A little surprise! (Jennifer)

First, I would like to say thank you to those of you who made such sweet comments on my pictures from the last post.  Thank you so much!!!  Its these comments that help me along in this journey.

Now, on to the surprise...

I am a spontaneous person.  Always have been.  My original plan this weekend was to bring the kids to my moms house.  I was going to have some Jennifer time.  I dont come by that too often these days.  But on Friday I convinced myself to go too...and signed myself up for the Komen Race for the Cure (5k)  at the Empire State Plaza!!!  I dont do downtown Albany well so my dad drove me down and I signed up Friday night for the run on Saturday morning.  I was petrified, even while signing up.  I paid my fee, got a bib number, a microchip for my shoe to track my time, a T-shirt and I was in!  I doubted myself a little and I was a little surprised by my nerves!  I went out with Teresa(dress shopping for a wedding I have)  Friday night and we had a great time, although our eating choices werent stellar by any means.  I went to bed later than normal with a full tummy which proved not to be a smart idea in combination with my nerves. I didnt sleep well and when I did sleep I was dreaming about the race(totally serious)!  I knew it was going to be a very large crowd and parking would be tough so I wanted to get there early.  I couldnt sleep anyway.  I was so excited and proud that I was doing it all by myself...or at least that I made the decision to do it!

I had a little support system too!  My parents, both my girls, and Ron came to the race to cheer me on!  The hubs had to work.  It was a surreal experience.  There were thousands of people there...literally. I started out in the back because I knew I  shouldnt be anywhere near the 6, 7, and 8 minute per mile signs in the front of starting line.  The only goal I had for myself was to run the whole thing.  And I did it!!!!  I just started my running back up after my ankle injury one week ago so I wasnt sure what to expect.   Once the race started it was like a minute and half before I actually got to the blue mat to start running(apparently the blue mat starts your personal running time...this is all new to me) because there were just so many people running(over 2000 not including the walking group that started an hour later).  I have pictures and I will post them on my next post when I get home!  My total finishing time was 35:09 and my chip time was 33:33...which makes sense because even though the clock started I was in the back and didnt start running and until a minute and a half later. 

What an experience.  There was free food and water.  People everywhere!  There was music, and just a great atmosphere overall.  The people standing on the street cheering you on, the runners screaming in pride, passing people, being passed, water stations and empty cups flying in the air, the time boards, police security, the notes on peoples backs saying who they were running for, the sunny cool weather, the women with "Survivor" shirts on, the women with bandanas with no hair, the obvious support systems involved, the children running, the nerves, excitement,  and then finishing.  Yes, finishing.  The race started uphill and ended going down that same hill to the Empire State Plaza.  And the people there screaming  and cheering "You are almost there!!!!."   There were thousands of people cheering us on.  I get choked up just thinking about it again.  It was a truly amazing experience.

It was surreal and I am so happy I was a part of it.  I am happy for my personal growth, but even more happy to be part of such a great event for a wonderful cause.  I promise pictures in the next post.