The complete lie and short answer is that "In a moment of not thinking, I signed up for the marathon." I've often rambled off the previous statement in past conversations, but I'm going to take a few minutes to explain the real reasons.
The Boston Marathon is the most prestigious and oldest marathon in the world. Although, the excitement that surrounds the marathon hasn't exactly reached me.... Oh, I am definitely excited, but reality of 26 miles is nothing to shake your finger at.
I've always been a runner! I LOVED tag as a kid. I loved racing my friends. I loved running the mile during gym class. I remember in the 3rd grade, running around the middle Heritage school baseball diamond because it was our regulation track for the mile assessment test. I couldn't wait to be a Shepherd Hill student to join the track team. I started as a sprinter with the 100 dash in 7th grade. I never won because I ran against seniors, but I did compete in the 1st heat! I'm fast! In fact, I might be living a lie. I'm really a sprinter trying to pretend to be a distance runner. Anyway, one thing led to another and I finished my high school track career with the mile and mile relay as my special events.
Years passed and I ran whenever the puddles were splashing around the UMass campus. I love puddle jumping and running with Andy Cook!! With my real world career underway, the love hate relationship of running called me back.` I joined the Greater Framingham Running Club (GFRC) and signed up for my first ridiculously long race - the Run to Remember Half Marathon of Boston in May 2008. It was a great race. I enjoyed all the training leading up to the big day and finished strong in a time of 1:50.03. Everyone that I spoke with following the race asked me when I'd be running Boston. I laughed and said it was crazy.
The idea was planted. All my GFRC running friends have glory stories from various marathons, if I wanted any respect in the club, I would need to take the plunge. Although 26.2 miles of running is quite a commitment and they're all very nice to me now anyway! I needed further motivation to sign up.
On October 20th, Bottom Line sent their Boston Marathon charity application to the GFRC. The application was due by Halloween. At this time, I rowed three nights a week, helped the Gardner marching band on Tuesdays and weekends, had recently started a Kaplan GMAT prep course, and worked full time! I didn't want to rush into this decision, but I barely had time to think about it! My initial reaction was pure thrill and excitement at the possibility of running the marathon for a charity. Since I graduated I've been searching for volunteer opportunities, but couldn't find the right fit for me. Running the marathon for a charity seemed like the perfect solution and a great way to do my part.
For days, I thoroughly considered all the factors. Whether I'd be able to handle the time commitment of training for a marathon, would I put myself in a huge financial hole for years, can I really run a marathon??? I even submitted my application after the due date. I wanted to make sure I could fully commit to the challenge. I talked with several veteran marathon runners, charity runners, my parents, and friends. I considered all my great friends and family that have supported me over the years. Even with the tough economy, I decided that the UMass Band alumni, the GFRC runners, the Gyrus golf tournament attendees, the members of my old service organization, former and current DSG employees, Corporate Challenge runners, my old & new cubicle neighbors, the NSO staffers, the February training class, my Facebook friends, and even Matt Miceli would respect the idea of a marathon and Bottom Line enough to throw a few bucks my way. I mentally ran through all these people to determine that I know some pretty stellar people. I'm not sure I can run a marathon, but I know that the Bottom Line students deserve my efforts to try.
I had my phone interview with Mike Wasserman and after weeks of waiting, on November 21st I found out that I made the Team Go Far 2009. You're welcome to read about the rest of the journey until mid April. I'm running the Boston Maraton for Bottom Line because I love to run and I want to help others.
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