The pain has really decreased while running lately (that or I have just learned to ignore it - kidding...kind of), so I was chomping at the bit to start running a bit more and building back up again.
With having several friends that have children with special needs, this organization was one that I was really looking forward to supporting. These children will one day be adults with special needs, so knowing that there are organizations that help provide support and assistance to these individuals and families is life changing.
Packet pick-up was easy-peasy and the crowd quickly grew shortly after we arrived. There were a fe members of the Kyle Pease Foundation in attendance today. There were 6 wheelchair athletes with their helpers there to push them along the 3.1 mile course. You may have seen some of the Kyle Pease team at races, especially in the Atlanta area but they attend races all over from 5Ks to Ironmans. To learn more about the Kyle Pease Foundation, check out their website www.kylepeasefoundation.org.
Leading up to race morning I was a little leery of the later start time because it has been getting pretty toasty in Atlanta still despite it being September. Just as predicted, it was another scorcher. Unexpectedly though, it started raining before I was a half mile in. I enjoyed the cooling down that the rain provided, but I quickly realized that the rain wasn't going anywhere. What the heck!?!? It wasn't supposed to rain until much later in the day (if at all even). I didn't mind the rain much, but I did get a little apprehensive on the slick wooden boardwalks. With a recovering knee injury, watching my footing was really important.
The rain was coming down pretty hard by the time I crossed the finish line. A lot of the vendors were not set up and runners, spectators, and volunteers were huddled under a canopy. I quickly joined them as I waited for Momma K to come across the finish line.