Chief Maloney 5.6 Mile Unity Run/Walk

Ran 3 miles

Walked .5 miles

I wanted to write this post Sunday. But I was so exhausted after the Unity run/walk and my step-dad, Mike's, "surprise" birthday party that I went to bed at 7 pm. I was even reckless with my school work. I had originally planned on napping for an hour or so and then getting up and doing my discussion board post. However, I just kept on sleeping. I have never not done a homework assignment before. This was literally the last thing I had left to do in this class and I already had enough points for an A without doing this - so I decided to go right back to bed.. Still probably not the best decision I've ever made, but I was exhausted. Sean kept mentioning at the party how it looked like I was going to fall asleep just standing up.

Anyways - Sunday was the Chief Maloney 5.6 mile Unity Run/Walk. The course went from the Portsmouth, NH police department to the Greenland, NH police department and was to raise money for the Chief Maloney Memorial Fund. Chief Maloney was murdered in the line of duty last year. I ran it with Savannah who was pushing her daughter Paige. We were interviewed prior to the start of the race and we made it into yesterday's article!!!!

At the start of the race, there was a moment of silence and then we were off! The almost 1500 runners were led by police officers on motorcycles.

There was a man who ran holding an American flag.  

The first mile felt great. It was around the 1.25 mile that I needed to stop and walk for the first time (those dreaded hills!) Savannah did great. I'm pretty sure she could have ran the whole entire thing at a much faster pace with no walking breaks if it wasn't for me. But it was great to have her by my side for the entire 5.6 miles. She kept encouraging me to run further than I wanted to by setting goals for me to meet before I could start walking. When I started looking like I was going to walk, she would start talking to me to make me not stop.. Many of the times it actually worked.. There were a few times that I was like.. no.way.must.stop.now. It was an incredible experience to run this race. I typically always make sure that I thank the police officers who come out for races to keep the runners safe, but I made extra sure that I thanked each one that I came into contact with that day.

Savannah around Mile 1.. I'm hiding behind the police officer

Coming into the finish

Almost there! I look like I'm going to die while Savannah looks like she could run another 5.6

Finishing felt great.. I wish I could have finished it without taking any walk breaks, but I truly feel like I tried my hardest. I had wanted to come in with a time of an hour and 15 minutes - we ended up crossing at an hour and 19 minutes - not horrible considering I hadn't properly built up my mileage. 

WE FINISHED!

Adorable Paige at the end of the race

After the race there was a post race celebration with beer and food. I gave my beer ticket to Sean and we purchased another food ticket because, of course, Sean wanted to partake in the post race food. We hung around for a little while before we left to go pick up the cake for Mike's birthday and then head over there for the celebration. 

In other news, I finally decided to sign up for the YMCA. I signed up last night and I went there for the first time. I really liked it. I'm hoping to wake up super early tomorrow morning and do a spin class. I have never tried spinning, but have wanted to try it for awhile now!

Today I ran 3 miles with Danielle and a new friend Deb. I was proud of myself because yesterday I had set a goal to run for at least 1.5 miles straight, which I ended up meeting! We turned around at the 1.5 mile mark and walked for a few minutes before starting running again. I think I actually could have made it a little longer, but since I had that 1.5 mile marker in my head, I stopped as soon as we hit it. 

Our run today!

I also signed up for the American Cancer Society Bark for Life. Sully and I will be walking in this event on June 9th to raise money for support for cancer patients as well as research and community programs. I have set a goal of $100 and am currently at $85. Would you please consider donating to this great cause? Please visit my personal page if you wish to donate. Even a $5 donation can add up! I want to thank those -- my mom & dad, grandparents & my cousin Ashley -- who have already donated. It is truly appreciated!