On the 26th of March my friend Esther and I traveled to Dallas, Texas for the Rock-N-Roll 1/2 Marathon. This was the first time that I have ever taken a trip like this with a friend. I picked her up around 8am and drove to San Antonio to catch a flight on Southwest Airlines to Dallas. We packed light (one carry-on bag each) and went through security quickly. Had yummy Starbucks coffee before boarding the plane. Our friends Kristy and Cliff picked us up at the airport and drove us all to the Adolphus Hotel in downtown Dallas.
The Hotel was very "Swanky", as we all loved to call it. Esther and I shared a room on the 4th floor. The hallway was kind of "Shining"-ish. But the room was lovely. And, our friend Jennifer (JJ) left some really wonderful baskets for us filled with healthy snacks, drinks, and cards. She is pregnant and couldn't run with us but still went out of her way to make this event memorable. We have the best friends ever.
After settling in for a few, Kristy, Esther and I walked over to the Expo to pick up my running packet and check out all the gear. There were lots of vendors and if I had lots of money I would have walked away with extra baggage. But, we were traveling light and decided to walk around downtown Dallas.
Just outside of the Convention Center was a park that hosted a series of large bronze looking bulls. Of course we couldn't pass up this photo opportunity...
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 Love the Bulls |
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| Our own Running of the Bulls |
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| Run Esther Run |
We strolled through the graveyard of founding fathers of Dallas...
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| Cemetery of the Founding Fathers |
Then we met up with Cliff and strolled down to a place I never even imagined that I would be... The exact place where JFK was assassinated. We met a very kind man that took the time to tell us the whole story including the conspiracy theories for the price of around five dollars each. This is the way that some homeless or poor make money. He was entertaining and thorough. I enjoyed his story.
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| Miguel telling us the story of JFK's assassination. |
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| The "Grassy Knoll" |
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| Teens in the road are where the fatal shot to the head was made. |
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| Building that Lee Harvey Oswald was found in. |
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| Jail that Oswald was held in until he was shot. |
After we explored the area some more we all went to Olive Garden to carb load before the run the next day. We met some friends there and had a wonderful meal and fellowship. I loved being able to get to know my friends even more.
Afterwards we went to the hotel for some sleep which was interrupted by the sound of sirens moving closer and closer and then stopping very near to the hotel. I crawled out of bed and look down out of the window and there were: a ladder fire truck, a small fire truck, a fire chief truck, a police car, and two bicycle cops just below us. Esther and I took a few photos out the window and discussed the fact that there were no smoke or fire alarms going off in the building. I called the front desk and asked if there was anything that I should be worried about. The operator said that I would have heard an electronic voice in the hallway (and I'm assuming screaming) if there had been a fire. There was a poor lady stuck in the elevator and ALL of Dallas' finest were there to pull her out. It is a good feeling to know that if there were a problem, the authorities would all be there to help in a hurry.
The next morning we got up and had a quick breakfast of granola bars and Ibuprofen :) And then made our way to the start line. There is nothing like being a part of something huge that includes thousands of people all willing to push themselves to the limit for whatever cause is close to their hearts. There were people wearing shirts to commemorate the lives of loved ones that have battled cancer and others that are just there to challenge themselves and be more healthy.
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| Our name for ourselves is "Sole Sisters" |
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| Kristy and Esther |
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| My friend designed this hat to support my new love of running. |
The run was beautiful. We ran through some fabulous neighborhoods with multi-million dollar homes. The lawns were covered in lovely flowers and statues of lions. I was in awe of the area and spent half the run just fantasizing what it would be like to live there. The day was overcast and around 52 degrees but that is the best running weather. Not so hot that we would overheat. Although, the further we ran the more we started to feel a slight drizzle and winds. By the time that we reached the "World Fair" fairgrounds we were soaked, freezing and tired. Esther and I were pushing through our pain to reach the finish line. Kristy, who has done this many times, encouraged us the whole way.
We finally ran across the finish line triumphant and exhausted.
After the race we rushed back to the hotel, showered and packed, and rushed to the airport. We bought Cinnabon cinnamon rolls and coffee before getting on the plane back to San Antonio. We were triumphant, sore and tired.
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| My medal. |
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| Esther and I on the flight back home. |
This was by far the best and most fulfilling adventure I have ever had with my friends. I could not have asked for more fun, excitement and companionship than I had that weekend. I will forever remember it. Thank you my loved ones for being so supportive and for my friends being so ready for an opportunity to better ourselves and share in the struggle.
