The Long and Winding Road/Journey to 26.2

The Long and Winding Road......that leads to Boylston Street!

I am writing for the first time since April 13, 2013, when I dedicated the 2013 Marathon to Rosanne Ameno.  I have thought about posting many times, but have not been able to do it.  Even now, as I'm typing, my heart is beating faster and I feel anxious.  But I have to write - it's time.  I'm going to tell you today about the events as I saw them of April 15, 2013 - a snapshot view.  Our Long and Winding Road to 26.2 will span 2 marathons - thank you for taking the journey with me!

April 15, 2013.  That morning was UNBELIEVABLE, one I will never forget.  Perfect weather, the kind we ALL wished for.  Carl brought me to meet my Red Sox Foundation team at our private bus, parked at the Westin Copley.  I loaded the bus, and gave many of my team members a hug - I love this team!  I sat in my seat, took out my snacks, plugged my phone in to charge, and hoped to take a little nap en route to Hopkinton.  No nap, though, I was way too excited.  I thought about my boys and Carl, waiting for me on those VIP bleachers at the finish line.  "Boy this bus is driving a long way.......and I know how I'm getting back here!"  NO WAY I was going back NOW!  Next Stop......Athlete's Village.  My team that morning in Hopkinton:

My first time at Athlete's Village.  What an experience - the excitement and anticipation in Hopkinton that morning was something I'll never forget.  The announcements of the Elite Runner's Starting, and the groups following.  Bouncing around chatting with my teammates either in the village or on the bus.  Best thing about the private bus?  Private toilet!  :)

Then, they announced our corrals.  We got ready, had our layers of throw away extra clothing on (Thanks Carl), and brought our bags to the buses to be transported back to Boston to be waiting for us at the finish line.  I put everything in there - wallet, license, everything I would not need for running went on that bus.  We started walking toward the starting line, and Pete Borgmann snapped this photo of me - I'm such a dork, I was SO excited!!

The sound of the starting gun - Wow!  The Boston Marathon!  Ran past the starting line, waved at all the TV cameras, was enjoying seeing all the runners make their way to their spots along their journeys.  Mile 1 for Dennis Peterlin.  Was thinking of him and praying for his family, my friends, the Peterlin family.  Over this year, he did pass away - STUPID CANCER!  So many people cheering, little kids high fiving - I had to slap so many hands, and savor the moment!  Obviously I was not interested in my time, I was having way too much fun soaking it all in. 


Running through Hopkinton, Ashland....and then OUCH, I started to hobble, my hip all the way to my knee was hurting - something snapped and I had to hobble walk/run for the next 17 miles!  It hurt, but I was still having fun (turns out I had a FOURTH degree stress fracture in the center of my Iliac Bone in my hip!  Lucky it didn't snap in two! Can't believe I ran 17 miles on that!).    At this point, I texted my boys and told them to go to their seats at the bleachers at 4 - 4:30, rather than 3:00pm, as I'd be at least an hour behind schedule due to the injury.  In hindsight, WOW, I'm so happy I made that text!!

Loved seeing the ZLX "I quit" tent, and all my mile markers for people.  I had "26.2 For Rosanne" on the back of my vest, and so many people I passed yelled her name!  Mile 13 for Alexander the Great, through Wellesley!  Wow, that was FUN!   The whole way of my race, I was running behind and in front of a Juggler - this year, I sure hope to run ahead of a guy who can run and juggle at the same time!  He kept me amused for miles!  Mile 18 for Debbie Rech Whitmore, and all the miles in between, each dedicated to a friend who has either lost someone dear to them, or someone struggling with cancer.  It kept me going on that stress fracture, and I knew I had to get to Tony's Mile (25) and Rosanne's Mile (26 - 26.2).   Couldn't wait to see my boys and Carl at the finish line!!  We're almost there!!!

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And then things would never be the same........

