BIG NEWS!!!!

No joke, it's for real the most exciting news you'll read if you've been following this blog for the past two years.  April 18, 2016, Hopkinton to Boston, and I am IN.  YES, you read that right people, I am FINALLY in the Boston Marathon!!!!  If you aren't aware, I've been trying to get in this for the past two years, but my marathon pace isn't qualifying time and the charities are always full.  But this year I found out that the respite center that Morty used to go to has a charity team.  Of course I immediately sent them my information because if ever there was a charity I wanted to run for, it would be this one. Lucky for me, they read my story, we discussed Morty, and everyone agreed it would be a great fit.  I'm so excited to be running for Morty and the Respite Center.  You know how some charities are huge and take donations but then spend most of the money on advertising?  Definitely not the case with the Respite center.  This is just a local home that provides families the opportunity for some much needed rest and a day off. Most of their programs are free of charge to the families who need them, so all the donations that come in go directly to supplies and services at the center.  Just keep that in mind if you decide to donate.  Your money is going directly to those who need it, not some giant CFO somewhere.
If you are interested in Morty and the Respite Center, you can follow this link and check out my page.  
Morty's Story

I mean, really, look at that face!

Piggybacking on this post now, I am still running Newport this weekend. I couldn't really get myself amped for this marathon, not the way I was for Louisiana, so I decided to give myself a reason to run.  Since this is number four, I'm dedicating this one to all the people who helped me out with training.  Really number four has nothing to do with it. But number one, MCM, was to do something new.  Philly was because we were still riding the runner's high and wanted to be maniacs.  Louisiana was for fun and to do one on my own.  So Boston is for Morty, of course.  So, Newport is for everyone else.  The people, if you will.  Everyone who ran with me, talked to me, listened to me whine about how much I didn't want to do it. The list, while seemingly endless, actually isn't that long.  But instead of writing a dedication list here, I'm doing it the creative way.  On the bottom of my shoes.  Yup.  One name for every mile.  Of course Ryan leads the list, because he's my number one fan, even when he's not.  But the other 25 miles are for everyone else.  And just to have a little fun, I switched up my shirt again.  Newport, I am ready for you!

Ok, you can't read that,here's the list:

Right Shoe: Ryan, Cynthia, Murdock, Madilyn, Holly, Tracy, Jenna, Danielle, Nala, Stella, Kenny, Mom, Gibbs Family

Left shoe: Title Boxing (the club, the members, and the trainers!), Kerri, Dana, Erin, Matt D (for offering his treadmill after the kids went to sleep), the Revolutionary War Soldiers (for getting me through a training run on the Battle Road Trail one day), the Mystics from the relay team, Lynn Woods Running, Lynn Classical Girls Spring Track Team, Donna, Cortney, Brian, and finally, Alex F.

An Ode to Shoes

My trusted and battle worn Adidas, I will miss you so.  Together we've run two marathons, 7 half marathons, and countless other short races along the way.We have logged well over 100 miles, you and I. You were the shoe I wore for my first half and my first full marathon.  We went through mud, water, sand, snow, and unbeknownst to me, other types of trash and dirt I'm sure.  From the highest hill to the lowest valley, together we conquered running.  You never gave up, not when you were water logged from 20 miles in the rain, or when it was so cold your laces were frozen together.
Shoes, you took me to new places and learned new routes, but you also joined me on the old home roads.  We went to Philly and D.C., Gloucester and Salem, Milwaukee and Waco, and yes, even a treadmill here or there. But you weren't just for running. Sometimes you got laced up for a dog walk, just because you could.  Your main calling though, your whole reason for being, your shoe-ness, if you will, was to run, and run fast.  And now, as your life as a running shoe takes it's final breath, know that you have fulfilled your purpose. You gave me the miles I needed, the support my knees deserved, and the style my vain side loved. Never again will a shoe as meaningful as you grace my feet.  So, with this, my final goodbye, I retire you, my blue Adidas marathon shoes, to the closet of dog walking shoes.  Know you go in good faith, with the love of my feet behind you, and the world of walking open to you.  Enjoy life in retirement.

Suiting up for my first half with my brand new shoes

Suiting up for my first FULL with my still new shoes

Will Run for Beer Series Finale: Summer Shoes

Wicked Half 2013: Fall shoes

Running with Stella: Dog shoes

Finish at Philly: November shoes

Today, the last day of their running career. 

Goodbye old friends.