SGK Global Race for the Cure 2011

This past Saturday I ran in the Race for the Cure. It was my second year participating in this race, and I definitely enjoyed it more this year than last year. A 25 degree temperature difference at the start time and knocking 7 minutes off of last year's time might have had something to do with that.

I didn't get the time that I wanted. It was disappointing, but it's more motivation to train harder for my next race. It's a really good course around The Mall, the challenging part is finding space to run along with 40,000 other people. Fortunately, that's not the only reason to participate.

Don't get me wrong, there are things that I don't like about Komen. Trying to prevent anyone else for using the phrase "for the Cure" is ridiculous. Breast cancer isn't the ONLY disease out there that needs a cure and they're not the only breast cancer charity supporting that quest. Don't get me started about the bazillion products out there with pink ribbons on them. For the love, "Think before you pink." Your money is much better spent when donated directly (to the charity of your choice) than when buying a bag of candy that you don't don't really need so that they'll send off a minimal donation.

My mother says she doesn't like these kinds of events because they celebrate cancer. I love my mother, but it's obvious that she's never been to this event. The thing I loved most about it was that while memorializing those who have lost their battles, it also celebrated those who are fighting and those who have survived. My favorite part of the race was when the first survivor was doubling back not long after I (and the MANY people around me) had just passed the 1 mile marker, and the crowd went wild cheering her on. There were so many people there supporting each other. It was a beautiful thing.

One of the most touching moments of the day though, was about 2 hours after the race. We eventually made it back to our corner of the DC burbs and went for a very much-needed breakfast at IHOP. It was a full house by the time we finished, so I took Eva outside to wait while my husband paid at the register. As we stood there, an older gentleman on his way inside stopped when he saw me in my running gear and racing bib and thanked me for being there and participating. I have no idea what his story is or how breast cancer has affected his life. It meant the world to me though, that any action on my part, however minimal, mattered to a complete stranger.

That's just one more reason to run again next year, and I'm already looking forward to it. What will be even more fun is that Eva will be old enough to run in the Kids for the Cure race next time. She's certainly a kid who loves to run. I have a feeling it won't be long till she'll be showing me up in the 5K.

This is pre-race. You can tell because I don't look like I've been pushing a bus for 3.2 miles.

This is a really bad picture in that you can't see my face. This is also a good picture for the same reason. A guy stopped as we were taking this and told me that it wasn't fair that I didn't look like I had broken a sweat. He needs his prescription checked, as he apparently didn't see the sweat rolling off my eyelids into my eyes.