Autumn Classic 8K 2005

Suzanne, Christine and I walked this race. It was such a beautiful day and was an awesome chance to talk to Suz about a lot of stuff going on in our lives. I think the funniest part of the race was the girl on the cell phone. She was one of the cheering volunteers but could barely rip herself away from her phone conversation to say, "yay. great job." Suz and I laughed about it. I did get a blister. My first injury.

Max's Race 2005

29:28

That was my finishing time in the 5k on Saturday morning. What an experience! I started out really slow and was being passed by everyone including dogs and strollers. I hung in there and kept my pace, only walking once near the end of the race to get my breath for 30 seconds. What kept me going? My MP3 player and Romans 5:3. I had read that verse in the morning, wrote it down on a little piece of paper and had it in my pocket during the race. I also prayed non-stop and could just feel God smiling on all of us. It helped that people were encouraging us as we ran. What really got me is when people would thank us for doing it. This brought me back to the point of why I was running in the first place: not for me but for Max. Can't wait for the next one!

Me, Wendy, Michelle and I at Oooh La La's after the race.

5K

I'm running in Max's Race this Saturday on the campus of Michigan State. This will be my first 5k. I'm a little nervous. I hope I can finish decently. Of course, I haven't trained, unless you count walking all over Cologne, Heathrow and climbing Dom. That was all excellent exercise (not to mention the Ultimate Frisbee). I'm also worried about...fashion. Here is a conversation between my step-mother and I:

Holly: Yes, I know you shouldn't change shoes but mine are bright blue and ugly. Yes, I'm concerned about fashion. If/when I pass out at 2.6 miles, I want to look good. I don't want people saying, "look at the girl laying on the pavement with those ugly, blue shoes." Still, I'll probably be wearing them to protect my toes. Perhaps after I'm released from the hospital, we can go to Lady Footlocker. They are having a sale on running shoes: two for $90 (about $45 a piece). Or there is always DSW. I saw many pairs there.

Christine: While those shoes may be a drawback, I will, when I pass you, rip off my shirt, wrap it around your feet than continue to sprint to the finish line in my sports bra. They will pick you up and never notice the shoes until you get to ER. I will come down and quickly wisk you away to Lady Footlocker (after a crepe stop) to the applause of rescue workers. It sounds like a plan to me.Yes, I know it's shallow but it made me laugh. Focus on the shoes, not the race, then you will be less scared.