Wait...What Happened to Summer?!

It's been over two months since I wrote, and that is so unlike me when I'm working on a current blog, but very indicative just how busy I've been training and planning my big fundraiser for Boston Children's Hospital.  It's been two months of amazing, so much so that not even writing could tear me away!

Training

Marathon Coalition at Miles for Mikey 5K

I've said it before, and I'll say it again.  I am working with a phenomenal coach.  I very often lack confidence, even after I've experienced success.  Sometimes there's a little voice that says the good runs are flukes, something I'll never repeat.  I am the runner who has given up in the past out of fear.  In August, I started experiencing pain in my left leg, and my mind immediately assumed NYC wasn't going to happen.  I figured it was a significant injury, and I was done, but Rick never went down that road.  He adjusted my training schedule and kept insisting that I keep the faith, that rest would get me back on track, and he was right.  It's mid-September, and I am running better than I ever have...ever.  Right now, I feel like I will own NYC.  I've worked so hard, with such focus, and better balance than I had during my Boston training.  I'm getting the hang of this marathon training thing, but I'd be lying if I didn't admit that there's some real fear in my heart at the same time.  I have such motivation to run this marathon well, so may reasons I want to run every one of those miles the best I can, and a genuine fear of failing and letting people down.  My mind will catch up to my running, I'm sure of it, because not only am I a ridiculously positive soul, but because Rick won't have it any other way.  Every athlete should have someone like him on their team, and I'm thankful for every mile he's guided me through.

Fundraising

I love supporting causes close to my heart, but I don't love asking for money.  My plan for fundraising for both marathons has been to create opportunities for people to support the cause while also getting something out of it for themselves...a win/win.  For Children's, I wanted to create an event that promoted their mission of good health, so I decided on a 5K in honor of my little nephew Mikey, and thus the Miles for Mikey 5K was born.  It was a huge learning process for me to plan a road race, between securing sponsors, printing t-shirts, finding a race production company, oh and getting

Me with my sister, our friend Lilly, and the man of honor!

runners to sign up for an unknown race.  This was the definition of teamwork, and with the help of my friends and family, we held the race this past weekend.  It was overwhelming, looking at the crowd of 70+ runners and walkers who'd come from as far as Connecticut and New Hampshire to support BCH.  I definitely had a moment of disbelief that I'd been able to pull this off.  The race was awesome, and ended perfectly with every runner and walker crossing the finish line manned by Mat and Rick, two of my biggest supporters.  In all, Miles for Mikey 5K raised over $1900 for BCH.  Sitting here right now, I'm still a little in awe, but over-the-moon to know that I'm making difference for kids.

Reflecting on the last two months, what really stands out is how much being a charity runner has become a part of who I am at the very core.

As we were lugging the race supplies into the house after the 5K, Mathew said, "Mom, that was a really great thing you did for the hospital."  The kid pretty much sums it up right there.  Be the example of what you'd like to see in the world.