I started writing this after a 21 mile training run on March 7th.  That started with 14 solo miles at 530 in the morning.  Then Kyle joined me for an easy 2 miles, which led us to the start line of a 5k, which we knew was happening and had planned it as part of our day.  We ran a 5k HARD as part of our training and then finished with 2 more easy miles.  That was a good day, that was when we started talking about what we really wanted out of Boston.  What we wanted Lizzie to experience and what we wanted to share together.  We were clear of months of hard work with Publix, clear of 280 runners and volunteers and thankful for the entire experience.  Now it was onto Boston we said to each with smiles from ear to ear.  Then things changed, the world shifted and things started to slow down here in Atlanta and really, all over.

We were both okay with Boston potentially being postponed (it has since been moved to September 2020), we were both okay with a chance to catch our breath.  Then we realized that there would be no races until at least April.  That meant so many of our families were losing a very special part of their routine.  For many in the state of Georgia the support structure changes drastically at 21.  For many that means no school programs, no after school programs, and quite honestly, not a lot of places to go.  Our weekend races were often a great outlet for all that we serve.  The 26 events we had planned this year quickly lost 6 weekends (and counting). That is more than 40 athletes impacted by this changes, 40 less interactions and less chances to just smile with each other and the KPeasey Community.

So pick a word, a phrase and image and sear it into your mind.  To loosely quote Andy Dufresense, "Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things..." For me? I will go in my mind to right before we entered the chute in KONA.  I looked down at my brother who was already arching his back and getting excited at what was in front of us.  What I realized in that moment was that I had enjoyed a front row seat to one of the greatest athletic accomplishments I may ever know.  I watched a man confined to a wheelchair take on one of the hardest endurance challenges on the planet.  So if its Boston in September or a 5k with us in Atlanta, TOGETHER WE WHEEL… and will do it AGAIN!

Thank you all for being a part of our KPeasey family, and thank you all for giving us so much hope and joy during this time.

Brent Pease
Executive Director