A few more Marathon pictures

Kansas City Marathon 2009

This weekend I checked one item of my lifetime list, "to run a full marathon." I was very lucky to have my amazing friends traveling with me. Lori, Laura, Judy, Becca, Lanora and all the way from New Mexico, Angelique were there to cheer me on and compete in their personal goals.

The weekend started with a stop in Lawrence for lunch and a little shopping. Then on to the race expo at Crown Center in Kansas City. I was disappointed in the amount of vendors at the expo but I did get an iRun Like a Girl long sleeve shirt to wear during the race.

After the expo, the seven of us met up at our very nice hotel and then it was time for dinner at Cheesecake Factory on the Plaza. Laura and I got our cheesecake to go and stored it in the hotel fridge to eat after the race on Saturday.

After dinner, we went back to the hotel and did a little knitting. I woke up Saturday morning excited and nervous. It was cold, dark and raining as we walked the mile to the start line. I started with the 5 hour pace group and started with them till mile 17 when I started to feel very fatigued. Miles 19 to 23 were the most difficult but at mile 23 I realized there was only 3 miles left and I got a little extra energy to make it to the end. I came across the finish line in 5:10:37. I am very happy with my time.

It was an amazing weekend with amazing women and I am so happy that I was able to complete this dream with these women. Thanks to you all!

Wichita Half Marathon

Sunday morning, we got up early and went to cheer on friends and strangers at the Wichita Half Marathon. We brought our lawn chairs, "Love the Pain" sign, donuts, and cow bells and set up camp at mile 9 (it's a loop so it's also mile 4) We saw a couple of knitting friends, S's teacher and a few people I didn't even were running the race. The kids tried to get a runner to eat a donut but no takers.

Laura and Lori joined us in the cheering section. (BTW, S took this photo and as you can see she is a very professional photographer)

I am very happy that we chose this place to set up because we were able to help a runner who was severely dehydrated. Two other runners were carrying her and we were able to provide a call to 911, basic first aid, and wave down the ambulance. I believe we were able to do something positive for her and that makes me feel good.

Angelique'svisit

My friend Angelique is visiting this weekend.

Regular Life

Not much going on around here. It's tough for everyone to get back into the swing of things when school starts. We all miss being at home, together, relaxing and having fun.

WSU Volleyball

Our season tickets for Wichita State Volleyball arrived yesterday.

First Day of School

5th grade

3rd grade

Badwater

Anyone interested in Badwater Ultramarathon??

School, not yet

This is the last week of freedom before school starts. D went back to work on Monday, the kids start next Monday and I have class on next Thursday.

This week, we have been getting up early, going swimming, watching movies, shopping and having one last sleepover. I have also been cleaning my house; Flylady is really a miracle.

Relay for Life

Friday night, I participated in a wonderful event to help defeat cancer: Relay for Life. In the weeks leading up to the event, team members raise money for cancer research. On the day of the event, each team sets up a "home" area with a tent, decorations and a fundraiser. The event was held at a middle school football field and it's surrounding track.

Our team was called Hope Floats and we had a nautical theme. From 7pm on Friday till 7am on Saturday morning someone on your team must be walking on the track. I decided to run during my time on the track and I was able to complete 13 miles. Running on a track at 2am with a dj playing music is a very surreal experience.

I want to say a special thanks to everyone who purchased goodies during my fundraiser bake sale at Twist.