For weeks people have been asking me if I am ready for the marathon and the infamous Heartbreak Hill- today I finally feel like I can answer this question confidently with a yes. Yesterday marked my last long training run and I decided it was finally time to see what the hype about Heartbreak Hill was all about. I ran out on the marathon course down Heartbreak Hill and the other Newton rolling hills realizing I was clearly descending most of the way and would have to turn around to ascend to get myself back home. On the return trip I reached Heartbreak Hill at about mile 10 and found myself wondering if that was really the dreaded hill because quite frankly it didn't seem so bad. Perhaps its because I spent most of the last few years running the hills of Tennessee- running up the dreaded Demonbreun hill frequently with my fellow Nashville runners, as well as trail running at the Warner Parks in which "hilly" is an understatement. While I may feel differently about Heartbreak Hill when I reach it at mile 20 a week from Monday, I am feeling confident that there will be no heartbreak for me at that point in the race. People tell me the rolling hills of the Boston Marathon are tough- I ask if they have run the hills of Tennessee recently...
As the race gets closer, I find myself getting more and more emotional about it. 9 days to go and just the thought of crossing that finish line brings a few tears to my eyes. I have run other marathons, but this one proves to be the most meaningful. Embarking on this journey, I never imagined the emotional impact this would have on me. I have had many people share their stories with me and witnessed others fighting their own battles with cancer- it has brought on the urge to raise even more money so that we can see more success stories for those battling cancer. The thoughts of all of your loved ones stories help me through when the going gets tough with long training runs and remind me why I am out pounding the pavement. The temporary struggle and pain I battle with during a run is nothing compared to the battle others are fighting with cancer- this pushes me harder than ever before. I hope that with my training and fundraising, I can ease the difficulty of the battles people fight with cancer every day as a part of a team much larger than just myself. The $3,700 you have all helped me raise so far to benefit innovative cancer research is remarkable. While it may seem like a small drop in the bucket, it is the collaborative effort of something much greater than that. Since 1990, the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team has raised more than $56 million to directly fund the Barr Program. Our team as a whole this year has a fundraising goal of $4.6 million. Every single donation makes a difference in taking strides to a world without cancer.
Thank you to all of you who have donated, supported me, run with me and prayed for this cause as race day nears- all of you have made a significant impact!
To those who have not donated yet who would like to, the process is quick and easy! Simply click here to open my personal fundraising page with Dana-Farber and follow the instructions. :)
Enjoy the weekend!
-S
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