Movember... formerly known as the month of
November, has quickly become one of the
biggest promoters for
prostate and testicular cancer around the world!!! At the start of the month, men everywhere participate by
clean shaving for the last time... or at least until the
end of the month... and then the
race is on! Facial hair is
grown,
trimmed, and
sculpted into a multitude of
styles and
fashions. Hubs was a
dear and took part, even letting my
donators have say in the final outcome of his mustache. Although hub's mustache is
already styled, you can still help out by
donating on my page
here.
All proceeds are going to
The Prostate Cancer Charity.
My way of
helping and promoting awareness (since I obviously
can't grow a 'stache!) was to sign up for one of the many
local races held here in London and
fundraising for the main charity... what else?
It's what I do!!! So this past Sunday, I woke up
bright and early to meet up with some of the gals,
sport our mustaches, and
run our little hearts out! Here is a brief recap:
Getting There: what can I say except it was a
nightmare!!! The
day before and even the
morning of, I double checked the
transportation I should take, ensuring to get me to the race with
plenty of leisure time so I could relax and stretch. Well that
never happened... thank you
tfl journey planner for saying a specific bus was
running when it wasn't... three bus time slots later and
still no bus I started to
panic and opted for an
alternate route... cutting it really close to the
end of registration time. Luckily
I made it, was able to
register, put on my
mustache, and even took some
pictures with the gals... phew!
The Race: We had a
quick aerobic warm up to get the
muscles loose and the
juices flowing... plus it was a little
chilly so it helped to
literally warm us up. Since I had opted to run the
5k at Battersea Park, I had decided that I would concentrate on my
race time rather than the race length... and so I said
goodbye to the gals at the start line and ran off to try and reach
my goal of running less than 10 minute miles. I have to say the weather that day was
perfect for running... it was chilly enough to help with my
endurance but not too cold that
long sleeves and pants wouldn't cut it. The day was also
overcast so I didn't have to worry about
sun shining into my eyes and blinding me... basically my idea of the
ideal running conditions, in the
fifties and overcast =) I made it around the park
(we had to lap it twice) pretty easily but not without my
'stache falling off due to sweat. I stuck it to my palm and kept my hand in a
fist for safe keeping. I was so
hyped up and
enjoying people watching... oh the
fancy dress and
mustaches I saw! I also got a
shot out from hubs via the dj and hearing my
name being called out
made my day!!!
A mixture of
nerves and excitement kept me going
stronger and quicker than my usual pace. I started to feel a bit of
cramping into my second lap, and saw some people
slowing down to walk which made me want to
stop too and walk for a bit... oh it's all so
mental sometimes. But I kept pushing on, knowing I was
fully capable of running 6 miles non stop let alone 5K... I was
determined to run the whole thing and at my
new faster pace. I remember the
last stretch, as I turned the corner and
saw the finish line at the end of about a
300 yard stretch. Adrenaline fueled through me and
I broke out into a sprint... where that sudden
burst of energy came from I have
no idea as I already thought I was
going as fast as I could. Right near the end, I noticed a
camera man squatted down and
taking pictures of runners as they neared the end. I ran straight towards him,
smile beaming on my face, and
mustache stuck on my open palm... you can see the pictures
here and
here. Flying through the finish line
I couldn't stop smiling... and
running for that matter, I almost ran past the people
handing out medals! And to make a sweet moment
even sweeter, there was hubs, with his
grinning mustache, waiting for me at the
finish line.
Post Race: After
catching my breath, realizing I had
met my personal goal,
kissing hubs, eying my
medal, posing for
pictures, and
finding the gals again, it was
time to celebrate!!! We headed off to find some
coffee and a
brunch spot to stuff our faces. Really
happy and pleased with ourselves, we
feasted on all things
breakfasty and t
oasted with bloody marys... eagerly chatting away about our plans for
next year's mo run...
1. hubs on day 20 of the growing 2. debuting the winning mustache 3. will i make it to the race???
4. made it and feeling great!!! 5. the ladies with 'staches 6. we're on a horse 7. beat my personal goal
8. mustache on a medal 9. winners brunch post race 10. mustaches 11. my treat to myself!!!
***Today I am thankful for the blissful high Ive been on all day from the happiness of yesterday... I don't even mind the soreness in my muscles***
