This time, it was my turn....

Back toward the end of the year 1999 or the beginning of the year 2000, I took on running. I was NEVER in any sort of athletics in high school (I was the music and academic geek). So, to take on running at that point (I was 23 years old at the time) was HUGE for me.

At the time, I did it to lose some weight. Soon after, when the weight had come off, I realized it was something I enjoyed.

Over the next several years, I probably participated in roughly 50-75 races.

In February, 2003, Marc and I met. You all know that Marc runs A LOT. It was something we had in common.

After meeting Marc, I kept running, but I will admit I didn't run as much (funny how that works out). And, of course, I put on a few pounds that I had previously lost.

At the beginning of 2006, we started trying to have a baby. It took us a while, but it didn't take forever.

In 2007, I got pregnant and later miscarried.

It seriously broke my heart.

Fortunately, soon after, God blessed us with another pregnancy (this would be Luke).

Through all of that, running took to the backburner in my life.

During my pregnancy, I said, "I can't wait to start running again."

When Luke came, my heart toward running changed. For some reason, and I honestly can't fully explain this, my heart was no longer into running. (And I have struggled with this issue for over a year now).

However, as MANY of you in this town know, I walk A LOT -- with Luke in the stroller.

My many walks up and down Main St. in this town have allowed me to "meet" a few people.

Several weeks ago, two women runners approached me on the street. They told me they were organizing this run/walk to fundraise for the Harvey County Relay for Life.

Seeing how cancer has hit a couple of our friends' lives over the last 1 1/2 years, I decided to walk it. So, I signed up.

We decided that Marc would not run this event. But, he would show up with Luke to support me.

I headed out this morning....A little over 100 people ended up participating in this event (which I assume will become an annual event).

It was very LOW KEY -- which is what I needed :)

I decided to start off running (keep in mind I HAVE NOT been running at all in almost 2 years).

It was nice and hot and nice and windy (Kansas wind, if you know what I mean).

You know what? I actually ended up running the whole thing. I guess the walking "trains" me more than I realize because I haven't run an entire race since a week before I found out I was pregnant with Luke.

And, guess what? I actually enjoyed it once again -- kind of like I did 4-5 years ago.

I'm actually not sure what my finishing time was....This race was a bit different in how times are kept. As I am typing this, I just checked to see if the results were posted, and they weren't yet.

Marc took a couple of photos....So, here they are :)

I'm on the left in this photo -- in the yellow shirt and black "skort" type thing.





Here I am -- approaching the finish line....



And, if you look REALLY closely in this photo, you'll see my yellow shirt underneath the balloons...That was the finish line.



And, why exactly did I choose to go on ahead and do this race -- even though racing hasn't exactly been top of mind lately?

I did this in honor of my friend, Lisa Siebert, who is now 6 MONTHS out of a stem cell transplant (November 11 is her official immune system birthday).

Go Lisa!!!!!

And, I did this in memory of Cora Paige McClenahan, the daughter of friends Joel and Jess, who lost her brief battle with cancer last year.



These same women who originally invited me to this race asked me I knew other people who might be interested.

I did....But, I was slightly late in getting information to other people about this race. Therefore, nobody took me up on the offer to join me in this event. I also realize this is a busy time of the year.

Next year, perhaps I'll do a better job, and perhaps more of you out there will join us.