1/13/08:
Rock 'n Roll Half Marathon - Phoenix, AZ
Race
Report from Joyce Anne (Mom)
She
did it! We did it! Team Lizzy and her fabulous traveling
T-Shirt crossed the finish line of both the full
and half marathon in Phoenix, Arizona on Sunday, January 13.
Liz’s dear friend Ward Reed traveled all the way from
Virginia to wear the shirt AND complete the half marathon
in an amazing 2:03:01. How does one do that? We hoped he did
not get bored while he waited for the rest of the team to
cross the finish line at various times ranging from 3:11 (Barb),
3:53 (Beverly), 4:20 (Marjorie), to 4:24 - the time that it
took for Lizzy, Alan, and her proud mom to make the same trek.
Barb was waiting for us when we pulled past the finish line.
There were other marathoners wearing the now famous Colon
Cancer Club shirt. We are waiting to hear their stories—Dianne,
Candace, Chip.
What
a fabulous day. The weather was perfect; bands entertained
us every few miles. I learned about the “throw-away
clothes tradition.” My friend, Barb Sanders (who traveled
from San Antonio, TX to walk with us) and I shopped at Wal-Mart
for $5 sweat shirts after we learned about this long-standing
race tradition—wear the clothes until you get warm then
toss them to the right over the rails. They were picked up
and passed on to Goodwill and homeless shelters. My goal was
to stay with Liz the entire 13.1 miles. There were a few pit
stops, lots of fun along the way as we interacted with the
cheerleaders, good conversation and a sense of achievement
as we ticked off the miles. I wondered if I would be able
to keep up with my daughter!
Walkers
and racers around us were most interested in the back of our
Team Lizzy T-Shirts. The tag line “What’s up your
butt? Scope it out!” provided many opportunities for
consciousness raising about the reality and hope for those
who are diagnosed with colon cancer. How could we NOT take
the photo when we came to the Endoscopy Center. Alan gets
points for telling the funniest Team Lizzy T-Shirt Story.
Someone with a cell phone asked him to pose for a picture
then said he was sending it to his friends in a text message
as he ran ahead—laughing all the way. Whatever it takes—the
message is out. I do believe that this small beginning may
develop into a larger movement if Liz decides to make it happen.
So
our girl is up and running—so to speak. She says that
walking may be her new running. She is surrounded by a group
of fabulous friends and family who have supported her journey
through the dark canyons and up the rim. She has proven that
nothing compares to the strength of the human spirit. That’s
my girl!
Joyce
Anne and Liz at expo registration
Team Lizzy - Ward
Reed from Virginia Beach, Bev Adams, Joyce Anne, Barb Sanders
from San Antonio, Alan, Lizzy, Marjorie Mullaly from Utah
Mom and Liz before the half-marathon
Team Lizzy Shirts—message with
meaning
Marjorie’s famous hat.
Ready to go at the start line.
We're off!
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page of pictures from Rock 'n Roll AZ
