And because they had done this little video and then asked me to give a little speech before about how much I love Lahey, a lot of great people came out to run with Team NED, including friends from elementary school, middle school, high school running buddies, my college besties, post collegiate track club friends, colleagues, my parents and my boyfriend.
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| Photo Credits: Theresa Johnson |
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| Photo Credits: Theresa Johnson |
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| Photo Credits: Theresa Johnson |
How could it be a bad day? Friends came in from Colorado (with a 3 and 1 year old), Ohio (after leaving a 4 and 2 year old) and New York (with a 4 and 2 year old). These are brave friends! I am so grateful they were there. People juggled work schedules, family obligations and general life obstacles to be there.
From the second I showed up early Saturday morning the atmosphere of gratitude and celebration of survivors was palpable. It started by meeting the wonderful photographer, who introduced herself as a 17 year breast cancer survivor. We discussed (as only other survivors will understand) how grateful we both were that if we had to get cancer we were grateful for breast because it is so well researched and that the tumors are usually outside areas that include vital organs. The BF just stands there shaking his head and after the interaction was done gives me a look and just says "okay....".
As I walked through the crowd of people and dropped my bag off at the bag drop, many people came up to introduce themselves and let them know they had seen the video and wanted to know if I was ready to beat last years time. I smiled, and let them know that I was happy to be out there running, but it was doubtful that I would be busting out some 7:57 min/mile (knowing what the last week had been). I ran into members of my treatment team who weren't sure I'd be there after the interesting week and half I had had. "I can't miss this event!" It warmed my heart to see all the people picking up their yellow Survivor t-shirts and the sheer volume of people at the Lahey 5k.
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| Photo Credits: Theresa Johnson |
Just before the start of the race their is a little program featuring the CEO of Lahey Hospital and Medical Center, the chair of the Lahey Health Cancer Institute, a member of Burlington board of selectman and a grateful patient. This year that very, very grateful patient was me. As most everyone is aware I probably could have spoke for hours about my gratitude, but they said 2-3 minutes. My BF helped me whittle the speech down and my very proud dad filmed it on his phone while my mother looked on, beaming.
Video Credit: Proud Papa
And then it was time to run. The ringers on Team NED (who I was bragging about to the CEO prior to giving my speech, letting him know that he'd be handing out multiple awards to Team NED) took off. And I struggled. But, my high school teammate, whom I have not run with in 17 years, gave up her competitive aspirations for the day and ran/paced me. She told me not to worry, that the day was about celebrating survival and she was happy to run with me. I really do have amazing friends!
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| Photo Credits: Theresa Johnson |
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| Photo Credits: Theresa Johnson |
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| Photo Credits: Theresa Johnson |
I was tired (it was very humid), but ecstatic. My friend had got me through the 5K in 25: 24. 8:11 min/mile. NOT my slowest 5K as I had feared. The last photo is me trying to celebrate. I then like any good dietitian walked directly over to the Dunkin Donuts table and consumed some munchkins and water. You know for recovery!
Also, I did not lie in my trash talking to the CEO (still competitive much?), members of Team NED were the 1st Female finisher, 2nd Female Finisher and 30-39 age group winner. Way to go speedy ladies!
I was so touched that people flew, drove and made it a priority to get to the Lahey 5k again this year. It was so great to see many of my favorite people in one place and be able to run with them again. It is quite a celebration of survivorship and the exceptional work that in my extremely biased opinion the people at Lahey do.
Team NED ended up raising over $4,600 for the Lahey Cancer services and that is better than any fast 5K time.
So grateful for all of Team NED and everyone who donated there time, effort, sweat, money and baked goods!
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