Fort Myers woman pushes past painful memories one step at a time

FORT MYERS, Fla. —

For Katie Edmonds, lacing up for a long run is pure joy. For her girlfriend, Sarah Caspersen, that joy is still a work in progress.

Last year, Edmonds signed them both up to run a marathon — 26.2 miles of challenge in each step.

The training wasn't just a few friendly jogs or sprints to prep them to pass that finish line.

They were opportunities for Caspersen to push past her most painful moments. Last year, Caspersen lost her best friend of 20 years, "T," to suicide.

"Every time I drank, it really just threw me into a terrible state of depression that was really hard for me to get out of," Caspersen said.

After her loss, Caspersen felt less than strong or capable. Competing in a marathon seemed nearly impossible.

But when that day came, Caspersen didn't just cross the finish line. She proved to herself that even in grief, she is capable of achieving anything she puts her mind to.

"I said they'd be so proud of me," Caspersen said. "They would never do it, but they'd be really proud of me, and that just pushed me."

While Caspersen isn't turning into an avid runner any time soon, she is moving forward. One step at a time.

"To watch her get to a place where she not only believes it but then accomplished it, I think it's amazing. It's beautiful, I'm very proud of her," Edmonds said.

"I can do it. I can do hard things," Edmonds said.

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