i did it!
my first 5k
ran the whole thing
AND THERE WERE HILLS!
so glad i didn't know that until i was inclining.
loved every last inch of it
can't wait to do it again.
i am officially a runner,
not a fast one mind you,
but a runner all the same.
i started to well up about 5 minutes into it...
fought back the tear,
so not an emotional person,
but the whole idea of setting this goal and attaining it is so overwhelming to me!
Then i started noticing on the backs of so many of the runners:
male female, child, adult, sons, daughters, husbands, wives, sisters, brothers, mothers and fathers
running for a cure for the people they love
tears again welling up!
it was an amazing race,
25,000 people all gathered together cheering and inspiring.
i even had my own cheering section...
{sign reads, "GO MOM, YOU ROCK!"}
CONGRATS!!!!!!!!!! How awesome that you accomplished your goal!!!!! You should be so proud of yourself! You are amazing! Hugs!
Posted by: Lynda Campbell | October 04, 2008 at 12:25 PM
Well done you! You have every right to be so proud of yourself. Many of us say things about losing weight, getting fit and running a race, but very few actually do it. You are so inspiring in many ways. Katherine, England x
Posted by: Katherine | October 04, 2008 at 12:32 PM
What an inspiration....I've enjoyed everything from your craft space to seeing you accomplish your running goal!!! Now only if I could run...it's a goal- I'm just not there yet.
Congrats to you!
Posted by: sara | October 04, 2008 at 12:33 PM
Congratulations! THAT is something to be proud of!
Posted by: Jess | October 04, 2008 at 12:36 PM
Congratulations! Looks like you had the best cheering section!
Posted by: Jackie Wood | October 04, 2008 at 12:41 PM
way to go donna!!!! congrats and what a great accomplishment iam such an emotional person so im tearing up reading this.
thanks for running for the cause.
blessings
jennie
Posted by: jennie | October 04, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Donna... your kids are right YOU ROCK! Congratulations for setting your goal and achieving it! I was awake really early this morning thought of you... sending positive vibes. Way to go!!!
Posted by: Sherry Mescher | October 04, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Congrats! take some rest now. Have a great weekend!
Posted by: syeda | October 04, 2008 at 12:49 PM
Woo hoo!! Congratulations! You can be proud of yourself! I have quite a few runners in my family and when I'm taking pics of them running, I get emotional and so proud of them. Sometimes I'm not sure if I got the pic because my eyes are so full of tears. :)
Posted by: Angie | October 04, 2008 at 12:51 PM
welcome to the world of running, I as an experienced runner will tell you it takes determination every day to get out there even when you don't feel like it. i have pushed myself to do things i thought my body could never do, but you are just beginning......congrats.
Posted by: not so mean girl | October 04, 2008 at 12:56 PM
I am so proud of you! You INSPIRED me (along with my family) to start running recently, and a few weeks ago I ran my first 5k as well. There is nothing like that rush you get when you cross that finish line for the first time! You go girl!
Posted by: Rachel Taylor | October 04, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Bless you for doing this run.
I lost an aunt to this disease.
She was 54.
Posted by: Dawn | October 04, 2008 at 12:59 PM
Woohoo!! I am so happy for you that you accomplished your goal and so thankful for the inspiration you give us!
Posted by: Melissa | October 04, 2008 at 01:10 PM
so cool ! happy 4 u . congrats
Posted by: nina | October 04, 2008 at 01:19 PM
Congrats! That's a great time for your first race!
Posted by: Cagte | October 04, 2008 at 01:25 PM
Congrats!!!
Posted by: Nancy L | October 04, 2008 at 01:30 PM
CONGRATULATIONS!! I know how you feel- not the running part ;) but the reading people's backs and tearing up- I did a walk/run when I lived in England for cancer. :) I cried the whole time. ;)
Posted by: Nicky H | October 04, 2008 at 01:33 PM
Congratulations - we in blogland are so proud of you!
Posted by: SusanC | October 04, 2008 at 01:34 PM
CONGRATS! RUN DONNA RUN!!!! now go hit the hot tub! Julie
Posted by: julie ross | October 04, 2008 at 02:07 PM
WOOHOO!!! Awesome goal to set and accomplish! I run tomarrow hope I have as much fun as you!!!!
Posted by: Stacey | October 04, 2008 at 02:35 PM
Congratulations Donna. There is something uplifting spiritually when you see that many people together for one cause. Amen.
