"Today is" - Hot Potato

Today is the one year anniversary of my 24 hour treadmill run.  [That link gets you to part ONE of, I think, 4 that I wrote.]

I'm sure this post will bore 99.94% of you . . . . . so my apologies.

As I've said 87 billion times:

this. day. was. a. top. three. moment.

IN. MY. LIFE.

So, today, I am writing this [in all honesty] mostly for me. [and maybe, one day, when I'm old and crusty Peanut will want to share this with her family....maybe.]

While this run raised a large sum of money for the Sojourner Center.

I am the one who benefited the most from this event.

There was something incredibly humbling about this experience.

Being the girl with the camera in her face, in the spotlight and realizing . . . . all the people AROUND me are the ones who SHOULD be getting the attention.

[kleenex break]

Yesterday, I journaled about this day [in a private journal] in an insane amount of detail. After 550+ blog posts, I've learned some things truly are better unsaid unblogged.

A few of my favorite photos from this very special 24 hours of my life.

I loved that this was held at Channel 12.  Loved Scott Light.  Loved Jay the camera guy.  LOVED.

Love this pre-set up photo.  It says so much.  Dawn [who may I mention, never freaking left my side] keeping tweets/texts going.  My mom, showing love to Peanut and that freaking huge 5 pound gummy bear.

Leg Love X 444.

Me with my brother.
IFLMB.

I love that when he came at 11am he asked, "so when does the next person come to run?"

Me:  ummmm, never.

[so after he finished at work he drove home, got his gear.......and ran with his little sister] [must stop crying].

the literal way to "eat on the run".

How to "run with an IV that your husband is tall enough to hold".
[wasn't really needed but Channel 12 had a list of required things and my Dr. wasn't happy with my fluid loss.]

When the "CRT" thought it'd be funny to hang out with me for a while at 2:30am.

....with the women who made it all happen.

That moment when I realized . . . . . the treadmill only goes to 99.99 miles.

This moment where you ARE that happy.

...nothing like a hug from Dad.

And there's certainly nothing like a best friend.  By the way, ask her about her mad straw skills.

......when you see your husband. 
The best decision I ever made?  HIM.

ILYMTLMP!

Until next time . . . .

[for my family, yes, Dawn, you are family]

I love you.  Thank you for dealing with "emotional me" over the last 24 hours.  To many this was "crazy" or "silly" --- thank you for seeing where my heart was and why this was important to me.  It wasn't about me.  It wasn't even about running.  It was bigger.  Thank you for knowing that.

I am more than thankful.
I am more than lucky.
I am more than blessed.
I am more than grateful.

"Tonight Tonight" - Hot Chelle Rae

ok. el. numero. quatro [4].

[Yes, I was self-appointed captain of the spanglish club in high school.]



four.
4.

favorite #4.

but first if you missed part one [find it here]

missed part two [find it here]

part three [here]

and well ....... four ......

here.
it.
is.

So the 6pm news came and went.   It was awesome.  great crowds. great vibe.  Lots of cars & people passing.  Dawn will have to help me on this but I loved that the same people passed me at 8am that passed me again at 6pm.  THAT brought in a lot of donations.  People figured out I was the same girl that was running hours ago......which peaked a lot of interest.  Which usually equalled a lot of cash.  awesome!

Forgot to mention another thing which I loved.

People were honking . . . . . all. day. long.

I loved it.  Not like the way creepy landscapers [no offense] honk but like supportive honking.  [yes, I truly think I know the difference].

Each time someone would honk - my arms would instantly & automatically go flying in the air.

I was like-freaking Pavlov's Dog.  loved it.

7:00-9:30pm brought . . . .

Another TM move. [lost 20 minutes] but the best move ever . . . . I was now facing the street [and walkway]!

loved...loved....loved....that!

potty break.
clothing change.
vitals check. [weight stabilized]
1/2 bagel with PB
Powerade
pickle juice
body glide
Dawn - text/tweet updates [you guys are amazing]
sponge bath
placed an order for Chipotle [yum]

And.
a lot. a lot. a lot of awesome visitors.

Family friends.
and
family family.

First Auntie B.  Auntie B - ya she rocks.  She's like a 18 year old in a "XX" woman's body.  The party starts when Aunt B arrives ...... and she has arrived. 

And even sweeter --- she brought my cousin Kijuana [who ran with me] and her two kids too.

Then one of my favorite people from church came [with her two uber handsome sons].

Then Summer and her sister came.  Summer.  Ahhhh Summer. 

She's amazing.  She found out about my run and set up a donation jar and bin at her work almost instantly.  Her daughter . . . . yep, her daughter is the one who wrote that awesome letter and gave me the $5.00 donation I wrote about here.  Awesome parenting.  That's what that's all about.  So happy I got to run with you Summer!

Then.

This awesome mom/daughter team stopped by after watching the morning news about this event.  donation made. 

Yep, got to run with her too.