Making my way up the Newton Hills was so interesting - I trained on them, so I knew them.  What I noticed first that seemed unusual, was that the water stations were packing up, and I did not understand, I was SO thirsty and needed some water.  The course is open for 6 hours, so it wasn't that.....I couldn't figure it out.  I kept going.  The guys who were riding bikes around and checking in from time to time were now not around.  There was also a man from China in my little 'pack' who spoke no English.  We ran separately but together for much of the way.   His goal, I'm sure was just to keep running until he got to Boylston Street.  But that was not going to happen today.  Suddenly, there were many golf carts with BAA people (I was coming up to Heartbreak Hill Running Company (home of my favorite gorilla!), just shy of Mile 20 and right before the final incline of Heartbreak Hill that leads into BC). My brother had just texted me asking me if I was ok?  (In my mind I thought, I'm great, just hobbling along!).   I was sooooo anticipating seeing my friends, The AGINS, waiting for me just after Mile 20 with their sign!   With the exception of that crazy pain shooting up my leg, the rest of me felt fine and I had it in me to finish this race.  The people in the carts were saying, "The Race is Over".   I got a text from Luisa, saying the race was over and that they would wait for me.  What ???  We were still making our way up Heartbreak Hill.  This had to be some sort of mistake.  Finally, one of the golf carts had someone saying, "There are bombs along the course, get off the roads!!!".  (I'm shaking again as I type this).   WHAT ???  Suddenly, my phone became VERY important - as we all cleared the roads and were sent to wander the side streets of Chestnut Hill, everyone was SO confused!  Where do we go?  Is there a train?  WHAT is happening?  Chatter of "a gas explosion at Marathon Sports", etc.  Then I saw a glimpse of what happened on Facebook! 

Holy Mother of GOD, my kids are at the FINISH LINE!

I don't remember anything for a little bit after this realization, just panic...... Luisa texted me that my kids were safe, and I breathed the BIGGEST SIGH OF RELIEF EVER IN MY LIFE!!!!!!  I quickly posted on Facebook that I was fine.  (I noticed that so many people were asking already if I was ok).  Meanwhile, my body was starting to fall apart - from going UP the Newton Hills for miles, and then just meandering along side streets, I started to shiver.  Everyone was. No water anywhere except what I had on me.   A man gave me his blanket that BAA was handing out.  I will save that forever.  The man from China could not figure out what was going on at all - Imagine that??

I called my Mom and got through - she is always glued to the news, and was I was SURE panicking.  But this time, she was not!  I said, "Mom, turn on the news, and please know, the boys and I are fine.  I have to go". 

Luisa's phone died, but Warren texted me and said they were coming to pick me up on the corner of Heartbreak Hill Running Company.  (home of my favorite gorilla!!)  Like heroes in the night, they wisked me away from there, and brought me home, where I saw for the first time what happened that day along Boylston Street......  my friends who were there have described in painful detail what they saw that day - things we never think we will ever see as Americans.  My friends who work at Mandarin Oriental had a 4th floor front row view of the 2nd bombing, and some of them shake in terror about coming back to work on that day this year. 

For anyone completely out of touch enough to say Boston overreacted to that day cannot imagine what people went through.  The ONLY reason we did not lose more lives is because it was at the finish line with all the emergency medical tents, doctors, nurses and volunteers right there, and some of the world's best hospitals all within a mile or two.  Ambulances ready to rescue runners had a different job that day.  Runners had to keep running, despite already traveling 26.2 miles.  People who live and work in that area saw a war zone.  People I know have lost limbs, and are STILL learning to walk again, hear again, have some sense of normalcy again in their "New Normal".  Some lost family members that day and will never be the same.  What turned out to be such a promising day, was wrecked and robbed by terrorists who ended up on the cover of a Rolling Stone.  (I still won't buy that magazine, OR buy ANYTHING at Barnes and Noble).  Boston was amazing in the week that followed and we hunted those animals down.  Boston STRONG!