Posted by: sherry | October 04, 2008 at 02:50 PM
Congrats Donna. So cool for you and YOU ROCK!
Posted by: Kelly | October 04, 2008 at 02:54 PM
Whoooo Hooooo! Congratulations on reaching another goal.. Must have felt awesome to hear the cheering and to run with all those people who were there for the same cause. And with your own cheering team, how special that must have felt. Scrapping this will be an emotional experience for you. I'm very proud that a fellow scrapper has reached another life altering goal.
Hugs,
PattiM
(Pattie's passion)
I Scrap So All Moments Are Remembered!!
Posted by: Patti Martin | October 04, 2008 at 03:02 PM
So Proud! Congratulations!!! I wish I could do something like that
Posted by: Courtney | October 04, 2008 at 03:16 PM
awesome!!!
winner winner chicken dinner!
Posted by: sue Treiber | October 04, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Congratulations Donna. You DO rock. :)
Posted by: Michael Ann | October 04, 2008 at 03:35 PM
michael and I had to check in and see how ya did and we are so proud of you! you go girl! yay! you did IT! when ya coming to run with US? ciao!
Posted by: Nadia | October 04, 2008 at 03:37 PM
Congrats Donna!!! That is an awesome accomplishment!!
Posted by: Sally | October 04, 2008 at 03:40 PM
HOORAY for you!!! So happy for you! You set a goal and went after it...you're such an inspiration.
Posted by: debi | October 04, 2008 at 03:51 PM
That is so so amazing Donna....you truly are an inspiration in so many ways.
Posted by: Kim | October 04, 2008 at 03:55 PM
Donna, You are awesome! and so totally inspiring. The doctor told me to exercise so more weight will come off--so I am enacting the Donna Downey exercise plan--start small and work up to bigger and better. Thanks!
Posted by: Tara | October 04, 2008 at 03:56 PM
What an inspiration. Great job.
Posted by: Maritza | October 04, 2008 at 04:30 PM
Congrats... I remember my first time I ran the whole thing and it felt so great. You have alot to be proud of, keep up the good work.
Posted by: Gina M | October 04, 2008 at 04:50 PM
KUDOS!!!!
Posted by: cam Betz | October 04, 2008 at 05:19 PM
Great Job! So excited for you. Tanya
Posted by: tanya | October 04, 2008 at 05:38 PM
Congratulations! What a accomplishment! Great cheering section too ;)
Posted by: Stéphanie Pouliot | October 04, 2008 at 05:50 PM
Wow, VERY WELL DONE!!! Congratulations! You must feel great and your family must be very proud of you!
Posted by: PJ | October 04, 2008 at 05:53 PM
I'm so happy for you! You may be inspiring me to get off my butt and focus on me...at least a little. Great JOB!
Posted by: hazel | October 04, 2008 at 05:53 PM
WOW WOW WOW!! Donna, we all knew that you could do it...but seriously, now that you know you can and have done it, is even better to see.
Looks and sounds like it was an amazing experience. Congrats and we are all so proud of our little cyber blogging buddy!
Posted by: Tegan | October 04, 2008 at 05:54 PM
YAY!!!! Congratulations!! I know there will be many more to come! You've been bitten by the bug for sure!
Posted by: Lisa Cohen | October 04, 2008 at 06:16 PM
Sweet! Congratulations!
Posted by: LesleMora | October 04, 2008 at 06:36 PM
CONGRATULATIONS DONNA! So happy for you and your grand achievment. YOU GO GIRL! DONNA ROCKS!
Posted by: Roberta Philbrick | October 04, 2008 at 06:41 PM
Ohmigosh I feel like a proud mama - thanks for sharing!
Posted by: Kirsten | October 04, 2008 at 06:42 PM
congrats!!! you are such an inspiration!!! way to go!!! you really do rock!
Posted by: Anna Willett | October 04, 2008 at 06:46 PM
Yeah Donna, what a great accomplishment!
Congratulations
Posted by: Tami | October 04, 2008 at 06:46 PM
AWESOME! Congratulations!
Posted by: Donese | October 04, 2008 at 07:14 PM
Way to go!!!
Posted by: Sandy | October 04, 2008 at 07:32 PM
CONGRATS CONGRATS CONGRATS - that is a life altering - emotionally uplifting accomplishment - OUTSTANDING!!!
Rock On Girlfriend!!!!
--Ellie
Posted by: ELLIE | October 04, 2008 at 07:34 PM
CONGRATS - What a great job and I so can understand the feeling - I finished my first official 5k today also at 36:12 and I can't wait to do another one !!!
