Running for Peaches.......Pittsburgh Marathon 5.6.12

Ron and I took a trip to Pittsburgh to visit his sister and family from Pitt and Baltimore. Peaches has been in a battle against breast cancer since last November. She is a beautiful person, full of life and a fighter with an amazing sense of humor. Peaches has successfully completed all of her chemo treatments but it left her with Parkinson's like symptoms and will have another surgery on May 22. We love her dearly and are praying for a successful outcome. I ran the Pitt Marathon for her  and she got the medal cause she is going to kick cancer in the a@! and make it to the finish line......yaaaaay~

Beautiful Peaches and Rose

Jeff and Ronald
Thank you so much Jeff for everything- we love you!  And you are the bestest party giver and chef....yowsssaay, yowsssaaay!

It was an extremely full fast paced four days. Pittsburgh is a lovely city to visit and is known as the City of Bridges. I thought it would be congested, noisy and busy to the max. But I was pleasantly surprised that it was quite the opposite. It definitely has the east coast vibe and big city ways, but with the charm of a laid back southern town.

I spent a wonderful morning at the expo with Elana, we've been communicating via Facebook for about two years. We finally had an opportunity to meet. I had such a super time visiting with Elana and getting to know her.

I was beyond excited on race morning!!  Athletes filled the dowtown streets and were rarin' to go. Just incredible energy The course was CRAZY in a major way. 25,000 participants were shoulder to shoulder literally until about mile 11 when the runs separated. The course went thru thirteen historic and vibrant neighborhoods. The spectators, fluid stations, cheerleaders and 60 bands were a constant and enjoyable distraction-entertainment throughout the 26.2 miles.  A special thank you to Aunt Barb and her crew for being in the crowd and handing out fluids.  The best sign that I saw said "You've trained harder than Kim Kardashian".......lol. The temp had reached to 80 degrees by the end of the race. Running in heat is with no shade is not the truth. After adjusting to the elements, I worked the course and finished like a brown bombshell~powerhouse.

Sometimes it's easy to take running for granted or forget why you run. But seeing runners that are physically challenged or who are trying their hardest are the truest reminders. I believe that we are all in this amazing life together and should encourage each other to do and be the best we can and press on.

Each friend represents a world in us, a world not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born..........Anais Nin.  ( most favorite quote in the world ;D)

p.s. confession time....The Bloomfield neighborhood had spectators dancing and drinking-partying oh so early in the morning! So as luck would have it, I stopped at their fluid station and picked up a cup that looked like it had beer in it . And er ummmm, it was beer and there was only one thing I coud possibly do with it- consume it and keep running!