THANK YOU

First and foremost, THANK YOU TEAM FOR KIDS DONORS… You all endured my endless emails of begging. This was a cause that I strongly believed in and many of you in turn believed in me. Every single donation email made my heart jump bringing me closer to my hefty fundraising goal. Some of you broke out your checkbooks when it’s not the easiest time to do so.

Thank you for your generosity and making my dream a reality. Knowing that I raised that outstanding amount of money for such a great cause makes this journey worthwhile even though the ending was not the one that I expected. I didn’t get a chance to run the marathon on November 4^th but it means so much more that we gave kids the chance to run any other day.    

  

THANK YOU TEAM FOR KIDS… The coaches, teammates, and mentors made this experience one that I will never forget. You pushed me to new physical limits and fully prepared me for race day. I know that official announcements have not been made regarding our involvement in 2013 but I hope to remain a member of your organization next year and for many more to come.

THANK YOU MEGHAN M… You ran more miles with me during this tedious training schedule than I can even count. Thank you for getting up before the sun regardless of the time you went to bed the night before.  You were even ready to put in a few more miles with me on race day. During this training you listened to my stupid obsessing about a post-race party and complaints about body aches and impending injuries.  Your support didn’t stop with the miles you shared with me but the bed you offered me during my powerless race week. Thank you for being an amazing friend and outstanding running partner. I hope one day that I can do the same for you (NYC Half maybe?).

Let's run another race... and then celebrate!

THANK YOU AL & KEL … Without the two of you I don’t think that I would have pulled the plug to finally sign up for this adventure. The fiscal and physical commitments of this were frightening but both of you believed in me which made me believe in myself.  I was happy to cheer you both on in 2011 and you were ready to be there for me in 2012 even being the designated escorts for the Wildcat. Thank you for your endless support and being out of this world friends.

This picture would have been cool post-marathon. Sigh. Next time...

THANK YOU MTVN CO-WORKERS… I walked into work on Monday morning in a funk and you all (including 7120) put a smile back on my face. I think I said close to a million times that I missed you guys and was happy to be back reunited. Spice Girls might have to wait with the marathon for 2013 but thank goodness I have every weekday with you guys to pass the time. Thanks for all of your support from the day I registered on June 18^th through my desk depression on November 5^th.  I enjoy you all as co-workers and adore you even more as friends.

THANK YOU FAMILY AND FRIENDS… I would be writing all day if I named every person that I want to thank from the last 5 months. From the first email that I sent out to the news of the race cancellation, I was overwhelmed with the love of so many family and friends.  Your text messages, phone calls, and emails filled nearly every day of this grueling training. I knew that I could run 26.2 miles last Sunday purely because I had the support from all of you. Thank you for everything, it has truly meant the world to me.

THANK YOU TRAINING PARTNERS… I was so lucky to have so many people offer physical support during this training as well. Many of you put on your sneakers and let me drag you out to run. The company you provided made the time fly and the miles less painful. I owe you all and will be there with my sneakers on whenever you need the same.

THANK YOU MARY WITTENBERG &MAYOR BLOOMBERG… I know that you both did your very best to make this race happen but it simply was not the year.  Thank you for making the right decision in the end.

THANK YOU MAYOR NUTTER… Philadelphia’s Mayor called NYRR Chairman George Hirsch on Saturday morning offering the hold the marathon in Philadelphia for all 48,000 NYCM runners. Unfortunately with the timing it was not possible to transport us all to the City of Brotherly Love. Thanks anyways for trying Mayor Nutter.

THANK YOU MOM… The first person that I called the minute my heart broke when I heard the marathon was canceled. Thank you for comforting me 1,000 miles away in Florida but making me feel like you were right there with me. You’re the most supportive woman I know and an unbelievably dedicated mother. Thanks for being the best shoulder to cry on and my favorite person to laugh with. You are and always will be my rock.

THANK YOU DAD… Thanks for being my biggest fan on November 4^th and every other that I can remember. I didn’t run a marathon but you still made me feel like a champ. I could have done without your college and law school stories at the post-race party but my embarrassment gave you some serious cool points with my friends. I’m still and always will be proud to be the product of a “sports dad."

THANK YOU NEW YORK… The greatest city on earth. I heard you put on one hell of a marathon and I hope to finally run it next year.

In the end, I am very thankful for this experience.

I ran 572 miles to prepare.  

I raised almost $3,000 dollars which will put close to 60 kids in athletic programs next year.

I learned a lot about myself physically and mentally including finding some new limits.

Most importantly, I was reminded of how lucky I am to have my physical health along with the love and support of so many family and friends.

This was a wild ride and long journey but one that I will never forget and cherish always.

2013. I'll be there.

Lots of love and laughs!

XOXO

LA