Everything you want is in front of you
One year ago, Shalane Flanagan made history by ending the 40 year drought for women in the New York marathon. I was watching it on my phone while I was at brunch with friends. Yes, it is rude to be on your phone while at a restaurant, but this was history! My favorite part was when one of the commentators pointed out her determination to get to the finish line. Since she made the move to first, she did not look back once. He said "everything you want is in front of you." All the setbacks and the years of hard work, all of it was in front of her at the finish line. She was not going to celebrate or look back until she crossed that line.
A year later and I am now 5 days out from running the New York marathon. This will be my 10th marathon and as many who know me are aware I am running this marathon in honor of my Nana with Team Fox. My Nana who was originally from New York, suffered from Parkinson's disease the last years of her life. She fought it until the end with every bit ounce of class and sass. I remember toward the end she asked me if one of her nurses had Parkinson's. I told her no and she responded, "good because it sucks, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."
I never understood how much of a toll Parkinson's had taken on her until that moment. You see my Nana wouldn't present herself as someone who was suffering. She always had her hair and nails done and was always dressed to impress. She was one of my favorite people and she was my mother's best friend. Which is why this marathon is not just for her, its for our whole family she left behind. As challenging as marathon training and fundraising can be, it is all in her honor.
This Sunday when I start to hurt at whatever mile it happens, I will remember to suffer with the same amount of class and sass as my Nana. This will be the first marathon where I will be wearing makeup and jewelry because Nana would expect nothing less. I am chasing a PR that I have been aiming for for years. I am chasing a fundraising goal to help those who are currently suffering from Parkinson's. Everything I want is in front of me.
I am 74% away from my $5000 fundraising goal. As part of my fundraising I am letting people who donate $26.20 guess my time for a chance to win $260.20.
Help me hit my fundraising goal before Sunday by going here: Brooke's Fundraiser for Michael J. Fox Foundation
A year later and I am now 5 days out from running the New York marathon. This will be my 10th marathon and as many who know me are aware I am running this marathon in honor of my Nana with Team Fox. My Nana who was originally from New York, suffered from Parkinson's disease the last years of her life. She fought it until the end with every bit ounce of class and sass. I remember toward the end she asked me if one of her nurses had Parkinson's. I told her no and she responded, "good because it sucks, I wouldn't wish it on my worst enemy."
I never understood how much of a toll Parkinson's had taken on her until that moment. You see my Nana wouldn't present herself as someone who was suffering. She always had her hair and nails done and was always dressed to impress. She was one of my favorite people and she was my mother's best friend. Which is why this marathon is not just for her, its for our whole family she left behind. As challenging as marathon training and fundraising can be, it is all in her honor.
This Sunday when I start to hurt at whatever mile it happens, I will remember to suffer with the same amount of class and sass as my Nana. This will be the first marathon where I will be wearing makeup and jewelry because Nana would expect nothing less. I am chasing a PR that I have been aiming for for years. I am chasing a fundraising goal to help those who are currently suffering from Parkinson's. Everything I want is in front of me.
I am 74% away from my $5000 fundraising goal. As part of my fundraising I am letting people who donate $26.20 guess my time for a chance to win $260.20.
Help me hit my fundraising goal before Sunday by going here: Brooke's Fundraiser for Michael J. Fox Foundation
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