Posted by: Maureen F. | October 04, 2008 at 07:34 PM
Congratulations! I lost 67 lbs several years ago and ran a 5K. My goal was 35 minutes and I did it just in about the time you did. I now need to lose weight again but I am exercising and have been contemplating another 5K because I loved it so much. I know how you are feeling-congrats again!!! That's awesome!
Posted by: Shannon | October 04, 2008 at 07:38 PM
Congratulations Donna!!! YOU really do ROCK!!! Inspiring in EVERY sense of the word!!! It's mind blowing what the body can do when the heart is behind it! This was on a fortune cookie I had today and it so fits this momentous occasion you took part in today....."Under all that we think, lives all that we believe."
Posted by: Erin H. | October 04, 2008 at 08:00 PM
AWESOME...you rock!
Posted by: Liz Ness | October 04, 2008 at 08:19 PM
Way to go, Donna!!!
Hugs,
Nancy
Posted by: minnifer35010 | October 04, 2008 at 08:42 PM
What a great accomplishment Donna! Congratulations!
Posted by: Jen | October 04, 2008 at 09:08 PM
So happy for you. I hope you learn to cry for joy often! It's all good, really. Best to you, the kids, and "ask Bill".
Lolly
Posted by: Lolly | October 04, 2008 at 09:37 PM
Congrats Donna! You should be extremely proud. You set a goal and attained it. What a great cheering section! Cute photos.
Susan
Posted by: Susan Tidwell | October 04, 2008 at 09:37 PM
I remember the very first 5K I ran was a race for the cure. That was 10 years ago. Still loving it! CONGRATULATIONS! Keep it up! It definitely keeps the head clear.
Posted by: celeste e | October 04, 2008 at 09:37 PM
well done you rock mum. heheheh
Posted by: marie | October 04, 2008 at 09:49 PM
Congrats :) You ROCK!!!
Posted by: jenn | October 04, 2008 at 09:51 PM
CONGRATS GIRL!!! You ROCK!!! Keep up the hard work! :):)
Posted by: Mary | October 04, 2008 at 10:00 PM
Congrats! WTG! U rock!
great job by U!
Posted by: Kate in OH | October 04, 2008 at 10:20 PM
Congrats Donna. You have worked so hard for this. You must be on cloud nine. You are an inspiration to the rest of us. Keep up the great things you do.
Posted by: Debbie | October 04, 2008 at 10:42 PM
you had a big cyber cheering squad as well - Yea You! i know this will be the first of many such races for you - so awesome!!!
Posted by: Shelly Fanning | October 04, 2008 at 10:50 PM
Way to go Donna!!!
What is next- another 5 km race or 10 km or half-marathon? You can do whatever you set your mind to- go for it!!!
Posted by: Tagyn | October 04, 2008 at 10:53 PM
Congrats. That is so nice to hear and inspiring too.
Posted by: kim/ohradiogirl | October 05, 2008 at 12:00 AM
This is wonderful. For "us" survivors of such a terrible disease...."thank you." You are appreciated!
Posted by: kimberly | October 05, 2008 at 06:22 AM
Congrats Donna, you did it!!!
Posted by: Suzette Lee | October 05, 2008 at 08:34 AM
congratulations to you! so awesome!
Posted by: Karen C. | October 05, 2008 at 08:53 AM
WAY TO GO!!! You are my hero!
Posted by: Kelli M | October 05, 2008 at 09:09 AM
This is just awesome Donna! WTG!!!
Posted by: Amanda | October 05, 2008 at 09:27 AM
Congratulations! I want to get back into running 5K's and eventually run my marathon! I haven't ran in a couple of years, since being 6 1/2 mths pregnant, but I know I will again soon!
Posted by: Angela W | October 05, 2008 at 09:34 AM
CONGRATULATIONS DONNA!!
That is truly awesome!!
Maybe I might be able to do it someday...
Posted by: Christine Campbell | October 05, 2008 at 09:47 AM
Thanks for sharing your journey! You have inspired many, many women, children, men!! All of us are proud of you and say Congrats! Thanks for being so enthusiastic about everything you do!
Posted by: Susan | October 05, 2008 at 09:51 AM
Wow, congratulations, Donna. What an awesome achievement! Well done on achieving your goal!!
Posted by: Jacqui | October 05, 2008 at 10:33 AM
i knew you could do it! you rock!
Posted by: Lisa F | October 05, 2008 at 10:45 AM