Minnesota

We survived 24+ hours in the car this weekend for a trip to Minneapolis. We went for two reasons: to walk in the "Get Your Rear in Gear" 5k for Colon Cancer as a part of team Meredith's Miracles, and to visit our good friends Corey and Andrea from when we lived in Minnesota.

The weekend was wonderful. Corey and Andrea treated us to exceptional food (they should start a restaurant, I think I gained 5 pounds over four days) and welcomed us into their home without regard for the mess and piles of stuff that come with an 18 month old. My mom came on Friday so we got to spend time with her, too.

The walk on Sunday was bittersweet. The entrance fee for the race went exclusively to Colon Cancer research, which seemed a bit different than other races I've run. Generally the race itself is the point, and no one knows which charities it's benefiting. This race was certainly the opposite. Most everyone was part of a team that was supporting a colon cancer patient, or a loved one who had died of the disease. Our team had about 12 people, but others had 50 plus members. We met many people who had lost loved ones at a young age, like Meredith, to colon cancer. While it saddens me to know there are so many people affected by this disease, I found a sense of comfort knowing our family isn't alone. Team Meredith's Miracles.Warner had a great time being pushed by others. I think I'm going to request his spot in the stroller for the next race.A yummy dinner with Corey and Andrea.Corey quickly won Warner over by throwing him in the air whenever he wanted.Andrea, Warner, and me playing outside. Thankfully the weather was nice for most of our visit. (You never know in Minnesota - I was afraid there'd still be snow on the ground.)Warner enjoying a Jimmy John's sandwich and a video on the ride home.

I had a conversation with my sister about a week before she died. I told her that from there forward, every race I ran I'd dedicate to her. She politely smiled, but then said "that's nice, but you know I really hate running". Which is so true. She never understood why I love long-distance running.

We laughed about that as we walked in celebration of Meredith on Sunday. Even though she hated running, I'm sure she'd approve of our efforts to honor her memory and create hope for the future of colon cancer treatment. We plan to make this an annual event, for our Meredith.