I did it!

This morning was the Race for the Cure. It was amazing...

There were 2054 finishers in the timed race, but at least another 2000 walking and running that were not timed. I was #1149. BUT #136 in my division (women 30-34). It was an event to say the least. I was inspired more than once, laughed at clever shirts, and kept telling myself to keep on keeping on... Even on the huge hill that loomed large in the first ten minutes of the race. Yikes!

But I kept telling myself I can run 3.1 miles if so many women can fight cancer... so I plodded on. Near the end I saw a woman start walking... she had been running, so I said, "Let's go!" and she said, "Thanks!" and started running with me... we were almost to the end, and this woman started kicking it... I told her to go ahead, she said, "Come on!" and grabbed my hand and we started bookin' it in :) It was a great feeling!

After the race was over I walked back to where I had seen Brandon and the boys cheering me on (okay, Logan was cheering for me, Owen was asleep in the baby carrier) and we walked back to find Courtney's family who were doing the walk. Then we all walked in together.

Lots of pink. Lots of pink shirts worn by survivors like Courtney's mom, Jean.

A pretty inspiring morning.

Talk about moving WITH purpose!

And for honesty's sake... my time was 34:09... that was the chip time, I don't think I actually started running until a minute after the gun went off (for those of you who have run a 5K with thousands of people starting, you know why!!) So let's say 33:09 for "feeling good's" sake!

And I am at 171lbs according to a scale I saw in the gym yesterday. Seriously? But I'm starting to look toned... and I'll take that :)

Getting Ready to Race

I've been waiting to buy new shoes because running shoes are muy $$$ if you get the good kind. BUT after walking for Sudan yesterday

(and getting a really cute t-shirt with the quote "Leave your footprint on the other side of the world" on it)

and feeling pain in my shins only 1/4 mile in, I realized I really need new shoes!

So today I went to Meijer in hopes of finding some good shoes at a decent price. I usually opt for the asics, my last shoes are asics... and the asics I tried on were nice and comfy. But there were these adidas shoes that were black and PINK and I thought - that is very appropriate for the Race for the Cure. And they just look way cool.

I got home, laced up, and ran out the door. I ran a little under 2 miles in 18 minutes... not quite a 5K, but I RAN the entire time. That is what counts. We have a 5K coming up on Halloween here in Alger Heights that I am going to run, so I am going to try that course this week before Saturday.

As I was running today, and wanting to stop, these are some of the thoughts that went through my head:

I am going to run in honor of my friend Paulette who was only recently diagnosed with breast cancer and has attacked this cancer head on in ways that I only hope I could do if faced with the same situation! Basically she rocks and if she can go through surgery and whatever comes next with a positive attitude, I can run 3.1 miles!

I am running in memory of my friend Courtney's aunt who died bravely fighting breast cancer and for her other female family members who have fought and won the battle (I need to get all their names so I can put them on my bib!)

I am running for all of those who have been affected by CANCER period... my cousin-in-law Peter died after a 5+ year fight against cancer... he was 27.

As I was thinking about what this race is for, it struck me as funny... I am also running for my boobies. Yes people - they are what have expanded and contracted in ways I never knew possible, and I never thought much of them until now. They provide my beautiful baby with much needed nutrition. This disease takes that away from many women. That was pretty flooring for me - you never know how or when you or a loved one may be affected by something unexpected like cancer.

So I can run 3.1 miles with my sandbags - they are what I am running for! These two and all the other pairs our there...

Especially those that are fighting, have fought, or will fight this disease!

Tired feet that keep on keeping on

School is officially underway. Every year my entire body has to readjust to school. My feet have to grow another layer of skin to withstand the standing for hours on end and my voice has to get used to talking... or talking LOUDLY for 8 hours a day. It's an adjustment to say the least. And in the midst of that adjustment, I am still attempting to move on purpose. Because let's face it, I do NOT want to go to Owen's 6 month well baby check up and see anything near 170 blink on that scale!!!

So since I decided to do Race for the Cure, I've been running. I had a bad case of an allergy attack on Labor Day, so I did go two days without running, but that's the longest. I've been doing the run five walk five routine.

The first two times I took the dogs.

If you need a trainer, don't go to the gym! Run with a Lab :) They are nutso... nutso in a fantasticly energetic way. The second time I went running with my two dogs a man on a bike went by and I could hear him laugh THROUGH MY NANO BLARING INTO MY EARS... that must of been a loud laugh. I think he was laughing because I was not running with my dogs, my dogs were taking me for a run... literally dragging me along. My arms may have felt it more than my legs after those runs :)

Today I ran by myself, it was nice and calm. I needed that for a Sunday run.

So, so far
thighs still touch...
pants are still tight...
a tire of "soft skin" still revolves around my waist...
and my boobs, well they will never be the same!

But I love my baby, I love my life, and I am determined to love my body!

And I'm back in the game

My title is one of my favorite quotes from "10 things I hate about you" - yes a corny cheesy teeny bopper movie that I just happen to LOVE!

But that's how I feel.

I walked almost 5 miles today. Okay, so I don't know how many miles I walked, but I know it was more than 4 because Jill and I walked back into the enclaves of the Reeds Lake neighborhoods. Those homes are just absolutely GORGEOUS! At the end of the walk I felt muy accomplished because this was AFTER two hours of grading at school.

Yes - school has begun. And I have walked up the five flights of stairs every day. I even bi-passed the option to ride the elevator with other teachers after the assembly on Thursday. Must keep on keeping on.

So if you read this... and even if there are two of you... I am back. And my new goal is to run the Race for the Cure on September 26 for my friend Paulette. She's actually an old friend of my family's who was recently diagnosed with breast cancer. I just know... I know she can beat it, and if this is something I can do, then I will do that.