We Ran Vegas!

The girls have all gone back home and Chris and I are left here in Vegas to reflect on our post race experience. It was a wonderful PNP weekend filled with laughter, running, dancing and shopping.

The race was awesome. Everyone finished and with good times. Bill and Lorie renewed their vows along the course and Chris and I took three different potty breaks. The first at the Venetian right by the poker room and let me say it was hard to walk out of there. But, we are athletes and can't let poker stand in the way of earning that t-shirt. Kathleen and Tammi finished together and Jessica, our jack rabbit, was the first to cross the line and await the rest of us. I think everyone was very pleased to have accomplished the different goals they had set for this race.

If you want to check out pictures from our vacation, you can go here to view them. We don't have photos yet from the race itself. These are just some shots of us all clowing around during the trip.

I want to tell my fellow runners something. I am so happy for each and everyone of you. It's one thing to run these events as a fit person, but it's a whole new level of pride, dedication, and achievement when you have come from weight struggles. I know how easy it is to doubt you can do it, wonder if you are able to push your body that hard, and overcome (for some of us) a lifetime of thinking you will never be an athlete. Sunday morning you each proved something to yourself: you truly can achieve what you set your mind to.

Bill, your story is so touching. At age four you almost lost your leg to cancer. You never thought you could be a runner and now you are already planning to crash at the Crabtree Crib for another 13 miles in April. How amazing it is that you were able to shut down your demons and finish this race.

Kathleen and Tammi, the two of you have become so much more than workout partners. By setting and working towards the goal of becomming "hot mommas" you have found more than a fitter, better looking you. You have found friendship and now you have an experience together you won't soon forget.

Lorie and Chris, your personal trainer is very proud of you. I know the two of you didn't have the time to prepare like you wanted, but each of you dug deep down and refused to do anything but finish this race. I think out of all of us I am most proud of the two of you because the one thing the you have talked about is challenging each other to do it again, and to see what happens when you put more into pre-race conditioning. It's awesome that you just want to see if you can keep doing more. (Let's not forget that two of you hate exercise. :))

Jessica, my little Hog Fan. You know how great a runner you are and I'm so happy you are part of PNP. I loved hanging out with you, enjoyed your beautiful smile, and was inspired by your determination to WIN! I know you are going to meet any goal you set for youself. I promise from now on that second to UT I will root for the Arkansas Razorbacks. I don't know that I've ever met anyone so ate up with love for a school like you have. It's awesome!

To all of you, I had a great time and am a little sad you are gone. I won't be able to walk by ***'s Last Resort without remembering us dancing on stage, see the Rio without thinking about "look Ma, no underwear" or hear an Elvis song without thinking of ya'll laughing at Chris and I's "club" we get freaky at. But, those are stories best left to everyone's imagination.

I'll be back to blogging next Monday everyone. Have a great week while I sleep and play poker.