We Can. We Will. We Did.

Greetings,

We made it-- thanks to all of your support and encouragement... I really felt it on the course. It was an absolutely incredible, awesome-- and mind-boggling day. James and I have been talking a lot this week... my Wingman. (The title of this post is what was on the back of his shirt while we ran to Boston)

Honestly, it's been a week and I'm still processing...

I will tell you that I believe there are angels among us. Dennis Glasgow from Toronto is one of them. He was there by my side from the hills in Newton into Boston and though I only spent one hour with him, his constant repeat of the same phrase "I'm here." everytime my eyes darted to the side for reassurance was mystifying. He was clearly a stronger runner as we moved into the last stretch of the run and though I kept encouraging him to run on he would not leave me. "I'm here." was all I kept hearing. Dennis was the one who spotted Regi in the crowd on Boylston Street. "There she is!"

This is a hard post for me because in some sense the Marathon completes the journey. I'm trying to find the words to bring this to summation but I'm not getting anywhere. Thinking this experience is something that defies placing into a neat little package-- So, I've decided I won't try and sum it up.

I will leave you with sincere gratitude and love... and a few photos of the day.

"Today is the BEST day of my life." Thank you, Aidan. Thank you, Maria.

m

The icing on the cake...

Good Morning,

MARATHON MONDAY has arrived!

Are you ready? We're on our way...

I will take each one of you along with me today as we complete 26.2 in honor of Aidan and Maria.

Together we have been part of the solution.

Heartfealt thanks to all for your kindness, support and good will to join me in this journey over the past 5 months.

With love,
Mary

P.S. Let's get this party started... ready to ROCK!

My Wingman

Greetings,

It's really here.

Funny, I envisioned this weekend many times over the past several months and now that it's here it feels surreal...

Ed, Katherine Rose, James and I trawled the Runner's Expo and picked up the bib numbers. It was a big moment. James said when we walked into the expo, "Welcome to the world of the skinny people!" :)

Together, we attended the TNT Pasta Dinner this afternoon and it was an inspirational time... Thanks to YOU and your generosity, the Team Goal of $700,000 was exceeded! We were within $2,000 yesterday and by this afternoon we were over by more than $5,000 :) Hooray!

A lot of things came together today... I'd been trying for weeks to figure out my "race strategy" --Everyone kept asking me what it was going to be and I just couldn't put my finger on it. (Honestly, I don't remember having one last time.) There is a piece of me that wanted to test my limit-- appealing in some way, but every time I tried to envision running the entire course solo, it just didn't feel right.

Broached the subject with James this afternoon-- Just came out and said, "Will you run with me?" He replied slowly, "Yes. As long as you don't talk about running while we're running." I replied, "Deal. As long as you don't wear your iPod while we're running together." Done. The sibling compromise.

Finished our day with an awesome mass at the St. Francis Chapel in the Prudential Center. If you are ever in Boston and need a reflective space this is a little oasis. The place was packed with runners and the priest's homily talked about the "Marathon Journey."

James and I will begin the journey to Boston together with Aidan and Maria's light to guide.

With love and appreciation to all who have come along,

m

P.S. As I type this blog, Steady Eddie is carefully lacing my race chip onto my sneaker following the very specific directions the BAA has put forth. As always, right there when I need you.

Quote of the week: "We are each of us angels with only one wing. And we can only fly embracing each other." Luciano de Crescenzo

Came across this quote in two very different places this past week. Took it as a sign.

The color of the week is... Purple!

Greetings,

Thank you for the email messages of late! Yes, the official countdown has finally begun. In preparation, I watched a documentary on Marathoning this past week and learned that runners preparing for 26.2 love to talk about their journey to the race-- and will talk with anyone who will feign some form of interest. Have to say, when I heard this it made me laugh (a little self-consciously.) For the many of you who have patiently listened to my verbal and written diatribes on training and the journey... thank you for indulging me :) We're headed into the home stretch.

7 Days = 26.2 for Aidan and Maria.

If you would like to follow James and me on race day:

www.baa.org/bostonmarathon

Under the Boston Marathon menu tab you will find "AT&T Athlete Alert" this will provide the instructions needed to receive text message/email updates at various points on the course.