And [get this] she had a 10k that next morning.  Loved. that.
I am, kinda, wishing I could remember what I told her when this photo was being taken?!

It must have been positive.


I got a run in with Mr. Michael Kornegay, himself.

Then. My. Idol. Came.


Seriously, love this woman.

My Spin instructor.  Yes, THE spin instructor.  Yep, the one I so stalking-ly voice record on my iPhone.

I hate group classes [like with a freaking passion].  This woman taught me to love them again. [well, as long as she is teaching]. 

I wish I could remember what she was telling me here:

I can hear her when I'm running races . . . .

"you've. got. this. don't think anything different"
"make uncomfortable your friend"
"keep your head in your training"
"show up on that hill"
"keep those thoughts in check"
"get to that next level of fitness"
"if you are not winded...you are absolutely wasting your time"
"discomfort is part of your training"

She came.  I had never even spoken to her.  I. felt. like. a freaking. rockstar.

[deep breath]

Enter potty break [remember we are pushing fluids hard right now]
Vitals check [weight still stable, yay!]
Eat Chipotle

Ya, I bet you want to see photos of that.

I was losing my beans [and chicken] ....

so.....

enter walking burrito break.

Enter potty break [FYI - Dawn and I - we started running during these potty breaks from here on out.]

Now it's time for the 10pm news.

awesome.  just awesome.

"Coop" - ya, he was super nice.  That's my nephew Tanner that I'm running with here.

Here's a glimpse of the crowd.  Thanks Kim for getting Peanut's hand up & bringing Mrs. Susie.

A check on mileage from Scott: [70-something]

Next a visit from RL and her boyfriend.  So.  Freaking.  nice.

I totally "paused" for her.

Then she came over to the TM to visit so I could keep the miles ticking.

Yep, and that's my brother.  MY brother.  He came back?!?!

[Emz. is. all. smiles.]
to RUN with me.  in total six.  six miles he ran with me.

Next.  A return visit, what?  I never saw her the first time?!

I'm an idiot.  Seriously.  So Mandi [from Mandi with an "I"] came back at 11pm.  HOLY. freaking. awesome. to run with me.  Her hubby came too.  So beyond awesome.

[enter blonde moment #44,744,44 - I didn't recognize her - I swear without the visor from her profile picture . . . . I was lost].

When did I figure it out?  Oh ya, when I said, "what was your name again?"

Mandi:  ummm Mandi.
Emz:  get. freaking. out.  get. freaking. out. You are Mandi.  THE Mandi?

[Emz looking all stupid and sheepish].

Thank you Mandi!

Enter another awesome friend from church [Jill & daughter] so sweet.  I am so blessed.

Enter best texts, tweets ever from ETR [yes, the amazing guy who sent me this buckle from my training run], MCM mama, Caroline & Chris K.

These people stayed up until midnight at which time Dawn lovingly told them . . . you can go to bed now.  She thinks [and we all know] you. rock.

Midnight brought a precautionary IV.

Yes, I was loving every minute.

And the best 30 minute walk with the Pita, ever.

Ugggg.  I can't see the screen . . . . .hope spell check works.



It's amazing what you realize [what you quietly see] when you are choosing to be stuck in one place.

I saw Dawn.  Never looking for any limelight.  Always looking to help.  5 months?! no freaking way.

I saw my Pita, gathering donations, hugging strangers, hugging family, looking at me with googly eyes, texting family, getting me water, winking at me, making sure others had food, making sure family in attendance were as comfortable as could be [chairs, temperature, fluids], taking care of our daughter, the gratitude he was expressing to others, the love I FELT at each moment from him, he took care of all the bumps along the way [sometimes in whisper form] so I wouldn't be worried or concerned, I could tell he was freaking proud of me without saying a word [and sometimes a girl/wife/mom likes to feel that].

I noticed every second of it.  Every smile.  Every time he gave me a thumbs up as a question from afar [as to say, "you good?"].  I'd smile ear to ear and a few times fighting back grateful tears --- sticking my thumb up, way freaking high up . . . . . as to say

you.
freaking.
bet.
cha.

I love you Pita.

"This Afternoon" - Nickelback

If you missed part 1 [click here]

If you missed part 2 [click here]

If you are up to date . . . . well, then I'll just be super impressed.

ok, so I changed [bet you can still smell me through the computer!]

But first, a few awesome things happened:

My Niece "T" came . . . yep, she's the super hot, super smart, super supportive niece who just took her MCATS - ya, she should probably work on being more motivated. She. is. amazing.

Nephew Tan came ---- and he's a runner -- awwww yaaaa.  His brother Troy had been with me since 5:30am - he was a part of the medical team....how freaking awesome is that?!

My sister Y-von came with her four awesome kids.  Her son, the one I had an abs throw down with [uhhhh, heck ya, I won] rescheduled a trip [and therefore his friend's trip to be with me......nothing snarky here Michael, only love].  They brought balloons.  Loved that.  Y-von.....she even barefoot walked with me.  Loved that.

shoes came off. . . . . have I mentioned these Woodway's Rock!?

