I'm Running - it's a Dream Come True!

The Wednesday before Thanksgiving, I got the email that would help me realize a dream: I will be running the 2015 Boston Marathon. And I've made the decision to raise money for Community Cooks. 

I've considered training to run the marathon for the past 10 years or so but didn't do so for a number of reasons- time, life, fear of training, kids. I was a finish line volunteer at Boston for 5 years, helping to escort in the VIP athletes to the Copley Fairmont. My two favorite memories include sprinting to "escort" 10-time men's wheelchair winner Ernst Van Dyke and getting the privilege of hearing him speak so humbly about his accomplishments and remembering me from one year to the next. The other was escorting an elite Japanese female finisher in. In that case, my escort duties were really more propping and carrying duties for this tiny, almost fairy-like woman who spoke little to no English. There was no need for language as it was clear she had left it all out on the course and just needed to recover. 

I set my sights on running 2015 and on November 26th, I received the email that let me know I would be running The Boston Marathon and able to fundraise for Community Cooks. Dave and I had talked about us being able to do this- training with 2 kids will no doubt require a full team effort. Creative timing for weekend long runs sprinkled in with swimming and dance classes, increasing mileage during the cold early Boston winter mornings, a demanding job with travel and normal family responsibilities will all play a role. But we couldn't be more ready for it- the kids were cheering when I read them the email. Sophia exclaimed, "Mama- I can run with you to train and cheer you on!" Theo already shows promise as my stretching and strength and conditioning coach. 

The best part of running is being able to fundraise for Community Cooks - a network of volunteers like me that provide home-cooked meals to hungry, vulnerable neighbors in the Greater Boston community. Every month, 600+ individual volunteer cooks (including 25 participating business and civic/faith based groups) mobilize to give their time and resources. 

I chose Community Cooks because their core tenet resonates so well with me: "Food is Love." Whether it a home cooked meal with family, a dinner with my closest friends or bringing a lasagna to a new mother or friend in need of comfort, food brings us together, and provides warmth, love and an intimacy that everyone deserves. I have been a volunteer cook with Community Cooks for the past 4 years, providing a part of a meal for residents at the Windsor House - Adult Health Care- in Cambridge. It's a ritual for the kids and I every 4th Monday night. They help with a small part of the meal - measuring, pouring and of course, taste-testing! It's a way for us as a family to give back.

Please support my run for Community Cooks. My goal is to raise $5,000 for Community Cooks and to bring awareness to the problem of food insecurity in Greater Boston. And of course, cheering and good thoughts for me along the way are always welcome. 

I'm hoping to blog and give updates on my training at least 1-2 times each week. I'm sure some will be more entertaining than others as Mother Nature greets us with her winter best. As long as there is a nice pot of homemade chicken soup waiting for me when I get back, we'll call it even. I hope you'll follow the blog for updates.

Stay tuned!