It's For a Good Cause

The sculpture to honor Sarah Leary

I knew I was doing a 5K today. As I heard it pouring on the roof last night I kept hoping it would stop. This is what I read last night on Monica's blog (Aaaaahhh!  It's almost the weekend.  All I know is I didn't  pay to get up early, drive a minimum of 30 minutes, be completely nervous, wait in line at a port-o-potty and run.  I get to sleep in. I LOVE, LOVE SLEEPING!!)  I laughed out loud when I read it BUT I did pay to get up early,(actually I paid when I got there, I wasn't even pre-registered and I still went,)  drive almost 1 hour, use a port-o-potty when it was FREEZING out and pouring.  I can't say I got nervous.  I was too cold!!  I got to play the "What should I wear game with T." I ended up wearing shorts and a short sleeve shirt with a "rain resistant" jacket. She had on shorts but brought pants that she changed in to!!!! Oh well, I'm tough I thought before the race began. 

Umbrellas umbrellas everywhere

In the car before the race questioning our sanity

Beautiful barn at the farm where the race began and ended

This is also where the race began when we ran through the field!

But first why was  I there?  I didn't need a race for May. I already ran one and have another one at the end of the month. But the cause for this race just touched me.  Let me give you some of the history.  It was put on by the family of a teenager who died in a car accident last year on Mother's Day. No drugs or drinking were involved simply inexperience.  The race took place at the farm where the accident occurred. There was a beautiful sculpture at the spot, the design of which has also been used on stationary, t-shirts and jewelry.  The race was to benefit a scholarship. Sarah Leary, the student who died particularly loved to travel. The proceeds of the race go to help local high school students travel who otherwise might not be able to.  The artist who designed the sculpture sang the Star Spangled Banner and everyone joined in. Then everyone sang You are My Sunshine. I really choked up at that and I didn't know the girl.  Her brother blew the horn to start the race.  I believe all of her family ran it. It had the feel of a  Susan Komen event.  Many many people walked and had obviously not done something like this before. Going 3.1 miles was a big deal for many people. One young woman did it on crutches and remember it was raining out. One girl did it on roller skates.  It was a very heart warming race. I am sure I am leaving a lot out.  Her mother spoke with a great deal of grace thanking everyone.  So many people turned out on this miserable day.

Back to my race report.  The farm we were at was in a beautiful location.  We couldn't figure out where the race started. The map showed this road we couldn't find.WELL! That is because there was no road.  The first half mile of this race was through a field!  Not with a road, just through a field. Well I worried about falling and got completely soaked. When I came out of the field I felt like I had dead legs half a mile into the race. But the rest of the race was on the road, hilly but bearable.  It was quite pretty even on this overcast day.  When  I looked at my Garmin later I wasn't surprised at my slow first mile (around 9:30) but was surprised at my slow second mile (9:37) because I thought I had picked it up. My last mile was in the 8s with my overall pace being 9:03.  I am always disappointed not to be in the 8s but oh well.  There is always next time.  It was a fun race to see the warmth and caring people showed.  T went with me which is always a plus especially on such  a foul day. About 300 runners were registered but only 200 or so ran. I could give you my race stats - they sound very good overall but so many people weren't runners that the stats are inflated in my favor.  I was 3rd in my age group with T being second. I wanted her to come with me, why??? Just Kidding T. Come to every race with me!!! 

The finish up a short hill

We did it!

The sponsors list on the back of the t-shirt in a star

Front of the t-shirt

Once again the sculpture