tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-41814614388169651622024-03-19T00:38:40.600-04:00Running For PattyFollow me as I train for the 2015 Boston Marathon. I am running on the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute Marathon Challenge team in memory of my mom, Patty Shields and my "In Memory" partner, Jonathan Smyth. Please visit my fundraising website: www.rundfmc.org/2015/amymAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.comBlogger34125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-21864674106312723362015-02-27T17:05:00.002-05:002015-02-27T17:05:54.717-05:00Waiting for Inspiration<blockquote style="background-color: white; color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;" type="cite">
Over the course of my six seasons on the DFMC team, I have made an effort to communicate frequently with my contact list of donors. This list is filled with family, friends--new and old, work colleagues--past and present, friends’ of family, friends’ of friends, and even kind and generous strangers. I am in awe of the number of people that support me throughout my training and fundraising endeavors. Many, year after year. Thanks to all of you, I have raised, to date, $66,733.60 toward innovative cancer research for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.<br /><br />My communication is most often in the form of an email letter--one that takes me quite a bit of time to write, edit, read, re-edit, re-read and then finally send. I want my messages to be thoughtful, organized, and engaging and I aim for concise...I really do try. All told, I am usually good for about 5-10 email letters each season.<br /><br />I spend many miles thinking up things to write about and will often laugh out loud during these mobile brainstorming sessions. This past week, I was thinking that I could write a message about my newly acquired talent of blowing my nose while running without falling. Or how I discern between which ice patches to run around and which to attempt to skate over (I made a bad choice last week...). Last weekend, it was car shopping (I am leaning toward the new Toyota Highlander) and attempting difficult math equations in my head related to work productivity (don’t ask).<br /><br />Despite being over half way through my training season, I have only written and sent one letter so far. It isn’t because I forgot or can’t think of things to write about. And it certainly isn’t because fundraising means less to me this year than in previous years. I have simply been waiting for inspiration.<br /><br />Today I was having lunch with a good friend who was telling me about a charity walk she does every year. She simply stated, “This is my thing.” And there it was.<br /><br />Running for DFMC is MY thing. Every aspect of this experience has meaning for me. I must release a lot of endorphins because running makes me feel great all day. My long runs are meditative--I spent quality time alone thinking, dreaming, planning and reflecting. Every dollar I raise is a tangible representation of my efforts that I can then give back to Dana-Farber. My Dad and I spend precious time together driving from Philadelphia to Boston and back, listening to hours and hours of Willie Nelson. Joining DFMC’s In Memory program 3 years ago has connected me to the Smyths--I run in memory of their son, Jonathan. Jonathan and my mom, Patty are buried two gravestones away from one another in Wadsworth Cemetery in Sudbury, MA.<br /><br />Most meaningfully, everyday that I am running for DFMC, I am connecting with my Mom who died almost 21 years ago.<br /><br />I believe that there are no coincidences. The Boston Marathon always occurs within days (and sometimes on the same day) of the anniversary of my mom’s death--<span class="aBn" data-term="goog_979420084" style="border-bottom-color: rgb(204, 204, 204); border-bottom-style: dashed; border-bottom-width: 1px; position: relative; top: -2px; z-index: 0;" tabindex="0"><span class="aQJ" style="position: relative; top: 2px; z-index: -1;">April 21st</span></span>. That night in 1994, after our mom died, my sister, Regan, brother, Sean, and I went for a walk around our neighborhood. With our arms linked, we were in disbelief that Mom was gone, but felt confident that she would keep us close forever. Mom immediately gave us a wink by sending not one, but two shooting stars over our heads. Fast forward two decades, we have all been together in April celebrating Mom at the Finish Line year after year.<br /><br />I like goals. My first year on the DFMC team, I thought reaching my fundraising goal of $10,000 was a bit lofty, yet I have exceeded that total year after year. While I was sitting at my 2nd pre-race pasta party in 2010, I impulsively announced to my family that my goal was to run for DFMC 5 times. Now that I am gearing up for race #6, my new goal is to continue running for DFMC until my fundraising total has exceeded $100,000.<br /><br />Thank you for cheering me on along the way!! XO AMY</blockquote>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-9963895482662464542015-01-17T12:16:00.003-05:002015-01-17T12:16:25.802-05:00Because I Can<div>
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Running the Boston Marathon on the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team for the past 5 years in memory of my mom, Patty Shields and my buddy, Jonathan Smyth has added so much depth and meaning to my life. Year after year, I lace up my sneaks right before Christmas to begin my 18 week training schedule. Through the winter, often icy, snowy and cold, I hammer away the mileage suggested to train for the 26.2 miles trek to from Hopkinton to Boylston Street. Each time I cross that Finish Line, I am filled with gratitude, excitement, love and pride. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And the incredible urge to take the next year off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When the team registration email came my way this September, I passed it over in my inbox. “This will be such a relaxing winter,” I thought to myself. Through the early fall, the DFMC team began posting team updates on my Facebook timeline. I often caught myself looking at the posts with a heavy heart. “2016,” I reassured myself. I let Marie, Jonathan’s mom, know of my intentions so that the family could be matched up with another runner this time around.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I really need this year off. I think.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">In November, Katie Smyth--Jonathan’s big sister, my 2014 DFMC teammate but most importantly, my friend--came to Philadelphia to run the Philly Marathon. We met up for lunch and I listened to her talk excitedly about her place on the 2015 DFMC team. “So, you are definitely not doing Boston this year,” Katie asked. As I said the words, “Yes. I really need to take a year off,” I was overcome with regret. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">And panic. What am I doing?? Year off, my foot! Within 24 hours, with the blessing of my husband, I was in touch with Jan Ross, the team coordinator, and I was back on the team just as the final spots were being filled.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">We all spent the summer taking the Ice Bucket Challenge inspired by Pete Frates, a former college athlete now paralyzed by ALS. In November, I watched an ESPN E:60 special called “Catching Kayla” about Kayla Montgomery, a young female track star suffering from MS who breaks records and then collapses in her coaches arms because running makes her legs numb. Jonathan Smyth spent 1/2 of his life fighting neuroblastoma rather than playing baseball and golf and watching the Red Sox.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">When my mom was 42 years old, she was diagnosed with cancer. Five years later, she was gone. I am 42 years old and I am healthy, strong and CAPABLE. I have decided that I will run on the DFMC team each and every year because I can. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Life is too precious and too short to take a year off.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">Please consider supporting my run to help me reach my fundraising goal of $15,000! www.runDFMC.org/2015/amym</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">XO AMY</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-8842767013983002732014-04-30T16:09:00.002-04:002014-04-30T16:09:56.276-04:00PMB
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">It is hard to believe that the Boston Marathon was over a
week ago.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Monday of last week, I was
standing nervously in Wave 3, Corral 9 awaiting an 11 am race start.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had just hugged my Dad and Regan for the
last time before I set out to finish what I had started in 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Security was definitely increased for
spectators, but it did not impose upon the excitement and enthusiasm that I
felt in Hopkinton.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Songs have always played a key role in my running
experience.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am always fine tuning my playlist—adding
long forgotten 80s tunes, the newest pop song, or a recommended song that is
off the beaten track.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>When I was stopped last year at Mile 25.8, the
song “I Will Wait,” by Mumford and Sons was blasting in my ears.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That song became very significant over the
course of my training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I would often
replay that song over and over again during long runs, envisioning myself
crossing the finish line that was nabbed from so many of us in 2013.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I shared in an earlier blog post about the
song, “Praise You,” by Fat Boy Slim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>This song has been on my playlist for years and has always felt like a musical
high-five from my Mom.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My music is played on an iPod shuffle.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is small, it holds all of the songs that I
need, and I like how the songs shuffle at random.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It keeps it interesting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As my Wave slowly approached the Start line,
I turned on my music and got into my zone.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I train alone, so running with so many people, although exhilarating, is
very distracting.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I turn my music up to
tune out the noise and find my rhythm.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
song playing was background noise as I my walking turned to a fast walk to a
jog.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>With the Start line just feet in
front of me, I thought, “This is it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
am ready.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Go time.” <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Song changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Random Shuffle:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“I Will Wait,” by
Mumford and Sons.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The weather was beautiful, not a cloud in the sky.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mother Nature hand-delivered the community of
Boston the most perfect day for redemption! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>From Hopkinton to Ashland to Framingham to
Natick to Wellesley to Brookline to Boston, spectators lined the race course
donning t-shirts and hats and waving signs reminding us runners what is means
to be Boston Strong.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am not an elite runner.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I don’t train on the marathon course.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I pound the pavements around my neighborhood, watching my GPS watch
calculate my mileage and monitor my pace.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I eat a generally healthy diet.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
