Broke my record..BIG!!!

iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2007
Broke my record..BIG!!!
21
Sat, 06-06-2009 - 2:19pm

My husband and I just returned from the Victory In The Valley Race and..get this..Taaa..Daaa..yesterday I walked the 2K 1.2 miles for practice and it took me a hard full 60 minutes with several stops. Well..I walked the 2K (1.2 miles) walk today in 44.17 minutes!!! There was a good sized group behind me still..meaning..I was not the last one across the finish line as I thought I would be!! :-)))


Lizzie..I thought of you as I know you love these races too!! Thank you for encouraging me to go for this!!


When I was approaching the finish line, there is a walking bridge that you cross under and other walkers were up on the bridge applauding and cheering all of us in right to the last person. My husband walked the 5K before me, so he was up on the bridge with his sister giving me thumbs up & "You did it!" and laughing and cheering for me..I was sooooo excited!!! When DH came down and met up with me, we hugged and I cried as this means so much to me. After all of my various surgeries, I didn't think I could ever be in another race..and I did it!!!


I love the atmosphere of these races, people everywhere in the coveted tee-shirts, all happy and having a great time, cancer survivors everywhere with their support teams, the scents of foods cooking, a really good band playing 70's music, and so much more. We had 18 people on our team, mostly family members. Two of John's sisters are cancer survivors and both were there walking with us. Love watching how people dress for these races too. You can tell the real runners in their short shorts and tank tops with tight buff muscles from the rest of us. I saw one woman who you could tell was probably in her late 50's I'd say and she was dressed as a real runner and her legs were totally toned..tight and youthful looking..she must take very good care of herself.


It was emotional at the end when we walked the Celebration Stroll of Survivors and their Supporters. It's a slow walk of about a half mile around and up to the walking bridge. The survivors were wearing purple scarves and carrying purple balloons. When we reached the bridge, the supporters parted and clapped as the survivors walked through and onto the bridge. When they were all on the bridge, the band began playing, "When you need a friend"..many tears..much joy..and after the song ended, they all let their balloons go. Awesome!!!


The path we walked was along the river downtown near our modern beautiful science center. It was such a pretty walk along the river, across a bridge, along the other side of the river with pretty flowers and park like landscaping and such, across the walking bridge and back that my husband and I have deciced that this will be our favorite place to walk from now on unless the temps are too high, then we'll stick to our park where there's more shade.


Here is my commitment to myself...By this time next year, I will be many pounds lighter and will do this race in under 25 minutes! That's the time limit for your time counting and getting your name listed in the paper with your time. I want that!! I will do it!!


Thank you to all of you who have stuck it out reading this loooong message..LOL! Most of all, thank you for your wonderful support..this is an amazing board of people that I am blessed to be a part of!!


This is National Cancer Survivor's Week and this Sunday is National Cancer Survivor's Day.


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Edited 6/6/2009 2:51 pm ET by neverstopping


Edited 6/6/2009 2:52 pm ET by neverstopping


Edited 6/6/2009 2:55 pm ET by neverstopping

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-19-2003
Sun, 06-07-2009 - 12:15am
{{{Donna}}}
These are wonderful races to be in I know & totally agree,
how cool you *heard* them & it helped you get moving even better like that.
That is what it's all about ..
The rush, the feel of everyone around you there for each other.


Oh..and by the way..the weight is falling off at a pretty rapid rate too..Yay Me!! :-))
Now isn't that just terrific to hear!
Keep at it as it is really paying off!

Wow how fun your best friend & her DH are moving back ..
So nice to have others to do this with .. lucky you!
Rack up those T -shirts
Appreciate your kind words .. they mean a lot.
Enjoy your Sunday now :)



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iVillage Member
Registered: 01-22-2005
Sun, 06-07-2009 - 7:21am

That is absolutely FAN TAS TIC Donna,
The "I know I can, I know I can" attitude will get you everywhere.
I am so chuffed to see you were able to make your practice & then the race on the day!
Awesome & WTG!

The Woman Challenge - May 10-July 4, 2009 - womenshealth.gov - Join
iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2007
Mon, 06-08-2009 - 12:05pm

Thank you Rose, it sure was exciting and emotional too!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2007
Mon, 06-08-2009 - 12:07pm

Thank you, I loved everything about the race..I could get so addicted!

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2007
Mon, 06-08-2009 - 12:11pm

Thank you very much for your comments about the Race.


I've always had an, "I can do this" attitude about all things..unlessl I find that I actually can't do something, then I have to accept that and find a replacement to do. Life is good and filled with endless opportunities. :-)

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iVillage Member
Registered: 10-07-2008
Mon, 06-08-2009 - 12:15pm

Sorry about my picture...something goofed. Do you feel motivated for another one? Many do. My neighbor is into
running and will do 2 more I think.


I did the Turkey trot in November. It was ok...lots of people love those
events.


iVillage Member
Registered: 04-19-2005
Mon, 06-08-2009 - 12:28pm

{{{Donna}}}

Kuan - Mom to Lydia and Isaac
-  A setback is only there as long as you allow it to be.  <

iVillage Member
Registered: 04-27-2004
Mon, 06-08-2009 - 1:02pm
{{{{{Donna}}}}}

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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2007
Mon, 06-08-2009 - 1:27pm

Oh, yes, I do feel motivated to do another race. This was my third one and I love them! I prefer the ones that are fund raisers though and they don't come along very often and don't always have a 2K and I can't walk a 4K yet at this point. I'll build up to a


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iVillage Member
Registered: 03-14-2007
Mon, 06-08-2009 - 1:32pm

Thanks Kuan! This was my third race, but it's been a couple of years since the last one. Next year I have 5 lined up and hope to do them all. Fun that my husband loves doing them with me too and my best girlfriend & her hubby are moving back to town soon and will do at least some with us! Fun!

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