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| May 2008 My Angel |
I know why I run, but sometimes I ask myself "how did I get here?"
It is nice to have kept reminders of my journey up until this point...
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| 2010 UCGKHG5k Run/Walk |
My first 5k was in October 2010 - with my very best friend and inspiration...My finish time was 37:51. I am pretty sure you can never forget your first time (winky face). I couldn't believe I was going to run 3 WHOLE MILES! I didn't really know what to expect, so I showed up with makeup on and no music to run to. That was the longest 3.1 miles of my life. Caitlin finished (in record time, no doubt) and met me at the end to help me get to the finish. I can only remember wanting so badly to throw up when it was all over.
Marilyn passed away less than a month after my first 5k.
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| Miles for Moo Moo |
The next time I was to run a 5k, was also a run that was organized in memory of Marilyn - called Miles for Moo Moo 5k Run/Walk. I had the pleasure of assisting the "chairperson" with putting together this emotional run. Lots of work and effort went into honoring such a beautiful woman who we both loved so much.
I ended up staying back and not running the 5k, but was able to be there to cheer on everyone who came out to support us.
Shortly after Miles for Moo Moo, I started a new job with a boss who had a passion for running that ran right along side of mine-and started our joint journey of running 5k's all over the place...
Two months after starting my new job, I ran my second 5k, with the hill of death. There is probably a reason we have no pictures to commemorate that moment...Although that second race was pretty rough, it really kicked started my love of running. HELLHILL was quickly followed up with my first Mudrun with Team Dirty Dames. That first mud run was one of the best times I have had in my life. Best group of girls to be on a team with.
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| 2011 Mudrun-Team Dirty Dames |
Later that year, I was facing my first winter 5k. It was December 16, 2011 and called the Jingle Bell Run. Santa Claus, Mrs. Claus, Frosty, etc were all present for the event. I was dressed in red and green and had jingle bells attached to my shoes. This was the first race I brought my youngest son to, and the first time he crossed a finish line with me. The moment I rounded the corner and saw his little face cheering me on, was the moment that I realized I could do anything.
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| 2011 Jingle Bell Run |
2012 proved to be a pretty busy racing year for me....now I say racing - but I mean running in races, not so much in the competitive terms. I think I was deprived of the competition gene. As a matter of fact, the more it feels like a competition, the less I want to do it.
February 2012 I ran in the Polar Bear Run for the Plunge - the day before plunging my poor body into the Atlantic Ocean for the first time - all in the name of charity, right? April 2012 was my first Run for the House Ronald McDonald charity run. September 2012 brought on the second Mudrun with Team Dirty Divas (same teammates-just sassier). October 2012, I ran Making Strides Against Breast Cancer for Chuck's Angels. Although I was extremely doubtful of my ability to run more than 3.1 miles, I finished my one and only 10k on Thanksgiving morning. I wrapped up the year running the Jingle Bell Run with First Choice and friends for the second year in a row.
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| 2012 Run for the Plunge |
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| 2012 Ronald McDonald Run for the House |
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| 2012 Making Strides Against Breast Cancer |
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| 2012 MudRun Team Dirty Divas |
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| 2012 Jingle Bell Run |
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| 2012 March for Babies |
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| 2012 Thanksgiving 10k |
This year started with the decision to run the Broad Street 10 miler. In preparation for this impossible distance, I signed up for March and April 5ks-which led to me running my heart out on May 5th at the BSR in Philadelphia. I didn't break any records. I didn't even meet my own personal goal. But I did find out what I was made of. I signed up for the marathon before I ever stepped foot on the 10 miler's course.
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| 2013 Broad Street Run |
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| 2013 Cherry Blossom 5k |
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| 2013 Ronald McDonald Run for the House |
And here I am. This journey of running has been a long and bumpy one so far....but most juicy love affairs are, aren't they?
****Remember, I am running this Marathon with Team Lung Love for Lung Cancer Alliance to raise awareness and funds for the fight against Lung Cancer. No donation is too small. I am super close to my goal! Thanks to everyone who has already donated!
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