26.2 Miles Worth of Inspiration

As a writer who favors consistency, it bothers me that I haven't posted here in a couple of weeks, but I can honestly say my minutes have been 100% accounted for, in a good way.  Training is going very well, and I am right on track with my mileage.  I've now run the longest distance of my life, sixteen miles, and I discovered that I can cover that kind of distance alone, but I much prefer being with the team for those ones.  We have a seventeen-miler planned in Boston this Saturday, and I am so excited that my daughter is coming in with me to man one of the water stops.  It'll be so great to see her smile a few times on that long run.

Over the last couple of weeks, I have experienced a couple of events that I know, without a doubt, will provide me with strength and motivation on Marathon Monday.  I'll try my best to capture the magic of each.

The Greg Hill Foundation 1350 Days Celebration

Amy and I at the GHF Days Celebration

Every year, GHF holds an event to honor their beneficiaries, thank their supporters, and raise more funds to continue to improve the lives of local families.  This year's celebration was held at Papagayo in Boston, and what a night it was.  I was lucky enough to attend with my friend Amy, the reason I started this amazing adventure, and my husband, who is the most supportive man I know.  Some of the marathon runners were there, and it felt like a huge family gathering.

GHF Beneficiaries and marathoners

The biggest part of the night is when a few of the beneficiaries speak about their experiences with GHF and how their support has helped them through tragedy.  That night, there were three planned speakers, and one impromptu, and they were all awe-inspiring.  We heard from two Boston Marathon bombing victims, Marc Fucarile and James Costello, who shared stories of struggle and inspiring will to thrive and give back.  We also saw a video interview with Jack Trottier, a young man who was seriously injured while snowboarding this past year and now requires a wheelchair and many renovations to his home in order to function independently.  And, we heard from the Roaf family.  Truly a parent's worst nightmare, Sheryl and Parker Roaf lost their 18-month old son Bennett in a tragic car accident when, as Sheryl was taking him out of the car, it started rolling backwards and struck them both.  I'm crying now as I write this; unthinkable.  Will I run 26.2 miles, and many more leading up to Marathon Monday to support all of these people, and the many others?  Damn straight, I will.  It's the least I can do.

3 Doors Down: Acoustic Songs from the Basement Tour

Our view of the show

One of the most fun connections I have with my daughter is our love of live music, and now that she's sixteen, we've gone to a few shows together over the last year.  This one was special, though I didn't realize how special it would be when I bought the tickets back in November.  For this tour, they had seats available ON STAGE.  So, for her Sweet Sixteen in January, I got us a pair, and we'd celebrate my incredible young lady with this amazing band.

It was the following month that I found I'd be running the Boston Marathon for GHF, and one of the first contacts I made was with Chris Henderson, a guitarist for the band, who also owns Luv you Health.  I asked if they would sponsor my training and run, and without hesitation, they were on board.  They sent me a ton of training gear, the protein bars I cannot train without, and he and Jessica have been bright lights of support ever since.  Chris even worked his magic to help me get a guitar signed by the band to put up for silent auction for GHF.

The day before the show, as I was delivering and retrieving the guitar, I ran into some of the guys and we talked about running, snowboarding, and crazy snow storms.  Our tickets came with a chance to meet the guys before the show, and I had a chance to tell them how much their music dominated my training playlist, and that I was dedicating the first two miles to them.  Those first miles are critical for me, because I an not warmed up, and I feel weak, like I'll never make the distance.  Their music helps keep my thoughts centered and my mind strong.  I gave them each a Boston Strong bracelet with the numbers one and two written on the inside, each with a note from me.  It was very cool to thank them for sharing their talent, tell them how much it meant to me, and it was heartwarming to see Chris after so many weeks of support from him and Jessica.

Brad and I with the guitar

As expected, the experience of sitting onstage was incredible.  Ashley and I were able to sit on the couch next to Chris and Justin, which was perfect.  The acoustic setting was so different, laid back and relaxed, and Brad talked a lot about the meaning behind the songs.  They played some of my favorites, including Let Me Be Myself, and they played When You're Young, after which Brad gave Ashley a big thumbs up.  Made that kid's life!  What blew me away was when Brad started talking about the Boston Marathon, and he told the crowd about the bracelets, and the miles I'd dedicated to the band.  He had told me earlier to laugh at the end of mile two, knowing that's where Brad would have passed out.  Justin and Chris turned toward me with huge grins, and at that point, the rest of the show was emotional.  This band, these guys, are so genuine, so sincere.  After the encore, they came around to everyone on stage, and they all had big hugs and words of encouragement for me, promising to wear the bracelets on April 21st.  It was hard to say bye to Chris, and I was missing Jessica, but he gave me one of his picks, and it will travel every mile of training with me, right through the 26.2 miles in Boston.

Chris and I before the show

Before the Days Event with GHF, and before this concert weekend, I was truly full of doubt.  Can I really finish 26.2 miles?  Am I going to let people down?  I can say, with certainty, that these experiences have given me a confidence and a determination that will last beyond the marathon...perhaps through my next one?  :)

If you could dedicate a mile to someone, who would it be and why?  Share in comments and you'll be entered for a chance to win a Luv You Health prize!