Every year as we have done for the past 5 years, my family chooses a 1/2 marathon location where we can all meet up, spend time together, and have those who don't want to race support those of us who do.Our first half together was San Antonio 2008. That year, my mother and my two sons and my now daughter-in-law ran their first half. Two of my sisters and my sister-in-law can always be counted on to come, and two of my brothers-in-law try to make it as well, one a finisher, one a spectator/supporter. My sisters' friends come and my friends come, and they are not always the same friends who come each year, but there are always friends. My youngest nephew, now age 7, has the last few years walked the last mile or so with his mother. As soon as he is old enough (12) he will be doing his first half in San Antonio. Last year we went off in a new direction and we all flew to Savannah to do that inaugural race. We always have a great time whenever we are together with lots of laughs and even better stories. We are discussing Cleveland or Pittsburg where we will meet up for next year, both of those being inaugural Rock and Roll races.
I have done the Rock and Roll half marathons in Nashville, Seattle, Phoenix, New Orleans (twice), Savannah (twice), Dallas (three times), Virginia Beach (twice), and of course, multiple times in San Antonio (four). I have also done the OKC half marathon, and many others as well.
There is a special feeling among these thousands of people, all of us competing for any number of reasons. I love this racing community, this extended family, this group of friends. I have seen some amazing things while doing these events, from people pushing loved ones in wheelchairs throughout the route, to people with physical hardships doing whatever they can to make it to the finish line. I see people in the 70's and 80's, including my mother, pushing through to the end. Life is for the living, and we are out there on the pavement seizing the day. I love that feeling.....
My brother and mother in the hotel lobby the morning of the race. My BFF sent us Salt Lake, Utah hats, and they made us celebrities for a day (can't imagine why she was able to get them on sale for $1 a piece!). Thank goodness my family has a fantastic sense of humor!
This is the second time Jo Dee Messina has run in the same RnR I was in. The first time was the RnR Phoenix inaugural back in 2003. Wow, how the years fly by!
Rock and Roll San Antonio 2012 medal. Love it!
My 78 year old mother after the race. She is amazing and such a wonderful role model!
Two of my sisters, my brother, my mother and me after the race. Woo hoo!!!
For me, this was the greatest! Jo Dee Messina still in running gear and wearing her finisher's medal as she wows the crowd with her music. I am a new fan!!
Tomorrow I am off to do my first ever Turkey Trot before heading to my friends' house for our traditional Thanksgiving get-together. Life is so very good to me!
Till next time...
Jill
