A Mommy Adventure: The Girls Just Want to Have Fun 5K

The Girls Just Want to Have Fun 5K was on March 23 in College Station. We had a blast preparing for the race and actually a ton of fun on the day of the race! There were over 1,000 women running and we had all-male volunteers in t-shirt tuxedoes at the water and food stations.

Kristy and Paxton

We ran the 5K for Miss Paxton, Kristy's 2.5 year old daughter. Paxton was diagnosed with neutropenia, a rare blood condition that causes a reduced number or complete lack of neutrophils. In the fall of 2011, Paxton went through a few bacterial infections, some viruses and even had fevers with no other symptoms before they found out she had neutropenia. On March 19, bone marrow tests came back confirming she had Autoimmune Neutropenia which means she should outgrow it. We're all praying she does so her parents don't have to worry about the little things so much!

As Paxton's Princess Posse, we raised money through Long Race 4 Tate for the Ella Jewel Foundation. The initial fundraising goal for P^3, was $500. That goal was quickly accomplished so we raised it to $1,000. I am happy to say we passed that goal and we raised $1,421!

The Ella Jewell Foundation’s mission is to “Raise awareness in the area of Neutropenia and funds to put towards research for Neutropenia and Childhood Bone Marrow Failure Disorders; to one day find a cure and make a difference.” And that $1,421 goes toward the Ella Jewell Foundation! 

Our princess poses

Race Day started bright and early for us.. 7 am isn't so early for most of the Princesses. But it was early for me! Well, it wasn't too bright, either, since a front came through that brought cooler temperatures and the threat for rain. Some of us had practiced the route a few times before and of course, our lovely Texas weather had been warmer than what we ran in on Race Day!

Every princess needs some glitter!

Every princess needs some glitter!

We were all prepped and ready to walk to the start of the race together. We crossed the Start Line together but we all ran at our own paces. I was happy with my ~35 minute 5K time and I know everyone else was happy with theirs. This was the first race for some of the Princesses and it sounded like everyone enjoyed it. I hope it's the start for them because I know I enjoyed my first 5K earlier in March. 

There were a ton of women in pink, neons and in costumes. There was a great atmosphere throughout the race itself, too. At the end of the race, there were awards for best individual and team costumes, overall best time winners and then each age group had 1st and 2nd place awards. The group costume contest winners were dressed up at old ladies. They were awesome and hilarious! The leading Old Lady blogs about her running experiences and Kristy had a chance to meet her at a meet-n-greet sponsored by the race officials in February. You can read about it on her One Tough Mother Runner blog. 

The start of the race

Paxton was there to cheer her Posse along!

Finished my 2nd official 5K at 00:35:05
Axe 'em Jacks!

As much as I wanted to give TWO enthusiastic thumbs up as I had this picture taken, I couldn't bring myself to do it. I knew I felt great and had beaten my old 5K time by almost 3.5 minutes! "Thumbs Up" has a whole new meaning once you move into "Aggieland." I don't want to be mistaken for an Aggie... I am a Lumberjack, after all!

And before I end this, I want to thank Kassi for coming out to take pictures of us! I know it was cold and dreary but our pictures turned out fantastic! Thank you so much!