Another 5K!

This weekend I participated in the Good Samaritans Run for Someone Else's Life 5K. It was in memory of my high school best friend, Jodi. She took her own life July 10, 2006.

Jodi's sister has been raising $ for the Good Samaritans for several years now. She has "Team Jodi Ann" and I was THRILLED when she asked me to run in it!

I have only two pictures. I got them from the website. I had no camera because it was raining.
This is our team! I am in the yellow hat with Chris next to me.

And here we are running!

Chris ran with me. He helped me cross the finish line in 30:41! My goal was to do it in 30 minutes. It was not a "chipped" race. Just a timer they had. I think I actually did it because:
A. It took me a minute to get over the start line (I forgot to start my own timer! Damn it!)
B. If I didn't have to dodge raindrops, puddles and mud, I would have been there!
So, in my own mind, I did it! =)

I started the race with Jodi's mom. It was such an honor. She was so good to me in my high school days. I actually lived with them for several months in my high school years.

When I crossed the finish line I lost it.
One, because I did it with out stopping. (I asked Chris to walk for 15 seconds and he said NO WAY, so I kept running)
Two, because it made me feel so good I did it with Jodi watching over me. Seriously, even though I was so out of breath and it was pouring rain, I was so happy to be there.

Jodi and I got in a lot of trouble in high school. I know my mom and kids are reading this, so I will not put it all down. I will just say that we were typical teenagers who liked to have fun. I think that is what makes me the mom I am today, to two teenage daughters. It is hard to get away with things that I know I have done. It also makes it easier to talk to them.

I just want to thank Kim and her family for inviting me to participate. It made my running all worth wild.

My 5K Race!

I DID IT! I DID IT! *doing happy dance!*

I completed the race with 2 out of my 3 goals checked off.

1. To finish the race. *DONE*

2. To not come in last! (I came in 908th out of 1500!) *DONE*

3. To do it in 30 min or less *NOT DONE*

I ran the race in 33.11 minutes. Not bad for a girl who just started running 3 months ago.

Me and my 2 good friends, Jen and Meg, met before the race.

Yes, that was our Chariot that took us behind us....NOT.

It was amazing to run! There were 1,500 registered runners! What a thrill to stand at the start line and see a sea of people running!

Half way through the course I made it up a hill that I didn't do the week before when we did a trial run of the course. When I got to the top I told my friend to keep going. I was slowing down. In fact, up ahead was a water station and I grabbed a water and had to walk for a few seconds. That is until another friend, who I didn't know was running, came up behind me, tapped me on the back and told me to start running! We ran the last mile together. I am SOOOO grateful to her. If it wasn't for her, I would have stopped more! I was dying (it was very humid out!) and she kept me motivated to keep running. We crossed the finish line together.

I really am proud of myself. I said to myself 3 months ago I was going to do this and I did it!

Here I am just after finishing, hence the messy hair and bright red face!

Trial Run

Yesterday I ran the 5K route with my girlfriends.

I did it! I couldn't beleive it!

The first time in my life I have run 3 or so miles!

We did walk for a short time at one point.

I did want to pass out a several points.

But in the end........I did it!

This was a trial run for the race on Saturday!

Dear Department Store Cashier

Dear Mall Department Store Cashier,

Tuesday I went to your store, which I normally do not shop at, to purchase a pair of running pants. I have my first 5K next weekend and I wanted to look "somewhat" like a runner and not an amateur. We all know fashion plays some part in running. Right?

Well, I found a pair of pants/capri style pants that I liked. You were having a sale and I thought I could justify it. I passed on a matching top since I just bought several at different store, for MUCH less!

I dragged my 5 and 3 year old in the dressing room. 1/2 way through, my newly potty trained 3 year old informed me she needed to pee. **SIGH** I raced to get my clothes back on and went to pay.

Did I look rushed and annoyed when you tried to make small talk with my son while my daughter cried to pee? You didn't seem to notice. Did I look annoyed when you got flustered with register? You didn't seem to notice.

Today, I went to put on those pants so I can go run/walk/crawl the 5K route. I have been trying to pump myself up all morning. I pull them out of the bag and see the SECURITY TAG STILL ON!!!! Why didn't it set the alarm off when I left the store?!?!

Man, I was so upset.

Seeing your store is 30 minutes away, I tried to take matters into my own hands. I marched to the garage and placed the tag in my husbands Vice.

I did notice the tag said "tampering will break glass and cause ink to leak out, please see sales associate for removal."

I didn't beleive it.

It is true, glass and ink come out. Red ink. Thank god they are black pants and I was smart to put a towel around it! It is all over my hands, but not the clothes.

So please, when you are cashing someone out, PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE remember to take the security tag off! Is it really that tough to remember? Don't you have them on ALL the clothes? So it wasn't anything new to you.

Not So Sincerely,

Angered Shopper with Red Ink Stained Hands.