don’t drink alcohol.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I drink a lot of
water and make sure that I stay hydrated.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>No matter how hard I try, I have not cracked the code of this race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In 2008, I had my best time of 4:28:10.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2010 was more difficult (4:53:52), 2012 was
the “hot year,” so my time wasn’t what I had hoped (5:12:48).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>2013 was a great run, but I was only able to
get a Projected Finish time (4:51:58).<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">My number 1 goal of this year’s race was to cross the finish
line, but I did have a time goal in the back of my head.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My only strategy was not to run too fast out
of the gate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The DFMC coach Jack Fultz
says, “If you think you are running too slow, you are probably running too
fast.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I kept this in mind as I cruised through
the first 17 miles of the race.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Mile 18
was a transitional mile up the Newton Hills. I struggled between miles 19 and
23.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It was warm and my thirst could not
be quenched.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My energy was zapped.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I walked off and on.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Hugs from Regan and Dad as well as inspirational
messages from the crowd kept me moving.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Throughout the run, I would glance up at the beautiful blue
sky and think about my mom and Jonathan Smyth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>It is easy to lose focus due to excitement and fatigue.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This race is in memory of Mom, <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan, and those that have fought cancer as
hard as they could.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I approached the
23<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">rd</span></sup> Mile Marker, I looked up and begged for their help. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Song changes.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Random Shuffle:<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>“Praise You,” by
Fat Boy Slim.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t make this stuff
up.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Late in the afternoon, I passed by mile 25.8 and <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>turned the corner from Commonwealth Avenue to
Hereford Street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Up ahead, I saw Regan
and Dad, my fearless and committed cheering duo, at the corner of Hereford and
Boylston Street.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>They were not within
arms reach as I made the turn to the final stretch, but we all waved our arms
with excitement.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Moments later, I crossed
the finish line with a time of 5:06:26 placing 27,772<sup><span style="font-size: x-small;">nd</span></sup>
overall.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am often asked if I am happy with my time.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>To be honest, not really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But this year it doesn’t matter.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was 6 years younger and 1 child less when I
ran my first Boston.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I may never be able
to replicate that 4:28:10 time. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This
year’s Boston was about completion.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Closure.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Celebration.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My 2014 fundraising total has surpassed $10K
thanks to all of you--my goal of $15K is within reach!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My
overall DFMC fundraising total is currently $59,563.60.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For this, I am incredibly proud.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I am suffering from a case of PMB—post marathon blues.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am home from Boston and my siblings.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Dad has returned to Texas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am back to work.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Life without training picks up where it left
off in December.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone suggested that
running the Broad Street Run in Philadelphia this weekend would cure my PMB.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You know what, I am good for now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I will continue to play and replay last week’s
experience through my mind.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Until next
time.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">XO AMY<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-82524580007373617362014-04-18T06:16:00.002-04:002014-04-18T06:17:05.662-04:00It's Time<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">20 years ago this week, I came from college after getting the call from my Dad that it was “time.” Mom was home with us, resting in a hospital bed in the living room. Dear friends and family filled the house. There were a lot of stories, a lot of laughs and many more tears as we all spent our last days with Patty. On April 21st at 10:45 pm, Mom died peacefully--her hands being held by those that loved her so much.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">That night, Regan, Sean, and I went for a walk around the neighborhood, arms linked. We said confidently that Mom would keep close to one another for the rest of our lives. After that, we saw two shooting stars. And, she followed through on her promise.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Mom certainly has her way with messages. After completing my first AND second Boston Marathons, Mom treated me to a beautiful rainbow spanning the sky. Mom’s wink to me.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Today, 20 years later, I am up early. I slept restlessly, looking at the clock off and on since 3 am. Again, it is “time.” I am headed up to Boston. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Unlike 20 years ago, I am anticipating this trip with enormous excitement. On Monday, April 21st, I will be taking on my 5th Boston Marathon in memory of Patty. Last year, I picked up a new buddy to honor, Jonathan Smyth. Jonathan and Patty are buried 2 headstones apart in Wadsworth Cemetery in Sudbury, MA. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Mom and Jonathan fought the good fight against cancer with the help of the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. As part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team for 5 race seasons, I have raised over $50,000 (and counting...). For this, I am immensely proud.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">If you have contributed this year or in the past, Thank You. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers on Monday. My bib # is 26821 in you feel so inclined to track my progress. </span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-37212158930172309142014-04-04T10:26:00.003-04:002014-04-04T10:48:11.059-04:00Boston College: My experience<br />
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">After my graduation from Lincoln-Sudbury Regional High
School in 1990, I started my college career at Boston College.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It wasn’t without great debate.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had my heart set on a university that I
didn’t get into.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Then, I sent my deposit
to another university that was out of state.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>After a few weeks, I chickened out about going out of state and was able
to secure my spot at BC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I was pleased
with this outcome and felt good to be attending school with a number of my
friends from L-S.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Boston College is a very popular school and has often been
challenged to accommodate its entire freshman class with on-campus housing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not sure what the story is now, but back
in my day if your family home was within a 30-mile radius of campus, you were
not given priority for on campus housing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Our alternatives were to commute from home or to live in an off-campus
apartment.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Since commuting from home did
not sound like very much fun, I elected to shack up with my dear L-S friend,
Erica Verville Mawn.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Erica and I found a great 3-bedroom apartment on Crosby
Road, a side street adjacent to campus.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>We were able to secure other freshman roommates, most importantly our
forever-friend-to-be, Heidi Burr Thomas.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>By the time school started, Crosby Road was fully rented, furnished and
ready to go!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Freshman year is a big transition for most 18-year-olds and
it certainly was for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Living off
campus was not all it was cracked up to be.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Despite having off-campus friends in other apartments in the area, my
Crosby Road roomies and I felt out of the loop from the other on-campus
freshman and found it challenging to make important early connections.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Even though my family was 45 minutes away, I
was homesick.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For better or for worse, I
made many trips to and from Sudbury which may have affected my ability to
settle in to my new college home.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>And I
certainly wasn’t killing it academically.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">The long and the short of it is…BC just wasn’t for me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Or Erica.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Or Heidi.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Once the doors closed
at Crosby Road after freshman year, we all eventually found different alma
maters for which we were better suited and were better suited for us.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I definitely left BC with a bad taste in my
mouth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Calibri;">When I ran my first Boston Marathon in 2008, I was
unfamiliar with the race route as I hadn’t lived in MA for over 15 years.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I knew it started in Hopkinton and ended on
Boylston Street in Boston, but had little awareness about what I would pass on
my way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>As I trotted along, I recognized
different spots and landmarks.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The
Framingham train station.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Speen Street
in Natick. The Gap in downtown Wellesley.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>As I got closer to Newton and turned onto Commonwealth Avenue, a pit grew
in my stomach as this is the road I traveled so many times from BC to home and back
again. <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Commonwealth Avenue (Comm. Ave.) is also home to the Boston
Marathon’s infamous Heartbreak Hill.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It
is the last of Newton’s four hills, which begin at mile 16 and end at mile
22.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I had been anticipating these hills
