Running with a purpose

On Saturday I ran the Candlelighters 5k to benefit Cancer research for children in Nevada. We lost one of my sweet young women, Makenzie Hanover, to cancer on Memorial Day this year. I ran this race for her and her family. I referenced loving the amazing feeling of endorphins in a post on my other blog HERE but wanted to write about a different surge of energy and emotion that overcame me as I ran this race with Team Kenzie, who by the way, raised the second largest amount of money for this cause!

Sami (formerly Sister Mose) and her new husband, Ben, came with me. We left our side of town at 6a.m. to drive down to Mountains Edge. Wow, there was a gazillion cars and people everywhere……we actually took a shuttle to the check-in area from where we parked. I’m so glad I had someone to be there with me but I did manage to meet some Dubliners on the shuttle. That was fun to chat with them about Ireland. They still had awesome accents even though they had been in the states for 20 years…..what the heck……I sound totally American….booo!

Anyway, we gathered with Team Kenzie, got our numbers, took a picture and waited to start. The feeling was solemn as everyone I’m sure thought about our dear friend and the fact that she was with us for last years run. She actually participated in her wheelchair. She was the bravest kid I know.

We were off!!! For me the start was tough, I haven’t run much for like a year. I tried to focus on my breathing and not on the fact that the fanny pack I was wearing was bouncing like a balloon on my rump! The first part of the run was a gradual hill (not fun). I had flashbacks to my spin class and Lyla screaming that her grandma could get up a hill faster than us……umm ya! Motivation…….

I got into a rhythm and the next turn had us on more of a flat…YES!!! I grabbed a quick water as I ran and poured the rest on me, ok now I was getting some pacing going. I thought of Makenzie a few times but almost had to push it out of my mind because the tears were coming. I was running for her and for the rest of the kids that face what she faced, I was going to do this and do it well.

Then we went downhill…..ahhhh the wind in my face, momentum pushing me downhill, pressure off my hamstrings and into my quads. I started to gain some speed and could feel that it wouldn’t be too much longer. I saw the 4 kilometer sign and knew it was almost done! Just then a lady passed me that I had seen earlier with our team. I’m not sure who she was but I guessed maybe Makenzies aunt? Thoughts of Makenzie again…… I pulled up next to her and gave her a thumbs up. She reached out and grabbed my hand…we totally had a moment. She told me later that she really needed that right then. Emotion surged through me and I felt so strongly that Makenzie loved what we were doing and was there in spirit for her family and this cause.

We ran the last part of the race together. I felt united with this woman. I thought of my dear little friend and how I missed her. The tears mixed with the sweat and poured down my face.

We turned the corner to the finish line and she said “I dare you to beat me in” we both picked up speed and sprinted across the finish line. We hugged and I totally lost it……not unusual for me. I’m generally super emotional but I was proud of us and proud of Makenzie for HER strength and how she battled this horrible disease. I was proud of her family how they have mustered the strength to survive each day without her. I was proud of the other cancer patients that were there fighting for survival. I was just proud to be part of something amazing!

I kept thinking that day about my recent post on my other blog and how I love that endorphin high when I work out and the good it does for me mentally as well as physically. The thought of how “running for a cause” felt so different and had such purpose, kept coming to mind. Our lives are so complex and we should expose ourselves to many opportunities so we can have such experiences. Service comes in many ways and as we interact with each other during this mortal experience, we bond in ways that could never have been planned.

I guess the moral of the story is to enjoy the journey. Enjoy every minute you have with your loved ones, share experiences that uplift you and build you. Find ways to help others because the payback and memories will be more precious to you than anything in this world.

Sami, Ben & I after the race. By the way i ran my fastest time at 29 minutes.

Never Forget!

I just remember the disbelief...... Incredible that what I was seeing on the television was real. How could this be? I talked to Sam on the phone. My friend Tori called and came down the street to sit with me and watch what unfolded on the news. It was crazy! Seriously crazy, that this had just happened in our country, land of the free!
My prayers continue to go out to the families who lost loved ones that day. Our country was changed forever. I applaud the heroes who gave their lives that day and the heroes who followed the days, weeks and months after the attacks. May we never forget what happened and how our individual lives were changed that day September 11, 2001.

New Blog - oh yeah!

If you haven't noticed the new link to the right of our family blog....BLOGS I WRITE.....look now! Ok now you've noticed....lol.
I have a new health/fitness blog and I'm having so much fun with it. I like to write so why not write about things that interest me and share a little info along the way!
Hope you enjoy. THE FLYING ENDORPHIN

Back to School 2011

We cannot believe Baili is in middle school. 6th grade.....crazy! She was SUPER excited for her first day. I kept asking her if she was nervous (because I was) but she would just say with a big smile, "no, Im sooooo excited"
She has a dress code so she has to wear certain colors. She likes her teachers (she has 6 of them) and is taking Orchestra. Shes going to play cello and maybe volleyball. We went to Smart night on Tuesday, a night the church has for free tutoring and educational stuff (college prep, taking tests etc....). Baili was bored with the orientation but I think she will love going on Tuesday nights and having help with homework. We are so proud of Baili. She is growing into a beautiful, strong young woman.
Jacob just entered 4th grade. He also was super excited. He is again in a class with his best friend Tyson Hancock. They have Mr. Jensen and Mr. K., his first time having male teachers.
So far he loves it, other than the fact they have to haul ALL their books around in their backpacks. He is talking about playing basketball for the school later in the school year. He is doing great with piano and playing Wizard 101 too much :). Jacob has EXCELLENT handwriting and takes his education very seriously. He scored "above standards" in his CRT's, a state test. He is a great example to his siblings and we love him so much.
Look at Ryan, he is so cute! The boys love their hi-top sneakers that they got for back to school. Ryan loves to be fashionable and he looked so good heading off the 2nd grade this year. His teacher is Ms. Spilsbury (Baili's old 2nd grade teacher) who is also LDS. He was excited that his friends, Jordan and another Ryan, were in his class. Ryan is going to take a basketball class at the YMCA and join a league in October. He cant wait. He is also getting baptized in November. We are proud of Ryan, he is a great boy and learning many things. He is great at reading and math.
Kami Lynn......how are you already in 1st grade???? She is growing so fast. Kami's loves her teacher this year, Ms Steward. She is in Bailis old classroom. Shes excited to have "specials" of art, music, library and PE this year. She has a couple of friends in her class and was so happy to see Jenna (below) the very first day of school. Kami was really nervous, she kept saying "I just can't do it...." about going back to school. I thought there would be a meltdown but she was very brave and had a great first week at school.
It was cute, before school started Kami asked Ryan if all first grade teachers give kids hugs when the kids leave for the day.....this was because both Ryan and Kamis' kindergarten teacher, Ms Gehring, used to give them hugs as they left for the day! Kami loves hugs and Ms Steward did give her a big hug at meet the teacher day.....Kami was so happy! Kami is great at coloring and she is learning to read really well.
So the 2nd day of school, I got pulled over at Baili school. Yayy....not! I had started driving through a crosswalk too soon before students were off the street. The school cop was nice, he just gave me a warning and told me to be careful.....phew! What was funny was, as he approached the van, Kami started freaking out saying...."are you going to jail mom?" maybe we shouldn't be watching so many prison shows......lol
Check out the gang from Parkside Estates (above) and check out Ryans face...hahaha!
These are all good kids, we love them.