Over the last few months, I've been making decisions about my 2015 race calendar & goals, and unlike last year - the decisions haven't been easy!
I started the process by writing down what's most important to me:
1. Continuing to raise awareness & fundraise for rare diseases - including my own - Homocystinuria (HCU)
2. Continuing my Boston Marathon streak (I've run in 3 consecutive Boston Marathons)
3. Continuing my quest to complete a marathon in all 50 states & DC (So far, I've completed 10 full marathons in DE, MA, MD, PA and DC)
4. Setting a new PR (personal record)
After many discussions, emails, applications, and soul searching - I'm excited to share my game plan to accomplish all of these goals in 2015!
BOSTON
I will be running the 2015 Boston Marathon with the Run for Research Team and will be fundraising for the Liver Foundation. I've chosen this cause for two reasons. First, my father past away from liver cancer in 2007, and I'd like to complete the marathon in his memory. Second, there are several rare disorders (including MSUD, Tyrosinemia, Galactosemia, Wilson's Disease, and Glycogen Storage Diseases) that result in liver disease.
PROVIDENCE
In 2015, the Running for Rare Diseases Team is expanding to include the Providence Marathon & Half Marathon. I have committed to run the full marathon (just 2 weeks after Boston) & will be fundraising for the NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program. It's going to be really tough completing back-to-back marathons, but I'm up for the challenge! I'm excited to help the team grow & also check off another state (Rhode Island) from my marathon bucket list.
If you're interested in joining me & the RFRD Team in Providence as either a runner or a patient partner - please email me: therarerunner@gmail.com or leave a comment below.
CHICAGO
To top off the year, I'm going to run the Chicago Marathon in October to raise awareness specifically for HCU. I gained entry into this race last year, but decided to defer until 2015. The Chicago Marathon is one of the World Marathon Majors - which are the six largest & most renowned marathons in the world. The course is pancake flat, and known for fast results. My plan is to train hard over the next year in the hopes of setting a PR in Chicago (and checking off another state from the bucket list - Illinois).
Bring on Boston, Providence & Chicago - Oh My!
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