Thank you for landing on my page! Let me tell you why I run, and who your donations will benefit.
I run, to remember my mom. I wasn’t always a runner.
When my mother was first diagnosed with cancer, I volunteered to work at races, that
benefited research. After seeing how happy the racers were crossing the finish
line, I thought to myself, "I could do that too, couldn’t I?" I
signed up for my first 5k in NYC in 2008. It was invigorating, and my mom was
so proud. I ran with her name on my back and her voice in my head telling me to
keep going. As much as I wanted to quit, I pushed through knowing I was doing
it for her. Over the next two years, I continued to run, and my mom’s health
continued to decline. I ran for her. I ran for therapy for myself. I ran for
her health and for mine.
My mom lost her battle with colon, liver, lung, and brain cancer
in 2011. Around that same time, I set my goals high for my first 26.2-mile
challenge to run in her memory. After four grueling hours through the hills of
Pittsburgh, I felt her with me as I crossed the marathon finish line.
I ran that day, and continued to run, for her. I’ve completed 15 half marathons and four full marathons since my first race in 2008. Though the last few years, I must say, I have been running a lot less.
When this opportunity presented itself for me to run the NYC marathon, for my organization, Asphalt Green, I literally jumped at the chance. I haven't done this type of distance in years, but I am committed to completing this race. (Even if I'm slower than I have ever been!)
