Fullerton, CA, California United States 68F / 20C Overcast

Total Time = 54m 57s Overall Rank = 393/624 Age Group = 35 - 39 Female Age Group Rank = 27/41

I left work early on Friday to head out to Fullerton for packet pick up. It was at Full Spectrum Dermatology, which I was surprised to learn was right by St. Jude, the hospital I was born at.  I got my shirt and goody bag, bought raffle tickets, and then went into the dermatologist’s office to get the free skin cancer check that came with race registration. I had actually almost not gone because I was so scared of getting checked, but logic prevailed, and I realized that I need to start getting checks done, since I am in a high risk category for melanoma.

I waited for a few minutes and filled out paperwork. They had goodies supplied by Panera Bread, but I was too nervous to eat. When I finally went in they told me to dress down to my comfort level, but didn’t have a gown for me to wear or anything. So, I had to stand there, awkwardly clad in very little, and wait. A dermatology student came in first and did an initial exam, and then the doctor came in to follow up. Everything checked out, which was a huge relief! Any moles I have are just regular old boring, garden-variety, run of the mill moles. Pfew!!!

I went and grabbed some food then took the kids to swim practice. That evening I packed for the race after our usual “Pizza and TV” Friday night. It wasn’t an A race or a tri, so I wasn’t super careful about what I put into my stomach that night.

I was up at 5:15, which for a race morning isn’t too bad. I got ready, had my usual pre-race breakfast, and watched part of a DVRed episode of America’s Next Top Model. I got to say goodbye to my husband and son, before I headed out the door.

I got to Fullerton pretty quickly, and the pre-race festivities were in full gear! I had done this race in its inaugural year, five years ago, but haven’t been able to do it since. Then it was a local 5k, with maybe a few runners doing so to raise money for melanoma research. This year it was all different…in a good way! There were teams, as large as 83 people, who had matching shirts, pictures and signs honoring their loved ones who have died from melanoma. It was amazing to see. My dad died of stage IV melanoma in 1995. This is the only event, that I know of, that raises money for melanoma research. It was really great to be in a place with so many people whose lives have been affected by melanoma. It made for an emotional, but awesome, morning.

I walked around to check everything out and recognized a few faces on one team from work. As I was trying to think of someone’s name I heard someone yell mine. It was Lynn, a friend that I used to work with who now lives in Ohio. I was surprised to see her. She was in town just for this event. Her best friend’s dad had died of melanoma last year. The race was dedicated to him. Also, his wife works in the student store at the school that I teach at, which is why I saw several familiar faces. Lynn and I talked for a while before it was time to warm up.


There was a group warm up, that I didn’t feel like doing, so I walked over to the playground to stretch my calves. During this time, one of the daughters of the man who the race was dedicated to, got up on stage and told us about her dad’s battle. It was a very touching story and there were a lot of us that could really relate to what this family was going through.

I had meant to do at least some running to warm up, but it was now race time, so I hit the restrooms and took my place at the back of the group waiting behind the start line.