Strides for Epilepsy 5K Run/Walk

   Saturday was a very busy day for us.  We started the day bright and early with a photo session with our favorite photographer.  We had let way too much time pass since our last session.  She is truly a amazing photographer and she got some great shots.  I will post a bunch once I finish sorting through them and posting my favorites. 
   After our session, we hopped in the car and headed to the park by our house.  I had a very special race to run. I quickly changed on the way into my running clothes.  My brother-in-law, Bryan, suffered another seizure this summer.  He was ultimately diagnosed with Epilepsy.  I had of course heard of Epilepsy, I just never knew of anyone who had it.  After doing some reading about it, I discovered that a lot of people have this disease.  It's such a horrible disease, but luckily many can control it somewhat with medication. 
   My sister found out that they were having a 5k run/walk at the park by our house for epilepsy.  We immediately decided that we had to do it.  It was such a nice event.  Unlike most races I do, it wasn't even timed.  It was kind of nice just running to run and have fun and not worry about my time.  They had a good turnout and lots of people ran and walked.  Along the course, they had lots of signs with facts about epilepsy and different reasons why people were running.  As I came near the finish line, I saw that one of the boys who was running it had had a seizure while he was running.  It absolutely broke my heart and really made me realize what a serious disease epilepsy is.  I hope and pray that they continue to come up with medical advances that allow epileptic people to live normal lives. 
   After the race, they had great freebies for participants.  They had a table with all sorts of energy bars and snacks.  Chick Fil A was there giving out breakfast biscuits which totally hit the spot after a run.  They also had Blue Bell ice cream there too.  The kids had fun running around and I know I had fun running.  We all decided that it will definitely be a race we do each year. 

Ella and Bryan

Katy and I before the race

Ella got some running in too!

The girls

Pretty picture of my sweet niece

There goes Katy

There I am running by

The chute was flamingos, which was fun.  Ella really liked them. 

The girls

Bryan nearing the finish

Coming across the finish line

Katy coming down the finish line

It was very hot, so that's why I look like death warmed over!

The girls enjoying some Popsicles.