Cystic fibrosis has certainly affected us all in different ways. It complies a good portion of our life whether we want it to or not. This in turn requires effort, time, diligence, care and prayer. In order to combat cystic fibrosis, it has taken nebulizer treatments, medicine adjustments, vast amounts of visits to the clinics, and a massive tag-team collaboration of family, friends, doctors, nurses, and teachers.  All of that is why I am still breathing today.  Yes, the road may be difficult, but those difficulties shape us into who we are, and tough times always reveal our true character.

So it would be easy for me to say I am running to support all of us that cystic fibrosis has impacted while raising awareness and funds for the fantastic cause. But here's another reason: I greatly enjoy running. 

Running is not something I have always been able to do. The majority of my lung functions throughout my life has been mid 50s. During the winter seasons when the temperature started to cool, my lung functions would be in the 40s, and during certain seasons in the 30s and 20s. I really started running consistently over 10 years ago to keep my lung functions as high as possible. Every day, while not admittedly that far to begin with, I would go just a little bit farther than the day before. So what started as a serious challenge became one of my favorite hobbies. Some of the best times have been spent running and not waiting to stop once getting into a groove. I may not be the fasted by any means, but it is so much fun and a blessing.  It very well looked like that was going to all end in 2019, though.     

The bacteria in my lungs had become resistant to even IV antibiotics, my immune system was compromised due to all the years of infections, I ran high fever often and was also having hemoptysis attacks. That all changed one day in November with answered prayer in a tremendous blessing by God with the trikafta. All the hours and years of dedication to test, research and develop it was worth the wait, as it has truly been a miracle medicine.  

So I run not just for me but for everyone who ran before me so I can continue to run today.  The biggest challenges produce the biggest rewards.  After over 8,000 nebulizer treatments, 9 PICC lines, numerous visits to the doctor's office, I am at the moment in the best health of my life. And if it takes another 8,000 it's not that bad.

It's because of these efforts and God's grace that I'm still here today. 
Philippians 1:6
Let's all keep running and remember that we don't get older; we just get better. 
One way or another, see ya at the finish line.