A Promise Kept

It's 5:50 AM and the alarms goes off - it is 25 degrees outside - today is the day - finally it is here. Russ would complete his journey and a promise to Konley. He had promised Konley that he would run this 1/2 marathon until a cure for his cancer was found. Today he was running for those who couldn't "The Children of St. Jude". A total of 2.5 million dollars was raise for St. Jude. Wow - what impact this will make in other children's lives and their families.

Below is a map of the course he ran. He honestly enjoyed this run. When you loose someone you love, one of the fears you have is forgetting them/the memories. The run through Memphis took him past many areas and activities he had done with Konley over the years during their time in Memphis - Peabody Hotel, Beale Street, Fire House Museum, Mud Island, Zoo, Marriott Hotel, Target House and through the campus of St. Jude. The highlight for Russ was the finish line - you ended in Autozone Park - which the is the home of the Memphis Redbirds baseball team. Konley loved going to the ball games and being able to run out on the field as you finished - seemed to complete it all.

Participant #9180

Getting ready for the race

The tag on his shoe identified him - when he crossed the starting line it started calculating your time until you crossed the finish line.

Since it was freezing cold outside - we did not go to the starting line with Russ. We caught him at mile marker 4 which was about a block from the hotel. This actually worked out really well for us. London waiting for her daddy. When the front runners came by with a police escort she had to wave to officers and them hi. She kept asking "where's da dad?" and then would say "go, go, go" moving her arm back and forth as a cheerleader. One runner promised me that my husband was coming and he would be there shortly :)

After waiting and watching - there he was - my man in action!

After a quick kiss to his 2 lovely ladies he was off again

At the different mile markers they had entertainment. This band was just down the street from us. They were very very good. I thought it was a high school marching band and when we walked down to see them, this is what I found. How could they make so much noise and be such a small group from a local church. There were different bands, belly dancers and other types of people cheering the runners on.

Everyone who finished received a metal

To all those wondering (me included) - Russ finished #3,100 out of 8,000. Whoot whew!

I am so glad Russ took this challenge and completed his goal. I am so very proud of him in many different ways. Words cannot not express all the emotions and closure that has happened this weekend. We have defiantly learned that we are not alone and it is okay to move forward in life. We plan on being back next year to continue to fight against childhood cancers.

A HUGH thank you to all of you who have supported us in prayer, words of encouragement and financially donated to St. Jude. You all were part of this weekend and I hope you feel some of the HOPE and encouragement you have given to others - you are making a difference.

a few fun hotel pictures

Oh - not another picture - I've got a headache