Cancer, We're Coming to Get You!

A few friends, from the Better Halves Club, I hang out with on a regular basis invited me to run the Race for Life 5k (3.1 miles) with them this past Sunday for cancer research. We were told there were over 3,500 women signed up.  There were two different races, so we're assuming that number was for both races.  Either way...there was a lot of women out running and walking in support to cancer research.  I ran the race in memory of my Papaw Hedges, who lost the fight to cancer a little over a year ago.

We got there pretty early, and just chatted until the race started. It sprinkled a little before the race, but cleared up and became muggy.  At that point, we felt we were in Indiana with the sticky summer conditions.  Immediately after the race, the crazy England weather graced us with a few sprinkles, but quickly went away.  It was a great event, and the entire park was filled with pink in support.  They had a few pieces of entertainment before the race started.

Sarah, me, & Jo. 

So sad to see Sarah leave the UK in a few weeks and head back to the US for good. She will be missed! 

Jeff and another Rolls-Royce husband stood on the sidelines (women only race) to cheer us on and snap photos.  Not much to say about the race, other than it was more hilly than we anticipated.  We chatted and enjoyed one another's company, rather than racing to beat a personal best. We finished the race, and went to enjoy a pint together at a local pub.  All-in-all it was a fun experience, and hopefully more are in my future.

Celebratory pint after our run!

A big THANKS to Jeff Hansen and Sarah Henkle for snapping most of these photos and sharing them with me!

It's a Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood...

I know you all are going to be disappointed, but this post is not going to be about Mister Rogers' Neighborhood. Just thought I would create a mini-post today.  It is an absolutely BEAUTIFUL day here in Nottingham. It is barely reaching 60 degrees, but the sun is out and zero clouds.

I walked around the city centre earlier this morning to pick up a few things, and walked around the City Market Square where it was filled with many different booths with food from around the world. I am hoping to drag Jeff back there later tonight or tomorrow if it is still around to try some fudge, gyros, and other tasty treats. I'll keep you posted.

I have been on a kick to find a perfect route to run around the city. There is a very peaceful area very close to our house that is gorgeous and although hilly, it is a relaxing run.  Today, I stopped mid-run to realize my beautiful surroundings that I am so blessed to be around every single day.  To be honest, most days I take this experience for granted, and I am sure Jeff can say the same thing. But anywho--I stopped to take a picture just to remember how wonderful it is over here and to always try to keep that positive voice in my heading going as it isn't always easy being so far away from loved ones.

 

And another note to leave you on...who thinks it is fair that I have to run with not one key, but 3 large keys? Not cool.

Have a wonderful weekend, everyone! Xx