with much anxiety.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It’s not
that I am uncomfortable with hills--I run a lot of hills throughout my
training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But tackling hills this far
into a run is a challenge.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I put my head
down and eyes to the ground; not daring to look ahead for fear that the hills
would never come to an end.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Finally the pavement flattened out.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Spectators were wildly cheering and waving
signs saying, “You’ve reached the top!”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
raised my head and wouldn’t you know it?<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I was smack dab in the center of Boston College.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I passed the Crosby Road street sign.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw the prestigious campus to my
right.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I saw thousands of enthusiastic
BC Eagles enjoying themselves on the sidelines. I had made it!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Relief.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Pride.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Satisfaction.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I have run this race 4 (almost 5) times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am now familiar with the course and know
what to expect along the way.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I can
anticipate the parts of the run that are harder for me than others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Now, when I turn on to Comm. Ave., I am filled
with determination and adrenaline, not sour feelings and dread.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>For the first time in 20 years, Boston College
brings me feelings of great joy and accomplishment!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the language of social media, I “like,” BC.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>(Thumbs up emoticon).<o:p></o:p></span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-62558198120946288772014-03-16T15:55:00.000-04:002014-03-16T15:55:04.732-04:00Praise You.<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">This year will be the 20th anniversary of my mom’s death.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> Amazingly enough, it falls on the same day as the 2014 Boston Marathon--April 21st. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Over the past 20 years, I have had many instances when I feel certain that my mom is present.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Too many to count.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Sometimes it is in the form of dreams. Sometimes it is a strong feeling in my stomach. Other times, it happens when I hear a particular song. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;">
<br /><span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Whenever the song “Praise You” by Fat Boy Slim plays when I am running, I feel like my mom and I are giving each other high fives. The chorus goes like this: “We've come a long long way together, through the hard times and the good. I have to celebrate you baby, I have to praise you like I should.” I feel like she is saying this to me and I feel like I am saying it to her. </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Living almost half of my life with out her has been quite an adventure. MANY bumps in the road. Lots of tears and heartache. But somehow, I have gotten myself to the age of 41--married, three kids, great job--so much to be grateful for. When I hear that song, I think she is saying, “Way to go, Aim!” </span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When I listen to that song, I also think of my mom’s life experience. She lived a full, rich life before her death at age 47. She and my Dad celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary just weeks before she died. She has 3 amazing kids who love each other dearly. She has so many people that care about her--friends who have become such important people in my life. It makes me sad to think about what she has missed out on over the past 20 years. Weddings, grandchildren, retirement. Life.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">For these reasons, I want to Praise her like I should.</span></div>
<div style="font-family: Helvetica; min-height: 14px;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;"></span><br /></div>
<br />
<div style="font-family: Helvetica;">
<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">XO</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-78167583470639053872014-03-14T12:37:00.000-04:002014-03-14T12:37:05.026-04:00All Running...All of the Time
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">A friend just asked me what I was doing this weekend.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My answer—running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Really, that’s about it.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Oh, and napping.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am in the
thick of my training.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Every weekend for
the next few weeks, I will be running back-to-back long runs.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This weekend, I will run 12 miles Saturday
and 14 miles Sunday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Training reaches
its peak the weekend of 3/29, when my longest run is 22 miles.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">Training for a marathon really is a part-time job.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Thankfully I have a cooperative, supportive
family that puts up with me while I am gone running for hours and then gone for
a few more hours napping.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<div class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10pt;">
<span style="font-family: Calibri;">I wanted share two entries from my blog last year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Enjoy!<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span><u>Here are 10 things that you may not have known
about my mom, Patty Shields.<o:p></o:p></u></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">10. Patty
always wanted to be an archeologist.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">9. Patty
liked to eat vanilla ice cream out of a cantaloupe.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8. Patty
loved Laura Ashley.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7. Patty did
not like roller coasters, but liked rides that spun.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6. Patty
wanted a shamrock tattoo.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5. Patty
liked black licorice.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4. Patty and
I loved to watch Days of Our Lives. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3. Patty
loved going to the movies.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2. One of
Patty’s favorite flowers was the daisy.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1. Mom always
encouraged me to “Just Do It.”<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"><u>Here are 10
important things to know about Jonathan (courtesy of his mom, Marie Smyth):<o:p></o:p></u></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">1. Jonathan
loved Legos. <o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">2. Jonathan
was featured in an issue of Lego Mania Magazine.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">3. Jonathan
loved fried clam strips at Nancy's on the dock in Oak Bluffs, MA. on Martha's
Vineyard.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">4. Jonathan
had a cute little beauty mark on the left side of his head that you could only
see when he lost all of his hair during chemotherapy.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">5. Jonathan
loved golf and baseball and was a Red Sox fan.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">6. Jonathan
posed swinging a golf club on a brochure for the Jimmy Fund golf tournaments.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">7. Jonathan
loved watching Nickelodeon and especially the show "Rugrats".<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">8. Jonathan
was born on May 4, 1990, weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces and was 21 inches.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">9. Jonathan
loved beanie babies, trucks, race cars, and drawing pictures of sharks and
rockets.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">10. Jonathan
and his mom rescued a baby snapping turtle from a Dunkin Donuts parking
lot.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Jonathan named him "Little
Dude". Little Dude lived in a tank during the winter in Jonathan's first
grade classroom as their class pet. In the spring, Little Dude was released to
the pond behind our house in Sudbury. Mom says she thinks they saw him a few
times over the years after his release.<o:p></o:p></span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;">XO<o:p></o:p></span><br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-85186929858579272622014-02-28T12:15:00.000-05:002014-03-14T12:16:24.470-04:00The Thing About Goals...<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Goals are important. They keep us moving forward. When training for a marathon, I like to break the ultimate goal (26.2 miles) in to 18 weeks of smaller goals. Over time, the weekly mileage increases to condition us for race day. I keep a print out of my training schedule handy and find it very satisfying to cross off my daily runs/workouts. A visible, tangible record of my accomplishments for the week.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">For the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge team, my teammates and I have an additional goal. We are charged with raising money to benefit the Claudia Adams Barr program in Innovative Cancer Research. In a nutshell, the Barr Program is critical for conducting basic research, which is not eligible for federal funding until well along in proof of principle. The program enables leading-edge, highly-innovative research up to the point that it may be possible to attract government or private support. Barr Investigator awards help advance the professional development of Dana-Farber’s newly appointed Instructors and Assistant Professors who otherwise lack seed funding to test hypotheses and bring promising studies forward in completely new areas of research.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am proud to report that, over the course of my 4 DFMC races and my 2014 fundraising to date, I have raised $50,367.55!!! 2008: $10,245.55; 2010: $10,001.00; 2012: $13,686.00; 2013: $15,440.00 I am more proud of these totals than any of my marathon finishing times. Losing a loved one to cancer is a very powerless feeling. It has been so amazing to actually DO SOMETHING to honor my Mom and my In-Memory Partner, Jonathan Smyth.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So…this all being said…I have set a lofty goal for my 2014 DFMC fundraising--$15,000! We have done it before and we can do it again! As of today 2/28/14, my Barr Program total is $995.00. I have a lot of work to do over the next 1 month 20 days and 21 hours! I realize that, in reaching out to you, I am “tapping the same well” as I have over the past 4 races. You have all been so generous! If you can, please consider a small donation to help me reach my goal! </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And if you have already donated, THANK YOU!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XO</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-23259937508719777452014-02-24T12:14:00.000-05:002014-03-14T12:14:26.345-04:00Dreadmill<span style="font-family: Arial;">Three treadmill workouts in a row. Truly dreadful. The “dreadmill” (props to my friend Dawn for that moniker). This winter is KILLING ME! It is supposed to be WARM this weekend (if you call 40s warm), so I will get outside and finally get in some outdoor mileage.