Yesterday I participated in my first ever Race for the Cure. Thanks to some awesome organization from another asian girl, my team raised over $5,000 and included 50 some registered team members. I even raised $325!

Friday night I spent the night in Dupont at my friend A’s house (who also did the race with me), and after staying up until 2 am talking and watching Little Children (which was a great movie, but the book was better)…we dragged our asses out of bed at 6 am to head down to the mall.

When I arrived, I was suprised at how much it affected me. Through this whole time I knew I was doing this for a reason, but I never expected to feel the way I did when I saw all of the people walking with names on their backs in honor or remembrance of loved ones who battled breast cancer and maybe died. It made me think about how lucky I have been, and my family and friends…and it was amazing to see everyone out there, even if it was just for fun like me.

Considering that I have known I was going to do this race since March, I should have been in good shape to walk or jog it. Of course, that would also be assuming I worked out like I was supposed to and stretched (my muscles are very tight in my legs and hips and they hinder me walking long distances - I’ve worked out with two trainers and am supposed to be stretching it out, but yeah…I fail). On that note, I’m sore as hell today, I can barely walk. But it feels good you know, that I did it.

We started the race halfway through the runners start, we watched them run by and thought they weren’t going that fast, so we should run for a bit. Well, I made it about a block before I was like, nope…can’t run. My friend A went on ahead without me, and I walked the rest of the way (except for random bursts of jogging and the last block which I tried to jog through the walkers to end on an even time). I managed about 20 minute miles (I usually do about 15 minute ones so that isn’t too bad I guess) and finished in an hour. I figure that isn’t too bad for my first 5k and for not working out in over two weeks. Anyway, it feels good though, and I don’t mind the soreness. Now that I’ve done it, it makes me more excited about doing it next year, and cutting my time down to 45 minutes jogging or so. I know I can do it now, so it gives me a lot more inspiration and incentive for next year.