This year Brad and I participated in the St. Jude Bloomington to Peoria run. The difference this year from previous is that I ran. Yes, you read correctly I ran. I started "training" around the end of May. I would walk 1/2 mile and run 1/2, then built up run/walk 1 1/2 miles, 2 times a week. Finally one day as I was heading out I thought eventually you are going to have to start off running, so I did and ran a mile, and after many run/walk distances I was running 2 miles at a time pretty comfortably. I was O.K. with this because I knew that many of the run legs were 1.0 to 1.5 miles.
I'd hoped that once I began doing this on a regular basis I would really start to like running. I've heard many say that in the beginning it's hard but once you get used to it you start enjoying it. I can honestly say that didn't happen. There were a few times when I wasn't able to stick with my normal routine and felt guilty about that, but I can't say I was excited when it was time to go run again. However, St. Jude is a powerful and very motivating force and that organization is really what pushed me.
Race day came and I was excited. I thought maybe I would be nervous but I really wasn't. The weather was perfect for running, especially since it was the first Saturday in August. It was over-cast, and sprinkled a little that day, and unseasonably cool. I thought it was great! It is such an amazing experience and I highly recommend anyone try it. In fact next year some of us are thinking about starting another team. The more the merrier, right? So if you are interested keep it in mind. It's always the first Saturday in August. The great thing is you don't have to be an avid runner. There are so many people who only run this one day and some don't even train before. Obviously they are a little more sore over the next few days, but it can be done.
I was pretty proud of myself I did 10 miles over all, Brad did 22. I did 2 legs that were 2.1 miles, and the rest were 1.0 to 1.5 miles. Towards the end of the day my left hip joint and knee were hurting but that's what happens as you age and overuse your body in a way it's not use to.
I didn't get as many photos as last year, since I was running, but my mom took a few once we got to Peoria and were running into the civic center. I do want to say THANK YOU to everyone who donated, whether to our online account or by sending a check. The Bloomington-Normal teams raised a total of $210,000. We are up from last year which is amazing considering the economy this past year. It just goes to show how worthy of an organization this is. I think of it as one of the best places available that I hope I never have to use. For every person who donated you had a part in that grand total and you had a big part in assisting these families! We hope we can count on you again next year! The great thing about St. Jude is no amount is too small every little bit goes to a child to assist in the fight of their life! So again I say THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!
Here we are getting ready to run around the block and into the parking lot across from the Civic Center. They make us spread out here because a lot of teams arrive at the same time so it helps avoid a traffic jam.
Here we are getting closer to the corner that we turn onto to run into the parking lot. There are always a lot of people gathered, from all over, to cheer on all the teams.
This is our team. I think Brad and I were in the middle of the pack somewhere. I would like to note that in this photo, the young girl who is in the middle, of the 2 women in front, is a cancer survivor. She and her dad ran last year as well. An inspiring story with thanks to St. Jude for their service!
