ONE WEEK!

One week from right this moment, my feet will be at the starting line for the Rock Tahoe Half!! And... I'm READY!

I read back over some of my earlier blogs this morning. It's been quite a journey here, hasn't it? From not being able to run a single mile in early January, to already having gone 11 and knowing I can do 13 next week - it's amazing. The frustrations, obstacles, challenges and speed bumps have made me stronger and built my confidence. The highs and PRs have kept me motivated and encouraged. The not-so-great days have kept me humble. It's all come together and I have almost made it full circle back to Tahoe where it ended 19 months ago. I'm so glad that wasn't a final ending. Just an ending to that chapter. January was the beginning of a new chapter. My story isn't over. It won't be over after Rock Tahoe either. I may not ever do another half after this, but I'm not done running, and I'm not finished yet. I have more goals to work towards and things I want to accomplish. These 5 1/2 months are definitely going to be a part of the highlight reel, but they are, in the bigger picture, just a small scene.

It has not been perfect - but I could not have had a better coach during this 5 1/2 months. I can honestly say there is not another person on this entire planet that I would want to have as my coach. I know I haven't been the easiest person to work with, we've had plenty of moments where I wondered if we were on the same page, and there were plenty of days he was probably ready to bail, but the patience he has shown, and the guidance he has given have pushed me to accomplish things that I never imagined. His constant encouragement and support, both with running and life in general, have been an immeasurable part of the success of these past 5 1/2 months. Through every doctor appointment, injury, illness, frustration, doubt and meltdown, he has been a rock. He never wavered, always had a smile, always had some positive words, and always found a way to make me laugh, and somehow in the process managed to make me run faster and go further than I thought I could. There are no words to thank him enough. I hope this is just the beginning of a long coach-athlete relationship, and just the first of many successes and accomplishments we can share. I seriously cannot put into words everything I want to say and I just hope he knows how much I appreciate him and how thankful I am to be able to call him my coach.

My doctors have, for the most part, been amazing too. There were a few hiccups along the way, but they are as excited and encouraged about my success as a runner as I am. They are thrilled that I am getting better and seem to be progressing against all odds medically, and they have shown they care about me as a person, and not just a patient. I hope and pray that the trend continues and that, as much as I like them, I don't have to see any of them until lab work in November.

My FS teammates have been an incredible part of this journey. From Wednesday night group run, to Tuesday/Friday morning workouts, to muddy runs in the rain, to random texts and messages on Facebook, to high-fives at races, to spur-of-the-moment outings - it's been so much FUN. I have never enjoyed running as much as I do with this group of people. We laugh together, run together, sweat together, do hard stuff together, and push each other every week. I'm so glad my coach dragged me to the group run a couple of months ago. I can't imagine this journey without this crazy mix of teammates.

My other teammates have been such a huge part of this too. It may be our final year of CareRunners, but what a year we are making it! We've had so many medical scares and hospitalizations and injuries - but we've all pushed through it all together. The phone calls and emails checking in at the perfect time, the shared tears and frustrations, the huge hugs and encouraging smiles - Kara would have been so proud to have this group as her team. We accomplished what we set out to do. I know it's time to move on and we're all heading in different directions - but I also know these friendships will last forever, and these wonderful memories will last a lifetime.

Some of my coworkers have been so supportive of this journey. My administration staff was so flexible with my multitude of doctor appointments, and celebrated with me on that last visit when I was granted a year of freedom. One of my principals who is a runner always had a fist-bump ready to keep me excited about my accomplishments - small as they seemed at times. My "roommate" at school let me have meltdowns and then picked me back up and brushed me off and sent me back out there to conquer more. She heard more venting in 6 months than anyone ever should have to endure. She always had some great advice or words of wisdom to keep things in perspective. Even my students who knew what I was training for and why got involved. Their encouragement was even more special... and knowing they were watching made it even more important to me. It's great to have such a supportive school behind me in my quest.

There are several people who have made such a difference during these past 5 1/2 months - and many didn't even realize the impact they had. Your emails and letters, cards and texts - they've meant the world to me, and always seemed to come at just the right time. When you share the ways my journey has inspired you or encouraged you, it keeps me going. It gives purpose to the pains and frustrations. It reminds me to never stop and never give up - because - yes - I'm going to say it again - you have the greatest impact on those you never knew were watching or listening. I've had several people tell me they decided to try to run for the first time, some who have done their first ever 5K, some who have decided that they are going to go back to the gym and work out with a trainer despite the medical chaos and improbability of improvement, some who are making healthy lifestyle changes, some who are inspired to go a further distance racing than they thought they ever would - it's all so humbling and inspiring. You all keep me going. You have all brought rays of sunshine to the tough days and reminded me of why & how I began this journey. Thank you for continuing to share your stories and successes. You are amazing! Keep going!

So many of my friends and teammates are dealing with unimaginable things right now. One of my teammates in KS is having a heart catheterization this week. Another teammate here has a very painful oral surgery coming up. Another in CA has her 12th week of cancer treatment ahead. Beyond just my teammates, my circle of friends and DRT coworkers have been through a LOT this year. In the past week we have lost 10 9/11 responders - two by suicide. My heart is so heavy right now. It's been too difficult to talk about so I've kept quiet about most of it. I wish there was more I could do with my running and posts to bring light to the 9/11 medical issues that thousands are going through. Please remember 9/11 did not end in 2001. It's still happening to families across America today. The media moved on long ago. Most of the world moved on. But it is still a daily battle for those who were there. It's still taking drastic tolls. Never, ever forget.

When my feet cross the starting line in one week, it begins a celebration. Those 13.1 miles are my victory lap. I have done the impossible. I have gone almost 6 months with no medication, no surgery, no invasive treatments and no medical emergencies. I have a year off from the medical nightmare of tests and procedures. I'm beating this autoimmune neurological stuff. I'm getting better. My kidneys and liver have healed. My lab work is back to normal. I'm able to run further without pain. None of the doctors can explain it. My coach can't explain it. I can't explain it. But we're doing it. We're beating the odds. I am going to spend 13.1 miles thanking God that I'm alive and healthy enough to run 13.1 miles again. I'm going to smile, enjoy the view and the company, laugh with friends, and just be content that I got to this point in just 5 1/2 months. I'm going to let go of the pressure and expectations and just relax and enjoy the run. But, along with this party atmosphere comes the realization that so many people are not around to celebrate with me, and many more are sidelined and unable to enjoy the freedom of running right now. It has been such a hard, difficult year. Please know that I am carrying each of you who are sidelined with me on every single mile next week. I'll run for you until you can get back out there and run with me again. Stay strong. Keep fighting. I'll be carrying the memory of friends who aren't here to run anymore, and those responders who gave it their all but 9/11 took them anyway. I'll be thinking about those families and remembering to give thanks for the opportunity I have to keep running for them.

Thank you for letting me get the heavy, sappy, sentimental stuff out now. While my heart will be carrying a lot of hurts and heartaches, my mind will be filled with thoughts of teammates and friends, and I will never forget why I am running, I do want next week to be a happy, positive experience. I want those 13 miles to be filled with joy and the excitement of being free to run again. Thank you all for sticking with me through these 5 1/2 months of training, and for being a part of what has made this journey so incredibly special.

Now... let's go Rock Tahoe and get this party started!!