This past weekend on September 29, I ran my first 5k. It was a Relay For Life Color Run hosted by one of the clubs here at Chapel Hill and it was a life changing experience. Between the excitement at having my parents there to watch me, my boyfriend running with me, and the fact that I had trained to run this, I was both nervous and excited. Having Cystic Fibrosis can create a lot of mental barriers that can be hard to break unless you really work at it. As a result, I felt an empowerment that allowed me to enjoy the success of my hard work.

Chris Stufano

Having Cystic Fibrosis makes pretty much any kind of physical activity more challenging than the average person. In the past, I have seen activities such as marathons and 5k's and thought to myself "I really wish I could do that and not feel bad about myself and my abilities." Over the past 6 months, I have begun working out and creating a workout routine that works for me, to improve my health, lung function, physical ability and overall physical health that ultimately, has led me to have a healthier mental outlook as well.

Completing this 5k was a goal that I set for myself as an indication of the success that has come from all my hard work. As we waited for the bullhorn to sound the start of the race, everyone was vibrating with excitement and at the horn, tons of blue powder was thrown into the air. Signaling the start of the race, this was a magical moment as you began the race emerging from a cloud of blue representing the Carolina spirit, that in itself, was symbolic of emerging with success.

Sandy Stufano

At the end of the race, there was a finish line with the time displayed in red LED. My boyfriend is much taller, more athletic and a faster runner than me, and naturally, I didn't think I would finish anywhere remotely near him. But I did, I finished 4 places behind him. That itself was another small victory. In the end, I really felt my disease take control as I struggled to suck in air and to catch my breath. But then I realized that I had finished, and I had finished with a pretty decent time, as well as I had run most of it.

Ashley Stufano

It was an enlightening experience to run the campus that I call home and to feel the power of your own body and your own capability, especially when the nature of your disease prevents the breath in your lungs from coming naturally. To make things even more amazing and magical, there was more vibrantly colored powder thrown along the course that made you feel like a rainbow. The powder stuck to you and added an extra layer of hope to the race that was represented in its cause. Not only was it students running, but it was also people of all kinds: families, handicapped, disabled, young, old and everyone in between.

But there was a separate message of hope that the race-inspired: one inside of me that showed me that I, and anyone else, can do whatever they put their mind to. A year ago or even two years ago, I couldn't imagine myself running any kind of race, let alone not finishing last. This is coming from someone who came in last place all the time for the mile in gym class in high school. The event was an amazing experience and provided empowerment and hope to those who both ran and watched. The sense of community and success that came from this race, lives on past the finish line.

Chris Stufano