Race for the Cure....Hawaiian style

Another early weekend morning for me....today was Susan G. Komen's Race for the Cure in Honolulu. Hundreds (thousands? not sure on numbers) of runners, walkers, survivors, kids, and families gathered this morning at Kapi'olani park to celebrate the Race for the Cure. I had signed up with the Hawaii Pacific Healthcare team and met some co-workers at the hospital's tent. I wasn't sure how the actual race would go, since I've barely been working out (let alone training!) and I know all-too-well how painful 5K's can be. My only goal for the day was to not puke up my Clif bar breakfast.

The race started at a fast pace and, per my habit, I went out too hard. By the end of the first mile my lungs and legs were screaming. I knew there was only one girl ahead of me, though, so I sucked it up and kept going. If the race had been 4.9K, I would have finished second female. This chick running a full-out sprint passed me right at the damn end of the race, though, and dropped me into 3rd place. It was all good, though....they gave the top 3 men and women these cool hand-carved Koa wood running-man pendants. And it was really inspirational to chill afterwards in the park and listen to the survivors tell their stories. Yay for a fun morning!