As Boston Magazine so beautifully portrayed on their cover following the Marathon Tragedy, "We will finish the race".  And now that race is less than 3 months away.   We will finish that race one step at a time.   I will finish my blog.   I'm so grateful for so many of you who have followed along with me.  Ready to do it again??   Ready or not, here we go !!!!


I am running again this year for The Red Sox Foundation.  While the BAA granted me entry to participate this year without raising money for a charity,  I'm so impressed with all the work the RSF does, I'm raising money again this year.  Inspired by Rosanne due to the Red Sox generosity with The Jimmy Fund, I chose the RSF last year and the journey was amazing.  The money raised by our Marathon team goes to Red Sox Scholars and RBI league programming - please support my journey and the Red Sox Foundation here:  http://www.fenwayoga.com/RSFBostonMarathon/MariaShea

     My son took this picture that I discovered a few months after.  That was the blanket I received from the kind gentlemen who also had his race cut short. 

For Rosanne

 

 

I can just about feel Rosanne toasting our soon to be run in this picture.  I've been thinking lots abut Rosanne.  Carl and I had the unique experience of being with Rosanne on the eve before she left us.  At one point, she sat up out of an almost-coma, and said she wanted her shoes - she asked us how in the world she could go out with out her shoes on.  I wonder what she knew?  I think about that all the time. 

 

Rosanne, I have a great pair of shoes for us.  They have taken me on an incredible journey, and to me, are some seriously pumped up kicks.  They are about to take us through The Boston Marathon.  Can you believe it?   I will have your prayer card in my pocket, along with my Dad's, my Nana's and some other special friends.

 

I miss her.  I miss her love, her spirit, her intelligence, her kindness, her tolerance of all.  The way she made people feel like we were her best friend - so many of us.  I hope I can live every day in appreciation of my life, and the life that was cut short for her.  In appreciation of the family and friends she so loved, that I am grateful every day to know.  And I only knew her for such a short time!  I can only imagine the way her family and friends feel.

 

I miss her for Michael.  I miss her for her kids.  I miss her for her family and Michael's family.  For her army of friends.  She was so good to all of them.  She was so good for all of them.  A proud, intelligent, liberal, Catholic woman.  I'm proud to have been considered among her "Army" of friends.  Any time Carl talks to his Auntie Lucy about Rosanne, she pulls out her prayer card - from right on top.  Rosanne - your picture may not have been on Auntie's wall, but it is forever in her heart and by her bedside.

 

We are running many miles on Monday, for many people - those who have survived and kicked cancer's butt - those fighting, and those who lost their fight with Cancer - and also some of my family we have lost in recent years to other illness.   Dennis (1 - Barb & Doug), Gene (2 - Kelley), Jackie (lucky Robin 3 - Diane), Walter, Barbara & Kathy (4,5,6 - Joyce & Kerry), MOM (lucky 7), My Papa (8), NANA (9), Lindsay (10- Katelyn), Terry Neely (11), Paul (12- Rachelle), ALEXANDER THE GREAT (13), Bill Shea (14), Kim & Karla Walker's Mom (15),  Deb (17, Melissa), Debbie R-W (18), Gramma (19), Luisa (20), DAD (Lucky 21), Helen (22- Kathleen), WILLIE (23- Richard), Flo (24 - Pam), TONY (25 - Cathy), ROSANNE (26 - 26.2 - and of course, the whole race).  Here are some of the prayer cards coming with me Monday in my back jacket pocket:

 

Rosanne, it's been a long journey since you passed on July 22.  A long, painful, interesting, joyous journey.  But together, we've raised a lot of money and logged a lot of miles.  We've got a few more to go.  26.2 to be exact.  You ready?  I've got our shoes now!!!  And what do you think of our vest???

 

Runnin' On Empty!

