Miles For Mike

This is the third year our family has come together to honor a family member who lost his life to cancer, my Uncle Mike. The Moffitt Cancer Center played a pivotal role in his care, and we find this fundraising event a wonderful way to assist this prestigious research and treatment facility. All of the entry fees for the Miles for Moffitt Race go directly back to the hospital. Everything for the event is supplied by businesses and volunteers. This was my first year as team captain. We left early on Friday to drop my lovely cherubs off at my parent’s house while Scott and I picked up 29 packets… and 29 goody bags! Once we got all the T-shirts and packets sorted and ate our pre-race meal, we were zonked. Due to allergy season, I had not been able to breathe through my nose. I probably got a good two hours sleep before it was time to meet our Miles for Mike team. I was a bit stressed because our timing chips were not in the packets. Those would have to be picked up at the race site. Thankfully I was able to pick up everyone’s timing chips without any lines or issues. I could finally relax… for the moment. ;-)

There are three events: The one mile run/walk, the 5K, and the 5 Miler. My sister, Sheila and my cousin, Dana ran the 5K. It was my sister’s first race ever. She did an amazing job. So did Dana! Melanie and I ran the 5 miler. I’ve been struggling a lot lately with my training runs. I’ll start off at what I think to be a comfortable speed, then realize as I’m running out of steam that I have been running at a 9 minute pace when my norm is 11. This happened again for the race. Melanie said our first two miles were at a 10:30 pace. By mile 2.5, I was DONE! I ran/walked the rest of it, and was quite disappointed with myself. Not to use this as an excuse, but it was SO hot!!! And again, not as an excuse – but instead of Power Aid or Gatoraid, they supplied water which didn’t quite quench the thirst. In fact, it made me feel nauseous. Good news is that we crossed the finish line at a decent time – 59:11. This was the first year they staggered the races in such a way where Melanie and I could actually join the rest of our team to participate in the one mile event. It was my favorite part of the race day. But it was not quite finished yet… the kids’ dash was next. Mason, Morgan, Emma, Sean and Preston represented the Miles for Mike team proudly as they raced towards the finish line. Preston took it one step further as he won first place for the 7 and 8 year old division. Afterwards our entire team regrouped and refueled at my Aunt Janet’s house. It is always nice to have a chance to see everyone and catch up on the latest. It was a perfect day for a race, a perfect day to re-unite, a perfect day to remember. We love and miss you, Uncle Mike!