F2TF 5K – TEAM PRESLEE!

Shortly after losing Preslee, I came to know Ann Smith. Her son Tyler had recently been diagnosed with a rare form of liver cancer. We instantly became friends, and I watched as their entire family stood behind Tyler who fought for his life. My heart broke for the Smith family when they announced Tyler had passed away in 2012.

Months later, Ann teamed up with Becky, who runs Anything for a Friend, an online community fundraiser, and they announced the first F2TF (Fight 2 the Finish) 5k, where proceeds would be donated to helping others with life - threatening illnesses.

We weren’t able to attend last year due to having twins, but this year I sent an e-mail around asking family and friends if any would be interested in putting a team together. We needed at least 25 people to create our own team, (Team Preslee). I wasn’t sure if we would have enough interested, due to the fact the race was in Ogden, UT and most of us live in Idaho, 3 1/2 hours away. But I was thrilled when nearly 70 people committed! Seriously, can you believe it? 70 people! We’ve been blessed with such amazing people in our life.

Thank you to all those who traveled to be apart of this with us.

I’ve ran a few races, and this one is different.
Some of my favorite aspects of the race were…

The different teams (35 this year!) Runners don’t have to be a part of any specific team to be involved, but if there are at least 25 people, a team can be created. There will be a specific shirt made for that team, and each team runs for somebody special, with that person’s name on the back. We ran for Preslee.

(Four out of the 35 teams!)

• The balloon release, each team was handed balloons, ours were pink (for Team Preslee) and green (for Team Tyler) and each team let their balloons off at the same time before the race.
• The “Trail of Hope.” Along the course, each team has a poster with who they are running for. As we ran and looked at every poster, I couldn’t help but wonder what each person had been through.
• The feeling there. It’s hard to describe the atmosphere, but it was incredibly hopeful. There was a neat feeling there. As team captain, I went to grab the balloons. I couldn’t help but talk to some of the other captains waiting in line. When learning what they had been through, I became super emotional (along with many others) it was reminder that everyone goes through trials, but we’re all in this together.
• Meeting so many people. I was able to meet people I’ve been in contact with through the blog over the past few years. Many were Angel Mom’s who I loved talking to, these women just seem to understand.
• Necklaces. Preslee didn’t go anywhere without her necklaces, so it only seemed fitting that I passed out necklaces along with the shirts for each girl.

On our drive home, Pat asked me what my favorite part about our weekend was. My response - how many times I heard Preslee’s name. It was mentioned during planning, months before, and so many times during race day. I loved being able to read her name on every black t-shirt that I spotted amongst 1500 people. I loved the fact that people saw her sweet little face on a poster, and that we were asked who she was.
I left with an extremely full heart.

This was different than any other race I’ve been a part of, and I loved it. I loved that they were able to raise so much money for such an incredible cause. (Click here to learn more about what they do with the proceeds.) If you live anywhere near UT, I highly suggest looking to be a part of next years F2TF 5K. We’ve had so many family members ask that we do it again :)