As I hobble around limping because my IT band is screaming this week, I realize that now I've done all I can, I can do no more, and I find myself Runnin' on Empty.  I'm weary, and it's almost a week after the 22 miler.  Tired.  Sore.  Nervous.  Time to TAPER for the next couple of weeks, and re-fuel for THE BIG SHOW!  I wish I had more time to prepare.  Which I will have after I finish my first 26.2 !!

Pictured below is my Red Sox Foundation team - a few of the runners :).  And a friend who took the beautiful picture of her finger with all of us (love it!)

Fundraisers are done, body is about as ready as it can be given my time constraints.   I am healing and recovering from the big 22, and completely obsessed with April 15. (I'm sure I'm annoying so many people because of that!!)  My first Marathon.  It looks like all lights are green, and we are preparing for take-off!  The 22 mile run from Hopkinton (yes, the one all the way out there at rte 495 and the pike!) to Boston College was INTENSE, and there were times I wanted to quit. (There are WAY too many train stops right along the marathon route!). I ran past The Chicken Bone "THE BONE!" in Framingham (What a LONG town....), and had some laughs about driving "way out there" with some dear friends one night to hear "The Peach Eaters" - Ellen, Carol and Bob Herne to name a few some years ago!

  Two things kept me going.  ONE, the people.  You.  My angels.  Other runners.  And those giving up the day to hold signs along the route!  There was someone holding a sign around mile 11 or so that said, "Ten Miles to Taper"!  I realized then, that I was about to embark on the "Taper" period of marathon training.  Where you back way off your mileage, cross train, eat right, and prepare for the big day.  Wow!!  Time went by so fast.  I stuck to my one step at a time plan, and with all your help and support, here we are!  The "trial run" from Hopkinton to BC was truly inspirational - the "Charity Team" event.  All the people running for their causes, many dressed up as Easter bunnies or Easter baskets!

TWO- The other thing that kept me going was an incredible "Set List"  (I think in concerts when it comes to music).  In particular, for this past run, here are some stories about my music:

"Why Aye Man" - Thank's for joining me, Tony McDermott!  Mile 25!  "Sultans of Swing"  Dire Straits - is my #1 song to run to - perfect cadence timing.
"Word Up" - makes me think of my time at Wake Forest University - my friend Pam Parker Jones, and brought to mind her Mom, Flo Parker - who has mile 24!

Some more of the greats that keep me going:
"You'd better Run" - Pink Floyd (the steady beat of this song got me up one of the first Newton Hills with ease)
"Right Now" - Van Halen - This IS IT !!
"Take it Easy" - Eagles.......Runnin' down the road tryin' to loosen my load!
"You've got another thing comin'" - Judas Priest - "If you think I'll sit around as the world goes by, you're thinkin like a fool, cuz it's a case of do or die!"
"Already Gone"- Eagles.....I'm already gone, and I'm feelin' strong.  I will sing this victory song!
"Sweet Child o Mine"  - Slash's riff will get anyone moving!
"Maybe I'm Amazed" - Carl keeps me going on this one
"Moves like Jagger" - Just because!  Reminds me of fun on the Vineyard with my amazing sons who inspire me daily!
"Freebird" - Lynyrd Skynyrd.  My life's anthem.  I want this played at my funeral some day if my body ever decides to give out.
"Time to Move On" - Tom Petty 
"Jungleland" - Bruce Springsteen.  Clarence Clemens keeps me going.
"Lovely Day" by Bill Withers.  Rosanne.  Last weekend, it was cloudy, this song came on and I was thinking of her.  The clouds parted and a streak of sun came through - it was truly a lovely day.
My Aerosmith appearances along the way are:  "Dream On"  "One Way Street"  "Mamakin" for my sons and Tim and "Baby Please Don't Go".  I had to be selective here, because the thought of Aerosmith also reminds me of some painful times that I've moved past, so I did drop a lot of songs along the journey.
"Saint of Me"  Rolling Stones - one of my favorites to run to. (as well as live in concert!)
"Shippin' Up to Boston"  and "Dirty Water"  for my Sox and my beloved town.  I have thoroughly enjoyed exploring Boston as a runner this cold winter.

