When I first came up with the ridiculously grand idea of signing up to run a half marathon, I wanted to run for a reason, a cause. So, I began researching NC Team In Training (TNT), the largest sports endurance training & fundraising program in the fight against cancer. I had a few friends who had participated in TNT, so I was familiar with the organization & their mission. But even so, I still had a slight bit of hesitation about this whole half marathon idea. It wasn't until I had attended a TNT meet n' greet at Raleigh Running Outfitters, where I was being fitted for shoes that I knew I was meant to be a part of the TNT mission. I became a member of Team In Training that night!
Now, you're probably sitting there wondering "what the hell does a pair of shoes have to do with "knowing" anything"? Well....on 11 November 2012, my friend, a member of my rugby family, Paigeann (or "P" as we often call her), lost her battle to the wicked witch known as cancer. P was a very strong woman & she fought back several times over before losing her battle to the wicked witch. In between each of her hard fought battles, P had become involved with TNT completing both half AND full marathons!! At that time, I was only running local 5K's for cancer due to the compartment syndrome issues going on in my legs. But we always supported one another in our "runs". That was something special that we always shared between us each year. So you can imagine how much I missed her this year.
P & I held a very successful raffle at the
rugby tourney in June 2010 to raise dollars for cancer!
I had surgery on both my legs 5mons later (Nov 2010).
I had surgery on both my legs 5mons later (Nov 2010).
P was a very selfless person with a smile as bright as the north star. I loved her from the moment I met her for so many reasons. Here's a few: She was an amazing mom, she was a wonderful wife (god bless her for taking on the task of keeping Jonny in check, haha) and she was a fabulous friend. I loved her b/c she is one of the few people I know with legit common sense on so many topics & situations. We got along famously b/c of this btw. I loved her b/c like me she believes very strongly in tiaras!! I loved her b/c we shared a high level of enthusiasm for the awesomeness that can be found on a clearance rack. I loved her b/c we shared the same joy in mailing random cards or a little box with a surprise in it to friends & family. I loved her b/c she was a woman of character & she didn't take any crap. The list goes on and on....
P also had a flair about her that was not only fabulous, but captivating. She colored her hair a wild & bold pinkish-red color. She was a classy wine connoisseur. She LOVED all things that sparkled and she preferred bright colors (i.e. orange, hot pink, purple, etc.). Which brings me back to the original point of all this as it pertains to my running shoes. The pair of shoes that they fitted me to that evening was a very wild pink/orange shoe with some neon lime green accents. There's no doubt in my mind that P had a hand in picking out these shoes. Hence being the moment where I knew that joining TNT was going to be one of the best decisions I had ever made. However, let it also be known that P didn't stop at just my shoes. It was late in the summer & I had stopped into a store to look for an extra pair of compression shorts. I was of course amongst the clearance racks and there before my very eyes was what would become my electric orange race day pants!!! I feel certain that P made it her angelic duty to ensure that I was dressed nothing short of spectacular on race day by overseeing my racing wardrobe from start to finish (no pun intended)!
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