I am married and a mother of a 12 year old boy and a 5 year old girl.  I am in the Air Force currently as a Defense Paralegal. I started running just about a little over 2 years ago.  My story starts with my friend asking me to do the Rock Canyon Half Marathon in Pueblo. I was very skeptical about having to run that far.  I was deployed in 2006-2007 and during that time I did do some short/long distance running.  If that makes any sense.  I never knew how far I was running, but just did it.  I think if I was to estimate the distance I would say it was probably about 5-6 miles. Forwarding to the day my friend asked me to run a half-marathon.  Well she finally convinced me, so my first training was supposed to be 6 miles...well those 6 miles turned into 8 miles.  The 6 miles were difficult for me to come to grips, but I figured I should be able to push myself that far.   Well those 8 miles were so filled with emotions.  I knew then I loved the feeling.  Since then I have had an opportunity to run a few half-marathons, and the trail runs offered here in Colorado Springs.  I love Winter Series and this year was my first time placing in my age group. I have only done one marathon and oh my goodness the depression after was intense. I wondered if I was the only one that had gone through this, but after doing some research and reading other peoples blogs I learned that it does happen to others. Luckily, I was able to control it. I did not like the idea of having to drag my family through this depression. 

I am always looking for opportunities to read other's peoples accomplishments and their stories of what they had to overcome.  I admire when people push their limits to be able to do something they never thought was possible. It motivates me and sometimes gives me hope. In a way that's what I am doing, I run not just to stay healthy, but because I never thought it was possible. I have 3-4 bulging/protruding discs in my back (maybe more with the gruesome pain I sometimes feel). I also have a syrinx, which is a rare, fluid-filled cavity within the spinal cord. Damage to my spinal cord is a possibility if the syrinx grows. Another side effect would be me losing the sensation in my hands.  Running helps me feel stronger and more in control of the issues my body is going through. I have a lot of physical goals I would love to accomplish and running the Air Force Marathon is one of them.

As you can see I love running.   Well just recently found out through another friend about the opportunity to run the Air Force Marathon and it will be running by fundraising money for the Air Force Enlisted Village.  I love the fact that I am able to do it for a cause and what a better way than the Air Force Marathon (a dream come true). I am a lucky girl!  All the money raised will be going to the charity raising efforts for the Air Force Enlisted Village. Their mission is to provide a home for surviving spouses of our former Air Force heroes and to mothers of current active duty airmen. Their purpose is to give these Air Force family members a safe, secure home and to treat them with the dignity and respect we all reserve for our own moms.

I am overwhelmed with the fact that this time I am running for a cause. I usually feel that I am running for my own personal cause.  When I run I always think of all those who can't run, walk, etc.  I also always think about my mother and my now deceased brother.  I was not as close with him due to family issues, but I still like to keep his memory in my heart.  I also know that my mom misses him a lot and probably blames herself for many of the addictions he was going through.  He was our "black sheep" and a lot of times makes me wonder if he wanted someone to push him to get out of the slump or did he really give up on life.

This brings me to this...would you help me raise money for the Air Force Enlisted Village as a I tackle another marathon.  Thank you all for taking the time to read my short story.

All this would have not been possible without the support of my husband and of course my kids.  See you in the trails.

Website www.active.com/donate/AFEVAFMARATHON2015/Zebrowski and to find more information about the organization, https://afev.us/.