Reviewing my posts from this spring, it’s clear that the weather has dominated my life since mid-April. I narrowly avoided a tornado on April 15 and came even closer to one on April 27. That experience has left me grappling with a mix of emotions—survivor’s guilt, fatigue from intensive disaster-relief work, and a persistent low mood. Relief efforts are still centered in the church parking lot, and for a while I struggled to find emotional balance. Over time I’ve moved into a healthier “place of yes,” though the first days and weeks were a roller coaster of highs and lows.
Last Saturday brought a much-needed lift. Our local track club organized a fundraiser for the Red Cross chapter serving the area. Since the storms, I’ve given my time but hesitated to donate money until I knew it would reach the people being fed and sheltered. This event felt right: a way to raise funds by doing what I love. I shared the event link on Facebook and, within a week, friends and family donated $975. I’m humbled and grateful that so many people across the country wanted to help our small town recover. Their generosity lifted my spirits.
The morning of the race was perfect—low humidity and bright sun. We ran in a part of town that had narrowly escaped the storm damage, with many trees and pleasant scenery. The event offered three distances: 5K, 10K, and 15K (3.1, 6.2, and 9.3 miles). With a half marathon on my calendar and so many people donating, I chose the 15K. It felt like the least I could do.
During the run I let my thoughts drift. I reflected on the past weeks and considered what the future might hold. I thought about the many faces I’ve seen while helping, and about our church family who must continue relief efforts and eventually rebuild our physical space. I was grateful for everyone who supported us with words, prayers, donations, and simple gestures of encouragement. I thought about my immediate family and our extended family in Tuscaloosa—they’ve been coping with their own losses but never miss a chance to check in on me.
I enjoyed the event. I smiled a lot, posed for photos, and chatted with friends from CrossFit. I even talked with Ed, the announcer, about using The Stick when traveling without a foam roller. Smoothie King, despite losing their store to the tornado and quickly relocating, brought their famous strawberry banana and strawberry kiwi smoothies. They often show up at local races to share refreshments during warm months, and they were warmly welcome.
The event raised just over $6,000 from 80 participants, and every dollar will go to support the Tuscaloosa area. I’m incredibly proud to have been part of it and deeply thankful for everyone who supported me and our community.
On a more serious note: the woman in this photo is Mrs. Carol. A couple of days after it was taken, she was involved in a bicycle accident when a car ran a stop sign and she was thrown over her handlebars. She is recovering at home with broken ribs and a fractured collarbone. While her injuries are severe, she survived what could have been life-ending trauma. This is a reminder to all runners, walkers, and cyclists to stay vigilant on the roads and watch for traffic at all times.