Revisiting the past

This weekend was the Tour de Pink Atlanta 5K, which I ran with my friend Erin.
The event is actually a bike ride, but the organization added a 5K run/walk, I'd like to think at my suggestion.
I've had a long history with the Tour de Pink Atlanta, because I was there for its first one back in 2009, when it was cold and rainy. I didn't have a bike, so ended up helping to drive the SAG wagon, but in the post-race suggestions, I said they ought to add a 5K!
The bike event benefits Young Survival Coalition, which I've been a part of since I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2006.
Now that I'm seven years from diagnosis, revisiting my cancer past is somewhat bittersweet.
There are many women, and men, I know as a result of my diagnosis. They would be in my life no other way than through cancer. Not exactly the way I would have chosen to meet any of them, but that's just the way it happened. Knowing those friends is truly the "sweet" part of cancer, and believe me, it's hard to write that, because really no part of cancer is sweet.
But events like the Tour de Pink Atlanta also remind me of the bitter part of cancer, particularly the bitterness of losing so many young friends to the disease.
Last year, during the survivor ceremony, I was suddenly overwhelmed by the memory of my friend Kat, who died just a week before the Tour de Pink Atlanta. She died from a blood clot after giving birth to her SECOND post-cancer baby.
Post-cancer babies, I think, are truly miracles and so life-affirming.
They come after a time of uncertainty and hurt, and provide the sweetness and light that only children can provide. Especially children to parents who weren't sure they could HAVE children after cancer.
I honestly feel that post-cancer babies are a sign we are winning. A giant F-U to cancer. A sign that cancer can't take everything, because here is this little miracle.
This year's race had a little more sweetness than bitterness, in my opinion.

Before the race, my "pink" friends Christina, Vanetta, Maya and Erin

Pre-race fun: Christina, Maya, Erin and me

Erin and I got to the race in Alpharetta pre-dawn. Getting up at 5:30 am for a race is hard, particularly when it is so nice and cool outside, and the bed is so nice and warm with two kitties all snuggled up with me!

At the start

Sunrise at the race

 

Me and Suzanne, the survivor speaker at the event 

After the survivor ceremony, the bicyclists all start out first. Best not to mow over the runners and walkers!
Erin and I both felt we had "lead legs" for the race, but we came in around 34 minutes, which would be absolutely stellar for a 5K for me. Except the course is short by about a quarter mile. :)
That's OK. We did an 11 minute first mile, which I knew we were running fast.

Every 5K should finish with wine!

 Erin and I clearly rewarded ourselves for our hard effort with a glass of wine at the post-race celebration. Every 5K should end this way in my book!
That is the real fun of Tour de Pink Atlanta. It's not JUST a race, it is a festive celebration, with live bands, lunch, beverages and camaraderie.
And then there was THIS celebration:

Lisa and Kevin, a post-cancer baby

Lisa, Kevin, Erin, Me and Maya

This was Kevin's first 5K, which should be reason enough to celebrate, but Kevin is also a post-cancer baby. Mom Lisa and Dad David were at the event to show him off and we all simply fell in love with him! What a doll.
I think it might have been the sweetest part of revisiting my past today.