It's the Qualleys!: Nike Human Race...

On Sunday August 31st, Nike hosted the first ever Nike Human Race. The basic idea was to have 25 cities all over the world join together and run a 10k. Grant thought the concept was a really cool one and got even more interested when he found out that Austin was one of the 25 cities involved. He'd been running in preparation for races later on down the line but decided that he wanted to be part of this world-wide race.

There were 15,000 people who participated in Austin's race alone. Downtown Austin was PACKED with runners all wearing the red running shirt that Nike provided for the race. In addition to the runners, there were tons of family and friends there as support. I went with Grant to the race solely as cheerleader. I did not run...seeing as how I really actually hate running and have a tendency to get what my dad calls "wooby" when it's too hot outside. Sunday was especially hot and I could tell poor Grant was a little nervous about this factor as the time got closer for him to run.

As Grant and I walked to Congress Avenue and came up to the starting/finish line, we could hear Aaron Pearsol, one of the U.S. Men's Olympic swimmers, being interviewed by the hosts of the event. I think I swooned a little bit and then came to in time to hear him talk about his experience and his pride in Austin and what the city was accomplishing with the run. The hosts also announced that Lance Armstrong and Matthew McConaughey were running the race. I might've blacked out a little at that point from sheer celebrity bliss, but then snapped back into my wifely duties of encouraging Grant, giving him a big hug, and sending him on his way to find his place at the starting line. As easy as that can possibly be with 15,000 runners. I'm telling you, between Grant running this race and me possibly seeing some A-listers, it was an exciting Sunday!

Before the race started, the hosts talked about how a portion of the race was being donated to the Lance Armstrong Foundating, an organization that fights cancer. It was so inspiring to hear about what they're doing to help and I'll admit, I might've shed a tear or two solely out of pride. For all the bad that goes on in this world, it's nice to hear about the ways that people are trying to help and make a difference. Especially in areas where I've lost some very close loved ones. For those who are working to make cancer a thing of the past, I am thankful.

Back to the race...it started at 6:30pm and the first runner to cross the finish line came in at 34 minutes! 6.2 miles in 34 minutes! Believe me, all of the on-lookers were more than impressed. (It took me closer to 45 minutes to run HALF of that at the Race for the Cure last year. That's just embarassing.)

I was VERY excitied for the sixth runner to cross the finish line. LANCE! I got to see him! It was a very cool moment for me to be able to see one of the best athletes in the world. Wow...still can't get over that one.

Followed very closely was THE Matthew McConaughey. I could barely see him through a crowd of photographers but I was able to snap a few myself. My sister called shortly after I saw him and she was dissapointed to hear that no...his shirt was still on. Poor Erin, no shirtless picture of Matthew. ;)

The absolute best moment of the night, however, was when I got the call from Grant saying, "I'm near the finish line!". (Yes, he'd taken his cell phone in his Camel Pak. Just a safe idea with 15,000 people. How would he find me otherwise?) The host was at the finish line reading off some of the runners' names as they came across the finish line (via microchip on their shoe) and I was so proud when I heard "Grant Qualley" across the loudspeaker. He did it! A 10k in the hottest part of August...in Texas. AMAZING! It was one of my proudest moments. And what was the first thing he said on the way home?