Sometimes we run for a bigger purpose …

This was a very spontaneous run I did.  There was no package pickup, no t-shirt and no medal.  But it was one of the most memorable runs I have ever done.

This was a run that was done in honor of a Oceanside Runner named Cindy Encinas Hussey.  No I did not know her personally and I have actually not done any runs in Oceanside her hometown, but all you had to do was spend a morning with those who did know her to learn why she was so loved.

As you can see my Flat Teri was a little more low key for this run.

What was interesting about Cindy was, like a lot of us, she was not always a runner, but if you read her story (click on her name above)  you will see it is something that she found passion in.

So the run was in Oceanside and when I got there it was set up next door to Endurance House, an amazing multi sport store that had items for biking, Tri’s and running.  They also have a running club which offered free group runs every Tuesday for all level of runners.  That is always a great thing for beginner runners as it gives you an opportunity to run as a group.  This was a group that Cindy was very involved with, as I learned speaking to those that worked in the store.

I found that they had a silent auction of some really nice items from wetsuits to golf bags and clubs.  You also could buy raffle tickets to win some other really nice running items.  Because this race did not cost anything but donations were welcomed I bought some tickets, money well spent on a great cause.

The race started around 9:00 am and there was a pretty nice size group of fellow runners.  It went through the local neighborhood to get us down to the Oceanside Boardwalk.  The weather was great although once you got down to the ocean the humidity jumped and I was dripping with sweat.  But you cannot get a better view that what we had that morning.

The run was pretty flat with just a few slight hills and I did pretty well finishing in 34:12.  A long way from my hour 5K’s when I started in January.  I think the mood when running really helped motivate me to keep going, as I ran the entire race with no stopping.

So once you got back you were welcomed by a pancake breakfast and let me tell you they tasted pretty darn good.  Then they started the raffle calling out number after number.  Now let me tell you I never win anything, I mean really I never do.  And I thought today was going to be no different as they got down to just a few prizes left.  But today was my day as I finally won something, YEAH!!!  I won a pair of compression calve sleeves and a hat, both I was thrilled at winning.

It was a great morning, and I met some super nice people that I hope to be able to meet up again with.  I found a sports store I really liked and I will frequent, as they carry watermelon Nunn and it is the hardest flavor to find, well worth a drive to Oceanside for it.  Honestly what more can you ask for.  Well I can think of one thing that would be to alleviate the need for these type of runs and that is a cure to all cancer.  We can dream can’t we….

So race #25 is in the books and it was not my traditional run but that is what is so great about this sport and about this community, sometimes you run for a larger purpose other than a PR, or Race # sometimes its just about being together out there running.

So as always keep on running and see you at the finish line!