Did you know that the woman responsible for Mother's Day becoming a legal holiday was not a mother? It is true. She was a daughter who wanted to honor her mother and all mothers. She fought hard and won to get the legal holiday Mother's Day.
However, she later regretted her efforts and tried to get the holiday cancelled after hearing "Happy Mother's Day"and seeing greeting cards and store bought flowers purchased for Moms. She really wanted Mother's Day to be a non-commercial holiday to honor mothers. She envisioned children and spouses writing letters to mothers expressing appreciation and gratitude. Imagine that! Taking the time to write a letter instead of signing your name to a greeting card.
I was reminded of this woman's journey as I ran 7 miles in the rain on the morning of Mother's Day. During my rainy run, I observed a man with a basket very carefully selecting the perfect flowers from his yard. I am assuming he lived there. Even though it was raining, he remained selective; picking only the perfect flowers for his bouquet.
Remember next year, "on Mother's Day".
Sunday, May 25, 2008
Tuesday, May 13, 2008
First 8K Race - 51:14 PR
On May 3 2008, I participated in the MS Run For Research 8K Race. For all of my friends who don't run, an 8K is a 5 mile race. :) I know two very special women who have been diagnosed with MS so this race was significant to me. I dedicated this race them. In their honor, I decorated my race hat by ironing on their names and gluing on sequins.
It was a beautiful day for a race. Sunny and 66 degrees for the 9:30 am start time. It was windy! At times, I was being blown sideways as I ran the course.
There were a total of 42 runners doing the 8K race. There were hundreds of walkers doing a 1 mile and 3 mile walk/run on part of the 8K course. Each group had a different start time. Our 5 mile group started first. The 3 mile group was starting as I was finishing. To help us all navigate, there were color coded signs for the 1 milers, 3 milers and 5 milers. Still I was nervous about getting lost...
I am not good with directions. I have gone out for a 4 mile run and ended up running 6 because I got lost. :) So, at the race check in when she was explaining to me that the 8K course was a modified loop, my first thought was I might end up running my first half marathon today.
To add to my navigational challenge, the 8K race was made up of such a small group of runners, I was concerned that I would not be able to keep up and just follow the crowd like I typically do in races. Luckily, there were volunteers standing on the course who were paying attention to the runners. When I came around the second time, one of the volunteers waved me in so I didn't miss the turn.
I ran most of the race alone but I did not finish last. Out of 42 runners, I finished number 24 overall. There were 15 women in my age group. I finished number 7 in my age group.
The course was very flat overall. However, there was one very long hill that we had to run up twice. I was loving that hill the second time around. I passed 1 runner walking up the hill and another runner who had slowed her running pace dramatically on the hill. Then at mile marker 4, I passed two other runners (who were unable to recover from the second trip up the hill). Thank you hill!
As I approached the finish line, I had nothing left. That was great! I am disappointed when I end a race feeling like I could keep running forever. Not this time. I remember literally just putting one foot in front of the other. I had total tunnel vision and no sounds. All I could see were the balloons arched over the finish line. Then, like being awakened with a start, I heard Lauren cheering "Mommy!".
Right on time, she and Matt were waiting for me at the finish line. It is a great feeling to have my fans waiting for me at the finish line. At every race, they wait for me. Lauren cheers "Mommy!" every time. I never get used to it. Every time it feels special. I get goose bumps.
It was a beautiful day for a race. Sunny and 66 degrees for the 9:30 am start time. It was windy! At times, I was being blown sideways as I ran the course.
There were a total of 42 runners doing the 8K race. There were hundreds of walkers doing a 1 mile and 3 mile walk/run on part of the 8K course. Each group had a different start time. Our 5 mile group started first. The 3 mile group was starting as I was finishing. To help us all navigate, there were color coded signs for the 1 milers, 3 milers and 5 milers. Still I was nervous about getting lost...
I am not good with directions. I have gone out for a 4 mile run and ended up running 6 because I got lost. :) So, at the race check in when she was explaining to me that the 8K course was a modified loop, my first thought was I might end up running my first half marathon today.
To add to my navigational challenge, the 8K race was made up of such a small group of runners, I was concerned that I would not be able to keep up and just follow the crowd like I typically do in races. Luckily, there were volunteers standing on the course who were paying attention to the runners. When I came around the second time, one of the volunteers waved me in so I didn't miss the turn.
I ran most of the race alone but I did not finish last. Out of 42 runners, I finished number 24 overall. There were 15 women in my age group. I finished number 7 in my age group.
The course was very flat overall. However, there was one very long hill that we had to run up twice. I was loving that hill the second time around. I passed 1 runner walking up the hill and another runner who had slowed her running pace dramatically on the hill. Then at mile marker 4, I passed two other runners (who were unable to recover from the second trip up the hill). Thank you hill!
As I approached the finish line, I had nothing left. That was great! I am disappointed when I end a race feeling like I could keep running forever. Not this time. I remember literally just putting one foot in front of the other. I had total tunnel vision and no sounds. All I could see were the balloons arched over the finish line. Then, like being awakened with a start, I heard Lauren cheering "Mommy!".
Right on time, she and Matt were waiting for me at the finish line. It is a great feeling to have my fans waiting for me at the finish line. At every race, they wait for me. Lauren cheers "Mommy!" every time. I never get used to it. Every time it feels special. I get goose bumps.
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