Running for Taylor: 2015 in Pictures

Published: December 31, 2015  ~   2
By Laura King Edwards

When I set out to run a race in all 50 states to honor my sister and support one in 10 Americans suffering from a rare disease, I only wanted to build on the momentum of running 13.1 miles blindfolded, which I did at Charlotte’s Thunder Road Half Marathon in late 2013. Taylor’s story was too good, her courage too inspiring, and the success of the blind run too complete to call it quits.

I never imagined the ride would be quite like this.

As the year comes to a close, I’m taking a look back at an incredible 2015: nine races, seven states and enough memories to last a lifetime. continue reading →

Running for Taylor in 50 States: Sprinting for Hawaii

Published: July 17, 2015  ~   0

National Running Day 2015: Looking Back, and Ahead

Published: June 3, 2015  ~   0
By Laura Edwards

Today is National Running Day, a “coast-to-coast celebration of running.” On this day last June, I put on a blindfold and ran an unofficial 5K to honor my sister, Taylor. I cherish my vision; blindness is one of the many terrible things about Batten disease. But there is something magical about running blind for my sister that I’ve never quite been able to describe.

That blind run on neighborhood streets and a school track was the first time I’d run in real darkness – the kind of darkness that forces you to trust yourself and your guide and a higher power – since running Charlotte’s Thunder Road Half Marathon blindfolded in November 2013. continue reading →

Running for Taylor: A Change of Plans

Published: May 2, 2015  ~   2
By Laura Edwards

Eight months ago, I registered to run the Fargo Half Marathon on May 9 – the seventh leg of my 50-state quest to honor my sister Taylor, fight Batten disease and support the millions of people suffering from a rare disease.

There’s been a change of plans. continue reading →

Running for Taylor: From the Other Side

Published: April 18, 2015  ~   2
By Laura Edwards

On a cool morning in Chapel Hill, North Carolina last April, I arrived on the UNC campus for my fifth straight Tar Heel 10 Miler. I was the healthiest and fittest I’d ever been, and I was coming off a 1:17 PR for the 10-mile distance. I didn’t match my PR that day, but Team Taylor’s Tale ran well for the fight against Batten disease.

Sometimes it seems as if I’m always hurt, but I’ve never missed a race due to injury. Until today. continue reading →

Running for Taylor in 50 States: Virginia

Published: April 5, 2015  ~   7
By Laura Edwards

When I crossed the finish line of Charlotte’s Thunder Road Half Marathon blindfolded in November 2013, I knew the race would be a tough act to follow. But I didn’t intend to stop running for my sister, Taylor, and our fight against Batten disease and other rare diseases.

On National Running Day 2014, I shared my plan to run a race in all 50 states – a feat not as rare as running 13.1 miles blind but one that I hope will help me spread our story far and wide.

On Good Friday, John and I drove to Charlottesville, Virginia for state number six and the Charlottesville Half Marathon and 8K. continue reading →