Butternut Farm

WHAT IT IS

The Dana Farber Marathon Challenge is a team that comes together to run the Boston Marathon in a fundraising effort for the Claudia Adams Barr Program, which enables scientists at the leading edge of discovery to achieve better cure rates and to enhance patients' quality of life. The Barr Program was established by J. Wayne and Delores Barr Weaver in 1987.  The Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge started in 1990. In 20 years, DFMC has raised $43 million for the Barr Program and its initiatives to better understand, treat, and, ultimately, cure cancer. To learn more about individual Barr Investigators and their groundbreaking work and discoveries in basic science.  This is an amazing group that is hoping to raise over $4.4 million this year.

 HOW TO SUPPORT ME

Click here to go to my contribution page through Dana Farber or you can send a check to me written to The Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge and I will get it to them.

WHY I AM RUNNING

As most of you know my mother was diagnosed with cancer in the mid  ‘80s. She was a single mother with 3 young daughters. The prognosis was not good. She fought for her life with all she had and went into remission. In early ’96 she was again diagnosed and it was advanced. I was in college at the time and it sent all of us into a tailspin. I stuck close to home and became the primary caregiver for her. We spent many hours in the car back and forth to Boston. We lost my mother at Thanksgiving in 1999. That day when I left the hospital I knew I needed to find a way to make a difference. It has been in my heart ever since.

I chose the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge because a dear friend whose daughter had run it, inspired me. I could have taken an easier route (26.2 miles may seem excessive) but as most of you know my mother never took the easy path and I am afraid I take after her.

Cancer has since touched my life through many people. So my challenge is for them as well.

I run in memory of my friend Jane’s son, Brian, and my friend Diane’s sister, Alice.

I run for my survivor friend’s Sharon, Tom, Sandy and Kara.

I run for the neighbors down my street who lost there mother too early. As I train, I run by those two young boys waiting for the bus each morning and my heart breaks, every time. They don't know me but I know their story.

I run for my daughters with hope that the money I raise will help to find a cure and they will live in a world without cancer.

WHO I HAVE TO THANK

I thank my husband for his total dedication. This is as much his endeavor as it is mine. 

I thank my girls for inspiring me. Their beautiful faces send me out to train even on my worst days.

I thank my extended family. I was at a family event recently, my mother's side, and the outpouring of support and excitement for the challenge I have ahead was humbling, you are all the best.

I thank all who have and will support me toward my goal of $10,000, yes you read that right.

 I thank my Mother and my cousin Henry. They are the two that I carry every time I hit the road. They push me through those long runs and challenge me to do my best. THANK YOU

MY RUNNING UPDATE

2/21/10

I ran an "easy" 13 miles yesterday. This is a rest week to gear up for 20 miles next week. I am hoping to get 7 miles in tomorrow and Wednesday before we head up skiing for the second half of February vacation. My confidence is building which feels great.The ankle seem to be holding up well so overall I am feeling great. I have a meeting in Boston next week, to get more information about the actual day of the marathon. I am looking forward to that.

2/15/10

I ran 17 miles today. I slowed my pace down to a 9 minute mile and felt so much better overall. I am feeling much more confident after today. Giff had to meet me for a water stop today. I couldn't carry enough with me. It was nice to see him along the way. I am planning to get a couple of shorter runs in during the week and then a 13 miler Sunday. That will lead to 20 miles the following week.

2/11/10

I did my long 15 mile run on Tuesday. My calf, on my bad ankle, cramped up and I was sick to my stomach when I was done. Note to self, do not push so hard.  Training is supposed to be more about the length of time running and less about the pace. I am learning. The day was beautiful and overall I feel good about were I am at. I was supposed to do a short 5 miles today but had a child crawl into bed with me at 3AM with the stomach flu. I have been catching vomit ever since. I am shooting for 7-8 miles early tomorrow morning. We shall see.

2/3/10

I ran 13 miles today. UGH I am tired.   It felt great to complete it, and in less than 2 hours.  My ankle seems to be holding up, I am glad about that. I have a very early morning planned for Friday to get to the gym for 7 miles. Than maybe a 5 miler Sunday while we are up skiing. 

1/28/10

So obviously I can not keep up with this update. Here is what I have been up to.

 I have been struggling with a injured ankle these last two month. I sprained it in the half marathon and have never fully recovered. My ankle has loose ligaments and now I have developed tarsal tunnel syndrome. I have been going to Physical Therapy twice a week (Emily has been a great side kick at PT) and we are all hopeful that I can nurse this ankle through the marathon.

My training is going okay. I am way behind were I wanted to be at this point, but have refocused my goals and feel good about my plan. Don't get me wrong there are days I still think I am crazy. Tuesday morning I was out running with a headlamp on because it was so dark. But all in all, I am looking forward to this amazing experience.

I did an 11 mile run on Sunday, it was a beautiful day. This week I am doing two days of 5 miles, one of 7 miles and then 13 miles. On the rest days I am starting to work on my core to help my back and maybe even speed up the ankle recovery. 

 Want a T-Shirt

If 100 people donate $100 I will reach my goal of $10,000. Of course any contribution is greatly appreciated. If you do decide to donate $100 or more, I would like to honor you with a special T-Shirt. I am having shirts made with a list of my $100+ sponsors. If you would like a shirt, make sure you get your donation in by the end of February so I have time to get everyone’s name on there and get the shirts to you before April 19th.