And... I survived

A little less than one week has past since I ran the Mermaid Marathon 5K.. And I didn't finish last. My time was 35:34.. Pretty much in the middle. I placed 126 out of 283.. Not bad even if I do say so myself.

I arrived at the racing area in Mountain View and hour prior to start. The weathr was not cooperating. They predicted rain all morning, so we were not off to a good start. Fortunately, we only had mild sprinkles.

As I lined up for th 5K, I kept thinking to myself. What the heck am I doing. It seemed like everyone around me was a pro... Darned in all the hoopla.. $100+ running shoes, aerodynamic, thermal fleese jackets, with I-pod holders and watch cut outs in the sleeve.

I wore my Freebee T-shirt, and a wind breaker from college that was a size XL.. Note to self: very larg wind breaker does not make you aerodynamic, it makes you a wind sail.


When it was time to go.. dozens of woman passed me up, but I kept going, my feet started hurting. My self paced training consisted of a treadmill at my local gym. My feet were not used to texture so when I planted my foot, my toes stayed up.. weird, I know, but I got used to it and kept going. The wind was strong and cold.. My jacket rippled in the breeze, but... I kept going. I turned a bend and even though women were passing me by left and right, there were a sizeable amount of woman behind me.. I know, it's not about who gets there first, just the fact that I did it. But reminising back to my childhood, nothing is more discouraging than being dead last.

Then, before I knew it, the front of the pack, had turned around and was passing me heading back to the finish line.. That was quick.. Actually SHE was quick ( I later found out that she finished with a time of 15 minutes) I kept running.. eventually I thought where the heck is this stupid turn around and then.. There it was with angels of mercy passing out water cups..

Shortly after th 2 mile marker.. I had to stop and walk.. Not bad, my addrenilin was pumping because I never lasted this long in my training.

I probably walked a quarter mile then it was back to it. I passed an ambulence, stuck in the mud.. I found that kind of funny.

Around the corner.. I think, just maybe.. yes, the finish line is just over that hill. As I crested the hill, I could see the beautiful orange flags over the finish line. I could hear music echoing from the DJ booth.. The crowd was cheering..Oh my gosh.. I really did it.

The sky was dark and grey, but if you can believe it, in the distance directly above the finish line was a beautiful rainbow.. It was a beautiful poetic moment..I almost hear angels singing...No, Beyonce.

Now's my time to speed up a little.. and no.. the wind really started to kick in, pushing me back and.. since I hadn't walked as much as I intended, the adrnelin was starting to wear.. I had a pain in my right chest.. "SLOW DOWN" So I started walking.. but I refuse to walk across the finish line.. SO I then stepped it up..


And there was Jason and Skylar on the side line.. I started to tear.. I crossed received my pendant ( which I have not yet taken off) and my water and fell into my family's arms.

I did this race to proof I could do it. I just turned 35, had a baby.. I needed to set my mind to something and accomplish it.. Will I do another race.. I think so.. Will I do a 10 K.. HAHAHAHAHA.. No. Not this year at least.

A dawn of a new day

Black, white, yellow, red, it doesn't matter what color you are, you can't help but feel the excitement in the air. I wish i could have been at the anaguration day festivities but I am so glad I am able to watch all the events. So much energy, so much excitment. So much possitive energy being sent to our 44th president.

I've spent most of the day holding back tears of pride and joy. I was listening to Michael Jackson's " Man in the Mirror" an just beamed at what an appropriate song it is for today.

Honestly, It doesn't matter your political offilication, no one can deny, the unity Obama is bringing to out country. We're ready to be united, and we are ready to work at improving our country, take ownership for our lives rather than blame everyone else for why things aren't working.

So far, the most beautiful moment for me was when Bush was about to board the helocoptor to wisk him away from the white house. Bush and Obama embrassed. At that moment you could see the well wishes, the transferance of power, stress, prestige and responsibility.. Laura and Michelle embrassed, you could see the empathy, the strength bein passed over. With that moment, a two private citizens left their former home, leaving the new president to enjoy his moment., his day, his responsibility.

It's so beautiful. I may just be babbling, but today means so much to me as it does the rest of the world. Not only is it a race thing, but it's a generational thing, a focus change... It is UNITY, IT IS RESPONSIBILITY, IT IS... BEAUTIFUL.