Volunteering.................................

It continues to be frustrating to type, which is the reason for the delayed update, but here it is...

I ended up getting assigned to a spot only about 1/2 mile into the race. It was very "interesting" to watch the front of the pack as they passed me. They were so serious looking I almost felt like I should be standing at attention.

There was a camera set up right by me, and at about the 8 minute pace group people began to look more relaxed, some of them raising their hands or smiled at the camera, so I began to voice encouragement.

By the time the 10 minute pace group went by the people were interacting with me so I felt it was okay to bring out the cow bell to up my encouragement.

By the time the last couple passed (walking, were well into their sixties), about fifteen minutes into the race, I was really having fun and we had a little mini conversation about the great pink shoelaces the Mrs. had in her shoes. She told me she picked them up at a race for breast cancer the day before. I can only hope that is me when I am her age (not that far away mind you).

When I was finished with that task, I walked back to the finish line just in time to see the first 5K finisher. (they started the 5K about 10 minutes after the half. He finished in about 17 minutes. WOW!) I ask for an additional task and was ask to remove chips. I did pretty good considering I had only 1.5 hands. Taking care of myself, when my wrist began to tire I went and found a new job guarding the bags people had left their belonging in, and did this for about an hour until my wrist told me it had had enough and it was time to go.

I was feeling pretty good about my day, and how well I had handled not participating in the actual race as I was walking back to the car. Unfortunately my path took me past the finish line, and the announcer that was congratulating people as they finished. I burst into tears thinking about how badly I wanted to be out there. Poor me!

If nothing else, this two week hiatus has reinforced how much this running thing is in my blood, and how committed I am to staying healthy and in shape. The little Miss Couch Potato in me still finds this a little hard to believe, but am I ever grateful for this life change I have made. I was talking to Random last night and she was telling me how she came back from the SD race a completely changed person. Who would have thought putting on a pair of shoes and running for a couple of hours could have such a positive effect on one's life? I am so blessed to be a part of it.

And now for the REALLY exciting news..............................................

October is my birthday month, and this Sunday is my actual birthday. I have someone to watch the OPs for the day(which is a HUGE gift in itself) so (my) Mister is going to drive me to Detroit and we are going to drive the marathon course and hopefully be able to run a bit of it. This is going to be such a mental boost and I can't think of a better way to spend my birthday. I know, you're all jealous...It's okay!

And I have picked out our race days shirts. The same brand (race ready) as we had for the trail race and I love it. It feels like you are wearing nothing at all. Our shirts are going to be white and my oldest is going to have something cool put on them for a little surprise for me. I also found some socks with 26.2 on then on the web site that I am getting for myself and my oldest, and ones with four little people on the cuff for my relay team. I also found a belt that holds your number instead of having to pin it on. This will solve the layering problem as it can clip it on over the windbreaker and unclip it quickly when I want to take it off the windbreaker into the race. I am going to give it a try and make sure I like it before using it as I have heard too many race day horror stories of trying something new on race day to chance it.

I go to the doctor today so I WILL be reporting good news to you tomorrow I am sure.