The winter running season is long and lonely. Marked by cold, short days and diminished race calendars, it can make even the most allergic runner long for the blossoming of spring. I ran my last major race at Charlotte’s Thunder Road Half Marathon in November, and I have eight more weeks to prepare for my first race of 2015. I can’t wait to get back out there for my sister Taylor.
On National Running Day in June, I shared my plan to run a race in all 50 states to honor Taylor and raise awareness of Batten disease. I kicked things off at Oregon’s Crater Lake Rim Run in August and followed with races at Tennessee’s Great Smoky Mountains Half Marathon (September) and South Carolina’s Great Pumpkin 5K (October). Taylor, who once ran two 5K races despite being blind as a result of Batten disease, inspires me to give my best every day; her courage has taken me places I never thought I could go.
I’m already registered for races in the following states in 2015. These are listed in no particular order–I’ll share more details in the future.
- North Dakota
- Virginia
- Hawaii
- Texas
- North Carolina
I choose races carefully; each one has a connection to Taylor. I love sharing these stories and can’t wait to chronicle them as I continue this journey in 2015.
Do you live in one of these states? Do you have a favorite race in your home state? Let me know in the comments!
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