The Color Run (5K)

10.22.12

We went. We ran (but mostly walked). We conquered.

First, we arrived at the National Harbor, D.C., to the Gaylord National where we stayed the night before the Color Run. This hotel was simply amazing. We got a room with a balcony view over the atrium and there were birds flying around inside! There were stores and places to eat. We could have stayed there and had a fun time, but we went out and ventured around and it was a great little area to visit. My (12-year-old) son liked the hotel so much that he asked (at least 5 times) if we could live there. I can't blame him for asking. I didn't want to leave either. Here was the view from the balcony of our room:


The night before the race, we got all of our Color Run gear ready. I had been waiting for this 5K for so long that I actually had trouble sleeping the night before. I felt like a little kid on Christmas eve. It was a pretty big deal for me.

Just five months prior I was getting up from a wheelchair to walk on my own two feet for the first time in months. My left hip has felt strong ever since it was replaced. My right hip still worries me some, and I almost put off the Color Run because of it. I knew I could finish, but I was worried about the amount of pain I'd be in afterwards. It's hard to understand how anything physical becomes difficult until you've been sitting in a chair for four months -- your muscles get weak and you lose the stamina you once had. When I first started walking again, I'd get winded going from one side of the room to the other. There were times when I thought I'd never walk normal again, much less complete a 5K on even legs!

It's funny how I think now -- in terms of everything pre-operations vs. post-operations. Everything "post-operations" becomes a big deal. I constantly catch myself saying "I just did (insert activity here) for the first time since my surgeries."

Although I'd hoped I'd be able to walk/run a 5K, I wasn't real sure if it was possible. But it was, and I'm so glad I did it.

If you are considering doing a Color Run - do it! It is so much fun and an experience you will never forget. I am in pain now, but it's not as bad as it was yesterday, which is a good sign. We are thinking about traveling to a Glo Run next.

    Here are some tips/thoughts for others considering doing a Color Run:
  • Many people walked. If you don't run, it's OK. Just stay to the right.
  • Have a cover for your camera. I used a waterproof disposable camera. The photo quality wasn't all that great, but I didn't want to ruin a good camera.
  • Wear pants with pockets - they will come in handy.
  • Get creative with your outfit (there were LOTS of tutus)
  • The race packet came with a headband, the race bib and a Color Run tattoo. Other items are available when you check-in.
  • If you think you might be slower than the others, get near the start so that you can go in an early "wave."
  • Run through the color stations in circles so that you get fully covered.

I could go on and on about what an AWESOME experience this was for me, but here's most of it in photos. Shout out to my friend, Maureen, who didn't know she was going to have to take a million photos of my family during and after the race!


I'm going to go strike this one off of my bucket list now :-)

UPDATE: On Dec. 28th I was surprised and absolutely honored that The Color Run recognized me as a 'Color Runner Hero of 2012.' What a perfect way to end the year on a positive and inspiring note! Thank you so much, Color Run!


Here's a beautiful little girl named Pearl, who was also recognized by The Color Run. And she is MY hero!!!





"Thou hast turned for me my mourning into dancing; Thou hast loosed my sackcloth and girded me with gladness; That [my] soul may sing praise to Thee, and not be silent. O LORD my God, I will give thanks to Thee forever." -- Psalm 30:11-12

A Quick Update

10.15.12

I've been blog-slacking for the past month, but I wanted to give you all an update on things.

First, the long-awaited Color Run (5K) is this weekend! Because I was/am having some pain in my right hip, I was re-considering participating. I started to think that I should wait for a later Color Run, when I have had more time to recover. I had even told my husband, "Let's just wait," and he agreed.

But then I told my 12-year-old (who is also signed up) and he was devastated. I didn't think he would care, so his disappointment took me by surprise. It also made me sad. I didn't want to let him down. And honestly, I didn't want to let myself down either.

Let's face it -- my "recovery" is actually a way of life. I don't think that a year from now that I'll be any better off than I am today. In fact, my right hip could get worse. So I'm sticking to the plan and going for it. I'm sure I'll have to walk almost the whole thing, but it will still be a great accomplishment if I can finish, and I love that I get to share that experience with my husband and oldest son.

I managed to do some dancing at a wedding this past weekend and I even wore a pair of heels (not too high) for the first time in about a year. I'm paying for it a bit now because I am sore, but we had such a great time so it was worth it!

We also went to a local Fall Festival this month and walked around, which is something I couldn't have dreamed of doing a few months ago. Below is a video of a band that was playing there -- a family band from Virginia, The Hunts. They were awesome! I ordered their new CD and can't wait for it to get here!


I ask for all of your prayers and continued support as I prepare for the Color Run this weekend. I appreciate all of you so much!

I have a ton of new things to report, but I'm at this weird place now in my blog/story, where I can't decide if I want to "get personal" or "stay somewhat private."

There's a lot more to my story and I'm working up the courage to share some of it. I think that eventually I will, but that's why I've been a little "quiet" on my blog lately.

I can't wait to update you all on the Color Run and to share some more of my journey with you!

"But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why, for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." -- 2 Corinthians 12:9-10

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