Rite Aid Cleveland 10K ~ May 17, 2009

On May 17, 2009 I ran the Rite Aid Cleveland 10K. It was my first race in several years and I was a little nervous. I run a lot and knew that I could get through 6.2 miles without a problem, but there was just something that made my stomach turn. Anyway, my mom wanted to support me so she signed up to walk the course.

Here we are before the race. It was really cold (46 degrees, ??? with the windchill) and really early. I hadn't slept much so I just wanted to get started.

Steve & Rich were there to cheer as we passed by. You can see the back of me here in the blue shorts and black shirt. Steve said he couldn't get a good shot because I was running so fast :) Yeah right!

Steve found me after the race and took a picture by the finish line. I finished in 1:07:17, which was a little slower than I had hoped, but I was happy to be able to run the entire distance and without injury. There's always next year!

Here is my mom in the final stretch. She encountered some long lines at the port-a-potty so it set her back a little while (not a surprise to anyone who knows my mom!). She finished in 2:07:32.

Here is a picture of my mom and I after the race. It was a really nice morning, but it was about time to head home and take a nap!

2009 NBA Playoffs

The 2008-09 NBA season is one that will be hard to forget! There were many ups and downs and although the Cavs eventually lost to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference Finals, it is still a season worth remembering. Our beloved Cleveland Cavaliers posted a league-best 66-16 record, earning them a #1 seed and home court advantage throughout the Playoffs. What makes this even more special is that Steve and I have a history with the Cavaliers. Of course, I was raised a Cavs fan and basketball has been a love of mine for many years, but when you live and breathe with a team, it becomes so much more than a hobby…it becomes an obsession. Steve began working for the Cavs during the 1995-96 season and hasn’t left! Quicken Loans Arena (a.k.a. Gund Arena) is also where Steve and I met in the summer of 2000 when he hired me to be his intern in Cavs PR. I returned to work for Cavs & Rockers PR for a few years after I graduated from college while Steve moved departments and to his current position in IT. Several years have passed and many things have changed. Instead of the pathetic 30 win, 29 win and 17 win seasons, the 2008-09 season had us enthusiastic about record-breaking statistics and record-breaking performances. We had so much to cheer for with the league’s MVP leading the way.

The Cavs Playoff atmosphere is like no other sports experience I’ve ever had. Unfortunately, Steve has to work all of the home games, but I have great friends and family that I was able to share this incredible journey with.

Liberty in front of Quicken Loans Arena

2009 Cavalier Playoffs

Round One vs. Detroit ~ SWEEP!!

4/18 Game One @ Cleveland ~ W 102-84
4/21 Game Two @ Cleveland ~ W 94-82
4/24 Game Three @ Detroit ~ W 79-68
4/26 Game Four @ Detroit ~ W 99-78

Liberty & Shannon ~ Round One, Game One

Player Introductions

Cavs Win ~ 102-84

Liberty & Shannon ~ Round One, Game Two

Cavs Win ~ 94-82

Eastern Conference Semi-Finals vs. Atlanta ~ SWEEP!!

5/5 Game One @ Cleveland ~ W 99-72
5/7 Game Two @ Cleveland ~ W 105-85
5/9 Game Three @ Atlanta ~ W 97-82
5/11 Game Four @ Atlanta ~ W 84-74

LeBron James is crowned NBA MVP

Sean & Shannon ~ Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, Game One

Cavaliers Win ~ 99-72

Steve's longtime friend (Eric Hodge) was visiting Cleveland on business during the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals so he was able to attend the game with me. Here we are prior to the game at The Harry Buffalo...Mom, Eric, Shannon & Liberty

Eric & Shannon ~ Eastern Conference Semi-Finals, Game Two

Steve & Eric

Cavaliers Win ~ 105-85

Eastern Conference Finals vs. Orlando

5/20 Game One @ Cleveland ~ L 107-106
5/22 Game Two @ Cleveland ~ W 96-95
5/24 Game Three @ Orlando ~ L 99-89
5/26 Game Four @ Orlando ~ L 116-114 (OT)
5/28 Game Five @ Cleveland ~ W 112-102
5/30 Game Six @ Orlando ~ L 103-90

Sean & Shannon ~ Eastern Conference Finals, Game One

Orlando Wins ~ 107-106

Shannon & Steve the morning of Game Two...We both put on the same shirt without realizing it :)

Shannon & Sean ~ Eastern Conference Finals, Game Two...This picture was taken right after LeBron hit the game-winning three with 1.0 second remaining. It was awesome!!

Cavaliers Win ~ 96-95

Sean & Shannon ~ Eastern Conference Finals, Game Five

Cavaliers Win ~ 112-102

It’s been 13 years since Steve Schur came from Connecticut via South Carolina to Cleveland and this was finally the year where the Cavs gave us a great chance at an NBA Championship. It's really too bad that this great season had to come to an end so soon, but there's always next year!