It’s gO Time — Meet Lesley O

Lesley Oslica knows first hand the uncertainty that NF brings as her daughter Katie has NF1. Lesley and her entire family participate on the NF Endurance Team. From biking across America to rallying runners in Little Rock, the Oslica’s work hard to spread awareness about NF. In 2010 Lesley served as team captain for two events in the Rock ‘n’ Roll Mardi Gras Marathon and the Little Rock Marathon.

Meet Lesley

Lesley and Connie Oslica participate in multiple NF Endurance Events each year in support of their daughter Katie.

How many races you have done? 11 half marathons, 4 full marathons, and coached at seven NFET events.

What is your race mantra? If the kids have to endure living with NF, I can endure to the finish line; run/walk/crawl…whatever it takes!

Favorite postrun meal: Pizza and some bubbly liquid carb replacements

What does Endurance mean to you? Endurance…just as Webster’s might say…the ability to continue despite adverse conditions; bearing pain, hardships. The true witness of endurance is seen in so many of the heroes living with NF. Kids enduring chemo, parents enduring watching their child suffer through every MRI, blood tests, wearing back braces, surgeries, rehab, etc. And, the ultimate endurance…people with NF facing the end of their journey with bravery and determination, to leave a legacy for those who come behind them. They endure – and leave a permanent impression on our hearts. The compassionate people on the NF Endurance Team endure different struggles…blisters, fatigue, muscle cramps, torn muscles, tendons, etc. But, we endure so that all those who suffer with NF might have a brighter future. If we can’t do the research, we can hopefully at least fund it and raise awareness of NF to help gain support.

What is on your must do race list? If I have one thing on my must do list…it would be to get a team together for RAAM so that my husband could ride RAAM (and me be a crew member). Participating in RAAM in any capacity was an incredible experience. I don’t know if it’s the sleep deprivation or witnessing our riders hammering those pedals for over 3,000 miles (or a combo of both)…but whatever the case, RAAM is truly representative of Endurance! If we are talking race as in marathons, NYC [Marathon] is one that I’m going to have to experience one of these days; the crowd, the city, the other runners…I can’t imagine the feeling of being a part of something so big.