Bloomsday

The first weekend in May has become an annual trip to Spokane, so my family can participate in Bloomsday. Lilac Bloomsday Run is put on by the Lilac Bloomsday Association every year on the first Sunday in May. This year was the 32nd annual race. It is 7.45 miles and runs all over downtown and the west side of Spokane.

The very first year we participated as a family was in 1987 (that year we lived in Spokane and didn't have to make the trip there.) We all started out together, but my dad got swept away with the adrenalin and started running, I walked with my mom for awhile and then wanted to catch up with my dad, and my mom and sister stuck together. Needless to say with the throngs of people participating we were separated. It was a good thing we had a meeting spot, although no one went there. My dad waited on the sidelines for me to finish after he had already finished. I chatted with him and then went and finished. While I was finding my way back to him, so we could wait for my sis and mom, my mom and sis were waiting for us at the meeting spot. We ended up finding each other and getting our shirts.

We didn't do the race again as a family until last year. (I came over once after college and volunteered passing out t-shirts while a bunch of college friends ran and walked it.) We all, minus Bil-because he doesn't walk-, decided to walk and not break a sweat. We stayed together for most of the race, had a few bathroom breaks for my dad and my pregnant sister, and even an ice cream break. Our time to say the least, not so impressive at 2hours 53min and 57sec, but really is about the time or about the fun times we have together?

This year we, plus Bil and Leia, decided to stick together again and walk. All I was hoping for was a better time, hence I was over 50 pounds lighter, and a sweet looking shirt. We did a great job. The first four miles flew by and we were setting a great pace. Then our pace man (dad) lost the group and we got off our pace. He found us before we finished, so we could all finish together. Our time this year: 2hours 32min and17 sec. That is a half hour less.

My goal next year is to do it under 2 hours, which might mean I will have to venture out on my own, but I think I can do it.