1st Time For Everything - 10K and a "Naked" 4 miler

Today, on the 12th anniversary of being brain tumor free,  I ran the Amery Fall Fest 10K with my mom. It was her first 10K and I was SO honored to be running it by her side on my anniversary. I'm not sure who was more nervous, her or me? She had a goal in mind and I was going to do everything I could to help her reach it. I knew the course was challenging with lots of hills and only 1 water stop, but I wasn't going to let her know that. I told her it was "no big deal" - just a few small hills. I didn't see any need to freak her out - we were going to run the route no matter what, either way the hills would still be there. As we started, I kept pace with her. I told her we would speed up if she felt she needed to, but if she kept the pace she was at, she would get the time she wanted. For me, I had been struggling with running since The Women Rock 1/2 Marathon. My pace felt slow, the runs felt really hard and I had "Negative Nancy" chirping in my ear every time I laced up my shoes. I was worried that the same thing would happen during this 10K and I might have a hard time being a good running buddy for my mom. To my surprise, the slower pace she was keeping felt great. My feet didn't hurt, my legs felt light and "Nancy" was gone. We chugged up the hills, chatted when we were on the flats and her energy and excitement was keeping us both going. Around mile 5 I could tell she was struggling a bit, so Trainer Tera kicked it into high gear. Just because she was my mom, I wasn't going to go easy on her. We took a short walk break for her to catch her breath and I told her my little secret I say to myself during every race. "This may be hard NOW, but it WILL be over soon. You only have one chance at THIS race, so don't do anything that you will regret when it's over". That must have lit a fire under her buns, because she ran the rest of the way. And at 1:03:05 we crossed the finish line. She did it and she had NO REGRETS. And when she got 1st place in her age group, I couldn't have been more proud!!!
After the race I decided to take a run by myself. Amery has a beautiful running trail that only the 5K'ers get to experience, so I had to check it out myself.  I left my watch and ipod behind and ran "naked". I can't remember the last time I had done that. I would rather hear the beat of the music than the pounding of my feet and, like many runners,  I NEED TO KNOW how fast I just ran that last mile. But I wanted to make this a run where I shut everything out. This was a run just for me and God. I had a lot to be thankful for - I was celebrating my 12 year anniversary doing something that I love with the people I love. And only by the Grace of God was I able to do that. I ran, I prayed, I thanked and I took in EVERYTHING around me. For four miles I reflected on the person I was BBT (before brain tumor), the person I have become since and the blessing the past 12 years have been. If things had went differently 12 years ago, well I really don't want to think about that. They went the way they went because God has a plan for me. He has given me the opportunity to be a wife, a runner, have the career of my dreams, be a better friend/sister/daughter than I was and appreciate the small things in life. I would never want to ever experience having a brain tumor ever again, but it was an experience I was meant to have. The blessing he gave me 12 years ago wasn't wrapped up in a pretty box and tied with a bow, but it was a gift. A gift that made me a happier person with a stronger faith and desire to make a difference.
Life doesn't always go the way WE planned. We may be throw for a loop by something that wasn't penciled into our Google Calendar or on or list of "to-do's", but if we stop for a second, step outside of ourselves, strip away all of the unnecessary "noise" and see the positive in the negative, we will experience the life that He has planned for us. And surprisingly, it may be better than what you had planned for yourself.

9/11 Tribute Patriot Relay

This past weekend I was honored to be a part of the 9/11 Tribute Patriot Relay in Hammond, WI. The 9/11 Tribute Patriot Relay Run was organized to raise funds for Patriot Runner, Jean Bringgold and Team Hope For The Warriors®. On November 4th, Jean will be joining Team Hope For the Warriors and carrying the American Flag through the streets of New York City as she runs the ING NYC Marathon. The mission of Hope For The Warriors® is to enhance the quality of life for post-9/11 service members, their families, and families of the fallen who have sustained physical and psychological wounds in the line of duty. Hope For The Warriors® is dedicated to restoring a sense of self, restoring the family unit, and restoring hope for service members and military families.

When you hear Jean talk about being a Patriot Runner, you can understand why she carries the flag. She has an amazing love for her country, pride in the men and women who fight for your freedom and is truly honored to waive the red, white and blue while doing something she loves. 

