Race for the Cure

A first time for anything. I decided to run in my very first 5k race this weekend. I didn't know at the time, that my sister would be diagnosed with breast cancer. I don't believe it was an coincidence. Like many of you know, I have been working hard the past couple of months to get healthier and more physical fit. Yesterday, I ended up getting up real early to Pinnacle Hills Promenade for the race. It took me a while to figure out where the registration tent was located at but I finally managed to get my t-shirt and race number. I was starting to get worried I wasn't going to make it to the big race. It turned out to be very emotional event for me. I ended up running into an old friend from church who is no longer active. We cried, hugged, and just talked. It was very special experience.

Before the race started, they had all the breast cancer survivors parade together. I was a complete wreck. I'm not normally an emotional person but my heart was pounding. I hope and pray that next year my sister will be able to attend the race for the cure and walk in the survivors parade.

At the beginning of the race, they ended up released white doves and were playing "I will survive"! I ended up being fairly up close to the front. I turned around and all you could see where thousands of heads. I think close to 18,000 people were out to run the 5k. I started off to a slow start. With so many people, everyone was walking. I didn't know if I would be able to get around anyone to start running. My friend suggested I just go up on the side walk and start running. So, that's what I did! I thought it was a run but it seemed like most people were walking. I found it a little bit annoying. I had to keep running around people.

The race went up and down hills. It wasn't easy. I found a nice steady pace and took off. So many times I wanted to stop or slow down but I didn't. I just kept telling myself my sister is suffering so much more. What's a little pain. Well, I managed to make it in strong. I some how mustered up enough strength finished with a strong sprint to the finish line. My time was 32 minutes 11 seconds. I was hoping to make it under 30 minutes.