October has been a super crazy month filled with amazing experiences, good times, and so many good friends. It was the culmination of 2 important runs for me – the Disney ½ Marathon, and also the Des Moines Race for the Cure.
As you know – it was nearly one year ago that Amy first approached me with this crazy notion of learning to run so that we could run the Race for the Cure event in honor of our friend Julie who had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I distinctly remember how she approached me…as we were shopping at our favorite mall. I’m sure my first reaction was…um…no way. Me? Run? You’re nuts. But it didn’t take long for me to come around. I mean, just having Amy consider the idea of running was amazing enough. She has always shared my opinion that running for fun was a myth. So, I thought…if Amy wants to do it…then I suppose I can get on board. It wasn’t long before the type A personality in me found a way to tackle what was surely a very foreign concept. Researching, we were able to find a training program that suited our ‘we are not runners’ motto…and we were off learning to run. Thinking on it now – I NEVER would have imagined I’d push myself even further to tackle a ½ marathon in my first year of running newbieness. Crazy. And to think…Julie and her cancer journey is where it all started for us.
Planning the details for our growing Jogging for Julie team took a lot of time and effort, but was so worth it in the end. Seeing all the faces of Julie’s friends and family lined up in their custom shirts – it was a really neat thing to witness.
I know its easy to get caught up in the logistics of the thing…this is where we need to go, this is what we need to do, you go here, I’ll go there…etc…but actually arriving at the Capitol grounds and seeing the multitudes of people out to support those touched by breast cancer – it was amazing. To be a part of the ripple of dots pouring down the hillside…I couldn’t have imagined it. Running in Orlando was crazy – 10,000 people. Running the Race for the cure…23,000! Unbelievable!
There was the usual chaos before and after…but during the race, I felt tickled that we were actually doing it.
We had set out to run this race for our friend a year beforehand and we did it. But the best part? Julie. Having her there…seeing her flit around in her usual style…her ever present energy. How blessed are we that a year later she was healthy enough to participate!?!? When we started our running journey, neither of us knew where Julie would be a year later. She’s been through many dark, dark days…and undoubtedly endured things I’ll never know of or even be able to comprehend. But God has seen her through to today. And she simply shown with LIFE that day. I was proud to run in her honor – but more importantly, I was grateful she was able to complete the walk herself and be a part of an amazing experience that I hope will be a tradition for us for years to come…celebrating her LIFE!!
Later that night we made our way up to Conrad for a surprise 80th birthday dinner for my Grandma Maris. Mom had made a special trip back, and all the grandkids were there. She was so surprised and had a great time celebrating her life as well.
I love Grandma so much - I hope when I'm her age I have half her grace, style, and poise. She is lovely through and through.
This past weekend was another one packed with good times and good girlfriends. Saturday I was able to join Gina and Jami and a group of other girls on their annual ‘girls game’ in Iowa City.
We had a blast riding the bus over to the Iowa/Michigan State game. The game was fantastic, the weather was perfect, and the company…well, all I can really say is how much I love my girlfriends. We’ve been through a lot together over the years and I’m so grateful for each of them! I love them all SO much!!
Today my Mom is back in town - preparing to help me as I have bunion surgery on my foot. I hadn't expected her to turn around and come back so quickly...but of course, she did. It's what she does, it's who she is. A wonderful woman and mother. I'm thankful for all the amazing women in my life!
As you know – it was nearly one year ago that Amy first approached me with this crazy notion of learning to run so that we could run the Race for the Cure event in honor of our friend Julie who had just been diagnosed with breast cancer. I distinctly remember how she approached me…as we were shopping at our favorite mall. I’m sure my first reaction was…um…no way. Me? Run? You’re nuts. But it didn’t take long for me to come around. I mean, just having Amy consider the idea of running was amazing enough. She has always shared my opinion that running for fun was a myth. So, I thought…if Amy wants to do it…then I suppose I can get on board. It wasn’t long before the type A personality in me found a way to tackle what was surely a very foreign concept. Researching, we were able to find a training program that suited our ‘we are not runners’ motto…and we were off learning to run. Thinking on it now – I NEVER would have imagined I’d push myself even further to tackle a ½ marathon in my first year of running newbieness. Crazy. And to think…Julie and her cancer journey is where it all started for us.
Planning the details for our growing Jogging for Julie team took a lot of time and effort, but was so worth it in the end. Seeing all the faces of Julie’s friends and family lined up in their custom shirts – it was a really neat thing to witness.
I know its easy to get caught up in the logistics of the thing…this is where we need to go, this is what we need to do, you go here, I’ll go there…etc…but actually arriving at the Capitol grounds and seeing the multitudes of people out to support those touched by breast cancer – it was amazing. To be a part of the ripple of dots pouring down the hillside…I couldn’t have imagined it. Running in Orlando was crazy – 10,000 people. Running the Race for the cure…23,000! Unbelievable!
There was the usual chaos before and after…but during the race, I felt tickled that we were actually doing it.
We had set out to run this race for our friend a year beforehand and we did it. But the best part? Julie. Having her there…seeing her flit around in her usual style…her ever present energy. How blessed are we that a year later she was healthy enough to participate!?!? When we started our running journey, neither of us knew where Julie would be a year later. She’s been through many dark, dark days…and undoubtedly endured things I’ll never know of or even be able to comprehend. But God has seen her through to today. And she simply shown with LIFE that day. I was proud to run in her honor – but more importantly, I was grateful she was able to complete the walk herself and be a part of an amazing experience that I hope will be a tradition for us for years to come…celebrating her LIFE!!
Later that night we made our way up to Conrad for a surprise 80th birthday dinner for my Grandma Maris. Mom had made a special trip back, and all the grandkids were there. She was so surprised and had a great time celebrating her life as well.
I love Grandma so much - I hope when I'm her age I have half her grace, style, and poise. She is lovely through and through.
This past weekend was another one packed with good times and good girlfriends. Saturday I was able to join Gina and Jami and a group of other girls on their annual ‘girls game’ in Iowa City.
We had a blast riding the bus over to the Iowa/Michigan State game. The game was fantastic, the weather was perfect, and the company…well, all I can really say is how much I love my girlfriends. We’ve been through a lot together over the years and I’m so grateful for each of them! I love them all SO much!!
Today my Mom is back in town - preparing to help me as I have bunion surgery on my foot. I hadn't expected her to turn around and come back so quickly...but of course, she did. It's what she does, it's who she is. A wonderful woman and mother. I'm thankful for all the amazing women in my life!
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