TGIF - Marathon Apparel Day!

The excitement has exhausted me!

I had a very lovely day at work - everywhere I went, I received sincere wishes of good luck and excitement. One particular well wisher, Adele Van denBosch said it really nicely, "You are about to accomplish a really amazing event and goal! And YOU made it Happen!!" It's very true, and I can't really believe it! I'm happy that I have people in my life to take time to point these things out and appreciate them with me. Although, I still felt tired and nervous all day long, but I escaped to the driving range to enjoy the sun after work, and chatted with Matt Miceli as I cleaned my car and made dinner. I'm relaxing on the couch at the moment, and watching the Red Sox --- oh darn, the Orioles just hit the Grand Slam. I still Believe guys! C'mon!

Anyway, I'm heading out to John Harvard's for some more Marathon advice from the running club! Then early to bed... or writing some emails!

Medal Day & Marathon Kick Off Reception

Today was the one of the best days of my life! Now you really want to read the whole post! I'm not sure I can accurately describe my emotions!

Today was Medal Day - it was a noisy day, a few medals around one's neck and cause a little jingle. The part that most people caught onto today was ... that Spirit week wasn't forced on me by some crazy charity director, it was my own crazy idea. Today had an emotion in the air - excitement all around the office! :-0)

I had some support too!


Corporate Challenge 2009 Captains - Scott Goldstein, Katie Weinmann, and Carolyn Cross - we're winners!

At noon time, I checked my email and eyes zoomed in on my Firstgiving donation email alert - Aww! Joe Piedrafite donated $60.59!! I quickly logged onto my Firstgiving.com/katierunsboston and saw the tremendous amazing unBELIEVABLE $6000 listed on my fundraising site!! I grabbed my phone, jumped up and down, and ran out of my office toward the lobby as my phone dialed. I yelled THANK YOU INTO THE PHONE 10 times! My heart was beating so fast! Thank you to everyone! I could not, I repeat, COULD NOT have done this without all your support!

I immediately called my Mom to tell her the good news, but didn't catch up with my parents till later. They were driving the marathon route to figure out their plan for Marathon Monday!

For the evening, I drove into Boston and met Joe for the 'Cheers to the Boston Marathon'. I had no idea what to expect, but I won free tickets (top fundraiser award!) to what was presented as a VIP party. The event was hosted by Adidas, the Boston Athletic Association, and Cheers and was a VIP party indeed held at the Hampshire House on Beacon Street. The program for the event included a slideshow by Adidas celebrating their 20 years of Boston marathon sponsorship, and presentation of the Patriots' Award, and lighting of hte B.A.A. lamp.


Tom Grilk, Guy Morse, and Thomas Kershaw

It was a very exciting and inspiring show. An open bar with hors d'ouevres was enjoyed by everyone. I can't turn down a free drink, but I can leave behind a half drank beer glass. The VIPs included Boston Athletic Association President - Tom Grilk, Executive Director - Guy Morse, and David McGillivray - Race Director!

Do you remember, I read David McGillivray's book a few weeks ago?? AWE STRUCK! I've never really been awe struck, but I could barely talk! When the presentation began, Joe and I happened to be close to the front of the room. David McGillivray ended up standing right next to me, but I wasn't certain that it was him! After the presentation was over, I handed Joe my camera and then proceded to figure out a way to introduce myself to my future boss. I received confirmation when someone yelled -Hey David. In a moment, I stuck out my hand and said, 'Hi I'm Katie Weinmann - Are you David McGillivray?' Then I managed to say a few times - I loved your book! I told him about Bottom Line, my fundraising efforts and then asked for advice since I'm heading into my first marathon. He was really nice and didn't blow me off to talk to all of his actual friends - it was basically a reunion of the good old running crew. His biggest piece of advice was be in the moment. He said, "I know I can't tell you not to be nervous, because you will be, but once you start running, you'll be so focused on yourself that you'll love it." We talked for several minutes. I grabbed a quick photo -

David McGillavray - Boston Marathon Race Director

and then thanked him for his advice. Wow, I can't believe out of all those hundreds of people that I actually literally bumped into the one person that I wanted to meet! and talked to!

