WE DID IT!

WOO HOO!!

 

A recap.

 

I traveled out to California on Valentines day. When you start up north when weather and de-icing are involved....things can go awry. Like arriving late at a gate in Chicago and having to get to a gate in what I think was Ohio. I had 14 minutes. Gave it my best shot with my speedy cart driver who was up for the challenge. Do you know these carts go in secret elevators? Well, I didn't but I do now.

I was met at the gate by the flight attendant from Father of the Bride. Do you remember her? She's real alright. She informed me that I was four minutes too late. I could see the plane but the door was shut. And that was that. I ended up spending Valentines night at a hotel. Which was ironic because I first met Michelle, the friend I was going to see, when she lived in Illinois and her dad was general manager of this hotel!

Made it out to California the next day And we got the party started.

Paperwork. Michelle's daughter Meg was a trooper who joined us ....she had youth on her side and new two day old running shoes!

Followed by more paperwork. Yeah, we are in corral ten of.........ten. Right in front of the dreaded SAG wagon.

Pasta dinner and speeches by the Mito research organization. Hearing and seeing from children, adults and doctors who have or treat the disease. It was very interesting.

Raffles. Of which our group won zero.

 

Our table of friends and family and we met Chondra Wilson of Greys Anatomy. I guess I need to watch that show...I was the only one who didn't know who "Dr. Bailey" was.

 

 

Jana did a great job organizing our team and our stay. I heard her breath a big sigh of relief when we finally made it into the parking lot and all had our essentials on Sunday morning! http://www.janaalayra.com/

We were fortunate to stay at Jana's friend Mary Rice Hopkinshttp://maryricehopkins.com/ house who lived 7 miles from the Rose Bowl. This gave us the luxury of awaking at 4am and not earlier! We celebrated with our after race party at her home too! Awesome cheesy potatoes! Yum.

 

We had lots of energy before the race started.

We found a place open at 5 am for tattoos. Had to get those beauties.

There was encouragement along the way.

 

Encouragement came in a variety of forms as we traveled the route of the Rose Parade.

We did it! We finished holding hands and crossing at 3:10. We kept a good pace. We had good advice and tips from friends that helped so much. We were a little jealous of the team Mito guys who waved from inside the Starbucks where they were enjoying a frappachino as we ran by...tempting yes, but we did not circle back.

The girls got backstage passes to see the band!

Lianne died at 43 from a mitochondrial disease. We remember her today and celebrate her life with her family and friends and we were proud to contribute something to help fund research so others can have a better and fuller life! Thank you to all who were on our team through your generous donations, helping and running. We all did this together! Well done!