The Race For the Cure!!!!

Our journey began 11 weeks ago, after having a close co-worker become diagnosed with breast cancer and watching a cousin lose her battle (leaving behind two young children and a husband), I thought this is it. The perfect way to honor all those who battle this disease, whether won or lost, this could be an amazing experience for Brie and I. After following the coolest training program, Brie and I were ready. Novices to running, we were down to just over a 9 minute mile for me and about an 8.5 minute mile for Brie. The laughs, frustrations, perseverance, and sore muscles we've shared up to this day will be some of my most cherished memories. All the training physically however could not come close to preparing us for what was in store this morning.

We left at 5:30 with only 31 degrees registering on the thermometer. 90% of the other racers were bundled in wool hats, scarves, mittens, coats etc... Brie and I were standing there shivering in just our standard issued t's from the race organization and running pants/tennis shoes and Ipods. With face paint on our arms they looked at us like we were heading for a polar plunge somewhere. We were shocked by this because there were very experienced racers among them. By mile 1, we were racing past everyone very comfortably, no one was laughing now as they had to stop and shed all those layers.

After hearing and seeing over 15,000 people participate in this 5k race (the 2nd largest in their history); seeing the families touched and torn apart, young and old; cheerleaders performing all along the path (MN Vikings cheerleaders too); the drum role from a high school band; the rock n roll band at the fire station; community members lining the streets; it was just one of the most beautiful things I could ever be a part of. I cried during some lovely young lady's performance of the national anthem at the starting line, then again at mile 2 when we caught up to a Daddy with his two little girls running for their Mommy who went home just shy of a year ago, and buckets came out when Brie and I, hand in hand, crossed that finish line. This was so much more than a race, it was something amazing that I did with my little girl and a celebration for a tremendous cause. One of the best Mother's Day's ever! Seeing Conner & Steve at the finish line was the icing on the cake. We'll be back in 2011, hopefully with as many family and friends we can round up!

Hope everyone had an amazing day, we love you!

Conner playing hide and seek with Daddy on their way to the finish line after seeing us start!

Just after crossing the finish line!

We ran in honor of Kris Wesley (home going 8/20/08 @ 3pm), Sherri Lemanczyk (her last treatment is tomorrow & she walked today!!!!), Gma Reese, and Gma Grochow!

Brienna, your Mommy, Daddy, and little brother are sooo proud of you!

Thanks for such a wonderful Mother's Day gift!





Some of our cheering section (the other is behind the camera!)

Team Reese! With so many runners it was like dodge ball more than anything and extremely difficult to keep any kind of pace. We finished in just under 29 minutes with very muddy shoes from running on peoples wet lawns (yep, that was the only place you wouldn't run into people walking). Brie was an expert at weaving through the crowd, Mommy just had to keep up!

We'll be back in 2011 - anyone wanna join us?