First off thank you so much for all the support we have been getting from everyone. It is so nice to see people are viewing this page and seeing what we are trying to accomplish. Training has been a bit... rocky.
I ran my first 5k this year for the Irvine Mud Run in early April, it was a fun day but I have to admit getting through the run and all the obstacles with mud was not easy. Being a person who has loathed running up to this year and tried to her best to stay away from it, has all of a sudden made a change for the worse or the better. I somehow got looped into running the Mud Run with some of my co-workers and since then have viewed running in a new light. What was something I did during high school for the 1 mile run or would occasionally do to try to get into shape, I hate the idea of going out on a run. But it was during that run where I was able to push myself, there was a goal and I wanted to achieve it. I wanted to run across that finish line with my head held high and say, " I ran a 5k, and I am not dead!"
I use to think the people who ran 5k's or marathons were absolutely nuts, who would want to run that distance with nothing to gain? I was unable to see the bigger view of what those runners were feeling, and it is the same feeling I get when I do run and train. It is for a small moment that the world becomes quiet, my head clears and the only thing I can hear is the music in my headphones or the sounds that are around me; the bird chirping, the noise of my shoes hitting the pavement, my heart racing as I push myself further, how much longer can I run? I sometimes need to slow down to catch my breath and pace myself, I am not a very experienced runner but I am enjoying the challenges it brings. I have also been catching up on running books. If you are not aware, I am a bit of a book junkie, I could read and read for hours and let time pass me by. I get lost in books, so having the ability to mesh two of the important things in my life is amazing!
Two weeks ago I was diagnosed with Bronchitis and so the training stopped for a short time to regain my normal breathing. I was so sad and lost during those weeks that something I found solitary comfort in I was not allowed to do. But thank goodness, I am back to fine fitting form and back to training. It has been a slow process and I have been walking more than running but I know I will make it back to where I was. I still have around 2 months till the run itself so if I can't get myself into shape then I will just walk it.
But this 5k is different from the one I ran in April, the Mud Run was about finding my potential as a runner and as a young woman, this run I have to admit is not about me. This run is about raising funds for an illness without much research or much knowledge. Not much is known about Cervical Cancer, where it comes from, can it be prevented, etc? I don't want another person to go through what my Mother went through and we as a family went through. This race started out as something small, and my only goal is to run this race and bring awareness to something close to my heart. But like I said, this race is not about me, its about my Mother, and other mothers, aunts, grandmothers, sisters, cousins, and friends who had or have Cervical Cancer.
Thank you for those who have already donated, you have meant so much to us to reach our goal! If you would like to donate, we have a paypal donation account set up, all you have to do is press the donate button at the upper right side of the page. You do not have to have paypal to make a donation, any credit card will do. Thank you again for your donations, they mean so much to us!
I promise to write more updates about our training and process, I have just been busy with life and work and trying to get back into training once more. Designs for the T-shirt are in the works.. would you rather wear a t-shirt or like a racing tank-top?? Please give me your thoughts about it.
Thank you again for stopping by! Have a great day!
Kaitlin xo
