Sundays In My City #10 - Run!

Do you know Unknown Mami? She's awesome and she created a fun Sunday theme inviting you to get out and take pictures of your city to share with the rest of us. Click here for details and her logo and click here to see Unknown Mami's City today.

Last week I was inspired by a Sundays In My City post by my friend Christine who participated in a March for Mental Health in Santa Monica, CA. While Christine was marching, I was cheering on a great group of people who participated in the Lupus Race for Life in LaMirada, CA whihc is about 45 minutes south of Los Angeles.

Below are three dynamite little girls--Rosebud, Angelica and BB. They are 6 and 7 years old! Rosebud and Angelica's mom both have lupus and BB's Auntie has the disease. Angelica raced on Team Garcia and Rosebud and BB worked all year long and raised more than $1000 in sponsorships! When I watched the girls run their little legs off in the kid's 3K Race, I cried and cheered and was inspired by their generosity and determination. Looks at those gorgeous faces! Their Mom's are so proud of them and I am too.

In all, nearly 3,000 people ran the race and more than 1,500 kind folks volunteered and joined in to make the event a big success.

It was a crowed starting line filled with people of all shape, sizes and ages. Tons of individuals and families, friends, and law enforcement and fire fighters formed teams to run and raise much needed fund for lupus support groups and research.

As I watched all the enthusiastic runners take off, I choked back sobs. I was diagnosed with lupus 16 years ago and there are times it's totally kicked my butt. "Running" is not an option for me, my body can't take it anymore, but to think so many others got up at dawn to run and raise money for lupus humbled me.

I loved watching the participants. I can't imagine running a 5K carrying that big flag, but he lead his team and they all finished together.

This woman was happy at the starting line and happy at the finish line! The crowd loved her!

This group of officers marched in formation and chanted "gung ho" type songs the entire time! They ran in unison and you could hear their footsteps before you saw them coming up the hill to finish. It was pretty cool.

The California Highway Patrol helped clear the way for runners. Check out the little guy running!

Some of the runners won these for being the fastest or raising the most money.

All the runners got a tee shirt that looked like this.

And lots of groups made their own Team tee shirts.

I especially liked seeing Team shirts honoring lupus survivors.

And when I saw Team shirts like this, my heart broke, and I cried even more.

After the Race, runners were treated to a hot breakfast prepared by an awesome group of LA's first responders.

Everyone ate a lot of pancakes and sausage...

And there was plenty of this to go around!

It was a great but very emotional day for me. Lupus International is the organization I turned to when I was first diagnosed and my husband and I have been involved with them ever since.

A million thanks to Lupus Race For Life participants who helped make it all happen: California Highway Patrol, Los Angeles Sheriff, Los Angeles Police Department, Los Angeles County Fire Department, Orange County Fire Authority, and Orange County Sheriff's Department. These men and woman are the greatest and their help was invaluable. And thanks to all the other runners, volunteers and staff at Lupus International. I sincerely appreciate your support. I'll be back again next year to cheer everyone on!

How's your Sunday?

Welcome to The Fifty Factor - Joanna