als walk - fiesta!

Saturday morning was the Fiesta 5 k for ALS research. I don't participate in things like this nearly often enough. It was the perfect way to start the day with hundreds of people all backing one single, important cause. Dan and I got there in enough time to see the groups assemble in their team t-shirts, see the runners stretch in anticipation of the run and see those with ALS in wheelchairs. I started speaking about my experience with the disease - almost 20 years ago and before I knew it I was overcome by emotion. This is part of me that I am starting to embrace. We started off together and then Dan ran and I walked (briskly!) and took in the beautiful sights of the city and all of the energy around me. It was awesome to see children and parents running together and older couples walking hand-in-hand. Towards the end of the race, something came over me and I wanted to run for all of those who were not able to - and so I did. Not very far but I was proud of myself and glad I had the energy at the end of the "race" to cross the finish line with a big grin on my face and bursting with love. I want to do a better job of planning ahead of time next year, to raise money for research and to get a group together to represent Gary's Girls. But this year, our last minute participation in it totally worked out wonderfully.