The Story...

As you know, I discovered I had gall bladder disease while training for this year's Pear Blossom Run (an annual mile run that commemorates spring in the Rogue Valley). I was determined to participate - though not willing to push myself physically and create even more setbacks. After 3 weeks, when I began to run again, I discovered the pain from my right ab muscle being cut up to remove my gall bladder and had to use a brace around that muscle to do it. I was slow at getting back, but oh so determined.

Guess what? In all of my drama and life changing events...I forgot to register for the race. March 15 was the deadline for a shirt, and April 5th (Tuesday) was the last day to register. I tried to register on my lunch break at 11:45. Registration closed at 11:30. This race meant so much to me...I was heart-broken! I felt frantic...what could I do? Run without a number? Just go be a spectator? First...I cried my big-girl disappointed tears, then, I called the number for the race director - hoping to get in anyway. Message said it all .....they had 3700 entries, and they were booked SOLID. "Register early next year for a guaranteed spot."
Next year? I won't even be here. More big-girl tears. Then I called again...and decided to leave a message. I gave my information and story, and said..."if there is any possible way for me to run, please let me run."

The next day (Wednesday) I got a phone call from Zella, the race director. She got my message - asked me a few questions, and offered me a spot in the run. I felt like I had won the lottery! A 1 in 3700 chance that I needed - and God provided. After we chatted a few minutes, she said, "Michele, I think God wanted you to have this spot." I was even offered a shirt! She then asked if she could pass on my info to the media who were looking for inspirational stories from this year's Pear Blossom. Grateful to help HER in any way I could....I agreed and sent her all of my info to get me signed up.

On Thursday, Joe Marlinghi from NBC Channel 5 called and asked to meet me at the club around 3pm for an interview. You can see the story here..... Pear Blossom Runners Story

On Saturday morning, I put on my silly "ab brace", proudly pinned on my number - 381 - and set out to run my last run here as a resident of Oregon. Adam (my incredible trainer) ran with me (for a couple miles), along with my die-hard running junkie amazing friend Laurie. It meant SO much to me to be there with them...I wish I could have had everyone who has impacted me so much running on that road with me.

What an awesome experience it was. I got to run, and I got to publicly share my story of not giving up with so many people. It is a message I think God doesn't want me to keep to myself! You can see pictures from the run here.... My Pear Blossom Run 2011