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I wanted to pass along some exciting news! First, a little history… The DFMC has a program in which runners can partner with families who have lost a child to cancer and run in their memory. Last year, I partnered with the Smyths—a family formerly from Sudbury, MA (like myself). Their son Jonathan lost his battle with neuroblastoma in January, 1998 and is buried 2 gravestones down from my mother, Patty Shields, in Wadsworth Cemetery in Sudbury.<br /> <br />Last marathon season was such a special experience as I had the support of not only all of my friends and family, but of the friends and family of the Smyths. Marie, Jonathan’s mom, and I maintained regular contact over the course of my training and I was thrilled to have Katie Smyth (Jonathan’s older sister), a graduate student at MIT, as my guest at the DFMC pre-race pasta party.<br /> <br />For the good news… Katie Smyth has joined the DFMC team this year! Although the Smyths have been part of the Partner/In Memory program since 1997, this is the first time the family has had a runner of its own! I am so excited for Katie as this will certainly be an amazing year to run her 1st Boston in memory of her brother. I am crossing my fingers that Marie and family can make the trip to Boston this year to cheer us on!<br /> <br />Please keep Katie, Jonathan, Patty and I in your thoughts over the next few months as we gear up for April 21st!</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />XO AMY</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-72811978890798603162014-02-10T12:11:00.000-05:002014-03-14T12:13:32.142-04:00After The Apocalyspe<span style="font-family: Arial;">This past week has been a challenge. Due to an ice storm, my family lost power, heat and hot water for 3 full days. Kids were out of school for three days. Scrambling to get to work. Strategizing how to even get a shower. Running has not been on the top of my priority list. <br /><br />“Flexible” is not my middle name. I like things to be a certain way. I like predictability. I often eat the same thing every day. When it comes to marathon training, I follow the same training schedule year after year to a “T.” This training season has been humbling. Rain, Ice, Slush, Snow, Black Outs. Mother Nature, not Amy, is at the wheel for sure.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">I often catch myself in a panic. “I haven’t run all of my training runs this week!!!! Will I be able to finish the marathon????” Then I collect myself and realize, “Yes. I’ve done it before. I’m training and doing the best I can.” Plus, I have two guardian angels pulling me along! This training is not about me. This training is about my mom, Patty and my In-Memory Partner, Jonathan. I can cope with the elements.</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;">XO</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-78718445308851167042014-01-13T12:05:00.000-05:002014-03-14T12:09:12.528-04:00WEATHER!<span style="font-family: Arial;">Snow. Ice. Rain. Fog.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"><br />So far, it has been a very tumultuous training season , weather-wise. I have even been driven inside and onto a treadmill. Egads! Not a piece of cake, but…we soldier on! Many miles to go before the big day on April 21.<br />
<br />For most of you, this is the 2nd, 3rd, 4th even 5th time I come to you in the name of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge. I wanted to extend my most sincere appreciation to you and let you know that every single one of your contributions means the world to me. I realize that everyone has a cause close to their heart and it is so important to me that you have considered supporting mine.<br />
<br />I will keep this note brief today… more news and updates to come.<br />
<br />XO AMY</span>Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-77496414500930205752013-12-13T12:02:00.000-05:002014-03-14T12:04:39.332-04:00December 16th is fast approaching!<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Next Monday (December 16) marks DAY 1 of my 2014 Dana Farber Boston Marathon Challenge (DFMC) training. It feels like it was just yesterday that I crossed the START line in Hopkinton. I prefer to think about the excitement and adrenaline that I felt at the start of the race, rather than what happened at the end.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">This year’s race is monumental in so many ways. The whole city/country/world will be tuned in to show love and support for Boston Strong! I can’t even begin to imagine what race day will be like… For me, there are several special milestones that take place on race day--April 21, 2014. First and foremost, it will be the 20th anniversary of my mom, Patty Shields’ death. I can hardly believe it has been that long. My participation in the DFMC has been my way to celebrate my mom’s memory and do my part to battle the disease that took her from us too early.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Second, it will be my 5th running of Boston on the DFMC team. As I sat at my very first DFMC pre-race pasta party, I was so swept up in the positive energy of the event that I declared that I would do this race 5 times. Third, the 2014 race is the DFMC’s 25th anniversary. It feels amazing to have such an incredible organization be part of my life. Fourth, if all goes as planned and I reach my 2014 fundraising goals, through the generosity of my family and friends (and their family and friends), I will have raised over $60,000 for the DFMC. 100% of all donations go to the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am excited to share that I will again be running in memory of my buddy, Jonathan Smyth. For those of you not familiar, Jonathan was my In Memory partner in 2013. Jonathan was a very brave “little dude” who fought cancer like crazy, but lost his battle in January of 1998 at the age of 7. What makes Jonathan extra special to me is that he is buried 2 headstones down from my mom in Wadsworth Cemetery in Sudbury, MA. Whenever I visit mom, I can visit Jonathan. I believe the two of them kept me safe during last year’s race.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">You will certainly be hearing from me throughout the next 18 weeks as I run the cold, dark streets of Lower Merion, PA. Your continuous love and support is what keeps me going!</span><br />
<br />
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">XO AMY</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Arial;"></span><br />Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-28145500850694471852013-04-17T06:14:00.000-04:002013-04-17T06:14:48.368-04:00Sore and Sunburned with a Heavy Heart<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I write this message today at 3:45 am because I am awake...for the second time tonight.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Playing and replaying my experience on Monday, April 15.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I wanted to get them down on paper so that they would stop swirling around in my head like a confusing bad dream.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Thursday, April 11, brought on a major case of the excited jitters. Being at work was torture. My knees were bouncing and I couldn’t stop staring at the clock. Dad was flying in from Texas that afternoon. That, to me, symbolized the start of “Marathon Weekend.” </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Friday morning, April 12, I popped awake to complete my “final lap”--a simple 3 mile run. It was misting by mile 1, drizzling by mile 2 and full on raining by mile 3. But I didn’t care. It was “go time.” Dad and I were taking off that morning, heading North to the Homeland. To run the race I had trained for since December 10, 2012. Whose end I had visualized during every long run. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Saturday, April 13, was met with more jitters, precious family time and anxious anticipation. Lots of dilemmas went through my head. Do I run with my phone? Should I wear my water belt? Shorts or capris? These questions feel so insignificant now.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Sunday, April 14. This is it. Marathon Eve. The race expo to pick up my number #23399. The Dana Farber Marathon Challenge team pasta party where my guest was Katie Smyth, my In Memory partner, Jonathan’s sister. I nervously and excitedly awaited Katie’s arrival in the lobby of the Copley Marriott Hotel. We had never met, but were texting one another. I told her that I would be the woman wearing green pants. Only to see another woman wearing green pants stroll by me. Who knew? Never the less, Katie and I found one another. I felt like I was hugging an old friend. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I was too nervous to eat at the party, but savored every moment of the program. The video slide show of all those children who lost their lives to cancer, including Jonathan. The celebration of those children fighting cancer who gathered on stage with their running “partners” (fellow DFMC teammates) and received a never ending round of applause. Quips and final words of wisdom from our team coach, 1976 Boston Marathon winner Jack Fultz. As he put it so perfectly, “The hay is in the barn. Training was the journey. Tomorrow is the celebration.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Following the party, Regan and I walked Dad to the car and waved him off as he headed back to Rockport for the night. Regan and I had some sister bonding time ahead of us. We strolled to the incomparable and awe-inspiring Finish Line on Boylston Street to take some marathon eve photos. “This is where I am heading tomorrow” photos. “This is what I have run almost 500 training miles for” photos. After that, I was finally hungry, so we grabbed a quick salad at one of the restaurants right next to the Finish Line.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">We laughed a lot back at the hotel. Regan was teasing me about how precisely I was laying out my race gear. #23399 pinned perfectly on to my race singlet. Shorts were the choice. Comfy post-race change of clothes packed in my race bag. Then we slept.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">5 am. Monday, April 15. Alarm goes off. Up I popped. Jumped in the shower. Donned my uniform. Hugged my sister and went to meet my team. Immediate friendships developed as my teammates and I made the chilly walk from our team headquarters, the Copley Square Marriott to the Boston Common where yellow school buses were in queue to drive thousands of runners about 26.2 miles west to Hopkinton, the small Massachusetts town famous for one thing--being the start of one of the most revered marathons in the world.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">10:20 am. Regan and Dad greeted me for some final well wishes, last minute photos, long tight hugs and I was off. As I walked toward Corral 6 for my 10:40 Wave 3 start, my mind and heart were racing. As much as the excitement of the crowd was energizing, I put on my music so that I could focus and get into my zone. I was about to take my “final exam.” And it wasn’t going to be easy.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">10:40 am. Wave 3 starts. Like a herd of cattle, my crew begins to walk toward the start. Walking is taken over by slow jogging and there it is. START. I step over the line and the race had begun.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">When I run, I look down. It’s just what I do. It was so tempting to crane you neck to look at the thousands of spectators and fellow runners. Some in crazy uniforms. Many wearing the names of loved ones on their backs. I had to continue to refocus myself. Any extraneous movement is energy I will need at mile 22, when the race really gets hard.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">The early miles were just sliding by. It was unbelievable. It felt like every time I looked up, I was passing a mile marker. “I am doing this. And I feel great!”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Mile 9. Dad, Regan, Sean, my sis-in-law Emily and my two nephews, Henry and Calvin were scanning the crowd for #23399. I spotted Regan’s fuchsia sweater quickly and easily near Speen Street in Natick. Quick hugs and kisses all around and back on the route I went. