City of Laguna Hills Memorial Day half marathon, 10k, 5k

This one is/was for my Dad to celebrate his service with the United States Marine Corps.  I was originally just going to do the 10k for the event since I had been having some feet/leg issues but when Renegade Racing announced they were doing a 5 year salute to the Armed Forces and this year would start with the USMC, I knew I had to do the half so I could bring home the biggest bling for my Dad.

I lost track of how many times I cried Monday morning while out on the course, while walking around the finish area, while thinking about how much my Dad means to me.  I was hoping for as close to a 3 hour finish time as possible but around mile 9 I knew that was slowly slipping away from me.  There were a lot of factors keeping me from pushing.  Part was knowing it didn't matter how hard I pushed, it was still a finish and I had an ultra in 2 weeks I needed to be ready for.  The other part keeping me from pushing was the emotion of it all.

I met some great people out there.  Two gentlemen were doing their first ever half marathons.  Their wives had both finished multiple half events, and both had at least one full marathons done.  These men were inspired by the Memorial Day holiday and the salute to all of our service men and women.  They were both veterans themselves I learned while sharing a few miles with them.  Was even able to help one by handing off some sports beans, as he was just hungry and hadn't planned for it.  He slowly slipped behind me but before I knew it, he was speeding past right at the finish.  Guess all the burping after he ate the sports beans was just what he needed.

When I got home and presented him with first his new event shirt, and then the medal, he was speechless for a moment.  He was standing maybe a foot away from me as he took the medal in his hands and turned it around and over looking at ever part of it, even the lanyard.  He then took my face in his hands and kissed my forehead, then pulled me close and help me for a minute before kissing my forehead again, looking me in the eyes and thanking me.

I tried to get him to pose for a picture with me wearing the shirt and medal but he just smiled and kept reading his newspaper.  May add a photo of that some day when he just happens to put on his new running shirt.

To all of our service men and women, both past and present and future, THANK YOU for all you sacrifice for all of us.  And THANK YOU to your families as well for sharing you with the rest of us.

Sempra Fi!

One of my favorite parts of the race.  Photo credit to Lance Null

Running strong around mile 7.  Decided to pull up my sleeves so I could even out the farmer tan a little.  Photo credit to Lance Null

Enjoying good friends and fellow Renegade Racing team members at the finish area.  Photo credit to Bill Voong.

I feel so blessed to have been a part of this celebratory event.  It was so much fun to see families out enjoying the day and the concert and other things happening at the finish line festivities.  Looking forward to seeing everyone again next year!