1st Race: Ukrops Monument 10k March 28, 2009

 Location: Richmond
Registration: $30
Cause: Massey Cancer Center
Time: 74 minutes

I have had to do a lot of running in my days, from those suicides at volleyball practice in 7th grade to the miles upon miles we ran gearing up for field hockey season in college. But through all that I had never competed in a "race" much less attempted 6.2 miles at one time.  As stated in my disclaimor, running wasn't my first choice of fun activities.  And writing this now I can't actually remember how I ended up signing up for the Ukrops Monument 10k.  This was well before I started my goal and well before I enjoyed running.  Living in Richmond at the time I think it just seemed like the thing to do.  So Ted (boyfriend at the time and gentlemen in the neon yellow jumpsuit) and I signed up for our first 10k.  And with very, very little training I went out there and somehow finished.  I remember enjoying my first race with good friends, a wonderful family and an amazing atmosphere.  But it also took me a large meal, a long nap and almost 12 months of recovery before I laced up my running shoes again. 

"The world is round and the place which may seem like the end may also be only the beginning". -Ivy Baker