On Saturday daughter #2 and I ran in the 2011 Live Strong Dolphin Run 5k. As you know, I've been running for a couple years now and have completed a few 5k's each year, this year was no different. A co-worker told me about this run and I was up for the challenge. While talking to my daughter, she decided she would like to run with me. She works out with her boyfriend all the time but they never really run. I signed us up and we were ready, or at least I was ready. The morning of the race, I could see that she was a bit nervous, but all went well. We got there, we watched the kids run the 1 mile run, then it was our turn. I told her not to wait for me as I'm a slow runner. The gun went off and we were running! I could see my daughter a bit in front of me, I just kept my pace and watched her. There is a point in all my runs that I start to hurt and therefore go somewhere in my head and start to think. I think about my day, my yesterday, my dreams, my hopes, my family, my work and I solve all the worlds problems. Well, maybe not all that, but I think about everything. This gets me thru my run. Back to Saturday, we are about 1 mile from the finish and daughter starts walking, as I run up next to her I ask, "What's wrong?" "My side hurts" she says. So I start the coaching, "Come on you can do it" "Let's run a little slower" "We are almost there" all those encouraging words. Along the end of this run there are quotes by Lance Armstrong, as I come up to a quote I read it to her. As we approach the finish line I say to her "Let's sprint, you are not going to let your Momma beat you are you?" Well she picked it up and ran across the finish line about 2-3 seconds ahead of me. It was wonderful to come across the line with my daughter. I was so proud of her and proud of myself and proud that we could come out and support a great cause. Cancer is a terrible disease and we all have to do what we can to fight it. Thanks Daughter #2 for running with me, I love you!
