Race for the Cure 2009

Yesterday was the Susan Komen Race for the Cure in Evansville. Gary and I had talked about participating for several years (although in years past it would have been as walkers), and this year we finally signed up. I also convinced my niece Erin to run with us. After hearing that there were thousands of people who either walk or run in the race, I was a bit apprehensive because of my bouts with crowd anxiety, but I was determined to run.

My Aunt Loretta died of breast cancer 2 1/2 years ago. She was an amazing woman who never failed to encourage others, and always brought joy with her no matter the situation. She raised four great men, and was a wonderful wife to my Uncle Dave (who also died of cancer), and a constant friend and confidant to my mother. Yesterday I ran in her memory.

I had no idea what to expect when we arrived at the riverfront. What I witnessed was both emotional and uplifting. Over 900 survivors in pink shirts walked along Main Street as a testament to the value of Komen research. As I listened to the speakers and watched the survivors and their families, I found myself fighting back tears. I thought about how I wished that my aunt was in the survivor walk. I also thought about how I could have just as easily been among those ladies in pink had things turned out differently in the spring. I had always joked that because I am so small, I would never have to worry about breast cancer. Then this past spring I found a lump. It scared me, and it scared Gary. The next day on my prep, I went to see Dr. Ress. He felt that it was only a cyst, but scheduled an appointment for me at the St. Mary's Breast Center that same week. I had just had a mammogram in December, so they had my records. Gary and I went to the appointment trying to remain positive, yet one can't help but wonder what if...They did another mammogram, and then came out and said that I also needed an ultrasound. Dr. Lackey read the ultrasound, and explained that what I had was a cyst (it's about an inch in diameter). It would never turn to cancer, but I still needed to be proactive and go to see them anytime I felt a change. Thank goodness, I had a positive outcome, but I must admit that I am very aware that one never knows when life can take an unexpected (and unwanted) turn.

So we listened, and we ran. After being among the crowd and listening to the stories, I was no longer concerned with how fast I ran; I just wanted to be a part of that awesome day. The run was amazing. The weather was perfect, and the route was pretty. There was entertainment along the way, from cheerleaders to a karate school, from dancers to church choirs. Erin and I ran together, so that pushed me to run faster, yet it was easy. She took off ahead the last 1/2 mile, and I was getting tired and nauseated, but I thought of my aunt. The weariness and discomfort that I was feeling was nothing compared with what she went through as she battled cancer. What an incredible feeling as I crossed that finish line! And while I say I wasn't concerned about times, I was thrilled to find that I had beaten my best time! I ran it in 28:09. To put that in perspective, I ran my first 5K in over 33 minutes; that's 11 minute miles. Yesterday I ran 9:17 minutes/mile!!! What a day! Erin ran in 28:09, and could have run it faster had she not stuck with me for so long (but I am glad she did).

It will be some time before another race has that type of impact on my husband and me. Even Addison, who just went along for the ride (and the shopping afterward) said that if she had any idea what that event was like, she would have at least walked in it. Next year! For now, we are running next weekend in a 5K sponsored by Owensboro Christian Church, and the next weekend we will run in a 5K in Rockport, and Erin will once again run with us - hopefully she will run her race to see just how fast she can complete a 5k!