The Journey

So---this blog is about my journey to 26.2. But it also about my journey with running. As I started running last year it was for her. 100% of the time--when I was fighting with my breathing, when I was in pain and wanted to stop--it was the thought of her fight, her battle that pushed me those few extra steps. As my running got better, and I figured out how to breath while running--I started enjoying it. I really enjoyed the exercise, the closeness I felt to the outdoors!

I remember running my 1st race. Sept. 17th--it was the Race for Hope. This race benefited our local cancer center, and helped those with ALL types of cancer. I LOVED the thrill that I got when I ran that race. At the end--I noticed that I was going to clock a time UNDER 35 minutes if I just booked it!! It was AWESOME and I was so proud. I ran with this shirt:


This logo says it all!
The 2nd race I ran was another 5K--it was the Hot Chocolate 5K. It was an amazing run! Yet again--beat my PR--33:31 :)

As 2011 came to a close--I knew I had to set a lofty goal for 2012. So I did. 12 Races in 12 months. All in memory of her. 2 of them, I am fundraising for--the rest, I am doing in honor of her battle, her fight. But--also, because I am really starting enjoy running. For the health benefit and for the freeing feeling it has been given me!

So you ask--why am I telling you this? Because well, today started that Journey. Those 12 races! The next post will be a race recap for my 1st race of the year! :)

Here is the line-up. My goal was to run races that supports local (and not so local) cancer patients! They don't all, but I tried. And the 2 big races are the 1/2 Marathon in July and the Full Marathon in October!

January- Freeze your Thorns Off 5K—January 28^th (Virtual—Free) http://www.theboringrunner.com/2011/11/2nd-annual-freeze-your-thorns-off-5k.html

February- For the Love of the Kids 5K—February 14^th (Virtual) http://www.fortheloveofthekids.com/Home_Page.php

March- Leprechan Chase 10K—March 10^th (Ashland NE)

http://www.lc10k.com/registration/

April- Race for Grace 10K—April 14^th 2010 (Grand Island, NE)

http://www.runningguru.com/EventInformation.asp?eID=2452

May-

June- Laugh and a Half marathon—June 16^th (Norfolk, NE) http://www.laughandahalfmarathon.com/index.html

July- Rock and Roll ½ Marathon—July 22^nd (Chicago, IL)

http://runrocknroll.competitor.com/chicago/register

August-

September: Race for Hope—Sioux City, IA

October: Des Moines FULL Marathon – October 21^s (Des Moines, IA) http://www.desmoinesmarathon.com/IMT_Des_Moines_Marathon.htm

November: Hot Chocolate 5K (or maybe 15K) (Chicago, IL)

http://www.hotchocolate15k.com/chicago/register/

December: Ho Ho Ho Holiday 5K (Virtual Race sponsored by ME!)

The links won't work unless you copy and paste them--but if you wanted to learn more they are there! :)