For those of you who have been impatiently waiting, the Drama of Drool is back. After two back-to-back weekends in Birmingham, life is slowly but surely returning to normal! I am happy to report that Nana is home from the hospital and is getting better every day. Thanks for all your prayers!
So while I am sure most of you were snuggling up with your sweetheart this Valentine's Day weekend, my brother and I, along with several friends, thought it would be fun to spend V-Day running the 2010 Mercedes Relay Marathon (26.2 miles!).
My brother Graham has his own personal training business (G57 Fitness & Training) and put together a men's & women's relay team to run the Mercedes Marathon. I was honored to be asked to participate! So while Dan, headed to Nashville for a swim meet, I put the dogs up at the pet spa and headed towards Birmingham.
The goal all along was obviously to beat the boys, and we sure came close. So while Graham recruited the Samford University Offensive Line to run the men's relay, the girls team of course consisted of super speedy gorgeous models! The night before the race, Coach Graham whipped out his notebook (which meant business) and announced leg assignments. Then we were promptly sent to bed. We only had to be up 5 hours later, so what was the rush?
Luckily, I was running the second to last leg which was only a 5K. Any more than that and you would have seen this one laying in the ditch somewhere in downtown B'ham. However, poor Graham and his girlfriend AJ drew the dreaded 12K legs which not only were the longest, but were the last legs of the race!
Race day came early (5:30 am to be exact), and I was only 15 minutes late. Just enough to give Graham a mild heart attack to think we weren't coming! Got to start the day off with a bang!
Adrenaline was pumping, and the thousands of people & news cameras everywhere made it even more exciting! We each went off to our starting points of the race with anticipation. As the race progressed, it was finally my turn.
As I began to run, I was instantly transported to my past. I ran by the B&A Warehouse where we had our wedding rehearsal dinner, then I jogged past Bartow area, where my college graduation was held. Next I was passing the UAB pool, where I spent many of hours life guarding and swimming. Then it was through the UAB campus, and that's when I started daydreaming of my college days. I began to drift back into consciousness when I saw my dad standing on the sidewalk cheering me on! As I turned my final corner, I saw my finish point. It came much faster than I had anticipated. I guess the scenery and the daydreaming helped.
Nearing the finish, I knew we were behind the boys, but the look in AJ's face as I passed off the baton made me think she was going to track Graham down and leave him in the dust. At the hand-off, I looked up and saw the best Valentine's Day present of all, my husband! He drove all the way from Nashville, just to watch me race. That friends, is a true expression of love :)
We headed to the finish to watch Graham & AJ bring us home. Graham hauled it across the line for a total relay time of under 4 hours, with AJ finishing shortly after. The boys finished 12th & the girls finished 13th! Not bad for a days work. Next year, the girls will come home with the title I feel pretty certain.
It was one of the best weekends ever. Nothing like having your family & friends cheer you on!
I am so proud of my little brother for pulling together this event. He is truly passionate about fitness and its contagious. I highly recommend you checking out his G57 personal training page.
Sweaty Siblings!
G57 Fitness Women's Relay Team
