12 in 12 ... check!

And with wind in my face, several hills behind me and my husband by my side I crossed the finish line of run number 12. It took me just over 27 minutes to finish the 5K. The last race being the most relaxed of all the races we were handed a Popsicle stick with a number on it which would correspond with our time. I was number 32 and well near the back. Never had I PR'ed in a race and also nearly finished last. This was a quick group! But, it wasn't about the time or the placement but about finishing what I set out to do. 

I finished 12 runs, raised $970 to date and hopefully inspired others to donate blood and blood products and register to donate bone marrow. I will go into 2013 both proud of my accomplishments and driven to do more. 

But before I look ahead to the next adventure- I want to  thank everyone who helped me with this year's endeavor. First for everyone's encouragement, support, the Facebook messages and likes and for sharing my blog! Also, for all my friends who ran with me through out the year. And of course for the many generous donations. I know it is said a lot, "any amount helps!" ... but with a disease as rare as DBA and a foundation as small as DBAF truer words have never been spoken. So a huge thank you to all my donors and their generosity. 

And perhaps the biggest thank you of all goes out to my husband, Mike. A big thanks for racing with me, for taking pictures of me after the races, for cheering me on from the sidelines, for driving me to races and picking me up (sometimes with chilled chocolate milk!), for begrudgingly taking me to Dunkin Donuts for what has now become my obligatory post race coffee and egg white turkey sausage flat bread and for always keeping me going.  :) 

That wraps up my 12 in 12. But don't be surprised if I have more exciting adventures planned for 2013!

Happy New Year to all and God bless!

donate: http://dbafoundation.org/donate/ mention Lizzie or Amy in the purpose. 

Almost there!

Just one run left- one that I will finish tomorrow. In the 32 degree weather that December in Massachusetts promises, I will lace my up shoes one last time in the quest to run 12 runs in 2012 to raise money for DBA.  This has been an interesting journey spread out over many months- some that I ran a lot of races some that I ran none. Some runs were empowering and fun others were tough. In most of the longer runs it hit me- the reason I run. In all runs at least once when I thought I can’t possible run any further, faster, longer, stronger I gained inspiration from Lizzie and the things she’s done. I reminded myself- if she can be so strong for the last 18 years I can go strong for these last 18 minutes. It’s been a labor of love and dedication.

I wonder how I’ll feel when I finish running. When I complete a task I set out to do 12 short months ago. I hope I’ll feel proud of the runs I did- and even prouder of the funds I’ve raised. I hope I’ll feel accomplished yet unfinished- because until there is a cure for DBA the work is never done.  I’m sure I’ll start thinking of the next thing I can do to raise more money. The next way to get people to understand the dire need for blood and blood products. The next idea to spread awareness of how important you  can be to someone else by registering to donate bone marrow- and more importantly by actually donating if you are ever called.

So until then, until tomorrow hopefully a few minutes before 9:30 a.m. EST (let’s shoot for PR!), I look forward to being near the end of this journey.. and near the beginning of another.

Like Steve Jobs said so very eloquently, “stay hungry, stay foolish.” And that’s what I plan to do.

(to donate visit: http://dbafoundation.org/donate/ mention Amy or Lizzie in the purpose)