A Walk/Run to Remember

I was honored this weekend to run in memory of Angel and babies lost too soon.  I ran this same 5k for the first time last year, and I love it! 

I love the time to reflect about Angel...  I love the time it takes to drive up through the beautiful Georgia mountains toward this running destination. I love the words of remembrance they speak before we do a balloon release in honor of our babies.

I always shed a few tears at this point...

I love the simplicity and yet challenging aspects to this course, and I just love to run it. I love to run in honor and remembrance of Angel.  And for those of my friends who have experienced a loss - to honor their babies.

 

I wore this shirt last year as I ran, and I wore it again this year.  Sadly, I had to add some names to the shirt, but I was glad to have had a chance to honor them all.

Side note: If you don't see your baby's or babies' name(s) on my shirt and would like for them to be on it for next year, just leave me a comment below with their names. I would be more than happy to add them!

It was a beautiful day to run, and I ran well. In fact, I improved my time from last year about three minutes! 

Last year: 35:15  This year: 32:15

I believe I did our babies proud!

I stayed long enough to see some children dance this year in honor of our babies...

 

And then I stayed for the raffle they had.  I won Beth this awesome skirt!  (note: I won something from their raffle last year too! I never win things! WOW)

 

The skirt I won.  Beth LOVES it! Like a gift from Angel to her big sis.

I didn't win an age group award this year, but they did that a little differently.  They lumped together women with men.  When you do that, a woman hardly ever has a chance to place in her age group.  But that's okay. I didn't come to win any awards.

I ran to heal. I ran to remember. I ran to honor.

What a blessing this event is to me!

It has helped me to usher in October which is Pregnancy and Infant Loss Awareness Month.  I've got more to say about that later.  Another blog post in the works.  Until then...

Today's forget-me-not: Take the time to stop and remember.

Save a Rack 5K

I can officially say I have run the most confusing 5K race in the South.  Half the time, I didn't know if I was coming or going, but according to my Nike app, I did run 3.1 miles.  So when they announced that I had won first place in my age group, I took the medal without qualms! But, let me back up...

My friend Jaimee wanted to run this 5k entitled Save a Rack.  There were some ladies who put this together to raise funds so they could do the Susan G. Koman Race for the Cure.  It's a cause near and dear to Jaimee's heart.  So because it was for a good cause and it gave me another chance to run with my friend, I signed up to run it with her.

Got the t-shirt!
 

We were ready to run!

 

And when one of the ladies who put together the race began to explain the course to all of us, I knew we were in trouble!  It went a little something like this... Run down this road, cross over the grass to the paved path, go under the tunnel, make sure you pass the water lady twice, come around the baseball field twice, and then back.

What!?

Well, like I said above. I ran. I did a 5K - probably not like what was intended, but I did it!  And won first place for my age group.

 

And Jaimee got third place!

 

 

We are both not really sure how this happened - aside from the fact that this was a smaller race and so smaller age group brackets - but we felt like we deserved the medals after running such a frustratingly confusing race, so we gladly took the medals!!! LOL

 

Time 33:33

 

Would I do this one again? NO! I like the bling bling; however, I had a hard time focusing because I was confused and frustrated for much of the race. As a result, my blood pressure was high and my breathing very labored afterwards.  I was a bit of a mess.

 

Today's forget-me-not: A racing piece of advice to me, myself, and I - sign up for races that have "been around the block" before and are tried and true, NOT newbie 5K races. Be kind to the body God created ;-)

Resolutions Review - September

This post is quite overdue.  However, better late than never, right? ;-)

In 2013...

1. Lean on Him

2. Stay Healthy

3. Live, Love, and Laugh Often

1. I've been unfocused.  Really, when all is said and done - housework, homework, and just stuff - the only thing that really matters is Jesus.  The only thing that really matters is my relationship with Him - my children's relationship with Him and my husband's relationship with Him.  Because all that is right, then ALL is right.  Isn't that right?  I know it to be true.  So why don't I spend more time with Him?  Why don't I pray more and read my bible more? I frustrate myself with the answers to those questions.  However, I'm not going to turn back. I am His, and He is mine (this blows my mind!).  God Himself. God... Oh, how I love Him. Gotta get back to loving Him more.

2. My health. I've gained back about 5 pounds. It's sweets. And eating poorly at night.  And not running enough lately. I know what I need to do to fix that. And I can do it!  No more sweets and more running!!!

3. I'm currently on my fall break.  I needed this. Time to relax.  Time to clean house - literally and figuratively.  Beth has been home with me.  It's been good.  Sometimes living and loving means rest. It has been a restful week.

Today's forget-me-not: Rest, Running, and Repentance - and in all things, Rejoice!