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Mile 10. Hugs from my dear high school friend Jonathan Kaplan and his family.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Mile 13.1. The half way point. And a surprise sighting of good friends from “back in the day,” Ryan and Kim (Buckley) Beagin.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Miles 14 through 16, I was flying high and in disbelief. I am really doing this and feeling little pain.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Mile 17. Hugs from two of my best friends of over twenty years, Heidi (Burr) Thomas and Erica (Verville) Mawn and each of their kids, Ellie and Jimmy.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Mile 19-21. Hear it comes. Heart break Hill. Dad and Regan on the side to greet me as I embark up the infamous grade then off they went to cheer me on at the Finish Line. Head down, music loud, mind focused. I see another old Gettysburg College friend, Jim Marsh at mile 20. I almost missed him from being so far into my zone. And then all of a sudden, I look up and I’m at the top. Boston College students yelling and whooping it up, encouraging runners along, well into their kegs.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Notable point: somewhere up the Hill, I pass the Team Hoyt--the iconic and awe inspiring Father/Son team. Father pushing disabled Son in his specially crafted racing wheel chair because early on in his life, Son said that “when I run with my Dad, I no longer feel disabled.” What a rush that was!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am feeling strong. I haven’t had the desire to walk. My pace was steady. I am doing this. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Miles 22-24 weren’t easy. My legs were feeling heavy. But my heart and my breathing were strong. Lots of oxygen-filled breaths in through the nose, out through the mouth. I touched my heart necklace, rubbed my Lego and carried on.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Mile 25. The Citgo sign. The Dana Farber Marathon Challenge cheering spot. One mile to go. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I made a decision to pick up my pace a bit, because hell, I can do anything for 10 minutes. I have a specific time I want to break. I shuffle my iPod shuffle to a power song and hit it. My legs pushing as hard as they can. Head down. Focus intense. That Finish Line is mine within minutes.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Until it wasn’t.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As, “I Will Wait” by Mumford and Sons is screaming in my ears, I notice non-runners pouring on to the race course. “Excuse me! Out of my way,” I scream as I bob and weave. “Where is the crowd control? Why aren’t the police holding these people back,” I think as I strive to grab that Finish Line by the horns and take it down to the ground.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">“The race is over. You can’t finish.” I take my ear phones off. “What?” The race had come to a complete halt at mile 25.5. Fellow racers just standing still, in shock. People frantically on their phones. What the hell is going on? I was almost delusional as I thought, “Did I miss it? Did I cross the Finish?” Confusion ensues.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Eventually news is trickling in that there had been two explosions at the Finish Line. My mind immediately jumps to Regan and Dad. Waiting for me to turn the corner from Hereford to Boylston for the final straight away toward the Finish. My decision to not run with a phone immediately becomes a problem. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As we stand there, the 50 degree temperature begins to take hold. Shivering. Teeth chattering. Kind residents of Beacon Street are handing out garbage bags--make shift coats to keep us warm. Pitchers of water and cups are being poured and distributed. Snacks are being handed out. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I encounter a fellow Dana Farber teammate and her boyfriend and we naively wonder aloud, “I hope they at least let us walk over the finish line.” We had no idea what was happening a short .5 miles away. Due to the hard right and then hard left of that final .5 mile, we had no view of the nightmare that lay ahead.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A stranger allowed me to use his phone, but all cell service had been cut off. I had no way to find my family. Panic set in. “I need my stuff,” is all I could say, on repeat. Prior to the race, runners check their gear onto predesignated school buses, carefully organized by race number so that it is there waiting for you once you finish the race. All I could think about was getting my phone so that I could contact my Dad and Regan. Picturing them at the Finish Line. Where two bombs just exploded.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Without any official information, no one knew where to go or what to do. Eventually the crowd begins to move forward. Word is that all runners are being diverted to the Boston Common to await further notice. After running 25.5 miles, walking another mile sounds very unappealing. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My new friends and I commit to sticking together as we make our way down Marlborough Street. The impact of what had just happened at the Finish Line in no way sinking in or understood. All I could wonder was how in the world was I going to find my family. “I just need my stuff.”</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Miraculously, Berkley street is accessible--the home of the baggage buses. My friends and I bee line it for the white Dana Farber bus and some how dig through 500 gear bags. My stuff. My phone. When I turn it on, it “dings” incessantly as texts are pouring in from concerned friends. Disregarding these, I call Regan---straight to voice mail. I call Dad---straight to voice mail. Panic. Disbelief. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">A decision was made to walk to the Copley Marriott, team headquarters. As we trudge along, teeth chattering, I hear a beautiful sound. My phone ringing and my sister’s face appears on my screen. We realize that we are a block apart. I turn around and there is that fuchsia sweater. Dad, Regan and I hug tightly. We are safe and we are together. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">With little idea or understanding of what is happening on Boylston Street, we decide the best thing to do is to get out of the city as quickly as possible. Because T service (mass transit) was suspended, we embark on a 2 mile walk to our car. Once safely in our car, we turn the news on the radio and listen in silence to what has just occurred.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Regan, Dad and I arrive safely at Sean and Emily’s house. We are greeted by huge, relieved hugs. I quickly shower and then settle on the couch to watch the horrific images of that iconic Finish Line where just the night before, we took photos and ate dinner. Now a crime scene. 3 dead, over 150 people injured.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">As I sit here this morning, sore and sunburned, my heart is heavy. I am filled with emotions, none of which are well-formed or coming to the surface. I am left with an overall feeling of numbness. Most present is the anger that I couldn’t complete my race. I hear a little voice in my head saying, “Where’s MY medal?” My mind and heart is incapable of wrapping themselves around the reality of what is being looped on the news. Death. Amputations. Shrapnel. Pressure Cookers. Terrorist Attack.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I hope I don’t sound ungrateful. Two angels kept my pace closer to an 11 minute mile than a 10 minute mile. I can’t even grasp what it would be like if I was crossing the line, with my family cheering me on, as those twin bombs exploded. Surreal. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">My affect is flat. My mood is somber. My feelings are numb. But I feel all of your love and support, as I have during this entire process. I finally made it through the 60+ texts that dinged in when I turned on my phone and the 100s of Facebook message. You are all amazing and I am so lucky to call you my friends.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Yesterday, Tuesday, April 16, Dad and I embarked on our long journey back to Philadelphia, first making at stop at Wadsworth cemetery in Sudbury, MA. Mom and Jonathan deserved a visit and a thank you. Just two gravestones apart, they will forever rest together. High-fiving one another for keeping my family and I safe on race day. That will be my “rainbow” this year. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I am well on my way to raising my true goal of $15,000--$10K felt attainable, $15K felt like a pipe dream. But we are doing it! Donations are still welcome because after all, this whole endeavor is about raising money to BEAT CANCER. No terrorist can take that away from us.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">All my love and thanks.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">XO AMY</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-9523055090065264572013-04-13T19:51:00.001-04:002013-04-13T19:51:47.095-04:001 day...14 hours <br />
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Hello!<br />
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1 day and 14 hours to go according to the race count down clock. I'm ready. I'm in Rockport, MA and just had dinner with my dad, brother, sister, bro and sis-in-law and my adorable nephews. Spectator logistics are being figured out. Post-race party plans are in place. Life is good.<br />
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I was feeling reflective yesterday as I ran my final 3 mile run. If I were a poet, I would write something like "I finished up training just like I started...with a three mile run and the same goal in mind." I carefully packed up my race singlet, my shorts, socks, my lucky running hankie and my shoes. Petrified of forgetting something important.<br />
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I also put my mom's heart necklace around my neck and a Lego in my shorts pocket. Because no matter what happens, Monday's run is about Patty and Jonathan. It pays respect to their struggle, their fight and their courage. I am honored to be running with their names on my back.<br />
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Thank you thank you thank you for all of your love, support, encouragement and well wishes. Thank you for making a donation to my efforts to help create a world without cancer. <br />
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Think of me on Monday around 10:40 am...I will be part of the final wave...#23399.<br />
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XO AMY<br />
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-76122197940751301062013-04-07T12:59:00.002-04:002013-04-07T12:59:38.295-04:00Buds, Mulch and Sunshine!<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Today was my last long run before the “big one” on April 15th! It was a fabulous 12 mile run complete with the sights and smells of Spring. The sun was bright and warm. Many lawns were sprinkled with new, fresh smelling mulch. Everywhere I looked, I saw the small beginnings of buds on trees. SPRING IS FINALLY HERE!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">During my run, nostalgic as I am, I kept thinking, “This is the last time...I will run up Bryn Mawr Avenue...I will pass “Camelot” running up Grays Lane...I will pray no one hits me on Morris Avenue...I will dart across Montgomery Avenue...I will cross the Church Lane bridge.” As if I will never run these routes again... HOWEVER, I will not be running them anymore this season and for that matter, anytime soon.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">To date, I have clocked 467.5 miles since December 10, 2012. A few more next week and then 26.2 on April 15.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Now the fundraising drum begins to beats louder. Today, my fundraising total is $8,205 and I have my eyes on $10K by next week with an ultimate goal of $15K. Please consider donating--no amount is too small. If you have already supported me, words can not express my appreciation!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">You will most likely hear from me again before Race Day....and then again on Race morning as I anxiously anticipate the massive feat that lays before me. </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">XO AMY</span></div>
