Race For The Cure- Austin- 11-7-2010

I woke up around 5:30 on Sunday to start getting ready for the race. I was a bit nervous and not sure how people would react to my suit. I finally was ready to go at around 5:45 and headed up to the race from the hotel. thankfully traffic wasn't too bad.

Once we were parked in the garage I started the long walk to the start of the race. Along the way a lot of kids were very excited to see me. I started feeling a bit more comfortable.

When I got the the main area with the tents and the starting line I walked around a bit, Played a "spin the wheel and answer a question about breast cancer" game. I got it right :D and had a lot of pictures taken and even had a photographer ask to follow me around for a bit and get pictures. I also went to the main booth to get a sign that said "walking in celebration of My Mom". I pinned it to the back of my suit.

Once the race started I was almost immediately stopped by the Austin toros (minor league NBA team) cheerleaders and there mascot for a picture (still trying to find some pictures of that). then continued on my way.

 ponyponypony asked me about 20 times at the fork of the 1 mile family race and the actual 5k (three mile) race if I was sure I wanted to do the full three miles. I was there to do a three mile walk and that is what I was going to do. No chickening out for me.

The whole walk took me around 2 1/2 hours to do because I was stopped so much for pictures. For a while in the middle of the walk I thought I would never move. I never turned anyone down for a picture though regardless. Even at the end after finishing the race and felt like I was going to die. I never popped my head once ( I think I suited for about 6 hours strait that day with no breaks). I didn't want to ruin the magic.

I got so many hugs and thanks from survivors and the looks on there faces when they saw me made me the happiest person ever.

There are a few parts in the race that stick out in my mind the most. There was an older lady in a wheel chair who was on oxygen and I am not even sure she knew much of what was going on but when she saw my suit a smile formed on her face. Her family called me over for a picture and I happily obliged.

I don't know why this sticks out in my mind so much but a little girl with her Mom and Grandma walked up to me and wanted a picture and just before taking the picture her mom said "Her Momma and Grandma are both survivors" and the little girl went "yup they are!" she sounded so proud of them and that made me smile.

I was at the last stretch of the race and I could see the finish line I saw this little girl who had cancer and was in a wheel chair. Her mom immediately rolled her up to me and said "she just wants to touch you". I put out my paw for her to touch and she smiled so big once she did. Before leaving I gave her a hug. I know that even though that little girl may be going through a lot right now I was able to make her smile and that makes me feel amazing.

During the race I went through about 4 large water bottles and Every time I took a drink from my water bottle I always heard someone saying "Awwww". I also heard a few people go "Is that even going to work". I would have died if it didn't lol.

Every time during the race when I started feeling a bit worn and tired there were groups of people on the sidelines cheering me and the other walkers on. I always felt a new wave of "I can do this" after passing them.

I had a lot of people say "you must be a really good person for doing this", "Are you actually walking?? That is amazing", and then One conversation  ponyponypony had "is she a survivor?" "No, She is walking for her Mom" "Wow that is awesome tell her thanks for doing this everyone has enjoyed it."

At the finish line of the race they also had radio DJ's set up talking to the crowed. They saw me and said "oh wow look at that! are you a bunny?" I shook my head no "are you a coyote" I shook my head again "Wait! Are you a Husky" I did a silent cheer and jumped up and down. She then asked where I got the costume. I pointed to myself "You did that yourself that is awesome!!!".

Once crossing the finish line I felt so relived and had a bunch of people run up to me and hug me. It was amazing.

Even though everyone thought that I was amazing for walking in my suit I think the most amazing people out there were the survivors themselves. They are the ones that give hope to others. I am just merely a mascot hoping to bring happiness to them. It is the main reason I made this suit.

I stuck around for about 30 min after the race itself. I didn't want to leave but I could feel myself beginning to get tired and I couldn't really stand for very long.

After the race my feet hurt, I had blisters, and my legs are still hurting today when I walk but I have never felt better. It was worth all the pain to do this and I would do it tomorrow if I could.

I had no bad reactions to doing this and am so happy that I did it. I plan on taking her out to as many races as I can in the next year.