Saturday, June 12, 2010

12-of-12: June 2010

What an amazing, incredible, exciting day!  
A perfect day for the 12-of-12.

Thanks to Chad Darnell for starting this project - 12 photos, on the 12th day, of each of the 12 months.  Check on his and the other 12ers' photos at his website, then join in next month!


8am:  Off to the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure in Buffalo, NY.  
This year is the 10th anniversary of the 5K run/fun walk.  As I left my driveway I was hoping and hoping and hoping for no rain.  The weather folks said 50% chance starting late morning, 80% chance starting around 1pm.  YIKES!
Lots of PINK!

9am:  Arrival at Delaware Park, Buffalo, NY
Here I am with my teammates - we are Althea's Army! (that's me on the far left)

My first timing chip (the circular thing on my shoe)! I'm officially official.   Yes, my shoes are pink - they are also officially official - Susan G. Komen New Balance Shoes!

9:45am:
At this point, I turned all my stuff over to my friend and first "guest photographer" for the 12-of-12, Phyllis.  She offered to snap a bunch of shots along the race route since she was walking and I was running.   
Thanks a million, Phyllis!  You took some great shots, really capturing the events of the day!

10am:  The Race begins!
I'm off and running... hoping to set a personal best (it's gotta be, since it's my first race.  Right?)  During training, my best 5K was 37 minutes.
Cheerleaders at every mile...

... and almost 8,000 runners, walkers, strollers, dogs, and wheelchairs.

11am:  Relaxing and listening to the awards ceremony.
What a gorgeous place to celebrate... the Delaware Park Rose Garden.
My time?  36:10 minutes.  I did it, bested my 5K personal record.  It was a tough run - hot, humid - but it was a great challenge.  I have to thank my friend Melissa's boyfriend, Dave, for the coaching/motivation/jokes along the way.  I would have succumbed to walking around the 2.5 mile mark if it wasn't for him.

Noon:  Spit for the Cure
WHAT?!?!
Yep, you're reading correctly.
I shared some of my DNA with Roswell Park Cancer Institute before I left today's event.  RPCI's research group is collecting samples to investigate the differences between cancer patients, cancer survivors, and non-cancer patients - to see if there's a genetic link to the disease.  I have no idea what will happen with my "donation", but at least I know I'm helping with science!


4pm:  Home, a berry nice thing!
Strawberries are fresh - just picked today - so it's jam-making time!
First batch is done, I can't wait to have toast tomorrow morning.  (Hmmm, do I really need to wait till morning?)


A View from the Porch:
The gardens and the lawn have grown and grown.  The leaves have really filled in, too.  Check out the Trumpet Vine on the tree, it's gone crazy!!  No flowers yet, but soon.  In the meantime, I should probably mow the lawn, it needs it.


Happy June!  Enjoy the summer!  

Oh, if you're interested in the rest of the set that didn't make the "officially official" June 12-of-12, click here.

P.S.  Next time I post here, I hope to be able to call myself a TRIATHLETE!  
(July 3rd, here I come!)

11 comments:

TJ said...

Nice 12 of 12, pink is a good colour especially when it's connected to such a good cause. I really like the picture of the rose garden, what a lovely spot. Thank you for sharing part of your day and I look forward to next months pictures...

raindogthoughts said...

Great pics, and kudos for contributing to such a great cause.

TICKLEBEAR said...

in the picture where you're all getting ready to start, you guys look like you're all yawning...
:D~
congrats on breaking your personal record and for doing this at all!!!

so,
how was the strawberry jam?
you cheated?!?
:)~
HUGZ

Sunny Archibald said...

Yeah for you for running a 5K and beating your personal best. All for a good cause, too. The rose garden is gorgeous, and your back yard is really nice, too. I love all the trees. See you next month.

Pete said...

Congratulations on a great time Jill, look forward to being able to call you a triathlete next month. I'm very impressed you could take photos while on the run too :)

seifenmacherin said...

Congratulation breaking your personal record! As I don´t like to run, I alway play a Pink Ribbon Golf Turnament!

See you next month,
Ursl

Eliane Zimmermann said...

lovely pinkish 12er! i like the pink running logo, simple but extremely creative.

Buffalo Girl said...

great job Jill! [PMR]

mymusicallungs said...

Absolutely gorgeous, Jill.
I thoroughly support your race for the cure-and all that pink!
Must make some strawberry jam this year too-we did marmalade in February:

http://mymusicallungs.wordpress.com/2010/02/02/medicinal-marmalade-medical-mystery-myopathic-muscles/

Also loved the green of your pictures-lovely!
Thanks for visiting my blog!

Regina said...

Pink is such a great color, especially combined with green ... and the Rose Garden does look gorgeous!
PS: Knitting socks is dead easy and great fun, you should have another go ...

Dogeared said...

I like the logo on the tshirt - and well done on a PB! I gave up and walked part of the races I've done, I just give up too easily! Also, how did the Boobie car not make the actual 12?!?

Enjoy the jam and your very green garden!