Hi friends,
This week’s reason is a big part of who I am: for Boston College. As I’m sure everyone reading this knows, I graduated from BC in 2003 and haven’t stopped talking about it since I got accepted in 1999. ;) I have always been a hugely enthusiastic Eagle, whether it was as a kid growing up with parents who went there, during my four years as a student at the Heights, or as a proud alumnus afterwards. Last year, I also landed my dream job working in the Alumni Association. I won’t talk about work on this blog except to say that it has been even better than I ever imagined, with some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met. In essence, I get to talk about one of my favorite things – Boston College – all day while getting paid for it!
The reason BC comes up as a reason to run is very simple: the Marathon runs right through campus at mile 21, and is a huge part of the day for all runners, but particularly Eagles like myself. Just after the grueling Heartbreak Hill, I will literally see the towers on the Heights reach to heaven’s clear blue, and know that I am getting very close to the home stretch. As a student at BC, I remember watching the Marathon every single year and waiting for friends who had chosen to run. Sidenote: any college student who successfully runs a Marathon during college is WAY more dedicated than I ever was at that age. Siobhan, Mel and Kelly (and many other friends who ran it back then), if you’re reading this, I give you a huge and belated standing ovation! When I was in college I mainly spent Marathon Monday drinking beverages out of solo cups and enjoying the day off from classes. Now that I’m running it myself, I’m looking forward to seeing some coworkers and student workers from my office when I crest the hill, just at a point in the route when I’ll really need some extra support.
During the terrible events of last year (which I will discuss in a later post), the Marathon was actually shut down right at Boston College on the 21 mile mark. St. Ignatius, the beautiful church on campus, became an emergency waiting area for runners trying to find their family members. Alumni were gravely injured. It was a terrible day for the city of Boston and also for Boston College, but it also showed how quickly BC can come together in a tragedy to take care of those in need. No matter what happens this year on the Marathon, reaching that spot will make me realize how far I have come since college, and how lucky I am to always be able to call Boston College home.
This week’s training was epic (20 miles), and it went GREAT! The weather was perfect (50 degrees and cloudy) and I carb-loaded like a madwoman the night before, and I think it worked! I went with the MGH team on buses out to Hopkinton and ran the entire Marathon route for 20 miles. I actually had a ton of energy from miles 15-20 and probably could have gone longer… but gave myself a break. ;) This week really made me realize that I will be able to do this thing on April 21. Now it’s time for the taper, and I (along with every single joint and muscle in my body below the waist) am very grateful – as long as I don’t lose my mind with impatience in the meantime!
Fundraising update: once again, I had a truly gratifying week with several donations pouring in. My amazing Butler family was particularly supportive this week, for which I’m grateful, as well as several friends and other family members. With only three weeks to go (!!!) I am starting to get a little nervous, so every little bit helps. Remember to hit the “Donate” button above if you’d like to make a gift – thank you thank you thank you!!
Until next week,
Meg
This week’s reason is a big part of who I am: for Boston College. As I’m sure everyone reading this knows, I graduated from BC in 2003 and haven’t stopped talking about it since I got accepted in 1999. ;) I have always been a hugely enthusiastic Eagle, whether it was as a kid growing up with parents who went there, during my four years as a student at the Heights, or as a proud alumnus afterwards. Last year, I also landed my dream job working in the Alumni Association. I won’t talk about work on this blog except to say that it has been even better than I ever imagined, with some of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met. In essence, I get to talk about one of my favorite things – Boston College – all day while getting paid for it!
The reason BC comes up as a reason to run is very simple: the Marathon runs right through campus at mile 21, and is a huge part of the day for all runners, but particularly Eagles like myself. Just after the grueling Heartbreak Hill, I will literally see the towers on the Heights reach to heaven’s clear blue, and know that I am getting very close to the home stretch. As a student at BC, I remember watching the Marathon every single year and waiting for friends who had chosen to run. Sidenote: any college student who successfully runs a Marathon during college is WAY more dedicated than I ever was at that age. Siobhan, Mel and Kelly (and many other friends who ran it back then), if you’re reading this, I give you a huge and belated standing ovation! When I was in college I mainly spent Marathon Monday drinking beverages out of solo cups and enjoying the day off from classes. Now that I’m running it myself, I’m looking forward to seeing some coworkers and student workers from my office when I crest the hill, just at a point in the route when I’ll really need some extra support.
During the terrible events of last year (which I will discuss in a later post), the Marathon was actually shut down right at Boston College on the 21 mile mark. St. Ignatius, the beautiful church on campus, became an emergency waiting area for runners trying to find their family members. Alumni were gravely injured. It was a terrible day for the city of Boston and also for Boston College, but it also showed how quickly BC can come together in a tragedy to take care of those in need. No matter what happens this year on the Marathon, reaching that spot will make me realize how far I have come since college, and how lucky I am to always be able to call Boston College home.
This week’s training was epic (20 miles), and it went GREAT! The weather was perfect (50 degrees and cloudy) and I carb-loaded like a madwoman the night before, and I think it worked! I went with the MGH team on buses out to Hopkinton and ran the entire Marathon route for 20 miles. I actually had a ton of energy from miles 15-20 and probably could have gone longer… but gave myself a break. ;) This week really made me realize that I will be able to do this thing on April 21. Now it’s time for the taper, and I (along with every single joint and muscle in my body below the waist) am very grateful – as long as I don’t lose my mind with impatience in the meantime!
Fundraising update: once again, I had a truly gratifying week with several donations pouring in. My amazing Butler family was particularly supportive this week, for which I’m grateful, as well as several friends and other family members. With only three weeks to go (!!!) I am starting to get a little nervous, so every little bit helps. Remember to hit the “Donate” button above if you’d like to make a gift – thank you thank you thank you!!
Until next week,
Meg