25 Minutes To Go

(The woman in front with the short red hair is my running coach and I am in the back row in black with blue hat)

I know everyone is anxiously awaiting the next installment of Mike's post. If he ever gets around to it I think it will be good. The concept is sound. As usual we have tons of stuff distracting us from being able to sit down and spent a chunk of time working on Roonster blog, but it's all for the benefit of the family, so we're justified. One of the distractions has been sports...my sports. I know some of you have probably fallen out of your seat upon reading that but it is true I have been trying to find my inner athlete since Rooney's been born. Last year I played indoor soccer. Although I wasn't a star at it I was able to land a goal and I felt good. This year I have been playing softball with my brother Dana and niece Natalie. We had a rocky start on this team, but it has been fun and we might be in the playoffs! No one thought it would happen.
(At the starting line. I'm in black with blue hat)

As many of you know I also started running after Rooney was born. At first I could only do about 5 minutes at a time. Eventually I built up my speed, stamina and confidence and I have been running about 3 miles consistently for awhile now. I ran primarily on the treadmill and only about 6 months ago ventured outside, in public view. Everyone always told me it was easier to run outside and they were right. In May I signed up to take a running class. Mostly to build more confidence and to make sure I was running correctly. Through this class, another student and a fellow Active Moms and Tots member, got me to sign up with her for the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 5K. I have never run an official 5K and I don't think I would have chosen this one to be my first (there is so much hoopla and way too early!) but it was for a great cause.

I really didn't know what to expect so I thought it was best just to have my MP3 player and zone out of the race and into the music. I have my Running Playlist on shuffle (so I'm always anticipating the next song) and I thought it was kind of funny that as I started the race Queen's "We Are The Champions" was the first song to play. It kind of felt like that as you saw the mass of people race up the very first hill. I know somewhere in there Johnny Cash's "25 Minutes to Go" came on. It's like my Zune was reading my mind. Finally coming down the last hill I decided to sprint. I knew the finish was coming up and I really wanted to reach my time goal.

As I started to descend the hill another Queen song came on, "Another One Bites The Dust". That is exactly what was happening as I was flying past people down the hill. That was a wonderful feeling. Mike and Rooney came down to support me and it really felt great coming around the last corner, down the straight away to the finish line and seeing those two. I just couldn't wait to cross the finish line to see them (and for other various lesser reasons like being able to breathe again). I was absolutely elated after the race and thus my love/hate relationship with running goes on. I am already planning my next race.

(Reaching the finish line!)

Before I give my official time, I want to thank everyone that supported me and donated for such a wonderful cause. It really meant alot to me and it was really moving to see so many survivors and women running for other women stricken with breast cancer . I really didn't solicit many people but if you would like to donate I think you still can. Just click on the donate link.

Over the PA this morning they said there were over 15,000 people participating in all the run, walk/run, walk activities. I knew being in first place was out of the question, so after that I did not know how track myself. I decided to come up with a time goal that I wanted to complete the race in. My personal goal was 35 minutes but my official time was 30min 51sec.

That's respectable.