There was a change of plans. Instead of doing the shortest leg (4.2 miles) of the relay race during the Grand Rapids Marathon this morning, I did final leg of 5.15 miles (8.28 kilometers). When our group Voltes V made the decision the night before, I nervously accepted my new assignment but was also excited at being tasked to cross the finish line. And I did it under the desired 1 hour (52 minutes; a not bad 10 minute per mile).

My relay race Grand Rapids Marathon finisher medal. Isn't it the prettiest thing?

The rest of the team did a better overall time too than was calculated for the 26.2 miles race. Instead of the expected 5h:20mins finish it was a faster 4h:47mins (almost the same as Oprah's). A lot of the improved time has to do with the excitement of running with/against other runners, the nippy temprature (I was just dying to run to get my body warm) and the breathtaking scenery as a distraction (my route was in a forest preserve, by a small lake, crossing a river via a charming wooden bridge, then a part of the city).

At the Hall Lake forest preserve in Grand Rapids. As if running a marathon wasn't enough
our team and family trekked this area the afternoon before.

It was a great experience. I met new people. I saw inspiring runners: seniors running a full marathon, parents running a full marathon bringing along their special needs children in wheelchairs, an expectant mom with "future runner" and an arrow pointing to the belly part on her shirt. I got to know my filipino neighbours and their really nice filipino friends from Michigan (and they are all, uhurm, voting for Obama). I got to visit a new city. I reached a milestone too, it was my first overnight away from my son.

I will definitely do it again, who knows I might be doing the half-marathon or even full next year. More photos to come.

Woo-Hoo!

While I was away I learned that a popular, influential and respected Republican figure Colin Powell endorsed the main man Barack Obama. What awesome welcome back news!

Not Only That

The right leaning newspaper Chicago Tribune had endorsed him too, their first democrat for president endorsement since they started in 1847. In their editorial:

"We have known Obama since he entered politics a dozen years ago. We have watched him, worked with him, argued with him as he rose from an effective state senator to an inspiring U.S. senator to the Democratic Party's nominee for president.

We have tremendous confidence in his intellectual rigor, his moral compass and his ability to make sound, thoughtful, careful decisions. He is ready."

Keep the good news rolling!

Currently listening to: Tarzan soundtrack (Phil Collins)
Currently reading: Time Magazine
Currently watching: Definitely, Maybe (Abigail Breslin)