My Triumph!

I was so excited for my first race. Mostly I was nervous I wouldn’t be able to finish. I had a sore ankle that recently started hurting me. Race day I could really feel the pain just walking around the house. In addition to that my back started to bother me. No backing out now. I knew if I didn’t do this now  who knows when I would have another chance.

I was nervous about the weather. I was hoping it wouldn’t be freezing or raining. We’ve been spoiled lately with beautiful fall weather. I was hoping it would last just a little while longer.  I didn’t know if I should wear shorts or pants. I put on shorts and stood out on the deck to see if it would be too cold for shorts. Then I put on pants to see if I would be too hot.

Well, the weather wasn’t too bad. It was cool and breezy. I decided to wear shorts. Then I regretted that decision because when I took off my sweats I was freezing. But it was too late to go back home and change or grab pants.

As for my ankle, I got a wrap for it. I took some Aleve right before the race and hoped it would sustain me through the race.

The crowd and the excitement was beyond what I expected. I loved seeing all the pink.

This is me getting  my number. I was number 986. I couldn’t wait to put it on and get going but I had a long wait. They had different stations with breast cancer information. Lots of other fun stuff too.

Finally it was race time. I just wanted to get going.

Number 17 is one of Alan’s co-workers.

And they’re off!

Once I got going everyone started to pass me up. Not surprising I’m not a fast runner at all. By the time we got to the big hill a lot of people started to walk but I kept running. I wanted to run all the way up. I had to talk myself into not giving up. I knew if I made up the hill once I could it again the second time too.

This is me finishing up my first lap around the golf course. I passed up the two people behind me and never saw them again.  I was so proud of myself. Pretty soon I would be facing the hill again and I was determined to go all the way. I knew that once I got up the hill the rest was a piece of cake.

This is me coming to the finish line with my little cheerleaders beside me.

Yes, I did it! A new personal best. I finished in one hour and 12 seconds. All together I ran close to 5 miles. Not bad for an old lady like me. I can cross this off my bucket list.

This my cheering section. My two favorite ladies and their wonderful children. Their husbands were there two to cheer me on. Rebecca O. is the left and Tina C. on the right. They the two best friends a girl can have.

Finally, I have to say how grateful I am to my wonderful husband Alan D. Miller. He took the day off to be there for me. He was so proud and so excited for me. He took care of me all day. He rubbed my back, he got me an Ipod holder, he made me breakfast, he made me lunch, took pictures, timed me, practiced with me and bought me dinner at my favorite restaurant (Johnny Carinos). Boy was I hungry!

 

Couldn’t have done this without his love and support. It meant so much to me. Thank you also to my wonderful family far away who called and sent their good wishes. Love you all so much! One final note, the wrap and pain medicine did the job. I never felt any pain and I wasn’t all that sore.

Life is sweet! Enjoy every moment and live your best life!

Celebrating Life

I’ve wanted to run a 5K for a very long time. So, last year I decided I would start running again and train myself. My plan didn’t last very long because after my first day I was very sore. By the third day I could hardly walk. Every step I took hurt. Going up and down stairs was extremely painful!

My wonderful friend Rebecca O. is a marathon runner and she gave me a much better plan. It’s a nine week plan and at first I thought nine weeks is way too long. But my plan didn’t work well so, I really had nothing to lose. She was so encouraging and even suggested we could run the Turkey Trot together. The plan was awesome and very easy to follow. The best part was that I was never sore. By the end of the nine weeks I was ready for my run.

I never ran the Turkey Trot because this is North Dakota after all. I’m a hot blooded latin  girl and I just don’t do cold.  The day of the race it was 20 below and I just couldn’t do it.  I felt defeated before I began but I kept on running hoping for another chance.

Fast forward a year later….and I’m ready for my first race. I’ve moved beyond a 5K and running in a 8K instead. Rebecca convinced me I could do this and suggested I run in the breast cancer run. She makes me believe in myself more than anyone I know.  What I’ve wanted to do all along is to run a race for breast cancer. So I decided I would give it a try.

I was diagnosed with breast cancer three years ago. I was one of the lucky ones because my cancer was detected in the early stages. Though I don’t know what the future holds, right now I want to celebrate my life by doing something I’ve never done before. I also want to run in honor of those who have battled breast cancer with courage. The race is not (at least for me) easy by any means . I don’t know if I can run the whole way but I’m going to give it my best effort!

Last weekend Alan (who is more excited than I am) had to get pictures of me practicing my run. These are quite embarrassing but he was so proud of them, I have to post them. Don’t worry I will not post all 90+ pictures just a few.

Please excuse my pitted out self. I’m actually not a sweaty person. At least I have never been in the past but in my old age that has changed. I gross myself out and to be quite honest I hate it!

This is breast cancer awareness month so wear your pink! My race is this Friday October 14 at 7:00 p.m. Wish me luck!