Jean Bringgold

During the relay, runners could walk or run 1/4 mile laps while carrying the flag that Jean will be carrying in the NYC marathon. When you look at the 3' x 5' flag, you'd think that running and carrying a flag wouldn't be that difficult. Well - after one lap around the track you'd be sadly mistaken. I chose to run 1 mile (4 laps around the track) with the flag and after the first lap I really felt the weight of the flag. But the weight I felt wasn't just in the aluminum post or the drag of the stars and stripes in the wind. It was the weight of what the flag meant. There I was, a woman, wearing a tank top and yoga pants, with the sun beaming on my exposed face, running for fun in a land where I can speak my mind, hold a job I love and have the life I chose to live all without the fear of being persecuted for it. I was carrying a flag that countless men and women had fought to protect, died to honor and lived to serve. It is a symbol of our freedom, a representation of the USA and a figure of what brought us together as a united country after 9/11. It stands for all the things that make America great - liberty, pride and honor. It is to be respected, held high and lit up so all can see it's beauty. At that moment I was carrying THE symbol of the UNITED STATES OF AMERICA and  honored every second I was able to hold her high. 

So, on the eve of the 11th anniversary of 9/11 (Patriot's Day), please take a moment to reflect on what the flag means to you. Also, remember that patriotism that you felt on 9/11/2001? This year don't just celebrate it on 9/11. Feel it, live it and honor it all year long. After all, the soldiers, police officers and firemen that keep this country and you safe don't just do their job one day a year - they serve us 24/7, 365 days a year. 

Women Rock Half Marathon

Half naked firemen, a jeweled finishers pendant, champagne finish, men in tuxedos ushering us to the start line - how could this race NOT BE THE BEST RACE EVER, right???!!! Well, despite all of the glitter, frills and pink champagne, this all women's race was less than stellar or fun for me. However, like all of my races this year, I learned a lot more about myself as a runner and was once again flicked on the forehead by God.
As we walked to the shuttles to take us to the start line, a woman asked me about the names on my legs. I explained to her what I was doing with BTS and she told me that her son, Ryan, beat a cancerous brain tumor. Ryan, who is also a runner, is involved in the fight against brain tumors through an organization called Humor To Fight The Tumor. "Humor" has a gala every October in the Twin Cities that features a silent and live auction, live comedy, a dinner and inspiring stories from brain tumor survivors. The goal of "Humor" is to move people through the power of hope and laughter to contribute to the important work of the American Brain Tumor Association. Hearing that her son was doing so well and also fighting the fight against brain tumors - I had a little extra pep in my step. This was going to be a great race.
As the race got underway, everything was feeling great. Mile 1 - fast. Mile 2- a breeze. Mile 3 - Are we really at mile 3 already? Mile 3.5 - Getting tired. Maybe I should take my gel. Mile 4 - Who put cement in my shoes? Mile 4.25 - Come on gel, kick in any time. Mile 4.5 -  Hello??? Gel???? Are you there? Mile 4.75 - Alright, who put bricks in my thighs? Mile 5 - I AM DONE! After mile 5, my race took a nose dive and I was struggling. I'm not sure if it was the course, something I did or just a bad day, but I was having my first ever (kinda surprising this had never happened before) meeting with the WALL. For those of you who don't know, "hitting the wall" is a term that runners use to describe a point in a race where you seriously think you can't go on. Your energy is gone, you are mentally and physically tired and moving your legs feels impossible. And at this race I hit it hard. I have ran races before where I got tired and the run didn't feel the best, but this was different. If I didn't want that damn champagne glass and finishers pendant SO BADLY (and the fact that I didn't want a DNF on my "record"), I would have quit. But, I shuffled on. I focused on my "reasons", asked them for strength and pushed through. The finish wasn't pretty and I think by mile 12 a 90 year old man in a walker could have passed me, but I did it.
The last 3 miles I had to keep telling myself "This too shall pass" and it did. I had a tough race, I crossed the finish line, drank my champagne and went on about my day. But for some of those who I asked for their strength during the hard parts of my race, it didn't pass. Sometimes I think we take for granted that there will always be the point where the hard parts will get easier and we can go on with our lives. And unfortunately that isn't always the case. But by running for brain tumor awareness I hope that one day everyone who battles brain tumors can say "This too shall pass".