Well what a weekend!! It was the last weekend before my girls got home from their vacation and even though we didn't do a whole lot as far as going out while they were gone, we definitely made the best of our last Saturday. David and I got up early 4:45 (yes in the am) and went on a run. It was an important day in my training schedule. On my schedule for the day was my first four mile run. I was very nervous about getting this done. What is neat about our neighborhood is that we are located on a loop that is exactly four miles around. I started out good and felt strong. David did go with me for moral support and because I don't like running alone that early in the morning. It was very hot and humid but I was holding my own. I got through two miles and then on to two and a half but started getting a cramp under my rib on the left hand side of my body. I made sure to keep hydrated and took some water when I felt the cramp come. It went away for a few minutes and I went on to the third mile and then the cramp came back. At that point all I wanted to do was get to the corner stop sign. I tried as hard as I could but when it hurt too much for me to take a breath in I had to stop. I stood on the sidewalk trying to see if it would go away but every breath I took was painful. I made it 3.2 and only about 100 feet from the corner. I wasn't disappointed at all in my performance. I was very proud. I had tried to run that loop before and couldn't make it very far at all so I will take it and hope to get it done next time.
After the run we rushed to get showered and changed. I had volunteered David and I to work the St. Pete Pride Parade and we were excited!! Most people who know me know that gay rights and the gay movement are very important to me. As soon as I heard about the parade I wanted to help. I also wanted to be apart of the event in general!! We arrived early, parked and got our t-shirts. We then made a long trek to get our badges. It was hot!! Our job was Parade Marshall. We helped all the people, cars, and floats get organized for the parade route. We stood in a parking lot for a while just standing around and then once the parade started going we were asked to walk in front of one float to make sure people didn't get too close. So we ended up being a part of the parade!!! It was so much fun. I caught a few guys checking David and and it made me laugh. The day was a scorcher. 98 degrees on the thermometer when we got back in the car. We met up with a new friend of ours from the atheist club we belong to and had lunch in St. Pete. All in all it was a great day helping out with a great cause. I was thinking how funny it is to go to something like St. Pete Pride where 80,000 people were expected and compare that to Gasparilla and all the bullshit that goes on with the drinking. Sure way more people gather for Gasparilla but why does it have to get so out of hand? The Pride parade was well organized and the people who were there were all very nice. It was clean and peaceful. I am sure no one was raped in the parking lot like some poor girl one year at Gasparilla. We did run into some protesters all yelling about gays going to hell. I read on the news that those I saw on the corner were the only protesters at the whole event. The LGBT movement has come a long way!!! Happy Pride Weekend!! Until next time...
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