soccermum.net

So ..... I've been meaning to scribe this post since Sunday afternoon; before the pure euphoria wore off (and incidentally it is now Thursday and it has worn off for a reason - but more on that later).

On Sunday 10^th May, I ran in the 8km Mothers Day Classic .  The MDC is a fundraising event for breast cancer research.  It has essentially become Australia's largest charity fun run/walk.  It started in 1998 with just 1,800 walkers, but has now grown into a national event with at least 67,000 Australians putting on their running shoes for research.  What remains so special about the event is that, despite its size it still retains that sense of community and family that makes it such a wonderful day to be part of.

I don't remember participating in such a group event (apart from going off my head at a rave with thousands of other like minded people) and I have to say it was truly exhilarating.  I didn't let the 4.30am rise put me off, the rain or the chill in the air.  Nor did the butterflies in my stomach or the fact that I had only been training for about 3 weeks deter me from completing my goal of running the entire 8km without stopping.  This event was a lot more than I had bargained for.  Whilst running in a pack of wolves (yes, despite being a charity event, people were serious contenders), I reflected on why I was there over and over again.  People would swan past with badges on their backs paying tribute to family/friends who may have passed from breast cancer.  It was early morning, it was raining, the backdrop of the course was beautiful and serene, I had Keith Urban playing in my Ipod and I was puffing, panting and holding back the tears.  With each step I became more determined to complete the run, not stop, and not give up.  I had a responsibility to show my respect to the woman who may have been taken too early because of this illness.

The last 500 metres were a godsend.  I put a sprint into my stride and burst over the finish line.  I felt my face torn between exhaustion and anguish - not a good look, but it was over and I was PROUD.

Last night I logged onto my computer and received my official finishing time of 56 minutes and a link from Supersport Images.  Yep, some dude had been lurking in the bushes taking snaps of the runners hoping to sell them off to each participant.  I eagerly clicked on the link to view my action shots.  I thought I looked pretty damn cool running along mouthing the words to Keith Urban and Pink; but I guess not.  There in front of me is ..... me, looking double chinned, a look of severe concentration and carrying an ever so slight muffin out of the front of my gym pants.  Right about now euphoria had worn off.

There is always next year to better my time.  Note to self: wear a pair of Nancy Ganz!