The March for April

The March for April 5k is here! Tomorrow morning will be my first foot race since the 50 yard dash in the third grade. It's safe to say that it's been a minute! It's also a well-known fact that as soon as I learned how to ride a horse my running days were officially over. I definitely prefer riding to running, but this time it's for a good cause.
We all tend to think of ourselves as too young or too healthy for cancer. I mean, cancer is something that happens to other people, right? Old, sick people, not young "healthy" women with jobs, children, and busy lives to live. I have said before that cancer has touched my life early and often. It has taken my grandmother, my mother, and one of my closest friends.
The race I am running in tomorrow is a benefit for a high school classmate that has leukemia. After the race, I'll be getting my cheek swabbed to see if I'm a match for her bone marrow type. She needs a transplant, and she's been put in the hospital with a fever. I can't imagine having to miss such a huge event planned in your honor. I know she has been looking forward to it for months, but even a simple infection could be deadly for her. Talk about a reality check. Someone my age facing the agony that goes along with having cancer and contemplating their own mortality. Sure makes me grateful for my own health, as well as the healthy people and children in my life.
Today was frantic, trying to get all of our animals situated and packing for 5 people. We got away much later than we intended, and I couldn't help but think there was something working against me all day. I thought to myself at least a dozen times that I should have taken my husband's advice and come on this trip alone. But I wanted my kids to get to spend the night with their grandparents, and frankly, I wanted my husband there to help me celebrate finishing the race. Accomplishments just don't feel as important if he's not there to share them with me.
So I'm off to get the kids settled and try to get a good night's sleep. Here's hoping 3.1 miles feels shorter tomorrow than it ever has!