Race for the Cure 2012

I've done Race for the Cure a couple times before, but this year's was definitely the most memorable one yet. It was back at the end of October but I realized I hadn't posted on it yet and the pics are just too funny to forget. This year Mom and Dad walked it with Jackie and I. And Jackie's friend Liz walked with us too. And it is thanks to Liz and her infectious passion for the race that this year was so memorable!

Can't wait for next year and some more wacky costumes!

A note for next year...

If you think you missed seeing Matt run by, you probably did.

Today was the Living History Farms 7 mile cross country run. It was Matt's first time running, and my first time watching. Before the race started Matt and I picked out a meeting spot - the law office in the old town. Very responsible of us. However, I wanted to watch him race too. So I found a spot not to far from the start line to watch the masses run by and hopefully get a glimpse of Matt. No luck.

Then I followed a bunch of other bystanders out into the woods to one of the creek crossings on the course. I got a good spot and was there plenty early because it was 10-15 minutes before the first runner came by. I continued to watch every runner go by and even cheered on random people. After awhile I started wondering where Matt was - but I hadn't seen any of the other girls I knew that were also running so I didn't worry about. More runners went by and then I saw some of the girls but no Matt. More runners. No Matt. Other friends I knew. No Matt. Finally I just decided I should head back to our designated spot.

On my walk back I got a call from a random Illinois number. It was Matt. He was done and worried about where I was at. Oops. He'd been done with the race for over a half hour. I had COMPLETELY missed him. I was so bummed. He ran it in 1:19. So fast! So next race when I start to get nervous that I missed him - I probably did and I should head to the finish line.


I was planning on posting a really fabulous running-through-the-mud picture of Matt but since I didn't get that shot, here's a pre-race pic.

IMT (Half) Marathon

I'm such a proud wife! Matt ran his first half marathon last weekend and he did awesome! Becky and Stacey ran it with him and they did great too but this wasn't their first. It was fun but a bit chaotic trying to figure out where to cheer them on. We missed seeing them cross the finish line but got to see them at the start and at mile 9 and 11.

Aunt Peggy flew in from New Jersey and it was so great spending the weekend with her too. On Sunday after the race, Mike & Kathy and Courtney all came over for a holiday-like dinner (lunch). Both Kathy and Peggy turn 60 this fall so we celebrated their special birthday. And Mike got a little shout out too since his 62nd bday happened last week. It was a bummer that Conley and Kelly weren't able to come but it was still a really great celebration.

Color Run Fun!

It seems like ages ago when we first heard that the Color Run - the world's happiest 5k was coming to Des Moines. So when the much anticipated event finally arrived on Saturday it had some pretty high expectations to meet. Unfortunately it was the coldest day of the fall so far - the high was only 45 degrees. But 27,000 people got all bundled up (well some were dumb and didn't) in as much white clothing as possible and headed down to the Capital to spend the afternoon going crazy!

Since there were so many people there plus because it was so cold, I was a little bit miserable waiting to get started. They were only releasing 1000 participants at a time onto the course and by they time we made it to the front of the line we were group 14 or 15. So yeah... we had to wait awhile. Once we got onto the course there were 4 stations spread out over the 3 miles and each station was a different color. Volunteers squirted a colored corn starch substance at the participants as they passed through each area.

We decided it would be more fun to walk the 5k and we also decided to make a small stop on the final stretch at Capital Pub and Hot Dogs. We were really hoping we could all get hot dogs but apparently they were out so we purchased a beer instead. We eventually made it to the finish line where they were through a huge color party.

And this is where it really got fun....When we picked up our race packets everyone was given a packet of color. They promised it was well worth it to hold on the packet until the end. It was a little difficult to be so patient (especially when we were just standing in the cold waiting to start) but it did end up being worth it. Everyone was standing in a big crowd and every 5-10 minutes they did a count down to release your color into the air. We all got completely drenched in color! It was great! Definitely the best part. We danced and went crazy and even did a conga line. Our group consensus is that instead of a 5k it would be more fun as a 1 mile fun run. That way it would be a constant color explosion. But overall we had a great time and can't wait for next year!

Here are my amateur photos from the event. Once the professional ones are posted I can share those too.



BEFORE...



Huxley's Fun Run

Every year Huxley celebrates the start of school / end of summer with PrairieFest. And as part of PrairieFest there is a 5k and 10k run/walk. Our house is on the route and last year we heard some neighbors cheering on the runners while we continued to stay in bed. This year we decided to participate. I signed up for the 5k and Matt and Becky both decided to do the 10k.

Matt and Becky were rock stars! Becky got first in her age range and Matt got 2nd in his!