The Marathon!

I know I usually reserve this blog for "family" activities... but since SO MANY people have supported me throughout this journey, I wanted to be able to share it with all of you. First off, the Leukemia Lymphoma Society is an amazing organization! To be part of something that helps families (especially children!!) with not only innovative treatments, but also financial support is a wonderful thing. Throughout this process, I have heard countless stories of how the LLS has helped others. Through my marathon webpage, WE raised $3225 for the LLS. Woo hoo!! In total, $10 MILLION dollars was raised from this race. Unbelievable.

San Francisco was amazing... from start to finish! From finding my name on the wall at Nike Town, to running over the Golden Gate Bridge with my team, to hearing so many sweet spectators cheering me on by name, to finally crossing the finish line after 26.2 miles... it was all incredible! I just wanted to share some of the most memorable parts of my race.

To start, I always love race signs. I wanted to share some of the most memorable:

*Chafe now, Wine Later.*
*If P. Diddy can run a marathon, you can too.*
*You think you're tired, try holding a sign and waiting for you to finish.*
*You can run faster than Paul Ryan!*
*You INSPIRE Me (held by two little boys).*
*A picture of Ryan Gosling that said, "Hey Girl, that fuel belt makes your butt look amazing."*
*I run for those who can't. (on the back of a shirt)*
*Taking baby steps, for my baby who didn't. (on the back of a shirt)*
*Toenails are for sissies.*
*Worst parade ever.*
*26.2! Because 26.3 is just crazy!*

At the start line, it was dark, pretty cold, and PACKED. Really packed. There were 25,000 participants in this race. I started in the 10:00-11:59 corral. I'm usually between a 9:20-9:40 minute mile, but I knew I wouldn't maintain that for the distance of the race. Well, for the first 8 miles or so, I spent running on the sidewalk to pass people. Next time I'll know to start in a faster corral. Mile 6 was the biggest incline I have ever run in my life. The course is described as "quite hilly and difficult." They weren't kidding! I saw the hill from about a half mile away and thought "oh my gosh!!" I did it though and that was the worst of the course. Around miles 10 and 11, the full marathoners split off from the half marathoners. That was nice!! There were far fewer full marathons, so we had much more room. I was able to breeze through the first half having the best half of my life. It was awesome!! After running all summer in the south Louisiana humidity, the breeze of San Fran provided PERFECT running conditions. My extremely hot natured husband would have loved it! Up until mile 16, I stayed with the 4:40 (4 hour 40 minute full marathon) pace group. I really thought I might be able to finish with this group!! At some point around this time, I was running beside a lady who had run over 400 marathons and she was having an "easy" race today... just trying to finish. Seriously?? I was running my little heart out and this was an "easy" day for her! Around mile 18, I could no longer see the 4:40 pace group. I was getting a little slower. Miles 19-23 were the most boring and "not fun" miles. We were running around Lake Merced and it was small incline, after small incline, after small incline. I was so ready to get around that lake and get to the Great Highway!!! Around mile 21, a lady obviously going through chemo was holding a sign that said "Run For Me." As I was approaching, she yelled, "Run for me, Rebecca." As she and the whole crowd started yelling my name, the tears started falling! Wow. Emotional is an understatement. Around mile 24, my body began to hurt and physically shake. I stopped for about two seconds and a man came behind me and grabbed my hand. He said, "I've been behind you this whole race. You are so close, and you CAN'T stop now." That was just what I needed. There is so much camaraderie in running. That stranger helped me get to the finish line UNDER my time goal.

That's it! I'm a MARATHONER! I completed the race in 4:54.10. It is a tradition of this race to jump in the Pacific after you've crossed the finish line. Not this girl! I may be tough in my running, but there is no way I was getting in COLD water!

Will I run another one? Absolutely! In fact, in January with Chad! :) I can't wait to share this experience with him. I will also definitely run another race with the LLS. My team is amazing... ALL HEART. Many started as non-runners, and completed their first half marathons while raising money for an incredible cause.

