For the past 371 days, I have gone to bed and woken up thinking of solely returning back to #BostonMarathon and finishing what I started a year ago when I was stopped at mile 25.8 due to the explosions.
What was it like to run the 2014 Boston Marathon? In a word: surreal.
I have never been a part of such an incredible race atmosphere for an entire 26.2 miles where the streets were filled with #BostonStrong spectators from start to finish.
I am just an average person trying to create extraordinary things.
Marketer by day, runner and fundraiser by night. Inspired by my “papa,” a pediatrician of 50+ years who recently lost his battle to this vicious disease.
Do I have a cure…NOT YET.
Am I trying to making a difference…YES!
DEMENTIA (facts provided by the World Health Organization)
• World Wide Cases 35.6 Million = Worldwide Epidemic
• This number will double by 2030 and more than triple by 2050
• A new case of dementia is diagnosed every 4 secs
• 1 in 3 seniors dies from a form of dementia
• In 2013, 15.5 million caregivers provided an estimated 17.7 billion hours of unpaid care valued at more than $220 billion.
3 months. 3 months is the amount of time Run4Papa (R4P) took off after a magnificent year of raising funds and awareness for Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA). We had time to relax, recover and rejuvenate after completing the Great Wall of China Marathon back in May.
And yesterday, R4P started back in our hometown of Charlotte, North Carolina by running the OrthoCarolina Classic 10K – a premier 10K running event. The days events are designed to promote and encourage active families and healthy lifestyles. The course offers a beautiful yet challenging route passing the major medical facilities in Charlotte along with a great view of the Charlotte skyline–while raising awareness for several local charities and community organizations.
Watch how Dr. Dana Piasecki, my Orthopedic Surgeon helped me comeback from a devastating injury to my rotator cuff. At the time of my injury, I was devastated, depressed and scared beyond belief. I couldn’t lift my right arm above my waist. I would be sidelined for 9 months, rehabbing 3 days a week.
Instead of feeling sorry for myself, I decided to make the most of a very difficult situation and rise from the surgical bed to the steps on the Great Wall of China.
Spanning the globe, Adventure Marathon’s four challenges take runners to the most beautiful corners of the world. From the Greenlandic ice sheet to the African savannah, from the Great Wall of China to the Great Barrier Reef, runners will experience challenging courses and stunning scenery.
315 Days of Memories – Journey from Start to Finish
AT LONG LAST! Here is the FINAL R4P montage video of this campaign: a look-back from START to FINISH and everything in between. What exactly can be accomplished in 315 Days? PLENTY!
With a total of 9 states visited to train/run races, 500+ miles logged of running and over $54,000 raised to date, Run4Papa takes you back on a remarkable journey to raise awareness and funds for PPA research!
May 10th @ U.S. National Whitewater Center, Charlotte, NC – 6:30PM
LAST chance to “Gump it up” with Run4Papa. Literally. We have come to our 5th and final 5K for $5K Challenge and what better venue than the U.S. National Whitewater Center for a run/walk amongst supporters of THE CAUSE! This is by far my favorite destination in all of Charlotte because there are so many fun activities from whitewater rafting to rock climbing, biking to trail hiking and much more! Of course, we are going to be hosting the 5K run/walk tonight, but afterwards, there will be a band playing from 7-9PM. This event is completely kid and pet friendly and ANYONE and EVERYONE are welcome and encouraged to participate.
As promised, we have continued to run/walk a 5K every other day until $5K is raised. Through your generosity and willingness to spread the word, the amount of $5 donations thus far have been remarkable. We are SO close to achieving not only the $5K goal set forth 10 short days ago, but also, our overall goal of $50,000! I am confident we will hit our mark with your support for the journey this evening…
The 5K route – We are meeting at the U.S. National Whitewater Center in front of the Cafe. It is imperative that everyone show up on time, so we can introduce everyone to each other and make our way over to the Green Trail for the 5K run/walk. We will weave our way through this scenic trail covering 3.1 miles of ground.
In the case that Mother Nature has shut down the trails for any reason, we will go to our “back-up” 5K route of running/walking around the Whitewater Center rafting loop. Either way, it is a win-win for our cause and a great excuse to get together to wrap-up one of the most fulfilling 10-day periods of this campaign.
May 8th @ S. Tryon/Trade St: Uptown, Charlotte – 6:30PM
Who says you can’t shake things up in a city? Where does it say you can’t create awareness whenever AND wherever you choose? How is today different than yesterday or any other day for that matter in Uptown Charlotte?
To the best of my knowledge, as we launch our 4th 5K for $5K Run/Walk Challenge, I have never known any group to organize a 5K up and down South Tryon in such a confined area of space. That is all about to change at 6:30PM when runners/walkers alike come together in support for PPA awareness.
I am going to do my best to be out on the corner of South Tryon/Trade St. around 5PM promoting THE CAUSE. ANYONE and EVERYONE are welcome to join: RUNNERS, WALKERS, CHILDREN AND PETS! I have been looking forward to this 5K for the last 10 days and can only fathom the positive impact it will create with on-lookers.
The 5K route– We are meeting on the corner of South Tryon/Trade St. which is located in the heart of Uptown, Charlotte in an effort to have fun and create awareness for PPA. We will take a continuous “box-shaped” loop on South Tryon heading up to 7th street, crossing the street and back down to 2nd street. We will run/walk on South Tryon 6 times total (3 up and 3 down), finishing back at South Tryon/Trade St., exactly 3.1 miles later.
One VERY important note about this 5K – We will run/walk solely on the sidewalks being mindful of each and every crosswalk since there will be cars and buses driving all around. This isn’t a race and we don’t want anyone getting hurt.