Speaking of Tony and Rosanne, I realized something on my last run.  I'm not running for those who have passed - I thought I was.  Especially since Rosanne connected me to Alexander, and her wishes were to connect us to funds that go toward children, especially childhood cancer, like The Jimmy Fund.  I thought that was what this was all about.  BUT it's bigger than that!  (It usually is).

I am running for the people who survive when someone beautiful is taken away from them too soon.  When I go to the funerals and wakes, and say "I'm sorry", it's never enough.  How can my friends - Cathy (Tony, Mile 25), Michael, Mario, Jay, Michelle, DiLeo's, Amenos (Rosanne, Mile 26 - and the dedication of the whole race), Rachelle (Paul, Mile 12), Richard (Willie, Mile 23), Katelyn (Lindsay, Mile 10), Pam (Flo Parker, Mile 24), Diane (Jackie Roy, Mile 3) Nancy (Alexander, Mile 13),Kelley (Gene, Mile 2), Melissa (Deb, Mile 17), Kathleen (Helen, mile 22), and so many more, know I support them?  I'm running to support you.  For my family - we lost grandparents too early - and we miss our angels, My DAD and my NANA so much - I'm running because that hurts something awful, and I need to spend time and miles and honor their souls.  For those of you in the fight - Debbie (Mile 18), Dennis (Mile 1), Terry (Mile 11),  Kim and Karla Walker's MOM (Mile 14), I run to let you know I'm thinking of you, and honoring your fight, your fear.  For those who are cancer-free now:  Luisa (Mile 20 - Prentice St up Heartbreak Hill), and My Mom (mile 7).  As I'm running, I'm thinking of you all; and many more I'm not mentioning here.  Praying for you.  Sending light and love to you.  And I'm running.  I'm running for me, because if my body sits here with all this pain and doesn't do something it will implode! As Elizabeth mentioned on my facebook page, I'm channeling that hurt, and fear, into something positive.  Raising money along the way for The Jimmy Fund walk, The Red Sox Foundation.  Turning pain into positive.  Darkness into a little tiny shred of light.  But I'm Runnin' On Empty right now.   But......I'm Runnin'!!!  One. Step. At. A. Time!!!  Thank YOU for ALL your support.  Love you all very much. 

The Show Must Go On

I love that Queen song - about Freddie Mercury facing death - and translatable to so many things in life.  How does that relate here?  Sometimes (like today) I am not sure I can go on!  I'm SORE!  I'm Tired!  I want to stop all this training and cross training and take a little break.  Can I really do this?  What was I thinking?  Can I run a marathon, really??


Can he run a marathon?

Yeah, I think I can do it too.  Thank you, Hoyts, for all your inspiration!

Can she run a marathon?

I have 2 legs, and a very strong aerobic capacity.  I'm made up of almost all slow-twitch fibers.  Yeah, I think I can do this.

So many of you have said, "I could never do that".  We all can do anything we set our minds to, really. (well, check back in with me on April 16 about that comment) :)

So, that being said, it's time for a nice long Saturday run.   The show must go on!! (But just for the record, I want to sit in my jammies all morning before I need to go to work at 1, drink coffee, eat pancakes and eggs with my son Tj).....But....here I go-  ONE STEP AT A TIME!

You're The Inspiration

 

My journey to 26.2 - lots of things have happened since my last blog, including LOTS of steps.  I’ve had some good runs, and some bad runs. One of them, the first 13.1 I tried,  I had to jump on the T and take it home because the area around my scar tissue was getting sore!   On another day, I ran 18 and still had more fuel in the tank even!  This weekend I’m up for 20+ !!  Framingham to Boston. Imagine that?? I cannot, actually – will believe it when it happens.  I do think it will be hard actually, because I'm a little sore from training so much.  Here is one picture along my 18 mile snowy run (you never know who you're going to meet out there!):

 

So many of you call me an inspiration. Me?  I appreciate your kind words, and they keep me going whenever I want to quit!  But, I do not feel like an inspiration - I'm just putting one foot in front of the other for extended periods of time.  