My sister "A" [the one I ran a marathon with in January] came with her four fab kids.  Did I mention they are moving to Indiana in July?  [crying sad face - where are my emotiocons when I need them?]

By 11am the crew was building for sure.

My Uncle, Aunt & Cousin came..... as well as a few friends from Stetson Chiropractic.  Pam - you are the sweetest ever.

What?  I think they look happy and super entertained.

 Dr. Ken, loved the pain patches, love the way you pushed for donations.  So appreciated.

okay.
truth.
be.
told.

The only true "tough time" I had was when I was in this cave-ish thing.  I could only see ahead of me.  And that's great because that's where my family was but my bum was to the street, couldn't see donors, passer-by's . . . .had to turn every time . . . . which eventually made my knee cry. 

Enter Potty Break.
Enter Vitals Check. [lost 5pounds ----- started pounding a lot more fluids]

Enter more pickle juice. . . . . .

I would like to note the bathrooms ----- well they weren't super close.  We were located right next to the studio so we couldn't trollop through there.  We had to go to the main entrance from 8am-5pm then the "employee entrance" from 5pm-6am.

No biggie, but you add all those up and I'm pretty sure it's an EASY 1.5miles.  Don't go throwing me under the bus, I know it doesn't "count" just lettin' you know the potty details.

At this point I was already looking forward to 5pm - when the TM's would be moved again [closer to the street].

But wait . . .there was some pure awesome in the cave.

Watched "Day's of our Lives" without sound or captioning.  I don't know Dawn but I think our story line was way better than whatever they were hoobaskanking-up. [yep, it's a word].

Enter - another muscle milk shake, another PowerAdeZero

It hit 1pm and it was like a wave of excellent happened.

My Brother came.  My Brother came.  My Brother came.  Didn't think he was going to be able to make it.  awesome. [x 444]

Was funny when he realized I was the only one doing the 24 hour run . . . . I usually talk too fast. and.sometimes. not. in. complete. sentences. 

He said, "so no one relieves you?"
Emz:  well I can pee on my own. jk
Emz:  ummmm nope.
Him:  [look I'll never forget]

I remember him just standing there just looking like "WTH"?  Maybe that wasn't what he was thinking but that's what it looked like he was thinking.

and. I. loved. it.

Dawn, Happy & Pita took a much deserved "break" [can't really call it that] and went to get pizza for the troops.

they. were. gone. too. long.

I know, I'm high maintenance.  I missed them.  Like a-freaking lot.

At 2pm, I had the most awesome visit ever.

These kids from "Kids For Peace".

They came with a huge product donation [supplies] for Sojourner and money they made from the lemonade stand.

bring. on. the. tears.

The walked in chanting.

"Go Emily ,Go!"
"Go Emily ,Go!"

"Go Emily ,Go!"

"Go Emily ,Go!"

"Go Emily ,Go!"

Even with signs.  you freaking bet there was a "you've. freaking. got. this." sign.

It all starts with the kids.  Love them.  Peanut jumped back on for a few.

Had quite a few people stop by in the next little while which was awesome-----but all the talking, emotions, happy tears . . . I think got me a litttle worn out.  I know, cry me a river [I freaking loved it but...] I needed a little "tune out" .

Enter iPod.

20-25. minutes.  good. as. new.

Amazing what Eminem, Wiz K, Dr. Dre, 50 cent, Jay-Z & Mary J [yes, Dawn she helped this white girl find her swagger] can do to get one out of a funk.

Oh and Dawn, Happy & Pita were back ----- thank goodness.

Knee was still kind of funky put a pain patch on - which stayed on the remainder of the time.


5pm brought:

a TM move [15-20 minutes]
body glide shower
a Potty break
a vitals check
a clothing change
a 1/2 bagel with PB [thanks Dawn]
a powerade with ice [thanks Pita]

5:15 awesome.

Emz:  but my bum is still to the pathway?!
Pita et all: has to be this way for the news interview.
Emz:  feeling pretty bad for the people who are getting out of work, walking by.

Enter my awesome girls from my church group.  Can you believe they let me teach young children?!

they. are. awesome.

Thanks to Kim, they came.  And they came bearing signs of love and support. 

Full. heart.
 

Time for 6pm news.
 

And get this . . . . the guy who  did my first TV interview [clip] sad he was going to come and . . . . totally did.
 

Freaking. Happy. Emz.  
He's was a sprinter [back in the "college days" or "previous life" as he put it].
was so great of him to come. . . . loved every minute.
 
And I keep on . . .
 
runnin'.
runnin'.
 

and
 
runnin'. runnin'
 
[Emz thinking . . . I hope I remember all of this.  I want to remember everything.  Every ache.  Every honk.  Every "you go girl".  Every person who shared their story with me. Every smile.  Every donation.  Every woman.  Every safe woman.  I don't want this feeling to ever end. . . . ]