What defines a great run? A long run? A fast run?
For me, a great run is being able to run. After being injured for so long, being able to get in even a few pain-free miles is a great run.
April 2, 2008: My run started out with my Mom dropping me at the cemetery to visit my Dad. Another DFMC runner had said he always stopped at the cemetery when he ran so as to remember why he was running with DFMC. I walked up to his grave and noticed that the flowers my Mom left him on St. Patrick's day were still there. The red roses and the green carnation bleed into the moist ground. I spoke to my Dad for a few minutes and asked him for strength. Strength to do my best that day. Strength to run the best run I can on Marathon Monday. After a few minutes, I realized it was time to leave. I knew if I stayed longer I would never be able to run. I knew the tears would overwhelm me (as well as the cold wind). I started my run doing a combination run/walk. My first few miles flew by and before I knew it I was at my Dad's office. I stopped at my Dad's office only briefly to say hello, get some water and blow my nose. As I started my run again, I realized that stopping may not have been the best idea. I was cold, but knew I had a few more miles to run to get home. I ran the "beach way", the road that leads to my house that follows Long Island Sound. My Dad and Mom would always ask us which way we wanted to go. Without fail, we always said the beach way. I ran past the cottage my Mom, Dad, sister, and dog lived in when my father burned down our kitchen. I ran....
When I neared my house, I realized I wasn't done running. I continued to follow the road towards the golf course. At one point I heard a woman comment on the fact I was wearing shorts (she may have used the word crazy). Another 1.5 miles and I was near my house. I ran the last 15 minutes straight through and ended up running 8.5 miles.
I visited all of my Dad's favorite places. I know my Dad was with me during my run, just as I know he will be there on Monday, April 21st. I know he is always with me, giving me the inner strength I need to succeed in everything I do: even conquering a marathon.
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Track Marcy as she takes on training for her second Boston Marathon, fund raises for Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge, and tries to make sense of her life-all while having a sense of humor.
Help me fight cancer with DFMC
Why am I doing this?
This probably should have been my first posting. I am running the Boston Marathon as part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team. The team is a group of over 500 who have come together for one cause: to create a world without cancer. You apply to run with the DFMC team and if chosen you raise money for the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.
I may be crazy for taking on this endeavor, but this is something I must do. I am running this year in honor of my grandmother and in memory of my father. My grandmother was diagnosed with stomach and esophageal cancer in 2001. I am happy to report she has been cancer free for five years. She is an amazing woman and I am humbled and honored to run for her this year.
My father lost his 30 year battle with cancer in February 2007. He had so much hope throughout his illness. He was such a positive and caring man. He was an amazing father and friend to me that I now feel lost without him. This is the only way that I knew I could honor both of them. Please help support me in any way you can.
I may be crazy for taking on this endeavor, but this is something I must do. I am running this year in honor of my grandmother and in memory of my father. My grandmother was diagnosed with stomach and esophageal cancer in 2001. I am happy to report she has been cancer free for five years. She is an amazing woman and I am humbled and honored to run for her this year.
My father lost his 30 year battle with cancer in February 2007. He had so much hope throughout his illness. He was such a positive and caring man. He was an amazing father and friend to me that I now feel lost without him. This is the only way that I knew I could honor both of them. Please help support me in any way you can.
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