The Labor Day Big Peach Sizzler was today. This race is organized by and benefits the Miles for Cystic Fibrosis organization. The first year for this group was 2007. The Goodrow Gang was there and there we have remained. We love this group and all it stands for: Raising awareness of Cystic Fibrosis, collecting donations for vital research through the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and lending a helping hand to those in the CF community with financial needs through the Reaching Out Foundation ALL while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.
This year we wanted to remind the Big Peach Sizzler 10k runners to think: #whyirunmiles4cf
The idea started 5 years ago when I saw a CF dietician running with her patient's names written on her arm to inspire her as she ran. Her idea would grow into my finding 13 inspirations with Cystic Fibrosis so I could dedicate each mile of my half marathons to one of my CF friends. The first mile is always the first person I met with CF following Elena's diagnosis (David Adkins...my mile 1 every time!) The last mile is always my Elena. She waits for me at the end of the race and I hug her before I finish that last .1 mile of the half. My CF family has grown and as many of you may know, it takes a village to support our CF families.
The Sizzler race is 6.1 miles.
So we have 6 fabulous CF BIG face signs that were held high at each mile marker.
The runners enjoyed the noise, the costumes, the music, and the reminder of
#whyirunmiles4cf
Our mile marker was a muggle free zone. We represented each house of Hogwarts.
Here you have Hufflepuff.
Ravenclaw
Slytherin
and...
Gryffindor
We enjoyed having our Viking friends join us bright and early for the Mile 1 party palooza!
Mile 1 had a lot a lot a lot of cowbell.
The runners just kept coming! We saw several CF supporting friends run by!
The highlight of the day was the Awards ceremony. We finally met the face behind the magic of the Hogwarts Running Club (www.hogwartsrunningclub.org)
and his lovely family. Our CF family just grew a lot more!
Hogwarts Running Club was amazing. They surprised us by adding a TWO to the FRONT of our $5,000.00 check...
That's right, they donated $25,000.00 to Elena's team Rosebuds after they heard her story earlier this year. It was such an amazing surprise that there were very few dry eyes in the group.
THANK YOU HOGWARTS RUNNING CLUB!!!
I leave you with a reminder of what Cystic Fibrosis does to our loved ones.
CF hoards time due to treatments, steals freedom because of surprise illnesses suddenly sprouting up, thunders through days spent at doctor offices and hospitals, crashes down on family events, sucks dry bank accounts to pay for treatment & meds, and strikes fears into the hearts of CF parents that worry about one day...
CF may take away the life of their little one as it has done to so many others.
Dear CF,
CF, I hope you have your boxing gloves on because this CF family is ready to fight.
I know exactly #whyirunmiles4cf and you are gonna lose this fight.
Sincerely, a CF mom with a lot of strength and sass
Sincerely, a CF mom with a lot of strength and sass
