26.2

It has been some time since I last had a post on fitness or healthy eating. There is no excuse for the lack of updates, but I am back with some exciting news you will enjoy. I have completed my first marathon! I ran 26.2 miles through the most magical place, a place I’m sure many of you have been to before, Walt Disney world.
The first time I heard someone speak of running a marathon I immediately thought to myself there is no way I’m interested, nor could I physically cross a finish line after 26.2 miles. I have run three half marathons and several 10k as well as 5k races, but never did I think I would run 26.2 miles until the day after the marathon bombing in Boston. Marathon Monday in Boston is a significant day to not only the thousands of runners from all over the world, but also to the many spectators watching athletes crossing the finish line on Boylston Street. As a Bostonian viewing the marathon for the first time I was beyond excited to experience a gorgeous spring day in the city with friends, until the unthinkable occurred. Marathon Monday will now have a similar impact on people the way September 11th did.
As I sat as my desk the day after the marathon feeling hopeless and afraid I knew I could challenge myself in a way that would allow me to break out of my comfort zone. I have always wanted to run the Boston marathon and I knew if I could train for a marathon I could mentally overcome all doubt.
So, on January 12th I crossed the finish line after running 26.2 amazing miles in Disney. I ran for all those runners that fought for their lives and for those who face obstacles everyday because of the bombing in Boston. The day will come when I cross the finish line in Boston and I will never stop running strong.

Run to Home Base

For as long as I can remember the Boston Red Sox have been “our team” and Fenway Park has been “our ball park”. My grandmother watches every single Red Sox game from spring training through the regular season and my uncle works at Fenway Park. The Boston Red Sox are a team my family has supported forever.

 

My uncle notified me that there is a race that begins at Fenway every year and the proceeds go to wounded veterans. He had explained to me that the run ends inside Fenway and I would be able to cross home plate. Well, I signed up as soon as I researched the run a little bit more and found out that it was a 9K (which is 5.5 miles).

A few months went by and a whole lot of fundraising took place. Each runner had to raise a minimum of $750.00, which at the time seemed extremely difficult, but I had the support of so many friends to help me reach my goal.

Race day was this past Saturday and it was the first race in Boston since the Marathon bombings. The Red Sox Foundation had an extremely moving opening ceremony with motivational speakers and an amazing tribute to the veterans that work so hard every day to fight for us.

The race began at approximately 8AM and we started out to Yawkey Way where we started off our 5.5 miles. It was a gorgeous day in Boston and the crowd was enthusiastic! I felt great the entire way, especially as I began to circle back near the finish. I ran into the park with 2 people in front of me and my finish was 46:20, averaging a 8:18 minute mile. There were over 1600 runners on Saturday and I finished 365 out of 1646.

The race was an awesome tribute to the veterans who serve this country and I was proud to run through the streets of Boston after the tragic events that occurred on April 15th. We will all remain Boston Strong!

One Strong City

I will be running this Sunday with friends and many other Bostonians to support the victims and those who lost their lives last Monday.

Marathon Monday has always been a historic and exciting day for families throughout the Commonwealth. Monday, April 15th, 2013 will now be a day we remember as one that took the lives of innocent people. Marathon runners could not finish the race, families lost loved ones, over 100 people injured and millions left with an image that will never be forgotten.

For those of you living in the Boston area, do whatever you can to support the victims and families effected by this tragic event that occurred last week right in our city. We will remain a strong city and united we stand!

http://www.active.com/running/south-boston-ma/southie-5k-walk-run-fundraiser-boston-marathon-victims-2013?act=EMC-RegConfirmation&Version=Running&Event=&Property=Active&Sections=Body&Creative=RegConfFor&ArtText=Txt_1&Content=Event_Details