Jogging for Jake 2010

Well what have we here? Who is that 5ker?
Ohhhh.... surprise, surprise! It is ol' Mo. Those of you following me on Facebook know that I have been running. I don't think I have mentioned it on my blog yet. But, yep. I have been considddeerrrring running the 1/2 marathon in December.

Asusual, we started months ago, rounding up the volunteers (Jordan, Caroline, and Aunt Marina)

and Dawn Hardie, who has organized this for the past two years so gracoiusly agreed to do it again. She is also a perennial member of TEAMJAKE!Madison Raborn won second place in his age group. But, I am getting ahead!

This is Cydni, my "training partner".

PawPaw Raborn made us change locations, because he felt we MUST be in front of this sign.

Oh, and by the way, I assume these will be on sale at the Foundation's website?! Jakesfoundation.org

And this is Sarah Peavey. She has also been training recently, and well, I think she should be in an advanced running league. (She also reads MoJoy! Hey, Sarah!)

All first timer 5kers!!

And this is my friend, Lauren. She drove all the way over from Longview, TX, to do this 5k. How cool is that?!

Robin and Crystal got up at the buttcrack of dawn to volunteer to help the runners with water and encouragement. Thanks, girls!

Anytime Fitness has been so good to us to sponsor this event. JOR Foundation is very grateful!

Brookshire's, a local grocery store chain, formed a TEAM! They were well represented! And I think at least two of them ran (maybe more?!).

Smoothie King gave smoothies to anyone who came in with their race number. Can you even believe that I have an actual "Race number"? Ha!

And then.....

they ran!

Clara, crystal's daughter, and Ellie Sue's idol, was there bright and early too.

Travis, member of TEAMJAKE, did the 1/2 marathon last year in Memphis, and is already gearing up for this year too.These are our TEAMJAKE fearless leaders, Karl and LoriAnn Kaufman.

And dragging up the rear... Melanie and Jessica. That cop car behind us must have had the paramedics in it! You know, just in case!

Karl came back out to pour water all over me as I was about 100 yds from the finish line.

It was a dramatic ending for ol' Mo!

Our heat index is something like 106 degrees!

I can't even believe I made it. I didn't know that I would! Becky, in black, also came out to run me in!

It was kinda cool. I had lots of people cheering for me. I can only think it is because I have proudly held the role of cheerleader for them for so many years! Cydni and Mel at the end of the race. Does she have on make up?!

Quit showing me up , Cyd.

Oh, and Kimberly Kelley, also a former MMPT intern, came over from the Minden area (about an hour away) to run in this event. Such nice support we have and such nice friends I have!

Then came time for the awards.

The above is something I will never have to worry about cluttering up my house!

More of the Kaufman clan, Gary and his g'ma, Miss Jo.

Anyone recognize the little learning song, "One of these things is not like the others..."?

Well, let's just let you figure out who is NOT a veteran runner!

Nevertheless... I FINISHED! And I kept in my mind what I saw this little angel go through on so many not so pleasant occasions! Bless his little heart!

MO