Thank you EVERYONE for the prayers, encouragement, donations, and for letting me run for your loved ones!! I thought of them constantly throughout this race. Any time I wanted to stop, I would tell myself, "I'm running for those who can't." That kept me going. THANK YOU!

So exciting!!! Just arriving at the Nike Expotique!

My name on the wall at Nike Town. This is when it started to get real! 

Some of my team before we ran across the Golden Gate Bridge. 

Beautiful view from the top!

After our run across the bridge. Definitely one of the highlights of the trip! Beautiful! 

The race is done! I am a MARATHONER! And yes, I am TIRED!

At the Victory Dinner with some of my sweet team mates! 

My partner in crime, Tiffany! How are we still standing?

Happy Birthday, Dear Parker! Happy Birthday, TO YOU!!

I just realized I never shared pictures from Parker's birthday party last month! I posted them on facebook, but not everyone that reads our blog is on fb. Parker had a Curious George themed 1st birthday party! It was so nice having ALL of our family here... including Mema and Papa! Parker deserves SO MUCH celebration with all that he has been through! He wasn't feeling so hot that week, so he had to take several naps throughout his party day. But he LOVED his cake!!! Nothing can stop this sweet boy! WE LOVE PARKER KURTZ!!

Woo Hoo, We're One and Two!!

Yep, we are proud parents of TWO toddlers!! Hard to believe that Parker is ONE! This blog is long overdue. It has been a busy month!! We've had many changes this month with me going back to work. The boys have a WONDERFUL nanny and we feel so blessed to have her. Brooks and Parker have done very well with the adjustment. I had a HARD time the first two weeks, but I am doing much better now too. These boys are just too precious to leave each day!

Parker is such an amazing ONE year old! He is now done with bottles and continues to amaze us with his growing palate and cuisine. We still haven't found anything he doesn't like. He's got 8 pretty teeth (almost 9) and the most handsome mullet you've ever seen! Yes, his hair is getting pretty long in the back. I'm not ready to cut it just yet though. He's also a fantastic walker!!! This baby is fast! We've had more sick days than usual this month... and even a trip to the ER. To explain, Brooks has brought home some germs from Mother's Day Out. Well, when Parker gets something small, it usually becomes something bigger and an episode begins. We are keeping our fingers crossed that these germs will stay away for a while. Otherwise, Parker is just perfect!! AND Perfect Parker now weighs in at 24 pounds!! He has the sweetest, white belly!

Brooks is an amazing, big TWO year old! He is really doing wonderful at school. His teachers love him and he walks into school like a big boy (he goes two mornings a week). He can now show you and tell you, "I'm ooh (two.)" He's also repeating many new words. He is even saying his Nanny's name. He calls her "rice" (her name is Bryce:)). Parker's eating habits are even beginning to rub off on big brother Brooks. Brooks will now eat cheese slices and fruit cups. He's in a typical picky toddler stage, so that's a big deal! Brooks is really enjoying doing crafts at school each day, and always paints me pictures that are green. Guess that's his favorite color! They are beautiful works of art!!

My sweet little blue eyed boy!

Grocery shopping with Mommy. 

This boy is a PRO at driving this little battery operated car. 

"I'm Ooh." 

You wouldn't know it by looking at him, but Parker has  a temp of 103.9 in this pic. Right after he received his breathing treatments, he walked around that hospital like he owned the place! Tough cookie!!!

Happy baby on his new riding toy! 

Daddy and Anabelle at the "Yappy Halloween" festivities. Ana is wearing her pumpkin costume. 

Me, Parker, and Anabelle at "Yappy Halloween." Brooks was too busy chasing doggies to get in the picture! 

Brooks thinks our halloween decorations are hilarious!! He loves those crows. 

Brooks sporting his purple and gold!

Parker wears purple and gold too! 

My little snuggle bunnies!! They are so cuddly in their pjs! 

Our sweet boy is ONE!