Readers! Oh, how I've missed you!! I'm so sorry that I've been temporarily "M.I.A.," but I have very good reasons for disappearing...I'm tapering!!! I've been temporarily missing in action because it's "Katy time."
You see, when I decide to do something ... I give it my all ... I've given my heart and soul to Dana-Farber and the 2008 Boston Marathon. Now ... I need some time to reflect on this experience. It's time to focus on my goals. It's time to visualize myself running and crossing the finish line. It's time to give my fundraising one final push before the big day. It's time to rest ... and mentally ... and physically prepare for the 26.2 miles that are calling my name ...
I completed a fourteen miler last weekend and several shorter runs ranging from 3 to 7 miles. I've been working so hard on my fundraising! I sent out a TON of letters last week to my extended family ... asking my relatives to support my "Run for Rita." My Aunt Doris called me at work to tell me that she's sponsoring my run! She also told me that she took my grandmother's name some years ago, and told me that both she and her roommate will sponsor my run because her roommate is currently battling cancer. She told me, "Katy ... YOU RUN!" ... She said ... "Katy ... YOU RUN GIRL!" ... "YOU run for Debbie ... and everyone else..." ... and I promised her ... that I will RUN! I am going to run until I can run no longer ... and then I'm going to run some more ...
With the same attitude ... I'm still pressing ahead towards my $10,000 goal. I'm unofficially over the $5K mark! I'm excited to be able to raise all of this money for Dana-Farber ... because I know for a fact that it will be put to good use ... the best use ... I'm still sending out letters ... and I'm still working towards my goal ... THANK YOU ALL from the bottom of my heart for sponsoring my run for Dana-Farber!
Just today ... I recived a gift from my Uncle Elliot and Aunt Debbie ... and my dad is so wonderful! ... Just found out that he asked everyone at work to make a gift to my run ... and he raised over $212.00 towards my run!!! People are so loving ... and so generous ... and I've developed a new respect for people in general ... because I've learned through this experience ... that most people really want to help in any way that they can ...
My dad is really excited for my run!! He told me that he's going to rent a motorcycle and follow me with water. It'll be my own private pace car! My mom was yelling at him in the background ... "You had better not rent another motorcycle" ...!
Three weeks ago ... I was really anxious ... I finished my 18 miler ... and I wanted the marathon to hurry up and get here! Now it's here!! Boston is really gearing up! The signs are out ... and the big weekend is upon us! Last week ... I had knots (BIG ONES) in my stomach ... I wanted to puke every single day (twice) ... the nerves really got to me (just like they used to do in skating) ... Now ... with just a few days to go ... I AM EXCITED! I'M PUMPED! LET ME AT IT! JUST TRY TO HOLD ME BACK! ... I find myself smiling ... by accident ... just thinking about the marathon and Dana-Farber! ...
Today ... we took a group picture of all of the staff who are running the marathon for Dana-Farber! I wish the best of luck to Jan, Nancy, Keegan, Karla, Eric, Lauren, Hillary and Sarah! Everyone has worked so hard ... and we've all experienced our ups and downs ... highs and lows ... but this experience has made us all stronger people ... It is a privilege and an honor to be able to both work and run alongside so many wonderful people ...
I bought my GU! Owen took me to City Sports ... on Rt. 9 (about three miles from my house) ... and we got LOST driving home! How funny is that!! ... I would like to use this blurb to send a very special thank you to Owen Kellett because he has been SO supportive of my run for Dana-Farber! I really couldn't ask for a better best friend :) ... Owen ... and I know that you're reading this ... because you keep asking me where I've been! :) ... Thank you very, VERY much from the bottom of my heart for all of your support! ... and CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR NEW JOB! ... <> ...
This weekend is going to be very busy for me! ... I'm going to pick up my number on Saturday ... and attend the runner's expo ... I'll be at a reception on Saturday evening ... followed by the biggest and best PASTA PARTY EVER! Today ... Abby Kussell stopped by my office to chat for a moment ... then she left because she was "off to finish planning the best weekend of my entire life!" ... THANK YOU ABBY and everyone else on the DFMC staff! :) ... My entire family (Mom, Dad, Patty and Anne) ... and Owen will be at the Pasta Party with me ... and I'm really looking forward to it because last year ... I sat at the back of the Pasta Party during my volunteer role ... and I cried ... The experience moved me to tears ... and I wasn't even running last year! :) ...
I'm keep getting choked up ... just thinking about crossing Kenmore Square on Monday ... I cannot wait to run past my mom and dad (location TBD) ... Katherine and Pete and Owen will be just before mile 22 ... and I'm going to think about them as I run up heartbreak hill ... because I'm going to get a big hug when I see them! ... Katy and Amy will be riding the route ... and meeting us here and there ... The roomies will be at Coolidge Corner ... and there will be plenty of people along the route ... helping me to the finish line ... and my Grandma will be cheering me on ... from Heaven ... :) ...
Thank you everyone for taking time out of your busy lives to read my silly blog (even though my blog posts have titles like "Gloves or No Gloves?" :) ... My marathon experience for Dana-Farber would not be the same without you! ... :) ...
Good luck to all of my DFMC teammates ... and thank you to the DFMC Board members who really go "the extra mile" to make each DFMC a huge success! ... It wouldn't be nearly as fun without you! :) ...
This is actually going to be one of my last posts (and perhaps my last post) before Marathon Monday ... Wish me luck! :)
Now that I got that out of my system ... I'm officially ready to go!
No comments:
Post a Comment