Five Miles, the VP, and a Huge Shout-OUT!

Crazy Legs was SO fun! Okay, the night before I didn't think it was going to be all that fun. All I could hear was rain bouncing heavily off of our roof. The dawn broke and just a little mist emerged...Yeah! Got to Madison with time enough to pee for the zillionth time! Why is it that when I even have the idea I plan on running, I have to go to the bathroom? I will admit that I was nervous. The longest I had ever run before this race was 4 miles and I was running with Kimberli LongLegs (see below, but you can't see her legs. Trust me, they are long). The pavement was wet, but the football players were young and hot--great idea to have the athletes high-fiving. This was perfect incentive!!!! And, I was "off". I'll admit it, I couldn't keep up with the long-legged lady and the hill-of-death kicked my butt. But, after the burning sensation in my thighs wore off, I was able to keep a good pace; I mean shuffle. I did pass a man that looked to be 100 years old. Almost felt guilty. At mile 4, they played the Rocky theme--Trainer Tim is now my God...this theme made me laugh and know that I was going to make it to the end! Who doesn't run a little faster when you hear "Gonna Fly now......Flying high now..... Gonna Flyyyyyyyyy----yyyyyyyyyy!" Running into the stadium and knowing that I did it in less than an hour with friends waiting was absolutely invigorating. Look at all these phenomenal women. The margarita senoritas are IN THE HOUSE! Now for the Team Challenge section: I wore my shirt. I am proud as punch to wear my Team Challenge shirt because I know that running in spirit with me were all my teammates. And, for whomever shouted, "Go Team Challenge" at mile 3...you rock! I even heard my name yelled. I don't know if the name shout-out was for me because if I try to look at people when I run or walk, I tend to trip or run into things. Seriously, almost ran into the speed limit sign on Maple Avenue. However, it doesn't matter because I was running and I was doing it...yes! Team Challenge is that angel's whisper pushing me to keep going. I am so thankful for the TEAM. Go Team Challenge; Go Team Wisconsin!



This blog is kind of late in the making because I was in Chicago rubbing elbows with authors who are seriously like ROCK STARS in my mind. And, you will see in the picture below that I got to meet former vice-president Al Gore. His message was about Going Green--you gotta know that. He was talking to the choir there...who's a total foodie? Anyway, another great message was one of needing women to lead, to teach, to educate. Here's a man who truly gets it. Without women, there are no solutions to global problems. I cannot understand any nation where a woman runs the risk of imprisonment for being able to read. I need our kids to get it! To think that my students are surrounded by mountains of books they choose not to read, when women in other countries long to be able to read them...frightening.
Finally, AND MOST IMPORTANTLY, we made our goal this week! While I will continue fundraising, I don't have to freak out that I haven't made my minimum. I will be forever in awe, for the rest of my life, of all of the people who donated money to this cause. The economic times are scary, but this disease is too. Thank you for every penny that you donated. I am confident that the money will be used well! I am living proof that new medicine and a controlled diet can help some of us who are suffering.

Next week I will be making an appointment for another colonoscopy. I am nervous, but so hopeful as well. I have felt healthy for several months and I am confident the procedure will show that my body is responding favorably to the treatment. If not, the circle of friends around me has certainly shown me that I won't ever be alone. I really need Dr. Khanna to help me with the anxiety of having to clean my colon out...I think a nice dose of valium is definitely in order--not that I recommend random drug taking, it just makes the whole process seem, oh....less harsh. Happy Thought, Happy Thoughts!

Going to be waking up early to run tomorrow morning...if you are traveling through Sussex at 5:00 am, give me a honk or two :) Saturday, please take time to join one of the walks to fight breast cancer. If you will be at the Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk at Discovery World, stop by the Children's Tent. We will be face painting and making ribbons!

See the Team on Sunday at Lake Park--looking forward to a great run!