i did it!

this weekend was one of the most amazing experiences of my life!!!!!! it was absolutely AWESOME! i arrived in san diego on saturday and met bucket at the expo! i picked up my number and timing chip and tshirt! it was all setting in now! bucket left since she was there before me and luis and i spent some time walking around getting free stuff and just enjoying the expo.

after that, we checked into our hotels, went bday shopping for some clothes for luis, and then ran back to the hotel to catch the shuttle from the hotel back to the expo for the TNT Pasta Party. Phenominal speakers, good food, great friends and supporters! AMAZING!!!!! my mentor, barbara gave me a surprise gift bag with some champange! great person! very lucky to have been assigned to her! left the dinner and went to the hotel.

laid out all my stuff for out 3:30am wake up call! crystle joined us and put her name on her jersey and hung out a bit. took some pictures of me being a dork! my entire family came by to wish us luck. went to sleep!

five hours later, bucket woke me up with "good morning princess!" and it was game time. made it to the lobby at 4am. met up with crystle and headed out to the shuttle. took the shuttle to the race, saw the sunrise, checked in all of our stuff, portapotty puking! (don't ask). and looked for bucket's running mate, lupe. found lupe and moved into our corral!

stood for the beautiful anthem of our country and tried not to cry and then it started and we were off!!!!!!

the race itself, could not be put into words! just an amazing experience! gayla, as always, was an inspiration who made this race possible for me to finish! possibly, one of the most incredible people i have ever met in my life! supporters, survivors, strangers, family and friends cheering us on! participants helping one another. the incredible volunteers and cheerleaders. just amazing. fought back tears at moments after seeing pictures on backs of runners of friends and family that have died from leukemia and lymphoma.

just amazing! crossed the finish line and had bucket by my side soon after and could not believe the experience i just had! received my medal and meet up with family members. overall, just amazing! like crystle, i cannot wait for the next one!

we had a team victory party and had dinner together. went back to the hotel, iced and slept. woke up this morning, iced some more, took luis to breakfast for his birthday, and drove home. still icing and resting!

a little lot sore today- but hell, beats chemo! if anyone is considering participating in something like this- DO IT!!!!!!

you will never forget the experience!