Marisa's FIRST Marathon to support the Hole in the Wall Gang Camp!
To my Family and to my Friends,
I have often said to the kids that I coach, and to my own kids, "If not now, when?" And I try to live my days out following this motto. Tomorrow is not a promise, every day is a gift. The magnet on our refrigerator at home reads:
"Many of our fears are tissue paper thin, and a single courageous step would carry us clear through them".
This past spring I completed my 7th HALF marathon. It marked just about 25 years since I started running. Running and the training I do in the gym are gifts to me. They are the yoga, meditation and therapy of my life and how I celebrate my health. I do not take one mile or one workout for granted. Training has brought me through sad times in my life and has been a part of some of the happiest and most fun times. It has brought me new friendships, strengthened old ones and introduced me to a community of people I have never even met, but who inspire me every day.
The last 10 years have been my most consistent years of running and most recently I have pushed to meet some of my biggest running goals, attempting new and challenging races. Every time I watch my 14 year old, swimmer kid Lucas standing at the block with a smile, ready to swim his heart out at a meet after hours and hours (and hours) of training, or watch my 10 year old kid, Jordan race happily to his next football, basketball, or lacrosse game with the high hopes of making touchdowns, baskets and goals or setting a PR at a 5K (and recently his first 5 mile!) race, I am inspired and motivated to keep going, keep reaching, and keep setting my own goals for as long as this body allows me to. They see no limits. Why should any of us?
7 half marathons and too many other races and miles to count.... but there is one distance that has always seemed to be only a far off dream or vision- out of reach, until now. I'd told myself I am not a long distance runner, that I didn't have the time to train, that the logistics were just too much. And then one day this spring I woke up and it was clear. Now is the time. Because....if not now, when?
So at age 43, 25 years after I ran my first mile, I will begin the journey of training for my very first FULL marathon. I will run 26.2 miles on November 3, 2019 in New York City. Because, if a marathon, then NYC it would have to be.
To gain entry to run the NYC marathon, unless chosen through lottery, you are asked to choose one of the over 400 non profits to fundraise for and support for entry. This in itself is truly amazing. Last year over 35.5 million dollars was raised to support charities and over $270 million has been raised since the start of the Official Charity Partner Program in 2006. When I made the decision to commit, I immediately started scrolling through the list of charities, trying to decide which would be the one that felt most personal to me, which felt just right. Honestly, I struggled. It would be a given that I have always supported autism and always will, but I immediately noticed they had huge support already for this race. And of course we all know (and unfortunately will continue to know) many affected by heart disease and cancer, but these were also some of the most popular ones chosen to support. I scrolled and scrolled and read and read (for days) and then I came upon THE ONE and I just knew. One that wasn't filled with support or huge teams of runners yet but a non profit that has been around for a long time. A very special place that exists right here in CT, in Ashford, only minutes from where I spent my college years. The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp. Founded by Paul Newman in 1988 and a place that is ALL about kids. Because, kids are at the heart of all I am and do, as a Mom, Educator, and Coach, supporting kids who truly need support .....that felt exactly right - that's when I felt the connection to this particular, personal goal. This camp is remarkable and truly allows kids those "if not now, then when?" moments.
I am required to raise $3500 for this amazing non profit and I honestly hope I will surpass this minimum. This will not be an easy task, I know, which is why I am starting now. My 18 week training starts July 1. If you are not familiar with this non profit camp, please read about their purpose and goal below. Consider visiting their website to learn even more.
https://www.holeinthewallgang.org/about/Our-Mission/
Our Purpose
The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp is dedicated to providing “a different kind of healing” to seriously ill children and their families throughout the Northeast, free of charge. It’s a community that celebrates the fun, friendship and spirit of childhood, where every kid can “raise a little hell.”
Our Goal
To ensure that every child with a serious medical condition has the chance to experience the world of possibilities that camp has to offer. Through the generosity of others, The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp community provides this unique healing experience to kids in need and their families, including those who may not be able to come to Camp.
Thank you for supporting me but most importantly, for supporting these children and their families, who are running the most difficult race. I hope I can surpass my fundraising goal and cross that finish line strong, but maybe I'll even inspire some of you to go for a goal that you too thought was out of reach.....because....if not now, then when?
Thank you all,
xoxo
Marisa
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