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The Poetry of Running

The weather is starting to warm up and the snow is starting to melt in Anchorage! I went on a 4.5 mile run outside on Easter Sunday, it was absolutely beautiful. For the majority of the winter I have been working my lungs by using the treadmill. This particular run was pretty difficult and my lungs started to ache during the end, but I kept going because I knew that I was stronger than the pain.

One of my goals that I wrote down on my list was to run in a race called the 'Lost Lake Run' annually. It is a 16 mile trail/mountain run in beautiful Sweard, Alaska where the proceeds from registration and donations benefit Cystic Fibrosis. The first 7 miles are uphill, but the scenery is remarkable and filled with beauty. Last year I put together a team 'Team Sabrina Fights CF' and we raised $12,500 for this particular race. Lost Lake has been the most challenging and painful race that I have ever personally endured. The fight for CF motivates me to run and raise money so that a cure can be found!


Along the course there are half mile markers with faces of those affected with CF. When I ran past those mile markers, I felt empowered to keep going and I spent the whole 3 hours of the race thinking about CF and what I can do to help find a cure. Running in races and raising money for CF has become a passion for me and is something I want to continue to do. They are also an incentive for me to be a stronger person mentally and physically.

I have also been going to a bootcamp class once a week, it kicks my butt every Saturday morning. I try to do my own version of an at-home bootcamp once a week, which is a little more difficult because my two miniature dachshunds enjoy sitting on my back while I struggle to do one push up or give me 100 kisses a minute when I am trying to do a sit-up. I have always used running as a form of airway clearance and thought I didn't need to incorporate any other types of exercise. I was very wrong! Running is essential for my lungs, but it is so important to work other muscles. I did not realize how poor my upper body strength was until I started my bootcamp class and am amazed with how much it has improved.

My two goals for this year's Lost Lake Run are to beat my time from last year (3 hours 8 minutes) and to raise the same amount of donations or more for this race. That means I need to raise at least $12,500 for this race. I am determined to do this! I am ready to start my training and to continue to win a war with my lungs against CF.

http://www.lostlakerun.org/Fundraisers/SabrinaFightsCF.htm

I wanted to end my blog with a poem that I wrote in a poetry class I took in college 4 years ago.  I have always enjoyed poetry and hope to continue to write and share it with you.


Cold Fight
 Stale bruises layer a warriors soul
Photographs of existence display pale formations of cobweb scars
A corset wrapped chest
 Crackles as whispers of breath roar in my mind
Courage is inhaled
through a mind threaded with desire
Fear collapses on the ebony shaded wings of spirits








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Location: Downtown Anchorage

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