Alaska!

This is why we run. Why we've logged over 500 miles in the past few months, sacrificed time with friends and family, done load after load of dirty laundry and spent Saturday after Saturday in all kinds of Atlanta weather, from tornadoes to thunderstorms to 95 degree heat. For Kate. For all the Kates in our lives, past, present and future.

And so, our Georgia Chapter, along with nearly a thousand other TNTers from across the country and Canada, set out on the 13.1 and 26.2 mile courses in the chilly Alaska rain last Saturday morning. And look at all the smiles!

Once we got started, it warmed up a bit. We were treated to a not-so-scenic view of the Anchorage airport, followed by gorgeous trails through the Alaskan forest, complete with views of the Pacific Ocean. I ran most of the way with Angela (aka "bacon") and Carolyn (Kate's mom), who is SIXTEEN WEEKS PREGNANT! And she was amazing--strong and positive as always, knowing that with each step, she's making the world a little better for Kate, Ava, Jackson and little baby boy Hansen. And what a cool thing to hear from your mom one day--I ran a half marathon when you were sixteen weeks old!

I don't have any pictures of the finish (though I'm sure to get some from friends as they drift back into town), but this Southern girl got a bit chilly post-run, so much so that my lips turned bright blue. The sweet ladies at the Starbucks at the Anchorage Hilton hooked me up with some hot chocolate when we got back to the hotel, and I enjoyed a warm shower (shhh--don't tell Coach Tommy!) and checked up on all my friends and mentees through the online results. I finished in 2:22:47 (a personal record!), Nicole in 2:39, Sarah and Tommy (who took pictures the entire way!) at 2:50 and Shay around 3:15.

I can honestly say it was the first time I enjoyed a half marathon. I guess the third time is the charm. I really feel like my training has helped, and it was simply inspirational to run with Carolyn. I flew back into Atlanta at 7am yesterday and was back on the track less than 12 hours later. And I'll keep running until there's a cure. It's the least I can do.