LA Marathon - Powered By Chemo

Its been about two weeks since I ran my last marathon. I still can't believed it happened! This was my 19th marathon ever, but first marathon while battling brain cancer. I ran this race fresh off my new peak dose of chemo, ready for whatever my body was capable of, and aware that I might not make it to the finish line due to chemo fatigue. 

Thanks to years of marathon training though, a lot of determination, the support of my amazing friend Tara, and the grace of God, we finished the race side by side 5 hours and 24 minutes later. This was my slowest marathon ever, but the most fulfilling.

I could blather on endlessly about how amazing this race was and how happy I am that I ran, but I'll just let these pictures tell the story.

Wonder Woman Outfit Ready to Go!

Tutu by Glam Runner

Picking up my Number at the Expo

Race Morning - Ready to Run

"Powered by Chemo"

and

"Impossible Things Happen Every Day"

Students Run LA Kids

Some of them were as young as 13!

First Photo Checkpoint - Mile 5

Bumped into SF Marathon Ambassador Laura

Mile 10 - Almost Halfway Done

Bumped into Glam Runner Norma - Go Tutus!

Glam Heroes Cheer Station at Mile 11

Look Who Made it to Mile 15? We Did!

Super Girl Showing off her Flying Skills

Mile 20 - Seriously? We're almost done!

Photo with Firemen, Why Not?

Mile 26 - Nothing but Victory From Here to the Finish

Met Another Wonder Woman Cheering on the Course

A Third Wonder Woman Joined Us for the Picture

Approaching the Finish Line

These Moments Make it All Worth It!

LA Marathon 2013 - WE DID IT!!!

And so did the guy with the box of Krispy Kremes??

Happy Finishers - Can't Smile Much Bigger

My Favorite Fan - David Showed up at SIX Locations

My Awesome Support Crew - Cousin Giselle, Christina, & David

Love my SF/LA Marathon Challenge Medal

It's hard to believe its been almost two weeks since the marathon. I wish it hadn't passed yet so I could experience the day all over again! I had so much fun running in costume through the streets of LA, and each mile that I ran made me feel more and more like my old self and let me believe for just a few hours that I was a strong and healthy person, not a cancer patient.  Huge thanks go out to my friend Tara for running with me. She trained with me for months, ran as slow as I needed to, walked whenever I asked, and never complained once. Her selfless attitude really made this whole experience possible for me, and I couldn't have run without her. Also huge thanks to David for spending the morning driving from one spot to another on the course and for showing up and making me smile six different times. I also loved seeing my marathon wifey Christina at a couple spots on the course, and my cousin Giselle at the finish.

Next up on my calendar is the San Francisco Half Marathon in June, and then mayyybeeeee Tara and I will run the Long Beach Marathon in October. I'm already at marathon #19 - might as well run one more and get to marathon #20!