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Running the 2023 New York Marathon in memory of my Mother-in-law Brenda who lost her fight to ALS was one of the greatest honors of my life. While I might not have gotten the privilege to meet her in person, I know her. She was the empty chair at my wedding and the Grandma my boys have never gotten to meet. She has been my son Declan's guardian angel through every surgery and procedure for congenital scoliosis and I truly believe that she lent me her wings at mile 13 of the NYC marathon to get me to that finish line despite my right foot wanting to quit at mile 8. Rehabbing my foot injury for the last several months has been humbling and it has taught me more than ever the importance of being grateful for each and every mile you're lucky enough to be able to run and even on the days when you don't feel like it, running for those who can't.
It's no secret that I have loved every second of my journey of running the World Major Marathon Marathons, but it has ALWAYS been about so much more than running. It has been about making an impact and showing my kids the importance of giving back and hopefully inspiring a few people along the way. I felt pretty defeated after NYC knowing I wouldn't be running for awhile and had gotten declined from literally every lottery I applied for but then I remembered...the obstacle is the way. Of course I didn't get selected through this or any lottery because that was never meant to be my path. I checked the Berlin Marathon list of charities again and the ALS Assocation for the first year ever was listed as one of the charities participating in the 2024 Berlin Marathon! My mission was clear. It felt serendipitous from the minute I applied and I am beyond honored to have been selected as one of the 10 runners for Team ALS in Berlin and to run in Brenda's memory again. The ability to raise funds and awareness to help fight back against this terrible disease in the hopes that no family has to endure what my husband Ryan's did is not lost on me. The ALS Association provides much needed patient services resources, funds global, cutting edge research, and much more in order to help those living with ALS right in our own communities. Though no amount of fundraising can bring Ryan's mom Brenda back, I hope that by running for Team ALS again and running for those who can't I will help bring more awareness/research to this awful disease in a way that leaves Brenda smiling down from heaven and healing to all who all who knew her.
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