I have been applying to the NYC Marathon lottery drawing off and on for the past few years and never been selected. This year I got the email I had so long dreamed about. I was finally chosen in the lottery. I was so excited to see that I was actually going to be able to check this marathon off of my bucket list. I actually went to the website multiple times over the next several days to double check that it wasn't a mistake or that I was dreaming it. Of course, each time my name appeared on the list. I was beside myself with joy.
After a few weeks and the reality had set in, I started to think about joining a charity team. I figured that this would be my chance to raise money for a great cause and not have to have the charity provide me an entry. If you have followed my musings over the last several years, you know that I have raised money for cancer research for each of my Boston Marathon races. Charities that help fund researchers who are trying to find cures for cancers is something have always supported. I knew that the NYC Marathon had Fred's Team which raises money for Memorial Sloan Kettering and supports over 50 areas of cancer research—including bladder, brain, breast, colon, colorectal, head and neck, kidney, leukemia, liver, lung, lymphoma, melanoma, multiple myeloma, neuroblastoma, ovarian, pancreatic, prostate, testicular, rare cancers and The Aubrey Fund for Pediatric Cancer Research.
I went out to the Fred's Team website to see what it would take to join the team. As I read about the team, I knew that it was something I could really get behind. Plus they welcomed runners with and without their own NYC Marathon entries. Their minimum goals were either $3,500 or $6,000. Since I knew that I have been really successful in my past fundraising efforts, I signed up for the higher level. As I progressed through the registration, I set my personal fundraising goal at $15,000. To date I have already raised over $10,000. I would love to not only meet my goal but exceed it. Here is what Fred's team is all about:
"Since 1995, Fred’s Team has raised over $65 million. The money the program raises goes directly to Memorial Sloan Kettering, which not only improves cancer research and care at MSK, but also helps spark progress at centers worldwide that look to our institution to set the standard of achievement and pace of innovation."
While I am truly looking forward to running this race, I am more excited about all the support I have received through my friends and family who have all donated to this very important cause. We have all been touched by cancer in our lives. We all know of or have had loved ones succumb to this disease. We have also know survivors as well. I know that each mile I run I will be thinking of my family and friends who lost their battles and I will be dedicating those miles to them. At the same time, I will also think of those who won their fight and celebrate the ability to be able to share this feat with them when it is over. Finally, I am running because I want to and I can.
If you are reading this, I would love for you to support my run. No amount of money is too small. You can donate by clicking on this link -
http://mskcc.convio.net/site/TR/FredsTeamEvents/FredsTeam?px=3457204&pg=personal&fr_id=2721&_ga=1.21071547.1081818874.1466208735
Thank you in advance for your support!
July 11 – 6.20 miles (52:47, 8:31 pace)
July 12 – 3.20 miles (24:58, 7:48 pace)
July 14 – 8.40 miles (1:17:19, 9:12 pace)
July 15 – 6.20 miles (54:36, 8:49 pace)
July 16 – 10.20 miles (1:36:08, 9:25 pace)
July 17 – 8.20 miles (1:16:03, 9:16 pace)
Total Miles: 42.4 miles
2016 Total Miles: 1,018.4 miles
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