I’m Running the Tuscaloosa Half Marathon with Ainsley’s Angels – My New Team

Saturday, about 10 minutes before the start of the 3rd annual Tuscaloosa Half Marathon, a horn will blow to start a dedicated group of runners calling themselves Ainsley's Angels.

I am lucky enough to have chosen to be a part of that group and can hardly contain my excitement to plant one foot in front of the other for 13 miles, shoulder to shoulder with such an amazing group of people.

Here's a little background on Ainsley and her Angels,

Ainsley is the daughter of Kim and Lori Rossiter.  Kim, or ‘Rooster’, is a Major in the United States Marine Corps, currently stationed in Norfolk, VA. Born the middle of three children in 2003, Ainsley, was diagnosed with Infantile Neuroaxonal Dystrophy (INAD) just before turning four years of age. INAD is an extremely rare terminal illness that has slowly caused global paralysis. She has become progressively less responsive to stimulus in the last few years, but is still aggressively fighting her rapidly progressing illness, of which only there are less than twenty active cases of early-onset INAD known in the United States. Most children with this diagnosis pass on before reaching ten years of age, as there is no cure or treatment to help slow down this very progressive and terminal disease.

When Ainsley went for her first jog during a local road race in 2007, she gave a radiant wind-induced smile that anyone would envy. In an instant, running provided the family with a therapeutic means to fight the devastation associated with learning and trying to live with the fact that sweet Ainsley has a terminal illness. Her smile on the race course, the positive energy surrounding the start line, the other rider athletes and pushers smiling from ear to ear, the togetherness of every member preparing to ‘roll with the wind’, the fearlessness of the athletes, the normalcy of the family, and the love everyone shares is a therapy like no other! This experience is now known as the first of over 80 road races that Ainsley has completed, to include 15  half-marathons, as well as the 2011, 2013, 2014 Marine Corps Marathons in Washington D.C.!

My belief is that this life is about the experience and making a difference in the lives of the people you meet. Saturday is my opportunity to run as an “Angel” and put a smile on the face of our "Captain." I get to do what I love and run a race while making someone smile! How amazing is my life?!

If you'd like to join me and become an Angel one day, email Ainsley's Angels of Central Alabama Ambassador Vera Spinks here. She'll help you out and get you hooked up!

If you're along the course this Saturday, we'll be looking for a few high-fives!

Please take a look at the video below and learn more about Ainsley.