The day is almost here...

kirstenj_2004 · Posted: Sat Sep 26, 2009 8:15 am Post subject: The day is almost here...

The day I have been working so hard for is almost here. Tomorrow I will see the culmination of six months of training. Lonely runs at five in the morning. Lacing up my running shoes and heading out into the pouring rain to build up my mileage. Going for nine, ten, twelve mile runs on Sunday afternoons, with the sun beating down on me.

Tomorrow is what it's all about. Tomorrow I will achieve the goal that I signed up for. At 7:30 in the morning, I will be standing at the start line at Nathan Philips Square in Toronto. There will be buzz, there will be excitement, the air will be crackling with the energy of twenty thousand runners. And I will be a part of it.

A little more than two hours after the starting gun goes off, I will cross the finish line. I will be exhausted but elated. My legs will have carried me for 13.1 miles, or 21.1 kilometres, but they will still have enough strength in them for me to jump for joy.

When I come home after the race, I will take off the finisher's medal from around my neck, and I will give it to my beautiful son George. Because after all, he's the one I'm doing all of this for. He has inspired me through all of my training. I have raised pledges in his name, money that will used to provide services for people with autism. When I've felt myself starting to falter in my long training runs, I have thought of him and why I am doing this, and it has given me the extra boost of strength I needed to continue.

I am doing this for George. I am doing this because of him. The medal that I will receive will be rightfully his.

Today, I have pre-race jitters. I am filled with energy and excitement, and also emotion. I cannot wait for tomorrow. Every single mile will be a gift to my son. I will probably cry at the finish line, but they will be tears of happiness.

I cannot wait. Soon I will be running my half-marathon for George, bearing the number 9029 on my shirt.

P.S. - I want to say a gigantic thank you to the people on this forum who have sponsored me. It means the world to me and my family that people I have never met in person would show such kindness and generosity. You too have inspired me and given me strength through this exciting adventure.

Anyone still wishing to make a donation can do so here:
http://my.e2rm.com/personalPage.aspx?registrationID=662032&LangPref=en-CA

patermann · Posted: Mon Sep 28, 2009 4:58 pm Post subject:

Sorry I am too late to wish you luck - I hope that everything went well. I admire your determination and dedication. Great stuff!! a_bravo

patermann

Save_the_Gnome · Posted: Sat Oct 03, 2009 5:44 pm Post subject:

Sorry, I've been out of the loop lately. How did it go? Was George there to cheer you on? How will the funds help your cause?

The first residents just moved into Hannah's House this week. Coach Weis has really been doing a lot of fund-raising for this.
_________________
To plant a garden
is to believe in tomorrow.

kirstenj_2004 · Posted: Mon Oct 05, 2009 6:47 pm Post subject:

Thanks for the good wishes! The funds raised will be used to provide services for autistic children and young adults. I'll be doing this again next year, for sure!

The race was great! Here's a link to the race report I wrote for anyone who's interested.

http://www.runningroom.com/discussion/viewtopic.php?t=38995

Kirsten

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