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Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-4445194419560760342013-03-29T12:51:00.003-04:002013-03-29T12:51:39.998-04:0010 Things about Jonathan SmythHello again,<br />
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In addition to running in memory of my mom, I am also running In Memory of Jonathan Smyth. Jonathan was a brave fighter who lost his battle with cancer at age 7 in 1998. <br />
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Here are 10 important things to know about Jonathan (courtesy of his mom, Marie Smyth):<br />
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1. Jonathan loved Legos.<br />
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2. Jonathan was featured in an issue of Lego Mania Magazine.<br />
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3. Jonathan loved fried clam strips at Nancy's on the dock in Oak Bluffs, MA. on Martha's Vineyard.<br />
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4. Jonathan had a cute little beauty mark on the left side of his head that you could only see when he lost all of his hair during chemotherapy.<br />
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5. Jonathan loved golf and baseball and was a Red Sox fan.<br />
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6. Jonathan posed swinging a golf club on a brochure for the Jimmy Fund golf tournaments.<br />
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7. Jonathan loved watching Nickelodeon and especially the show "Rugrats".<br />
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8. Jonathan was born on May 4, 1990, weighed 7 pounds, 9 ounces and was 21 inches.<br />
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9. Jonathan loved beanie babies, trucks, race cars, and drawing pictures of sharks and rockets.<br />
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10. Jonathan and his mom rescued a baby snapping turtle from a Dunkin Donuts parking lot. <br />
Jonathan named him "Little Dude". Little Dude lived in a tank during the winter in Jonathan's first grade classroom as their class pet. In the spring, Little Dude was released to the pond behind our house in Sudbury. We think we saw him a few times over the years after his release.<br />
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Please consider supporting my fundraising efforts to honor the memory of Jonathan, Patty and all of our loved ones who are battling or who have battled cancer!<br />
<br />
XO AMYAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-16950096040682157442013-03-28T14:06:00.001-04:002013-03-28T14:06:34.924-04:00<br />
Hello! Here are 10 things that you may not have known about my mom, Patty Shields.<br />
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10. Patty always wanted to be an archeologist.<br />
9. Patty liked to eat vanilla ice cream out of a cantaloupe.<br />
8. Patty loved Laura Ashley.<br />
7. Patty did not like roller coasters, but liked rides that spun.<br />
6. Patty wanted a shamrock tattoo.<br />
5. Patty liked black licorice.<br />
4. Patty and I loved to watch Days of Our Lives. <br />
3. Patty loved going to the movies.<br />
2. One of Patty’s favorite flowers was the daisy.<br />
1. Mom always encouraged me to “Just Do It.”<br />
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I am running the 2013 Boston Marathon in her honor. Please consider supporting my fundraising efforts. If you have already supported me, thank you thank you!!<br />
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XO AMY<br />
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-8719035043193514362013-03-25T12:24:00.000-04:002013-03-25T12:24:12.212-04:00
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Let the TAPER begin!</div>
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I put 21 miles on the books yesterday.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>What a great feeling it was to come to a stop
after 3.5 hours of straight running.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>Trotting, really.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Like I said
before, I am not fast.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Tortoise, not the
hare.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That begin said, with 20 days to
go, I am pretty much staring this race right in the face!</div>
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I will confess my fears here and now.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>This will be my 4<sup>th</sup> time in the
ring with the Boston Marathon and it is NOT easy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Running 21 miles yesterday reminds me of what
it feels like to “hit the wall.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Around
mile 18, my body just says, “That’s enough, thank you very much.”<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I am not built like a true runner that just
bounces and glides along, feet barely touching the ground.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But what I am is determined and
committed.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I push through those last 8
miles.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It is torturous at times.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I want to stop again and again.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But finishing the race is the only option, so
I put one foot in front of the other.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I
can almost hear the cheers and can envision the fans urging us along.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That brings a smile to my face.</div>
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Yes, marathons are hard.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I choose to do this one again and again because it make me feel great. <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>The sense of accomplishment I feel when I turn
the corner toward the finish line is up there in my top ten best feelings
ever!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>But even more than that,
fundraising for Dana-Farber makes me feel amazing.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>In the past 4 years, I have raised over
$45,000 and counting!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Please help me
cross the $50,000 mark!<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>100% of your
donations go straight to innovative cancer research.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>You can’t beat that with a stick.</div>
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You will be hearing a lot from my in the next 20 days…thank
you to those of you who have already supported me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span></div>
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XO</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-69147130349762566182013-03-21T11:23:00.000-04:002013-03-21T11:23:03.985-04:00
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Race day is approaching quickly! <span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Only 24 days away…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Although it is the second day of Spring, this
morning’s run covered my eyelashes with snow.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">
</span>I have my longest run of the training season this weekend and it looks
to be a nice, warm 51 degrees.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That
makes me happy.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I have a playlist FULL
of new songs thanks to your suggestions…new songs keep the long runs
interesting.</div>
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I am shamelessly soliciting for donations.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>No amount is too small.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>It all adds up to one big fat number at the
end of the day.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Last year, the
Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge raised over 4 million dollars.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>That is A LOT of money and it is all thanks
to you and your support.</div>
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I plan to be the tortoise, not the hare this year.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Not that I was ever a speed demon…<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>My goal is simply to finish without
dehydrating and to try not to do too much walking.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>I’d be lying if I didn’t say that I had a
time goal in mind…but I will keep that to myself for now <span style="font-family: Wingdings; mso-ascii-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-char-type: symbol; mso-hansi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;"><span style="mso-char-type: symbol; mso-symbol-font-family: Wingdings;">J</span></span></div>
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As always, to all of you who have already donated, your
support means so much to me.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Participating
in this event is one of the most rewarding experiences of my life and makes me
feel so close to my mom, Patty and this year, Jonathan Smyth.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>Someone I never knew, but now feel like I do.</div>
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XO</div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-84450643790565228792013-03-02T21:53:00.000-05:002013-03-02T21:53:19.798-05:00The Art of Fundraising<br />
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">I am sitting on my couch, contemplating my 16 mile training run tomorrow.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">My stomach is WAY too full of cake from my dear friend’s baby shower.</span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;">Not the best way to fuel a run, but I can never resist a dessert buffet. </span><span style="letter-spacing: 0px;"> </span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">At this very moment, Marathon Monday is exactly 1 month: 12 days: 12 hours away. I set out to raise $15,000 and am only 1/5 of the way there. If my math is correct. Which it often is not. Needless to say, I need to get my fundraising pants on and get to work!</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I chose $15K as my fundraising goal because last year I raised over $13K and know that it is possible. Rounding up to the next “5” seemed like an obvious place to go for 2013. Now, I need to figure out exactly how to get there. What is the perfect art to fundraising?</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">In the past, I have peppered your inboxes with messages. I have blogged. I have written quippy status updates. All with the intention of drawing people into my story. My love for my mom. My admiration for little Jonathan Smyth. My rainbows sightings.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">Listen, I realize that everyone has a cause that is close to their heart. And I am imposing mine on to you. My cause is Innovative Cancer Research. Research by the brightest, most creative scientists out there working hard to treat and eventually eliminate cancer once and for all.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">I know you have your cause. But if you have ever known anyone to suffer the effects of cancer, please consider making a donation to my Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge. Dollar amounts add up, so don’t fret about the number. My daughter Charlotte has a paper bag with the words “Fight Cancer” on it, full of loose change. That seems like a great place to start.</span></div>
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<span style="letter-spacing: 0.0px;">XO AMY</span></div>
Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-25426173472080096022013-01-18T12:44:00.001-05:002013-01-18T12:44:34.816-05:00"Ahhhhhh....why did I sign up for this?????"