 

There are so many who inspire ME!   Rosanne Ameno, who fought so hard to have a few extra years with her family. Rosanne’s family, who are so proud, and loving, and connected – carrying on bravely without her.  My marathon is dedicated to Rosanne - she inspired me to do this, and in some ways is saving me by doing so.  The Megna/Whipple family, carrying on without their Alexander. Cathy McDermott inspires me tremendously – raising two strong, smart, beautiful teenagers, after the loss our her husband and our friend Tony (I'm SO proud to be among her friends - she's my hero!). Richard, carrying on without his dear Willie.  Debbie Rech-Whitmore, fighting the same cancer Rosanne did - a young, beautiful wife and mother, with Rosanne's spirit of rockin' the halls of Dana Farber! My beautiful friend Kim's Mom, fighting cancer hard, as Kim continues to run and bike and swim to raise money to cure cancer.  Luisa Zauli inspires me – she fought cancer and won, while Max and Daniela were babies.  Luisa taught me, through her struggle with cancer, to appreciate the little stresses in life, that she hoped to get back if and when she was cured.  My Mom inspires me, always, and throughout life has always been my biggest fan. She also battled cancer and won.  She has always been "The wind beneath my wings".  Even when she thinks I'm taking on something too big for me (like this marathon within 6 months of having major surgery), she is my biggest cheerleader.  Thanks, Mom!

 

When my Grandfather had cancer, one stretch of it was during the Blizzard of  '78.  My Mom and Uncle took my Nana to visit him at the VA hospital in JP.  They were the only ones on the highway that night, except for stranded cars, with a police escort, because my Grandfather was scared and need to see them.

 

THESE are inspirational stories. These (and so many more) keep me going. I think about my Nonna traveling from Italy with one trunk, pregnant, with kids in tow - to meet my Nonno in Leominster.  Imagine how scared she was??  Just so my brothers, sisters, cousins, nieces and nephews could have a better life?   Nothing along my journey has been hard comparatively......

 

SO now that we have all that out of the way, THIS IS IT!!  Six weeks from YESTERDAY I will be running with some of the world's most elite athletes from Hopkinton to Boston (well, we are registered for the same race, I know I'll never see them).  Talk about a THRILL!  I hope I can make it.  I worry that I won't. (But another inspiration of mine, Lisa Gallagher, helps me keep my thinking on track here).   I'm paranoid that I'm going to get injured, as March Training Madness is INTENSE.  For example in the past 24 hours I ran a 10k, took a Core Fusion Yoga class AND swam 2500 yards!  For now, the training, however, is on track for me to finish my first marathon on April 15, 2013 right here in my favorite city.

  Fundraising is beyond on track - I'm almost at $7,000.  I was going to have one more fundraiser and dedicate it to Rosanne, but that is just too hard emotionally still.  Maybe it's too soon still.   My North End Bingo fundraiser (see picture below) was a HUGE success, and so much fun, but every time I thought about why I was raising money, I cried.  As I was dedicating the fundraiser to people who have inspired me and thanking all of you who helped me make it great, my hands shook, and I almost broke down.   I cried hard that night for Rosanne, Alexander, Willie, Tony.  I cried for the people who are supporting me that are left here to carry on.  I thought about Mario, who worries when skiing that his friends are going to ditch him.  I was thinking about this, and wondering why he worries so much about that, but then I understand.   I think of Rosanne's beautiful parents (who came out on that snowy Sunday after the blizzard to support me to the North End from East Boston!).  I think of Michael Ameno, finding his way without the love of his life.  Michelle and Jay, also without Rosanne - who was SUCH a life force.   It's all too fresh still, and missing Rosanne seems to get harder and harder with time right now - and I only knew her for such a small portion of her life.  So, I'm going to wait for a better time, and work with Rosanne's lovely daughter and parents to plan something to truly dedicate to the memory of this remarkable woman.  Instead of this fundraiser, I'm going in with some of my Red Sox Foundation teammates, and having one last fundraiser at Game On!  I hope you all can join me.  It will be held on March 27 from 6pm - whenever.  Come for dinner and some drinks, and meet the amazing people on my team.  I'll be starting a facebook page for this, and will keep everyone posted as the date draws near.  In the meantime, please save the date.  Here is a picture from the "Blizzard Bingo" fundraiser - such a fun day:

 

 

For those of you who have not been able to make a fundraiser, but would still like to support my journey financially as I raise money for The Red Sox Foundation, here is the link to my fundraising page:  https://www.fundraise.com/the-red-sox-foundation-inc/marias-boston-marathon-page.

 

When I run Heartbreak Hill, something mystical happens.  I feel the ghosts with me.  I could not be more serious.  I feel Rosanne and Tony especially, and music that I run to that reminds me of them always comes on during that time.   I can see Willie on the side of the road having a cocktail, cheering me on, while telling me I look fabulous of course :).  And I see Alexander with his mother, my friend Nancy, his grandmother Alice, his father and sister, Julia- which is where he belongs.  I am brought to tears each and every time I see Boston College at the top of Heartbreak Hill.  I cannot imagine what this will feel like on April 15!! 

 

My recovery from surgery on November 14?  Well, I feel better than I have in years.  Not even 4 months post-op yet - hard to believe that.  I do believe that tumor in me was wreaking all kinds of havoc and I'm happy to have it OUT.  But I can feel where my stomach is healing - especially during long runs and times when I'm training a lot.  I have learned to listen to my body and back off whenever that happens.  It reminds me of my limitations but also how far I've come.  Sometimes, I still have to take walk breaks, but not nearly as often as I thought I would.  Truly, everyone who reads this, thank you for all your support!  I'm blessed with such incredible friends and family.  I'm so grateful for this journey - each step at a time, one step at a time, has brought inner and outer growth and strength to me.  Love to you all.

 

I do have one more blog coming about training, diet, and other things I'm learning along the way that supplement my education in physiology, but that's for another day.  Stay tuned......but I have one more picture for you today.  The inspiration behind everything I do, my sons, Tj and Nicholas.  Thank you both for being such supportive sons!  I could NOT do this without you-

 

 

 

No, I won't back down.....

 

 

 

Wow, this is getting HARD.  Today, I needed to log in 8 miles to stay on course for 26.2 on April 15 (and even then I'm short, because I still have not been cleared to fully run yet).  I did NOT want to go.  I was tired - I had to get up at 4:30 to wake the kids up for their ski trip.  I fell on the ice yesterday and my left hip was pretty sore still.  I went to a memorial service for my friend's father, and ate too much afterward, so I had that 'full' feeling.  I had the WHOLE house to myself all day (kids and Carl were off on a ski trip).  Wa, wa wa.....

 

Thoughts in my head, knowing I HAVE to stay on track to make this event possible for me:

 

"People would understand if I back out of the Marathon, I just had MAJOR surgery in November, taking out my uterus and 6 inches of my bowels."

 

"So and so keeps telling me I'm crazy to do this anyway at 'my age', maybe she's right.  Maybe he's right."

 

You get the picture!

 

Then I thought of Rosanne...... +Rosanne Ameno 

 

Michael and Rosanne's son Mario spent the night here last night - he had such a good time.  I cherish times with Mario, Michelle and Jay, because they each remind me of my dear friend Rosanne in their own way. But having Mario here, made me think so much of Rosanne because we all did so much together.  I thought of what she battled so bravely.   NOTHING I DO is hard compared to what she did for her family and friends.  Going to the gym a few days after chemotherapy, so she could squeeze just a few more drops out of life to be here with us.  Bearing the most severe chemotherapy in the hopes of surviving a little longer, if not forever.  Staring death in the face, yet joyfully experiencing magical moments in life with her family and cherished friends.

