Life ain't always beautiful. Sometimes its just plain hard.

But the struggles make you stronger and the changes make you wise.

No life ain't always beautiful. but its a beautiful ride.

-lyrics by Gary Allen

The beautiful young lady in this picture is our daughter Katie. She will be 20 in a couple of short months. Sixteen years ago we almost lost her to a disease we had never heard of before. Katie became very ill and it took many tests and a long hospitization to finally diagnose her with Cystinosis. Cystinosis is a rare genetic disease that affects approximatly 600 children and young adults nationally. It is a metoblic storage disease that presents itself in the kidneys but affects all vital organs.  The affects of the disease have resulted in numerous hospital stays and a daily regimin of over 50 pills for many years.  Its very difficult to watch your child suffer with a chronic medical condition. Two years ago Katie recieved a kidney from her Dad and her health has improved dramatically.  Currently she feels good and is enjoying her freshmen year of college. We are extremely grateful for her much improved medical condition.  She still has cystinosis and will continue to take pills to control the disease.  She also takes anti-rejection drugs because of her transplant.  Despite all that she has endured.  She has an amazing outlook on life and a compassionate heart. Her life is full of wonderful friends and a desire to give back.  She is currently studying to be a nurse and hopes to work in a childrens hospital.

Katie and others with this disease are my heros. Last year I ran a 50k (30 miles) and raised about $3500. This year I will be running again, this time  in a 50 mile trail race put on by North Face to raise money for the Cystinosis Research Foundation (CRF).  By sponsoring me, you will be helping to stomp out this disease. 100% of all proceeds will be going to the CRF.  Please check out their website (link provided on this web page).  I have run many miles over the last year and I am somewhat apprehensive about this distance.  Did I run enough? Will I finish?  Whenever I doubt my ability to run this distance, I just concentrate on the reason I am doing it...for my daughter, and the support of family and friends.  All of us together make a great team!

Thank you for your support!

Final Race Wrap-up 

 Torrential rain, thunder and lightening sent us off into the dark at 5 am. Made for a very muddy, slick course. At around mile 16 started to struggle when 2 angels by the name of Paul and Dave came by and I ran with them for the next 29 miles. Without their support I would never have got to the finish in time. It was hilly, muddy and slippery but we all made it under the 13 hour cut. My kids and some of my hs girls swimmers ran in with me. It was very emotional.

 

I woke up this morning soooo sore. I think every cell in my body hurts. But it’s a good hurt. Mission accomplished. Here are a few things I learned during this journey:

1.      Follow your dreams, If God is nudging you, do it! People , motivation and opportunities will arise to help you finish

2.      Be patient, training, and executing don’t always go as planned but do not quit

3.      To accomplish a big goal takes a big sacrifice, personally and with your family, it cannot be done alone

4.      There is joy in the journey. Enjoy the process no matter how hard it is. Count your blessing that you do have a dream, many people do not.

5.      Find a team. It is easier to accomplish your dream with support of a team. As I have said before, I would never have finished without that.

6.      If you can combine your dream with a great cause, do it. I do not have thousands to give to CRF, but I know that all of us together can and I can run so I combined both. It made the day much more meaningful. I would not have run and finished 50 miles without supporting CRF.

7.      Faith is most important, in the God that planted the dream, in yourself and the goodness of others. All work together.

8.      You can do a lot more than you think your capable of, and by doing more you will affect those around you.

 

That’s enough. If you made it down to this point, thanks for hanging with the story. Thank you to all of you, for supporting me, my dream and contributing to the Cystinosis Research Foundation. Through your efforts, over $3200 was raised, just short of the $4000 but there is still time to donate. You can go to

www.firstgiving.com/ahnen or you can mail a check to , 50 for Katie, w289N4101 Farm Valley Court, Pewaukee WI 53072 and make the check to the Cystinosis Research Foundation.

 

 I have a dream for next year that I will share. To run the 50K again but do it with a team. Who is going to join me? ( Rich!!!!!). Let me know. Training will start after the soreness leaves my body, could be months J

 

Thank you and God’s Blessing with all of you!!!

 

Ruth Ann Ahnen