I just returned from an amazing kick-off with the 100+ runners that I will be coaching for Boston. I’m so excited to begin training on Saturday. We will focus on running efficiency and the importance of incorporating walking into our running in an effort to sustain our form throughout training.
This is just an amazing group of runners. I enjoyed so many conversations with them throughout the evening. They seem so selfless when they talk about doing all they possibly can to provide educational opportunities to those that have only dreamed about them. I’m always inspired by those committed to serving others. One of my greatest regrets is that I learned the value and importance of serving others so late in life.
It’s nice to have several Team In Training runners on the Marathon Coalition TEAM. Lori and I coached Mike Thomas for 12 Boston Marathons and Beth Bonacci was on our 1999 Dublin Marathon TEAM. I also have several runners returning from last year and that is always wonderful. I don’t want them to experience just another repeat of last year so I welcome the challenge of making this year different and more meaningful.
I loved sharing the Olympic Torch with them as well as some of my favorite stories related to that unique and life-altering experience. Yes, I feel entirely blessed to be their coach and will never take such a unique opportunity for granted. How many people are afforded an opportunity to impact just one life and I’ve been given this opportunity thousands of times? I am eternally grateful for these rare opportunities.
I am also going to be working with an extremely dedicated staff for each charity. Tonight was the perfect beginning to what I am confident will be an amazing experience for all of us.I know that we can go well beyond the $500,000.00 mark with our collective fundraising. I just imagine the impact that will have on the lives of so many!
On April 18th we will all be Kenyans!