 

Here is one of my favorite pictures of Rosanne - taken about 2 months before we lost our dear girl:

 

 

So, I put my Asics on, and off I went.  First song I heard today on my playlist was Tom Petty's "I won't back down."    Just what I needed to hear!  No, I won't back down.  Additionally, it was a beautiful day, and lots of runners and walkers out on the spectacular Charles.  Eight miles of my jog/walk intervals felt long today.  Now all I have to do is multiply that by 3 and add a couple miles to that!  BUT, it's 3 miles MORE than I did last weekend, and there are so many reasons for me to keep going.  YES, I want to raise money for an incredible foundation, The Red Sox Foundation (Here is a link to learn more, and to help me raise funds -  https://www.fundraise.com/the-red-sox-foundation-inc/marias-boston-marathon-page?edit=1).  But I'm also running for all the angels we've lost before their time.  Rosanne, Tony, Bernie, Alexander the Great, sadly, the list grows, and goes on and on and on, and I will be compiling a list just like I did for the Jimmy Fund Marathon in September:

 

 

 Add to this, the 26 beautiful souls who left us before their time in Newtown, CT - I will run a mile for each of you.   And, I will NOT BACK DOWN!!

 

In other news, My doctor's appointment is Tuesday - hoping to get full clearance to be able to really run!  And ski!  And work!  And everything else-  fingers crossed.  AND my dear friend from New Mexico and I are doing a 30 day health cleanse - no coffee, alcohol, chemicals, fried foods, anything you might imagine that will not enhance my health is off the list.  This should also help me along our journey.  Wish me luck :).  Stay tuned for more information along this journey, which has truly become our journey.  Thank you for ALL your support.  Love you all.  Happy New Year!!  xo



26.2 The Journey Continues!

26.2.  What a number!  We all have our 26.2's in life as I mentioned in a previous blog.   Big, scary, mountainous goals ahead of us, that we wish to accomplish, are determined to accomplish.  Personally, I need big goals to get me moving, to get me out of my comfort zone.  When I started this journey after The Jimmy Fund Marathon Walk on September 9, I had no idea the obstacles I'd face, only the heroes who paved the road ahead for me to run.  I keep telling myself I can do this, one step at a time, and when I hit an obstacle, I just move the lever a little - adjust the formula.  We can do this.....

In order to help me along my journey to run 26.2 miles on April 15, 2013, I knew I'd need to lose some weight.  I originally set to lose 26.2 total, which I hit TODAY!  I increased my goal as I got closer, as I do realize it will be easier for me to go all those miles with less weight, but I'm still really excited to pass this first 'marathon' mark.  I owe a lot of it to being finally, "ready to change", and finally keeping track of my calories in and out on SparkPeople.com.  I'm continually inspired on that website by others with similar goals - to "Die Young at a Very Old Age"  (Quote to Don Bergey of WFU).

Some other goals ahead of 26.2 magnitude:  The amount of $ I need to raise for The Red Sox Foundation?  $2,620.  Hoping for a total of over $5,000, and I've raised over $2,000 so far, so we're getting there.  Please contribute to my efforts to help The Red Sox Foundation!  More about that particularly VERY generous local charity here: 

https://www.fundraise.com/the-red-sox-foundation-inc/marias-boston-marathon-page?fb_action_ids=4819258480408&fb_action_types=og.likes&fb_source=aggregation&fb_aggregation_id=246965925417366

Our Red Sox have some 26.2's ahead of them in 2013 as well, don't they?  We all do!  What are yours?  I look forward to this journey we are taking together.  One.  Step.  At.  A.  Time.......