Race Report and Thank you.

Dear Friends and Family,

Race day was hard, but there was no way I was going to stop. I told a fellow Dana Farber runner that as he ran by me walking while I was taking in my water at 11 miles, but this was also right after we had both seen the first of at least 3 heat injuries that I passed - a girl on the side of the road, oxygen mask on and more EMT's arriving. The race folks were great, adding extra water stops and everything, but it was hot, really hot.

I'm still happy with my time though - if I had run as slow as I had expected to at 11 minute miles my time would have been 2:23, but at 5 miles I was comfortably running just under 10's and feeling like I was holding back still and looking forward to a near 2 hour run. Five more miles in the sun and rising temps later and I was still not breathing hard, but hot, hot, hot and getting little chills every now and then. So I played it smart, shifted to walk-run mode and slowed to about 11-12 minute miles to finish in 2:15.12

Thank you all who have added to my total since my last update - I hit my half way point on Sat and now am over the $2K mark and heading for the $3K finish line! Thank you - you guys are amazing! It's also not too late to donate and any amount is so appreciated. You were all there making sure that I kept moving, even when I wasn't running...the only thing missing were kids with squirt guns or a sprinkler! Who would have known we'd need that sort of thing the second weekend in October?

One last little story, I got on the T back to Back Bay and evesdropped on two fellow finishers talking about their showers and plans for lunch: they were headed to the Miracle of Science (where Nate and I had our first date) for burgers and beer and when I mentioned that little fact to them and started talking it turns out they were 2007 MIddlebury grads too! :-) They asked if I was in for the burgers, but I had a trip to Trader Joes on my agenda and I just couldn't head to the Miracle without Nate who was holding the fort at home in VT (actually building one in the living room!).

All in all a good day, made all the better by your wonderful support. Thank you again for your donations and thank you for supporting me and my run to kick cancer's butt!

All the best,

Kerry

http://www.rundanafarber.org/baahalf2011/rowgirlgoesrunning