We spent most of this beautiful day at the Great Strides Walk for Cystic Fibrosis. This is our second year participating. Last year we were bundled into multiple layers and/or winter coats. It was cold, windy and rainy--but still an awesome day. This year was hot and sunny--and awesome again. Seeing all the people come together to raise money for this amazing cause and getting to be a part of it is (yes, I'm going to say it again) awesome.

And I met a fellow Team CF marathoner there which was cool! This will be his first marathon, too. It was nice to hear that he has the same conflicting emotions that I do...excited yet petrified :)  He has a granddaughter with CF. As he was walking away, his final comment was something along the lines of "We're going to find a cure." Amen!

Erin (Dean's mom) thanked me multiple times for being there today. But I am thankful to her for giving me a way to help. I can't do a lot for her other than be a good friend with an ear to listen or a shoulder to cry on when she needs it. But I CAN help raise money to keep the research on finding a cure for CF going strong.

So thank you to all of you who have donated to me so far! Every penny makes a difference. Check out one of Erin's latest blogs about some recent exciting research advances that have been made: http://www.itsadifferentkindofperfect.blogspot.com/2012/05/baby-stepping-to-cure.html

http://www.cff.org/LWC/CandyJohnson

Two exciting things to report this week.

First of all, the training plan we've decided to use starts tomorrow! So it has officially begun! Excited and anxious about that--excited to get started and anxious about how my body is going to hold up :)

Second, I had my first re-evaluation with my chiropractor today. It's been 6 weeks of physical therapy and adjustments, 3 times a week. Whew! But I couldn't ask for a better experience so far. The staff is amazing. And several of them are fellow runners--one is even running the Chicago Marathon! So even though it's been a huge time commitment, I do enjoy my time there. And best of all, my re-evaluation shows HUGE progress. The strength in my leg that was being affected is back and flexibility has improved (I am NOT flexible at all, so after 6 weeks of stretching twice a day, I'm glad he could see an improvement even if I don't feel it!) The doctor was very happy and impressed with the results.

So now we move on to physical therapy and adjustments 2 times a week. And the BEST part--I only have to wear the lovely belt 4 hours a day for the next 2 weeks and then I am DONE with the belt!

Thank goodness for my wonderful mother-in-law who helps out with my kiddos. She has been a life saver throughout this process so far. I'm sure I wouldn't be reporting such a positive experience if I had to lug my kids in and try to keep them occupied while I did an hour of therapy three times a week.

So tomorrow I'll be out early for a nice 40 minute run. The first of MANY. Wish me luck!

http://www.cff.org/LWC/CandyJohnson