James' Bib Number = 23490 Mary's Bib Number = 23395

m

Quote of the week: "Courage is what it takes to stand up and speak; courage is also what it takes to sit down and listen." Winston Churchill

What's on the iPod: Where the Streets Have No Name U2 This is one of the most played songs on my iPod. 10 years ago on a cold January Sunday I was on a treadmill at Assumption. While running, I was trying to decide whether to join the AC team preparing for the 2000 Boston Marathon. As I was twisting the thought around in my brain, this song came on the radio. It was right then that the decision was made.

a Conversation...

Greetings,



On this beautiful day, we had the pleasure of enjoying it with Katherine's cousin, Nellie.



We were working on some Easter crafts at the dining room table and the CD that Patty made was playing in the background. The song "This Little Light of Mine" came on and the following conversation ensued:


Katherine: "I miss Aidan."

Nellie: "I miss him too."

(pause)

Katherine: "...but, Aidan's Here. In my heart."

m

P.S. The pink hats the girls have on are "Miami Dolphins" hats from Uncle James. As I am typing this entry, he is en route from Miami to Boston. The family fan club awaits.

Quote of the week: "Faith is the bird that feels the light and sings when the dawn is still dark." Rabindranath Tagore

What's on the iPod: The Time of My Life David Cook
And I'm, out on the edge of forever
Ready to run
I'm keeping my feet on the ground
Arms open wide
My face to the sun

Heart and Soul

Greetings!

What a day... Photos are courtesy of "Steadie Eddie" who was at the actual training site for the first time, yet has been along on the journey every step of the way. Thank you, Ed.

Another day for memory books and too much to put into words.

Highlights:

• Receiving the purple singlet with Aidan and Maria's name emblazoned on the back.


• Justin's (Justin and I work together at Assumption. He is a cancer survivor and an impressively dedicated volunteer for LLS.) moving rally for the team. Go TEAM! was shouted to the rafters.


• A fun and laughter-filled bus ride to Hopkington with Melissa, an Assumption alum (pictured in center of photo in the blue skirt in the blog from last week :)


• Ed, Katherine Rose, Mom and Dad to cheer us on at Mile 15! Justin gave Katherine the "foam finger" to cheer us on... in her book, it was Christmas all over again.


• A beautiful, sunny and camaraderie infused run from Hopkinton to Heart Break Hill.


• Waiting for transport back to Wellesley after the 20 I began to feel very cold. Hadn't even said a word about it, when Dad pulled off his warm parka and insisted I wear it. Somehow, he just knows and is always there with the right word or thing to do to offer comfort and support. He is another conduit of light in this world. Thanks Dad for continuously representing Aidan and Maria's goodness.


• Finished the day with a late family lunch in Sudbury. It was good to relax and have James at the table.

The peak of the training is behind us. We have made it this far because of YOU.

With thanks and sincere appreciation,

m

Quote of the week: From the CD cover A Journey to Boston for Aidan and Maria put together by Patty. "To Mary and James: Wishing you a set of very light feet on your 26.2 journey as you help a cause with many a heavy heart."

What's on the iPod: Two songs selected by Patty. For Aidan: "The Best Day" by Taylor Swift. For Maria: "Ave Maria" by Choir of Benedictine Nuns at the Abbey of Regina Laudis (who knew the Choir of Benedictine Nuns was available at the iTunes store?? Leave it to Patty...)

Hopkinton Bound...

Greetings,
Woke this morning to a text from Patty (my amazing sister "-in-law") letting me know there was a CD inside the front door to listen to on the ride to Wellesley.
Opened the door to find a bag with 2 Discs of songs for James and me... on the playlists were songs dedicated to Aidan and Maria, song picks from all our nieces and nephews and a piece from Aunt Dale and the Benedictine Nuns at the Abbey of Regina Laudis (where this journey began back in September with the planting of Aidan's Tree). There were also song selections from the playlists of famous Boston Marathon runners, Ryan Hall and Kara Goucher.
So, with moist eyes the day begins.

Did you know that Patty is the one who just had the twin girls Josie and Tessie?
Patty runs a Marathon every day... A beacon of Aidan and Maria's light? You bet.
Here's to you, Sistah!
With much love,
m

P.S. On the inside cover of the CD case was this:
From Ryan Hall on his marathon mindset:
I do think about some of the things my dad ingrained in me growing up on the starting line, like "If it is not fun, then it is not worth doing." I like this mantra because we all get nervous and intimidated at the start of a marathon but this helps me just relax and enjoy the journey. It is important to enjoy each step in the journey-- even the tired ones-- because as my dad says, "Happy feet make light feet."


Patty, you are a gift. Thank you.

Off to see James and get on the race route. Gotta run.