Virtual 5k Run for Courtney

August 11, 2014 by Zucchini Runner in Running | 10 Comments

The great thing about the running community, is that you really only need to find out another person loves to run as much as you do — and then you are immediate friends. Back at the end of June, at the first ever #RunEatTweetAZ meet up, I felt that way x7! We all met at South Mountain’s San Juan road, ran some hot miles and headed off to breakfast afterwards. I left there happy as could be at all the new friendships and connections we had all made. You can read more about #RunEatTweetAZ from it’s creator, Jeremy Heath on his blog Confessions of an Amateur Athlete. There is also a Facebook page if you are interested in joining the group!

Saturday was our third meetup, and while I feel all our meetups are special, this one was extra special. It was the #RunEatTweetAZ Virtual 5k for Courtney. We know of Courtney through one of our fellow #RunEatTweetAZ members, Traci. Here is a blurb, pulled from Traci’s site, about Courtney’s situation:

At 21 years of age, Courtney has been diagnosed with a rare form of childhood liver cancer called Fibrolamellar Hepatocellular Carcinoma. On June 24th 2014, Courtney was admitted into Mayo Hospital in Phoenix to have a liver resection to remove part of her liver and a lymph node in her chest. Unfortunately, her surgeon discovered that the cancer had spread to the healthy part of her liver and the surgery could not be completed. She is currently seeking treatment from Mayo in conjunction with MD Anderson in Houston, TX. Friends and family have been helping as much as possible to assist with raising funds to help cover her medical costs and travel expenses during her battle. Please assit in participating in this Virtual 5k, or donate directly here.

As runner friends do, we all jumped at the opportunity to support Traci and Courtney in raising funds. A special thanks goes to Jeremy, for organizing this as our third meetup! We even created bibs, and I made a special keepsake one for Courtney per Traci’s request. 🙂

It was an early start to avoid the blistering AZ heat, so I set everything out the night before!

Early… but beautiful. 🙂

Jeremy (also known as the Selfie King) even let me test out his go-go-gadget extension arm for taking perfect running selfies. 🙂

There was no racing in this 5k, we always waited for the rest of the group at the street crossings. 🙂

There was some serious talking going on here between Sugar Coated Athlete and myself.

Snagged this great shot of my new buddy Da Silent Assasin, doesn’t this pic just make you smile? You can really feel the aloha 🙂

shane

After all the running was done, we of course went to breakfast and chatted for a good long while, until going about our “normal” days… at the ripe ole hour of 8:30 a.m.

Such a great group! From left to right: Cole (Traci’s son), Shane, Traci, Mike, Missy, Amy, Michelle and Jeremy. You can follow any of these awesome people on Instagram through these names/links: cole_story__bro, dasilentassassin, teporterrun4fun, photoaz33, sugarcoatedathlete, gofastmommy, runningthriteenpointone, and runner_blogger_az

To register, donate or participate in your own virtual 5k to support Courtney, please go to Traci’s website, anytime in the month of August.

Laughlin 5K and Colorado River Float

April 5, 2013 by Zucchini Runner in Life, Running | 2 Comments

It has become a habit lately to float down the Colorado River… don’t worry, we use kayak’s… we go with a group of fun friends and always have a blast! Coincidentally in April there is also a 5k and half marathon the morning of the float; a perfect duo for this runner. Last year, I did the half marathon and was too exhausted to fight the abnormal 40-50 mph winds that faced us on the river, and bailed early. This year, I opted for the 5k and was much happier! The wind was almost non-existent and the river was flowing quickly, too. It was incredible; just sit back and relax… ahhhh…

Doesn’t get much better than this…

At the start of last year’s half marathon, I was all smiles and happiness. This was of course before I realized how great a toll the road would take on my legs and ankles.

2012 – Before cutting out dairy and practicing Chi Running (I was also waving to my photographer friend here…)

By the time I crossed the finish line, I was OVER IT.

I was toast.

You see, this “road” race as it is classified, is actually on a Forest Service road, so it’s all pebble, sand, and some jagged rocks. Despite keeping an easy pace during last year’s half, I was spent. (See above photo!) There really is no taking it easy on this course, because every step forward really takes you a quarter step back. I’m SO glad I switched to the 5k this year. I pushed hard knowing it was only for 3.1 miles, not 13.1. I ended up finishing 3rd woman overall (out of 58) and 8th runner overall (out of 94). Not too bad! (24:25, not my best that’s for sure – but don’t tell my nephew that, he and I have a competition at the end of Summer… a “race to the death” 5k! hahaha)

If you look carefully in the background of the photo below, you can see Mr. ZucchiniRunner (I’ve always wanted to say that!), as a blur in his blue top and gray shorts, about to beat his personal best for a 5k! Woo hoo!

2013 – After cutting out dairy, lots of gluten and practicing Chi Running

After the race we had some laughs, got our medals and got saddled up to float down river!

Dan (a.k.a Mr. ZucchiniRunner), me and our friend Amy. We all placed! Woo hoo!

The photos and captions really speak for themselves on this one. So I will let you view them and enjoy! (You can click on them to enlarge and see the full caption…)