London's Run

London's Run is something that I've always wanted to do. This run is so touching and dear to my heart for many reasons. Our family can't help but be around and meet kids with cancer and other life threatening illnesses. After all, Mia herself is in the hospital every 3-4 weeks. This is a picture of little London...she is the reason for this run. (You can read more about her story by clicking the link below.) We never met her, but her story is so touching. She passed away before the first race was even held, and overwhelmingly people wanted the race to continue. I think this year was the 5th year it's been held. Her memory lives on and because of this race, she is helping other kids raise money to help them fight cancer.



http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/londonsolomon

My boot camp friend Alicia and I have been talking about doing this run for a long time. She has a very sweet heart. I happened to see her coming to the 10 am boot camp after I was done with the 9 am boot camp (we both usually go at 5:30 am) the day before the race. So it was meant to be that we were to do London's Run. (By the way, she is an awesome runner, and has done many marathons etc.) We just laughed because neither of us 'trained' for this, but that's ok...we do boot camp!

I also saw my friend Mary Lisa, who has taken it upon herself to lose more than 60 pounds and get active. She is so inspiring!! She just did the PF Changs half marathon, and here she is...ready to do the 10k. Hello?!?! ML you rock girl!

Another inspiring person in my life is Miss Tiffany, one of Mia's nurses who we see regularly. She decided as well that she was going to take charge of her health and lose weight and participte in half marathons etc. She rocks too...AND she is a fellow blogger. Miss Tiffany knew London and had her as her patient. She also knew Layla, and one of the benefactors of London's Run this year, her name is Maliyah.

Miss Tiffany and I @ London's Run

The poster I made and pinned to my back are pictures of Mia, Layla, Ethan, & Trevor. All special kids who I love dearly. All fighting to live a normal healthy life. ~ Layla's memory is always with us...that's why we wear purple! (My favorite color.)

Here we go...10 K - 6.2 miles. Gulp. The farthest I've ever ran is 3 and a half. My goal was to keep going and try not to stop.

It was really pretty through the farm and fields, although it was freezing.

So my friend Alicia rocks at running, and right at the start she was way ahead of me. I could see her in her white shirt and pink shorts...but this picture is blurry.

Ok you had to be there, it looked prettier than this at that moment.

After a while there were all these signs...how inspiring.

What a great reminder of why you are running, and that the money you spent is truly going to help kids fight the battle of their lives.

Gulp...how can you not cry or be touched in some way looking at these pictures??

Ok...I'll try and keep going. Mile 2 I had a side ache...but thought it will go away. It did. By mile 5 I was sooooooo tired, and almost ready to walk. I did stop to tie my shoe at mile 5 but my legs started cramping so I kept going.

Oh finally the finish line...thank goodness!! My time was: 1:00:30
which is good. I just can't help but think if I didn't stop to tie my shoe :)

This is a picture of me about 30 seconds before the finish line:
http://sportshots.exposuremanager.com/p/900am-930am_lr_2011/0922_20110129092213_2718_64_2_2

We will never forget...