This is what I was thinking at 6 am earlier this week when I overslept and missed a run. I had snoozed my alarm about 4 times and just couldn't bring myself to get up out of bed and out on the streets in the dark. So, I went back to sleep. Which I never do. I NEVER skip training runs! EVER! I am as rigid as it comes. Give me a schedule and I will follow it. Flexibility is rarely an option (just ask Theo).
The decision to skip a run created a catastrophic thinking downward spiral. Why did I decide to sign up for the race this year? I have a full time job and less freedom to run. Runs MUST happen at the crack of dawn. How am I going to pull off 8-10 mile runs at 5 am? AHHHHHHHHH!
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Then wouldn't you know, that night Declan (my six-year-old son) comes home with a worksheet talking about marathons, specifically the Boston Marathon. One of the questions on the worksheet was, "Why do you think someone would choose to run a marathon?" Lucky for Declan, he has a mom who could answer this question from experience. Declan posed the question during dinner time and I replied, "Because it makes me feel accomplished." Quickly Charlotte (my eight-year-old daughter) chimed in, "People run marathons to help sick people." <br />
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There you have it. That is why I signed up for the 2013 Boston Marathon. I am running this race for the 4th time in memory of my mom, Patty. This year, I have another angel pulling me along--Jonathan Smyth, my "In Memory" partner. Both of these courageous heroes fought an unwinnable battle. I want to make the outcome different for those cancer warriors today and in the future.
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Thank you to those that have supported me in the past. Thank you to those who have supported me already this year. Please consider helping me attain my fundraising goal of $15,000!
More blog entries to come as I train through the early, dark, winter mornings.... Anonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-37814604529913061822010-05-03T21:18:00.003-04:002010-05-03T21:26:35.479-04:00The final entry<a onblur="try {parent.deselectBloggerImageGracefully();} catch(e) {}" href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ts5gb6KvuJqt1v02Gsxh_EgSovjAO6O_c7RLCnMR9CL2UvqfyN2at2FIR__FrfsBBXxqKsA2YxbNiPkuiDE-zk21724ZlZho0PV_oBn-r3iU0i9RnKcw9uAtkI1Aciqhzg9h9sXpsZq1/s1600/IMG_0238.JPG"><img style="display:block; margin:0px auto 10px; text-align:center;cursor:pointer; cursor:hand;width: 240px; height: 320px;" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh5ts5gb6KvuJqt1v02Gsxh_EgSovjAO6O_c7RLCnMR9CL2UvqfyN2at2FIR__FrfsBBXxqKsA2YxbNiPkuiDE-zk21724ZlZho0PV_oBn-r3iU0i9RnKcw9uAtkI1Aciqhzg9h9sXpsZq1/s320/IMG_0238.JPG" border="0" alt=""id="BLOGGER_PHOTO_ID_5467218449775881922" /></a><br />I started writing my final blog post almost two weeks ago. April 21st. The day my mom died. This year, it will have been 16 years. It has been so long that the anniversary doesn’t feel like the punch in the gut that it once did. However, you just never get used that the fact that your mom is gone. In a cliche way, it felt like the perfect day to make my last blog entry but it didn’t happen. That day, I sort of went off the grid. Didn’t answer the phone. Didn’t really go on the computer. Took a 1.5 hour nap. Started this blog entry and just stalled out. <br /><br />SOOOO, here I am to tell you all about my 2010 Boston Marathon experience! Have you been on the edge of your seat?!?! I am feeling that emotional let down that commonly follows a big event, like the post-wedding blues. So much planning and anticipation and then “poof” it is over. Although, that marathon was no “poof”... It was more like a “SLAP, BAM, BASH, POW!” It kicked my ass. <br /><br />Dana-Farber hosts a big pasta party celebration the night before the marathon. It is quite an affair and really hammers home WHY we are running this race. We were introduced to the “patient partners”--kids suffering with cancer who are paired with a number of runners. There is a video montage of former patient partners who have lost their battle. It is absolutely heart wrenching. We met Delores Barr Weaver---the daughter of Claudia Adams Barr for whom our fund is named. Delores’ goal for creating this fund in her mother’s memory was to have a world without cancer. Remember, 100% of funds raised by our team go to innovative cancer research--research that has a difficult time getting funding due to unknown outcomes. Translate: cutting edge, experimental and very important!!<br /><br />After the party, Regan and I stayed in a nice hotel in the city while Theo took the kids out to Rockport. We took a stroll, checked out the Finish Line, got ice cream on Newbury Street and hit the sack early. Alarm was set for 5 am...I slept like a baby! Met up with my team in the lobby of our hotel and befriended a really cool girl, Mae. We are both moms to 3 kids, our mothers were treated at Dana-Farber for uterine cancer, both passed away. She was a great compadre that morning before we lined up. Once we crossed the start, I was on my own.<br /><br />Mile 1-9, I felt really strong. I was determined NOT to run too fast, to stay in my zone and enjoy the crowds. I saw Theo, the kids, Sean, Emily, Henry as well as my friend Erica and her son, Jimmy (somehow missed Jonathan and his family) at mile 9, which was a great boost. From mile 10-13, I was starting to feel the same fatigue that I felt the first time I ran this course and it scared me! If I was going to beat my 2008 time of 4:28, this was not a good sign. During my training runs, even my longest, I never felt pooped out at 13. I did a lot of deep breathing, tried to find a good mental place and kept going. Passed through Wellesley College, Wellesley Center (Mile 13, 14) and was starting to struggle. I knew that my friends Danielle and Tim were at 15, so I just wanted to get there. Then I made a surprising decision--I walked. I have a strict “no walking allowed” policy, but it was not a choice. Nausea, fatigue, general dis-ease. FFFFF!!!! So, Danielle and I walked a few hundred feet and then I was on my way.<br /><br />I knew Regan was at 17 and she was going to jump in and run with me. That got me through. I was hurting. Hit the wall early...with so much race to go. Regan was an amazing running partner--it was so nice to have moral support and someone to encourage me with every step. We saw Dad at 19 and Danielle and Tim bounced along the race course to a few different spots. The inebriated crowds around BC and BU were screaming “AMY! AMY! AMY!” thanks to Regan’s shirt...which instructed them to “Yell for AMY!” I walked intermittently until 23 and then made a commitment to myself to finish this thing out running. Which I did!!! Finishing time: 4:53 <br /><br />At first, I was disappointed in my time. I had fully expected to beat my 2008 time. I trained SO well and felt so great for every long run. But by mile 15, I realized that this race was going to challenge me in a way that I didn’t expect. That was very humbling, but in a good way. I have to be proud of myself for training for 16 weeks one year out from having Alice, my third c-section at that. <br /><br />It has taken me almost 2 weeks to write this entry because I just couldn’t figure out the best words to describe my experience, especially what happened at the end of race day. Regan met up with me at the team headquarters and we hobbled back to the car to make the drive out to Rockport, where we had a whole crew waiting to celebrate with us! After running the 2008 marathon for Dana-Farber (on the day mom died, no less) Regan and I saw a rainbow on our ride home! It was magical and amazing and really felt like it was mom saying, “Way to go!” So, on this year’s ride home, I brought that up. The sky was strange--it had been a beautiful day. Partly sunny. But all of a sudden, the clouds were alive and strange and mysterious. As we made the 45 minute drive home, I obsessively stared up at the clouds. Regan joked that she was driving with only one eye on