Race for the Cure 2008

So....as many of you know, the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure 2008 was held last Saturday in Birmingham. For those that don't know, it is to support breast cancer research. My best friend, Mary's grandmother was diagnosed with breast cancer not too long ago. She underwent a masectomy in September and is recovering very well (Praise Jesus!!!). Anyways, I wanted to do the race with Mary in honor of her grandmother and all the other survivors and in memory of those who have lost their lives to this terrible disease.
Okay, as many of you know.......I DON'T run, period. I don't like it, I get out of breath doing it, it makes me really sweaty, and I'm just plain lazy. BUT, this was something I really wanted to do. On Friday night, I went to bed around 10 in preparation to get up early and be ready. I woke up Saturday and was pumped about the race. I put on my running shorts (which I bought from Target the day before, because as I said, I DON'T run, so I don't have running clothes!), and my running shoes, and a pink t-shirt and geared up for the race. Mary and I met up and then drove to the race together. We had to park a few blocks away, so I assumed I was "warming up" by walking to the race site. We got to Linn Park and it was AMAZING! I have never seen so many people working together for one cause! There were over 13,000 people running the race and even more were there to support those who were running! It was an incredible site to see! So....this got me really pumped up and I was really thinking I could do this! The race was a 5K (3.2 miles to be exact). To make a long story short.....Mary and I ran/walked the entire race! Although, as I crossed the finish line, I was seriously thinking, "Okay, where can I throw up at?! There are too many people around and I don't want to embarass myself!". Thankfully, I held myself together and didn't get sick. We finished in about 50 minutes and I was actually proud of that! I can't tell you the last time I walked farther than the distance from the nursing station to the room at the end of the hall, haha! I felt really good about the 50 minutes until I talked to my cousin.....the Marine. He said, "Oh, I can do a 5K in about 18 minutes!". Geeez.....that made me feel good! However, he is in shape and I am not, so I will continue to be proud of myself.
Today is Monday and I am still feeling the soreness! My husband had to push me out of bed yesterday morning and I walked like an old lady!! I tried to walk out some of the soreness last night, but I'm thinking it didn't help. I will continue to walk and try to get in shape, because this race showed me I am obviously NOT as healthy as I thought! The race about killed me, but I would do it again in a heartbeat because it was for a good cause!!!!!