Taking THAT First Step!

Lynn-Marie and I getting ready for the Full Marathon in Myrtle Beach 2008

This past Satuday (6/10/2016) was a HUGE DAY!  It was a day of new beginnings. It was a day of learning to enjoy something AGAIN. It was a day to move ahead. It was a day to remember, laugh, smile in every picture.

This past Saturday I ran a 5K.  That in and of it's self is not really that big of a deal.
I have been a runner.
I even ran a full marathon and several half marathons and countless 5K's.
This one was different.

You see, a couple of years ago, I had made plans and promises that there would be a day that Lynn-Marie and I would run together.  We would run a race together to celebrate her kicking her cancer's butt and her new "life" after her bone marrow transplant.

March 8th (you can read here about it) was my "Revelation Day".  The conversations and the photo's and the text messages that day started a journey. This Saturday was the first part of this journey.  I signed up.  Last minute of course because my heart wasn't sure I could do it.  I was actually hoping Bo would have something come up at the hospital and I wouldn't be able to go. That didn't happen.  I had posted on Facebook about it the night before and then cried myself to sleep.  I cried that morning getting ready.  I stood by myself a few times to cry behind my sunglasses.  Sweet Tracy asked me how I was and I just LOST IT!  She let me cry on her shoulder (I mean it was the ugly cry).  I was determined!  I made it this far and quitting at this point was not an option.  I put my buds in my ears and cranked the music.  I had to get out of my head or it was going to be a VERY LONG 5K.

I managed to run it alone.  That was actually ok with me.  I don't think I would have been good conversation for anyone.  I was fine until I was in the last stretch.  Tracy was standing on the sidelines.  The tears were uncontrollable!  She cheered me on.  I didn't care at that point about the tears.  I was bawling!!!!!  I crossed the finished line and fell into Bo's arms and loving on Kaleb.

Sobbing for a couple of reasons.
1-Lynn-Marie would have been there cheering me on
2-Kim had purchased these awesome bandana's for us to wear- Little did she know they were the Team In Training for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society (or maybe she did).
3-I did what I said I would do and that was return to one of my passions- Running
4-So VERY grateful for the awesome team that I work with.  Yes, we have our days but we support one another!!!
5-I would have loved to have had her there for this event but at the same time, I knew that she was enjoying her day being in the presence of our King!  

All of that said, I'm excited to go on to several more 5K's, Bridge Run and then on to the Dasanti Myrtle Beach Half Marathon.  That will be the ultimate experience.  That is the one race that Lynn-Marie and I were planning on running together.  Michelle and Nick will be there and that will be perfect!  I'm grateful to her for her inspiration and her enthusiasm for life and that contagious smile!!!!!

Things Learned-
Be IN the pictures
Smile
Be Contagious
Live Life EVERY DAY

Blessings,

Coach Pam