the road. As the ride was coming to an end, Regan said, “You know, I don’t want this to turn into a disappointment if we DON’T see a rainbow. It was so cool that we saw one last time and we KNOW mom is with us.” I agreed, but kept my eyes out. <br /><br />As we made one of the final turns home, there it was. Huge, bright and laying right out in front of us! I screamed, “HOLY ****!!! PULL OVER!!!” Regan swerved to the right and stopped the car. We clutched one another, staring at the sky in disbelief! We noticed that this rainbow was right over the ocean, so we jumped back in the car and sped ahead about 1/4 mile to the end of the pier. Mom was there again! Winking at us. Letting us know she was there. That she was proud and happy. I was so lucky to have captured the rainbow on my phone because when I ran back to the car to get my camera out of the trunk, I turned back to take the picture and the rainbow was gone. <br /><br />So, another Dana-Farber marathon on the books!! During the pasta party, I was inspired by those teammates that have done this race 5, 10, even 15 times! So, I think I am in for 5. Two down, three to go! My fundraising total jumped by like $2K in the week leading up to the race--currently, I am at $8,900! My goal of $10K is within reach! Donations will be accepted until August. If you are so inspired, please go to www.rundfmc.org and click “support a runner.” <br /><br /><br />My decision to run the 2010 Boston Marathon was born out of my fear of this race. I remember sitting on the couch in the fall faced with the application. Do I or don’t I? It was so hard in ‘08--can I really take this on again? Training is practically a part time job and now I have one more kid? Then, I thought about my mom. She had no choice when she battled cancer. She took the disease head on and really fought until the finish. Her (and my) dear friend Jody shares that it was only after her doctors made the decision to stop treatment that my mom finally surrendered. Mom cried and said, “I never believed I was going to die.” For this reason, I ran and will run again.<br /><br />XOAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-46434775991818792232010-04-15T13:15:00.003-04:002010-04-15T13:30:28.285-04:00$7,041 and counting!Whenever I share that I am "running Boston," people make the assumption that I qualified. Which then makes me feel like I have to explain that I didn't. Which, for then makes me feel sort of lame--like I am not a TRUE Boston Marathoner because I got a free pass into the race. But then I remind myself WHY I am doing this.<br /><br />I am running for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. My mom was treated here, so it has personal, emotional ties for me. 100% of donations go to INNOVATIVE BASIC CANCER RESEARCH. This is important. The Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Basic Cancer Research is unique because it enables research initiatives that cannot be supported through any other mechanism. It provides financial resources for young DFCI scientists and their brilliant novel ideas that are too daring to secure funding from traditional sources. Sometimes the Barr Program also supports more senior scientists who are striking out in a completely new, uncharted direction. The idea is that after two years of funding, Barr Program investigators will have advanced their projects far enough that ongoing success looks likely. Now they can attract more conventional funding. <br /><br />My fundraising goal is $10,000...please help me reach it! You aren't just helping me reach my goal--you are honoring EVERYONE you have every known that is or has suffered with cancer by helping to fund THE CURE!<br /><br />This will probably be my last blog before the race. Unless I am up with insomnia the night before! I will take all of your well wishes with me from Hopkinton to Boston. My running goal is two-fold: to beat my 2008 time and to ENJOY the race.<br /><br />XOAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-39069609461275732382010-04-02T13:44:00.004-04:002010-04-03T12:59:30.940-04:0017 Days to GO!I can't believe it! All of my long training runs are behind me! Looking ahead at the start of a marathon training program is overwhelming. And now, I am practically finished. Crazy. It is funny to think that my 9 mile run this weekend is a piece of cake. It sure helps that the weather has taken a major turn for the better--beautiful, sunny, warm! I can actually wear shorts again.<br /><br />So...in 17 days I will wake up around 6 am and gather with my Dana-Farber team in the lobby of the Boston Marriott Copley. Then we will walk to the buses parked along side the Boston Common. Trek it out to Hopkinton and wait. Nervous anticipation. Lot's of chit chat and milling around. Second-guessing and double-checking. "Do I have my this and that?" "Did I train enough?" "Did I eat/drink enough?" Well, too late now! At 10:30, wave 2 will start (that's me) and off I will go. <br /><br />I am also realizing that April has begun. For me, April is more than just a month. It is the month that my mom died 16 years ago...and I can really replay the entire month day by day in my head. Easter fell on the same weekend in 1994 as it does this year. That was not a fun holiday--Mom was really sick and I learned that she was not going to survive this cancer. Life was really never the same after that point. I returned to Gettysburg and coasted through the next 2 weeks on autopilot. Thank GOD for my very best friends--I will never forget that call on Sunday the 17th. "It's time to come home," says my Dad on the answering machine. Anne and Murph were there to help me pack. What do you pack when you know you are going home to watch your mother die? Anne and Lee drove me to the airport. I boarded that plane and flew home. I have never been so scared in my entire life. She was waiting for me and I got to spend 4 more days with her before she died at 10:45 pm on April 21, 1994.<br /><br />I ran the Boston Marathon 2 years ago...on April 21, 2008. It was an amazingly beautiful day--a bit hot for a marathon, actually. I raised over $10,000 for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (my team) that year! It felt amazing to be running in honor of my mom supporting the hospital that tried to save her on the day that she died. Regan and I actually saw the sliver of a rainbow on our way home. It was magic!<br /><br />17 days until the marathon and 19 days until April 21st.<br /><br />XOAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4181461438816965162.post-19579046554183701052010-03-21T18:33:00.000-04:002010-03-21T17:10:38.380-04:00The Ides of MarchRan my 16 miler last Saturday in a rainy, windy Nor'Easter. I don't know what was worse: sloshing repeatedly through 2-3" puddles or getting full-body splashed by cars or the fact that Theo's golf raincoat was only water RESISTANT or that my clothes weighed 10 lbs by the end of the run. Alas, I successfully completed the run, checked it off my training chart and took a 2 hour nap!<br /><br />Yesterday's 18 miler was in stark contrast to last weekend's run! GORGEOUS! PERFECT! AMAZING! The sky couldn't have been bluer. I honestly think I could have run another mile...which is good since a marathon is 26.2 miles! <br /><br />I can't believe I have only one more super long run ahead of me before "the big one." As challenging as this training has been, what with the weather and working out the logistics of getting my runs in while taking care of the kids, it has gone by FAST. And has proven to boost my self-confidence yet again.<br /><br />I will always remember my Mom's unwavering support during a really low point in my life. She couldn't understand why I didn't think I was amazing as she thought I was. I remember one day coming in to my bedroom and she had taped to my mirror a Nike "Just Do It" ad that she had ripped from a magazine. She wrote "You can do it, Amy. Love, Mom." Or something to that effect. I feel like she is smiling at me now. <br /><br />XOAnonymoushttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05583034326233277927noreply@blogger.com0