Dec 22, 2007 9:07 PM
Hills?? Knoxville RR (longer than expected)
Embarrassing as this is (being the last to post a RR) I can just say ditto to everything Pie, LR,TW & Vista have to say!
Steve and I left for Knoxville at 6:30 Saturday morning anticipating lots of fun and memories. Our weekend couldn't have been any better. We realized during our trip that the clouds were becoming darker and multiplying in number so odds of a dry Sunday were pretty slim. We got all checked in and headed out to the Expo to pick up all my "stuff". Was trying to find my number when I heard "munchkn?"...turned around and there stood Jim and Vicki...I was so excited to see them! We made our introductions all around and then Terry came out and introductions were done again. While there Steve actually purchased a new pair of running shoes which I'm hoping will motivate him to start up again. I miss the early morning jogs we used to have. After picking up everything, we headed out in hopes of finding an orange running shirt...didn't happen.
Dinner was great! Terry had everything planned and was a wonderful host. Vista, TomWhite & Pickles were also there when we arrived and were already drinking their brews and eating a big plate of nachos. Not being shy, I just dug right in to the nachos...with permission from TomWhite, of course. Jim & Vicki came in a few minutes later and Vickie just looked at me with a "oh, no" look. I knew she, Jim & Terry had checked out the course and ask her if we should just forget about the race. I couldn't have had a more enjoyable "pre-race" meal and company.
Race morning was uneventful since I had everything already in order. After dressing, eating a bagel & drinking water I headed down to the start line to look for Vicki. We finally saw each other. Vicki had on the cutest Mickey Mouse skirt. Shortly after arriving the bottom fell out and everyone scattered. Vickie and I went to the safest place during a storm...under the trees! It was interesting to begin a race in the dark. Vicki and I stayed together for the first mile and then separated. The hills were actually not as bad as expected, but were difficult enough. Just a little drizzle to keep us cool and the road slippery. Finishing in Neyland Stadium was quite an honor...this is the only way I was ever going to get down on the field! I was so excited about my time (3:14.47) that I forgot to look at the jumbotron. I did, however, remember to look up and not down at my watch! Steve was the best cheerleader...finding me five times and screaming at the top of his lungs. After a couple of times, two women ask me if I was "Donna". Even though I wanted to say "no", I admitted I was. Steve had a giant towel for me at the end which was wonderful. We headed off to eat and while there two walkers came up and told me I had inspired them when they heard me say I was a 2X BC survivor. They told me their pace was usually 17 min., but kept me in sight...finishing in 3:17! I was blown away. We then left for home. Trip back was a little hard since we had to stop about every hour for me to get out and stretch. I'm sure some of the people at the Rest Stops wondered why I was walking strangely.
Best part for last --- Steve was interviewed by one of the Knoxville CBS affiliates and we were on TV last night. Go to www.volunteertv.com[/URL" target="_blank"> and click the video about marathon support. He is now wondering if he'll make it big in television...I told him not to quit his day job anytime soon!
Medical report -- Avastin treatment today. The oncologist is setting up a mammogram, CT scan and Bone scan this month. Trying to get my file up-to-date. Please pray that these scans show all is clear.
Thank you all for everything. Boomers Rock!! Hopefully I'll be posting pics later tonight.
http://This message has been edited by munchkn883 (edited Apr-02-2007).
http://This message has been edited by munchkn883 (edited Apr-02-2007).
Steve and I left for Knoxville at 6:30 Saturday morning anticipating lots of fun and memories. Our weekend couldn't have been any better. We realized during our trip that the clouds were becoming darker and multiplying in number so odds of a dry Sunday were pretty slim. We got all checked in and headed out to the Expo to pick up all my "stuff". Was trying to find my number when I heard "munchkn?"...turned around and there stood Jim and Vicki...I was so excited to see them! We made our introductions all around and then Terry came out and introductions were done again. While there Steve actually purchased a new pair of running shoes which I'm hoping will motivate him to start up again. I miss the early morning jogs we used to have. After picking up everything, we headed out in hopes of finding an orange running shirt...didn't happen.
Dinner was great! Terry had everything planned and was a wonderful host. Vista, TomWhite & Pickles were also there when we arrived and were already drinking their brews and eating a big plate of nachos. Not being shy, I just dug right in to the nachos...with permission from TomWhite, of course. Jim & Vicki came in a few minutes later and Vickie just looked at me with a "oh, no" look. I knew she, Jim & Terry had checked out the course and ask her if we should just forget about the race. I couldn't have had a more enjoyable "pre-race" meal and company.
Race morning was uneventful since I had everything already in order. After dressing, eating a bagel & drinking water I headed down to the start line to look for Vicki. We finally saw each other. Vicki had on the cutest Mickey Mouse skirt. Shortly after arriving the bottom fell out and everyone scattered. Vickie and I went to the safest place during a storm...under the trees! It was interesting to begin a race in the dark. Vicki and I stayed together for the first mile and then separated. The hills were actually not as bad as expected, but were difficult enough. Just a little drizzle to keep us cool and the road slippery. Finishing in Neyland Stadium was quite an honor...this is the only way I was ever going to get down on the field! I was so excited about my time (3:14.47) that I forgot to look at the jumbotron. I did, however, remember to look up and not down at my watch! Steve was the best cheerleader...finding me five times and screaming at the top of his lungs. After a couple of times, two women ask me if I was "Donna". Even though I wanted to say "no", I admitted I was. Steve had a giant towel for me at the end which was wonderful. We headed off to eat and while there two walkers came up and told me I had inspired them when they heard me say I was a 2X BC survivor. They told me their pace was usually 17 min., but kept me in sight...finishing in 3:17! I was blown away. We then left for home. Trip back was a little hard since we had to stop about every hour for me to get out and stretch. I'm sure some of the people at the Rest Stops wondered why I was walking strangely.
Best part for last --- Steve was interviewed by one of the Knoxville CBS affiliates and we were on TV last night. Go to www.volunteertv.com[/URL" target="_blank"> and click the video about marathon support. He is now wondering if he'll make it big in television...I told him not to quit his day job anytime soon!
Medical report -- Avastin treatment today. The oncologist is setting up a mammogram, CT scan and Bone scan this month. Trying to get my file up-to-date. Please pray that these scans show all is clear.
Thank you all for everything. Boomers Rock!! Hopefully I'll be posting pics later tonight.
http://This message has been edited by munchkn883 (edited Apr-02-2007).
http://This message has been edited by munchkn883 (edited Apr-02-2007).
