Race For The Cure

This year was my first time participating in Susan G. Komen's Race For The Cure. It has been a dream of mine for several years. Every time I see an advertisement I tell myself I am going to go. But I never do it. Then one day while riding on the train I noticed an advertisement that said Race for the Cure in Washington DC June 5,2010. I was so excited because I told myself this time I am going to go. At a family dinner party my cousin asked when is the race for the cure in DC? I remembered seeing the ad while riding on the train and said "June 5th I believe". She went on to say her job will pay for family members who want to participate. Her sister and I gladly said we want to join the cause. I would LOVE to I said. That was two weeks before the race.


When Saturday came I did not know what to expect. I do not like driving in D.C. because I am still learning the area. So I hopped on the train. Where I board the train it is the second stop on what is called the blue line. When the train arrived there where people already standing, holding on to the rails. The train was packed with people wearing pink and white t-shirts. Yes, everyone was going to DC to participate in Race for The Cure. I could not believe it. At 6:30 am all these people are on the train? Uncomfortable and frustrated I pushed my way on the train. The next train did not come until 19 mins. I was not in the mood to wait, so I decided to ride. For 30-45 min on the train I stood up! I bonded with other passengers who asked me is this my first time in the race. I told them yes, and it will not be my last. Rocking back and forth, bumping into everyone within 5ft of me I was glad to get off at my destination. I met my cousins at Archives-Navy memorial station, from there we would participate in Race for the Cure for the very first time.


As we walked to 7th and Connecticut Ave the race had just begun. My cousin called her co-workers and we met them there. We jumped in and started the race with all the other participants. The crowd was filled with joggers, runners, and walkers. There were signs from different organizations and people on the side line cheering us on. There was a band who played motivation music and two participates joined in and played too. It was funny seeing these two older women dancing and playing their instruments with the band. My cousin laughed at how the two women were on beat and everything. By the time we left that area we just finished a mile! I was like just a mile?


After 2 miles I was ready to sit down. My whole body was sore and all I can think of was my bed. As the crowd and I were heading toward the 3 mile mark, which is the finish line I could not help but be taken back by the moment. Looking around and seeing all these pink t-shirts worn by breast cancer survivors. I realized that this walk was life changing. I did it for them. And I will do it again and again for them! As I passed the finish line I was over come with emotion. I did not cry until I seen my cousin's co-worker break down into tears. She was a breast cancer survivor. This race was more than a charity even for her. I cried too. I remembered reading the t-shirts of family members of victims who lost their lives to breast cancer. I remember one little girl who looked about 4 years old and her shirt read "I am doing this for granny". In that moment I began to thank GOD for my health. For my life. For family. For friends new and old. For this was a day I would never forget. I was apart of something, that was bigger than me.