Thanks to Joe Piedrafite for enjoying the festivities with me this evening.


Katie and Joe take on the B.A.A. race weekend!

It's far past my bedtime and I need to calm my little racing mind!

!!!! 6K !!!!!!!

Oh My! Six thousand dollars!! My heart is beating so fast!! Thanks Joe for the donation! AND THANK YOU to everyone for helping me reach this tremendous goal!!

Safety Day! Anticipation is the Purest Emotion!!

Office Birthday Party - Brian Faria, Me! and Jodi Schoolcraft

Safety Day really pushed the Spirit week commitment to the maximum level and I did well. I wore my Safety running vest around the office, which as you can see is RIDICULOUS. Carolyn Cross and Tim Lynch bumped into me whenever possible, and said, "Oh, sorry I didn't see you." Clever colleagues! To add to my safety, I wore a lot of chapstick and coated myself with sunscreen.(just kidding, no sunscreen) It created a lot of ... attention, which luckily led to more excitement and support! Our new President even stopped in the hallway and asked about the marathon, turns out he's a runner too! It was a really fun day! The Office birthday party was held today as well, pictured above! Brian nicely announced the Marathon Spirit Month for me!


Enjoying Cake with Alex McLachlan, me, and Scott Goldstein - photo taken by Carolyn Cross

With less than five days left, I am being extra cautious with every step. I have the sweetest boss too - Miss Deb Adams wasn't feeling well today so she left the office and worked from home to avoid getting me sick! Phew, Safety day at the next level!

After a small piece of cake, lots of Safety excitement, and working on our Surgical Home Study binders, I could not wait to run after work! It was a beautiful sunny day, but I would not get the chance to run...I practiced running slow instead. It was tricky! In...Just fours day and I can RUN!


Me, Phyllis Lowry, and Sue Ericson

Sue participated in Safety Day too!

I received an amazing email today from Melissa Blanksteen. She wrapped it up so beautifully...
So this time next week you'll probably be leaving work after your first day back still wicked excited about the marathon! I think half of the whole event is the excitement and anticipation leading up to it and the great sense of completion and accomplishment afterward. :-) nothing can take that away!
Another good friend, Heather Alexsa told me long ago that anticipation is the purest emotion. And it's very true, the excitement and anticipation leading up to the marathon is breathtaking! Thanks Melissa!

I am having trouble sleeping this week... tossing and turning, thinking about everything that I need to do and hoping that I will do well! In an effort to avoid thinking about the marathon, I stopped at my local library on the way home. The book of my choice was available at the Southborough Library, but I have a $7 overdue fee so I wasn't allowed to take it out! I stood at the desk in disbelief. I know, sorry, it's shocking that I have late fees at the library. I don't mind giving money to the library so I am really relaxed about bringing books back on time. That bad habit no longer exists because I checked out a book on improving wealth! After a while of standing and searching for any cash, the nice librarian gave me the book and I promised to bring the book back with $7. I thanked her and expressed my Boston Marathon goal, nervousness, and exactly why I needed the book this evening! Thanks Southborough librarian!

Thank you for all the emails and phonecalls everyone!

Speaking of support, WHO wants to do it??? A donation of $60.59 will be the magical number that pushes our efforts to SIX THOUSAND DOLLARS for Bottom Line! Team up with a few friends and make one big $60.59 donation!

Bib # Day!

Bib # Day created more conversation than shoelace day, and it also sparked a lot of laughter and smiles! Erica O'Toole's husband, Chip O'Toole is running for the Liver Foundation so we've talked about the marathon frequently over the last few months. I bumped into her in the hallway and she immediately reacted with laugher and, "You're ridiculous." ! It's generating more excitement and Marathon Fever is sweeping through... Spirit week is working!

And when I say, sweeping through and excitement is increasing, that ranges from -"Give me your Number, I NEED to track you!" to "Oh the marathon is this Monday, I thought it yesterday?" Marathon spirit week is necessary and loved by everyone...

Nice bib and nice cubicle, eh?

