the start of a new hobby! I have been trying to convince seth to run "The Race for the Rainforest" in a few weeks, and I think we'll keep running for a long time!