Growing up, I always wanted to be good at sports. I played basketball, volleyball, tried gymnastics, and swam on the swim team. I went to all the practices and worked on skills at home. At games and meets I would hustle and pour my heart into trying to do my best. But, I was never very good at any sport I tried. I really wanted to be good and while I consider myself somewhat athletic, I just wasn’t ever a good ball handler, very fast or particularly great at any sport I tried.
I started running in college for fun and discovered that I loved it. Like most of my past sport endeavors, try as I might, I’m also not a very great runner. My PRs are not impressive and even though I’ve been running for the better part of 16 years, I never have and never will qualify for the Boston Marathon. The thing about running though, is you don’t have to be very good or very fast, you just have to do it! I’ve ran 5Ks and 10Ks, relays, half marathons, full marathon and even a triathlon.
I like running and I like training and I love getting to do it with other people. Lance and I’s relationship began with running. Then we planned our entire wedding during runs together and we could usually talk and workout any problems on a run. Crosby joined us on our runs as soon as he could hold his head up and reached the minimum weight for the jogging stroller. We’ve ran races pushing Crosby and before he hit 35 pounds, he regularly hit the pavement with us.
The New York City Marathon is arguably the most popular marathon in the world. Most runners are selected to participate by lottery. You apply, pay and then leave it up to chance to find out if you get in. Lance and I said years ago we would love to do it together, but the odds of both winning the lottery the same year are not good. The other way into the NYC marathon is to run for a charity, so when we found out several years ago that the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation has a marathon team, we reached out and put our names on a long waiting list. Last January, we got the call.
So here we are in 2018 and the girl who was never very good at any sports is, God willing, going to get to run the New York City Marathon. Not only am I going to get to run it with Lance and some of our very closest friends by my side, but I’m going to get to run it in honor of Crosby, for the charity that is near and dear to my heart. I’m going to run 26.2 miles through New York City with Crosby’s name on my shirt and wearing a Cystic Fibrosis Foundation Breathe Team bib! I am nervous, I am excited and I am incredibly humbled that we get to do this!! This is a once in a lifetime opportunity and I am so very grateful.
Thank you to everyone who has supported us the past 6 months in our fundraising! Every single dollar donated goes directly to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. In order to run the marathon for a charity, you have to raise a minimum dollar amount for that charity. (Just so there is not confusion, the money does not go to the marathon itself or towards our trip to NYC ). Our collective goal we need to hit is $20,000! We have not reached that yet, but have two more fundraisers coming up:
Saturday, October 6th – Fish Fry Fundraiser
Good Ole’ Down Home Fish Fry with all the Fixins
4:00 – 6:30
11500 Willow Beach Road, NLR
Suggested Donation: $20.00 per plate
RSVP to 501-680-7090
and then:
Friday, October 12th – Poker Night
Hosted by The 1836 Club
$100 Buy in
Thank you for your support! We won't stop fundraising for a cure... UNTIL IT'S DONE!