Thank you to the generous donations from Maureen Scheible, Molly Hayes, Stefanie Hiller, and Brad Mayer!!!!!

Time for bed!

Shoelace Day!!

The Marathon spirit week is underway. My morning began with a delightful spirit filled text message from Eleni Kalafatis displaying her wrist with a bright blue shoelace. I proceeded to JUMP around my room in excitement, it's nice to have friends out there supporting me.

I wore my shoelace around my neck and wrist all day long at the office. It's a subtle accessory so I did not get many questions, but honestly I couldn't believe how many people did not even question it! C'MON, I have a shoelace around my neck?! The substitute cafeteria man was thrilled when I responded to his question with, I'm running the Boston Marathon! Anyway, I am sure that BIB # day tomorrow will provoke more conversations.

Shoelace Day. Check Out How ridiculous my hair looks - precisely the reason for braiding on Marathon Monday.

Speaking of Marathon Monday, I have a secret to admit. I have jolted out of my bed three times in the last two months, saying in my head, Is today the marathon?!?!! Hmm Am I focused on the marathon too much? Yes. I guess with all the work dedicated to the marathon, when I fall asleep I'm still really focused on it that when I wake up, I'm still so sleepy and confused. Sunday morning, I woke up at 7:30am and immediately asked IS TODAY THE MARATHON?? I knew I had to wake up for something so the confusion got me again! Marathon Monday is going to be a big day!

I have checked the weather 4 times today and it's been different every single time. Wendy Cashen Akeson warned me when I tried to announce the weather a few days ago, but four times in one day is ridiculous! Now it's listed as rain... but I promise not to be too upset because if I check tomorrow... it will be sunny again!

Here are the stats of my run today.


This week, I'm goig to bed for 10pm each night with a half hour of pre sleep stretching. And I'm reading over my favorite part of the David McGillavry book. The bedtime rule doens't apply to Thursday night - it's Marathon kick-off party time! Goodnight everyone!!

Happy Easter.

Happy Easter. This is a great essay and helps explains why I decided to train and why I'm running the Boston Marathon.

Elbalina's essay is one of the most elegantly written, but it also really shows the importance of a college education. Elbalina and her mother were homeless for an extended period, and that time was extremely difficult, and almost derailed Elbalina's education. Thankfully it did not. Elbalina will begin attending Worcester State College in the fall, but she will face many difficult times before earning a degree. We will be there to make sure she can graduate so that her children will never have to deal with the struggles that she has faced.
Elbalina's Essay
When I was thirteen years old my mom could not afford to pay rent anymore. As a result, we were evicted from our apartment in Brockton, Massachusetts. We were homeless for six months living with family in New Jersey. The family situation did not work out and we found out about a Women's shelter in Worcester, Mass from a family friend. After moving to Worcester and residing in the shelter for six months my mom finally found a small apartment that fit her budget. This experience changed my life because it taught me to be grateful for the little things and it also made me stronger. While I was homeless the things I missed the most were the irreplaceable things in life. For example, I was unable to retrieve my baby blanket or my first porcelain doll. I think not having my baby blanket affected me the most because I was always cold in the shelter. Being cold all the time made it difficult for me to do homework. In addition to being cold, I was constantly hungry which also made it hard for me to stay focus when I was doing homework. What I learned from this is that even something as simple as a blanket can make life easier. Another life lesson I took from this experience is that getting an education is important. Prior to being on disability my mother worked in a factory. With only an eighth grade education my mom couldn't find a better paying job to help her pay the bills. Seeing her struggle to pay the bills opened my eyes and made me realize how important having an education is. I'm determined to get the highest level of education possible so that I don't have to go through the same thing my mother did. Now as a senior at Worcester North High School I am motivated to go to college. Having to see my mom choose between not eating one month or not having heat was very difficult for me, especially since I was not old enough to get a job to help her. When I was homeless my grades plummeted so severely that I thought I wouldn't be able to finish eighth grade. Now with good grades and people supporting me I know I can go to college and succeed. Going to college will help me to achieve more than my mother did.

I'm off to the gym for a little visit and then grocery shopping for the BIG week.