“I will think of you and not give up the fight.”

Ali wrote that to me before I ran a 50 mile trail relay for her in June 2011.

My husband and I were married in November of 2009 and we were lucky enough to have Melanie and Adam as our photographers. We of course became true followers of their blog and the amazing pictures they produced. When they shared Ali’s story, it broke my heart.  I asked Mel if she thought Ali would like it if I dedicated the Flying Pig Relay to her to help raise her spirits so I started running for Ali in the 2011 Flying Pig Relay. This would be my first race after recovering from injuries of a car accident in 2011 which forced me to hang up my shoes. I was accustomed to running every morning in hopes of qualifying for the Boston Marathon. The recovery over next year was one of the most difficult times in my life.  Race day finally came and in true Ali fashion, I found some pink socks and a tutu (child’s size was all I could find). I made a sign saying “Running For Ali” in pink glitter letters and tacked it to the front of my shirt. I thought over and over to myself “Do it for Ali”.

I wrote the following message to Mel on May 2^nd, 2011 after the race…..

“Thinking about how to start a message like this is tough so I figure I will just go for it! After your last post I knew it would be important to let you know what a miracle Sunday’s run was for me. Although not to the extent of Ali’s suffering, I also know the frustration of feeling like you can’t control what is happening to your own body. To keep it short:, after 7 concussions including 1 severe injury my junior year of college, I dealt with Post Concussion Syndrome for nearly a year until it finally subsided. 1 year ago next month, I was involved in a car accident that seemingly left me fortunately unharmed. Due to the impact of the accident, all of my symptoms returned and then intensified. Daily functioning became a struggle and due to my symptoms I eventually had to stop running. I was always tired, anxious, depressed, trying to get rid of the migraines and just not myself. Now that my symptoms seem to be under control and my body on the mend, I started running…….but there seemed to be something still missing. Instead of feeling energized and excited to get my shoes on to go for a morning run, I was still struggling to get out the door and felt like I had lost my stride. It felt like something was not the same. When I was getting ready for the run on Sunday morning at 4:45AM, I was wide awake and excited but thought it has to be the coffee :)…….but as the rain came and the wind got a bit colder, I found that my smile just got bigger and bigger as I neared my start of the race. Keeping Ali not only on my shirt but also in my heart, I took my first strides across the timing line. As I climbed the first hill, I felt my legs getting stronger and my strides getting faster. Again, thinking it was the caffeine, I just kept going with the thought that it would eventually wear off……it didn’t. As people were cheering “Go Tutu”! and “Run for Ali”! I found myself on the verge of tears……..why you ask? Running for Ali gave me back my stride! I woke up this morning and felt whole again. I know this all might sound crazy but even if I don’t wear Ali’s sign on my shirt, I will always carry thoughts of her strength with me. I will “Run for Ali” in every race until she is well again in hopes that maybe she will think of what she has done for me and it will give her strength when she thinks she has none left.”

Over the next few months, I came to know Ali and the wonderful things she did for so many people.  Ali and I communicated over facebook with small posts and comments, and Mel would send me updates on how Ali was doing and how she was feeling. I followed the blog and facebook posts daily and was continuously amazed with Ali’s strength and faith.  She kept me going when I thought I couldn’t go any further.  She taught me it’s OK to be girly…..and embrace it! (I never wore pink before….I wear it all of the time now).  She taught me it’s OK to wear tutu’s……anytime. (my husband has come home on more than one occasion to find me cleaning the house while dancing around, blasting music and wearing a tutu). She reminded me to cherish every single moment and make it special, no matter how small. She reminded me that no matter has happened or what is to come, to always have faith.  She taught me that you don’t need to meet someone to love them.

I was never able to meet in Ali person.

There are so many small moments I want to share and so many wonderful things I could say about each race, every kind word and every smile made possible by the bright pink tutu running around the country all because of Ali…..but that is for another blog. 🙂 When she was called home I promised Ali I would continue to run for her and to raise awareness until there is a cure for lung cancer……every race…..in a pink tutu. Runners and walkers in The Run and Rock Pink For Ali Team will be participating in the Flying Pig weekend this year and I invite anyone who would like to participate to rock a pink tutu for Ali (or cheer us on!) in the Flying Pig and any race to come.

This year when I am running the marathon (and through any difficult time in life), should I feel like my legs can go no further and my feet can’t take another step, she will be right there with me telling me she is thinking of me…..and I will tell her, I will not give up the fight.

love, laura.

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laura is a pretty amazing gal. i’ve never met someone so dedicated to a cause, for a person she’s never even met. how selfless she is to spend HOURS running, making tutus, making contacts in the lung cancer research world, all for ali! and on top of all that, she’s never asked for anything in return. i asked her to write this blogpost so i can show the world how sweet she really is. thanks for always being there to support me, and running for ali! i’d love to say i would join you one day…but i wouldn’t lie to you like that. i despise long distance running. like, i need to ice my knees just thinking about it. yuck.

below are some images i pulled from the RUN AND ROCK PINK FOR ALI fb page. i swear there was a point she was racing every single weekend…in a tutu and all kinds of pink. not only did she run, but she has gotten all sorts of others to run with her! she’s even run in several different states. you crazy, girl!

she even caught the attention of the newspaper one of the races! XU (where ali went as well) even wore pink tutus at their alumni soccer game! love it!

anyone can join the group! right now they are training for the marathon and running sunday mornings. next sunday is 16miles. (sounds terrible if you ask me! but good for you guys!)

yep, the two middle photos are adam, my husband, his twin eric, and also our friend ryan who runs with the group every weekend. ain’t no shame in their game to wear tutus! and chris in the bottom left has been seen a few times sporting as well! 🙂 i was about 28 wks in the top right. laura made me the tutu, but heck if i was runnin!!

*****

on saturday, laura had a handful of us over to make tutus for current oncology patients up at UC hospital. she wants to spread ali’s legacy in tutu’s as well as books! great idea! hopefully it’ll bring a smile to their faces. she went all out, as you can see!

we had a great time, nico included!

like father like son! ok, so we went a step farther and added the flower headband! but seriously, wouldn’t he make a pretty little girl?? YES.

thanks laura and everyone else who has joined the group!

peace, melanie.