The race

Sunday was the race for Team Stephanie!
We got up at 5am and traveled to Cleveland
from the burbs
and it was freezing!
Literally.

I was totally nervous before the race
about finishing
about accomplishing
what I had been telling everyone
and myself
what I could do
run 6.2 miles,
running the entire way.

I met all my friends at the cathedral steps
that ironically I took a picture of the night before
and we all met, hugged,
and Elaine (my friend from Boston)
who I couldn't have done it without
and I made out way closer to the front with the runners.
And we began.

It is so amazing to run with a sea of people like that
You can feel the momentum of the group
the excitement
it pushes you
and before I knew it we had ran 2 miles without even trying
then we hit our stride
towards the end we hit a pretty steady uphill climb
and I didn't think I could make it
but Elaine wouldn't let me walk
and we persevered and we finished in 1 hour and 7 minutes
under 11 minute miles.
When you're a runner
(which apparently I am)
your time becomes important.
It just matters.
It shows your progress.

This race is one of the greatest accomplishments of my life
to set this goal and reach it
every day I trained for it I thought of Stephanie
every day.
I would put my ipod on and whisper
"For Stephie."
And during the race I thought of her.
I ran for her
because she can't
because she never will
and I can
and how dare I take one day for granted
take one experience for granted
take one breath for granted.

I am so thankful for this body
that I have
yes, the one I hated for so many years.
Because look what it allowed me to do.
What it ALLOWS me to do.
I will treat is thankfully
and gratefully for the rest of my life.
I am grateful for walking this Earth
for feeling the cold
for breathing the air
for selfless friends.
So many people gave time out of their weekends
their lives
for Stephanie
for my family.
And I am grateful for everyone of them.

A video is coming with the pictures
so many pictures.
But here are a few...

My sister and I


Team Stephanie


And me finishing with great excitement!


I'm going to write a blog about my friends
the ones I have met through Rosie
the ones that came for the race
the ones that could make it.
I can't seem to put into words how I feel
I am so touched and so grateful
more on that later...