Sarah Roberts-Witt is our TriangleMom2Mom mom of the week. Sarah started The Magnificent Mile event in 2006 to raise money for motor neuron disease. It's Sept. 13 this year and there is still time to register. She has an inspirational story. Thanks Illyse for introducing me to Sarah through e-mail!

Here's Sarah ...

Mom2Mom: Tell us about yourself.

Sarah: I am the 42-year-old mother of two human children (11-year-old Clare and 6-year-old Will) and seven animals of various species. My husband Jeff is an extremely tolerant man. I am also disabled because of a motor neuron disease called primary lateral sclerosis, which is closely related to ALS or Lou Gehrig’s disease. My symptoms started in 2004 when I was training for my fifth marathon. To make a long story short, I’ve gone from running 50-60 miles a week to being confined to a wheelchair. I have very limited speech, I can’t drive, the list goes on. But I still have that restless runner’s energy. In an attempt to channel it, I started The Magnificent Mile in 2006. The Magnificent Mile is actually three events in one—a competitive mile race for those who want to run; a recreational mile for those who prefer to walk or roll like myself; and two kids’ races (100 meters for 6 and under, and ¼ mile for 6 to 10 year olds). It will celebrate its 4th birthday on Sept. 13 at 2 p.m. on Hillsborough Street. Since 2006, we have raised more than $100,000 for research and nearly 1600 people total have participated. I am fortunate to have an amazing support network of friends and family who help me make The Magnificent Mile happen. However, the best thing about “mag mile” is how much my kids love--from helping plan, to giving me a hug when I’m tired, to running their hearts out on race day. It’s bittersweet. I wish they were watching me run, but I am so grateful for this event. Building it has been incredibly healing for my family. Getting the diagnosis and then adjusting to the daily, ever-changing reality of PLS was traumatic and sometimes still is.

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite family place in the Triangle?

Sarah: Definitely Six Forks Station Cinema. It’s a great little movie theater. Never crowded, always has at least one movie the whole family can see, and a great kid’s snack box.

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite place for yourself in the Triangle?

Sarah: I have two. Before PLS, it was that stretch of the greenway off Longstreet Drive down to and around Shelley Lake. I must have run 1000 miles—at least it seems that way—on that section with my running buddies. Now my favorite place is my side deck. A group of friends built it for me. I can roll out in my wheelchair, hang out with my dog, and look down into the woods.

Mom2Mom: What's your favorite ritual with your kids?

Sarah: Believe it or not, the time right after school is my current favorite. I love hearing about their day, seeing what they are working on. It’s a lovely few moments of calm before the chaos of homework, sports practice, and dinner begins.

Mom2Mom: What did you eat for dinner last night? Can you share the recipe?

Sarah: I have some trouble chewing and swallowing so I had a raspberry smoothie—1 cup vanilla soymilk, 1 cup water, 2 bananas, 1 cup frozen strawberries, 1 scoop protein powder, 6 cubes of ice. Yummy! The family had homemade chicken nuggets, peas & corn, watermelon, and rolls courtesy of my friend Norma White.

Mom2Mom: What's your guilty pleasure?

Sarah: Reading trashy celebrity magazines online, which is a horrible but delicious distraction. . .at least every once in a while.

If you know a mom we should feature, e-mail me. And learn about what other local moms are doing by going to www.trianglemom2mom.com/meet and checking back here every Monday.