'No more time to waste': Woman with ALS is first to run marathon in all 50 states

An avid distance runner in Raleigh, North Carolina, diagnosed with a terminal neurodegenerative disease, decided to enter what she thought would be her last race. Instead, she ended up doing 50 more.

For years, Andrea Lytle Peet, 42, had competed in triathlons and even a half-Ironman. But in 2014, after noticing her times were slowing and her muscles weren't as strong as they used to be, she discovered she had ALS, commonly known as Lou Gehrig's disease.

"In six months, I went from the strongest I've ever been to walking with a cane," said Peet. "I was shocked and sad in the moment, but I also realized that I had no more time to waste in this life."

Doctors told her the typical life expectancy for someone with ALS is two to five years. She decided she wanted to use her time and her body in a way that she loves.

"Neither of us really knew what the disease had in store," said David Peet, Andrea's husband and caregiver.

She bought a recumbent trike, sometimes used in races as an accessibility alternative, and competed in what she believed would be her last triathlon.

"I came in last by almost an hour, but people stayed to watch," she said. "This was really a profoundly moving experience."

It encouraged her to keep going. While her muscle movement was declining, she appeared to be defying the grim prognosis she'd been given. Before she knew it, Andrea had completed marathons in every state — the first person with ALS to do so. Her 50th one was in Alaska.

Watch the moment Andrea crosses the finish line in the video below after competing in 50 races.

Since then, Peet has written a memoir and been the subject of a documentary about her experience.

"I hope that it can be used to show people how to take on whatever marathon is in their lives, whether it's ALS, whether it's anything," said David.

Peet says she always feels better when she rides and can feel her muscles move, even though the disease gradually removes muscle control.

"The worst thing that happens to you, it doesn't define you unless you let it," said Peet. "If you just put one foot in front of the other, there's really no telling where you can end up."

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This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Woman completes marathon in all 50 states after ALS diagnosis