Hey Everyone,

Is anyone coming out to volunteer or run The Cherry Blossom Run in DC this year?

I'll be out there running for the second year in a row. This race is the race that made me decide to start running. Two years ago I marshaled this race, cheering on the runners and watching for anyone in distress. From the two Nigerians that were running around 4 and a half minute miles (they looked like they were floating and barely putting any effort into it) to the lady at the very back of the pack who was my size and a half (not a small number) I cheered my heart out.

That lady at the back of the pack, I didn't feel bad for her, I actually felt very motivated by her. There I was standing on the sideline, and she was out there GETTING IT! You could tell she was struggling but she was DOING IT! Right then and there I decided that I was going to start giving running a go. My excuses of why I wasn't running failed me at the sight of her giving it her all. After partially following the C25K program I completed my first 5k in September two years ago and I have never looked back. I'm not a star runner now, not yet at least, I am still overweight and I am still toward the back of the pack. But I am not on the sideline any more, I am out there DOING IT! I love 5k races, particularly obstacle courses! I only have two on the books so far this year but I am hoping to get more races scheduled soon.

Never underestimate the power of cheering people on from the sideline and certainly don't underestimate the elation of crossing the finish line, even if you come in last you still DID IT! If you are coming out to cheer the runners on, thank you so much! If you are running/walking the 5k send me a message and maybe we can run together a bit . Again, I'm not a star runner and I am more likely to walk than really run at this point but by April I should be back up to par with my PR of a 45 minute 5k.