Every breath taken burned my lungs, my chest felt heavy and sore. The air was cool against my skin, leaves cascaded slowly from the trees above landing gently on the dark asphalt. The rain was starting up again, falling rhythmically against the ground. In my struggle, I felt at peace. I could feel her by my side.
Today marked the first day of my training for the Princess Marathon at Disney World coming up in February 2016. It was also my first day back to running since getting pregnant last fall. Needless to say I have a long way to go, today I was only able to complete 2 kilometres before my legs felt like wooden stilts. Struggle aside – walking home with stiff legs and congested lungs I found myself feeling taller, I felt stronger.
There’s something about running, I can feel an energy connecting me to nature. I feel Lauren in that energy – it’s just Lauren and I running together.
A week before Lauren left us we had gone to Disney World together. Our friends had given her a beautiful Rapunzel dress and shoes, she looked breathtaking (she always did). For the Disney run I will be running for her in a Rapunzel inspired running outfit (still to be created). Zoe (wearing a Rapunzel dress of her own!) and Stephen will be there to cheer me on.
I will be joining my good friend Nichole on this run – she will also be running in memory of her daughter. Nichole lost her beautiful girl Emma to Krabbe disease a couple of years before Lauren. We like to imagine that our girls are playing together in heaven and have become wonderful friends.
It is my intention and hope that I can share my progress and feelings in preparation for my February run – it is sure to be an emotional journey. I hope that you will join me and encourage me along.
2km down, only 19 more to train up to 21!
It was a rainy day for a run
Our beautiful Rapunzel
lifewithlol 
You go girl! I love every part of this new challenge…though I was selfishly hoping it would be the Princess Marathon at Disney in Anaheim. 😉
Lauren will be watching you and you will make her very proud. Good luck with your training. keep everyone posted. Love ya all
Good luck and success in your training, you can do it!
Hi Amanda, I hope you and Steve are doing well. I am always inspired by you blog posts. Good luck with this event. I couldn’t tell if you were raising funds for the event?Please let me know. Best, Mark PS Please say hi to Steve for me.