Run Bitches Run!

This weeks blog entry will mostly be a photo essay.   Last week in Oklahoma City it was all about me, this week it was all about my girl Helaine.  She has REALLY come far in her running. Brad took this nice picture of us before the Prairie Fire 1/2 Marathon this last Sunday.  Since I won't be "training" again until June 1st, I want to simply enjoy running for the beauty of it.  It was especially fun to be a spectator and a cheerleader at last Sundays race.  Lisa, Barb, Tameka, Annie and Michelle were all trained and ready for their first half marathon.  I was one of the helpers this past spring with the Start to Finish program that GoRun offers to runner.  I felt like a proud parent as I was going around and taking pictures. It was so much fun to see the excitement of the runners through their eyes.  Look how cute Carrie was before her race! The two Stacie's were ready to go too (did any of you see them on the news, I did!)  Nancy was running her first 1/2 Marathon and so were Monica and Mary Ann.  I had heard on dailymile and facebook many thanks for the support during the race and that for some my running with them just a little bit and/or being "right" in the place they needed support really helped them.  All I can say my runner friends is to return the favor.  Annette N. is one of my biggest cheerleaders and seems to say what I need to hear and when I need to hear it.  Shawndra has paced me in a race and she returned the favor on Sunday to a first time half marathoner.  Sometimes the best place to be is on the sidelines.  After the race officially started I took off in the opposite direction.  I had planned on doing my cheering aka yelling "RUN BITCHES RUN!"  at the 9 mile point.  Why 9 miles?  For me 9 miles in the half was always the hardest part.  So I ran back and forth and eventually joined Barb. Kathy had joined Abi to help run her in.  Now for an ethical question.  Was I a bandit?  Technically no as I did not run the entire course and I did not take any water/gu on the route.  As Barb and I headed to the finish-line I left her to cross the finish-line alone!  Some might feel that I was a bandit but I just felt like I was a coach helping a runner along.  I ask you now all to return the favor.  I am going to start volunteering at races.  I am cutting down to just 4-5 races a year.  I know for sure I will do the Prairie Fire Full Marathon, a fall half marathon (leading up to PF), a spring 1/2 Marathon (Helaine wants to do OKC!) and the East vs. West 5K (Victory in the Valley was so good to my Mom).  I will be volunteering at The South Side Scorcher and other upcoming runs.

Helaine and I before the Prarie Fire Half Marathon.  !

 Lisa, Barb, Tameka, Annie and Michelle before the race

Cute, cute Carrie before the race.

Stacy x 2 before the race

Angie and her husband at mile 9

Nancy before her first 1/2 Marathon

Monica and Mary Ann before the race

Barb and I after the 1/2 Marathon

The beautiful Shawndra running with a friend. 

Annette my hero (in the orange).