September Update: Checking Boxes

So, it’s been a little while since I first shared my plans to run the 2017 Boston Marathon, raising funds for Granite United Way’s Endowment Fund. While it’s been “all quiet” on this page, my life has been far from dull or serene.

During the months of August and September, I have checked two fairly huge “boxes” on my long “to-do” list leading up to April 17, 2017.

Box #1: On August 29, 2016, my husband and I welcomed our daughter into our family. Gwendolyn Margaret’s arrival was somewhat dramatic and “fashionably late,” brought on by an evening jog/waddle, an act of complete desperation on my part. That said, we are thrilled to have our happy, healthy bundle of wonderfulness who was well worth the wait.

Box #2: September 16 was the first day I was eligible to apply for entry for the 2017 Boston Marathon. Despite my “qualified” status, my official entry wasn’t a “sure thing” until my application to the Boston Athletic Association was processed. The BAA uses the application process to ensure that the race has the fastest field possible. Last year, more than 1,000 qualified runners still weren’t fast enough to run the race. You can imagine how thrilled I was to see my official acceptance email in my email inbox on September 19!

While I’ve been home enjoying leave with Gwen and celebrating my official registration for Boston, my United Way family has been hard at work, raising the first $7,000 of our Going the Distance Challenge. Here’s a list of the incredibly generous people who have joined my journey from Hopkinton to Copley by giving to the GUW Endowment:

• Jared Stidham, my fantastic husband who purchased Mile 11 to celebrate our 11 fantastic years of marriage
• Mark and Susan Primeau, who purchased Mile 15 to celebrate Mark’s year as GUW’s Board Chair in 2015
• Dean and Evangeline Christon, who purchased Mile 16 in recognition of Dean’s service as GUW’s Board Chair in 2016
• Evan and Sae-Im Smith, whose generosity will be inspiring me as I climb Heartbreak Hill
• My GUW colleagues, who will be cheering me on in person and through their philanthropic deeds by sponsoring my Cheering Section
• Charla and David Stevens, whose gift kicked off our community mile

Thank you so much for keeping tabs on my progress!

Meredith