Running for Rose

Last spring, Andrew Rose was supporting me in training for a  ruthless fight. I signed up for the Sugarloaf Marathon in Carrabassett Valley, ME with hopes of a Boston Qualifying time. It has been a goal of mine to return to the course where I previously ran away from terrorism, and continue the movement of proving the resiliency of the city of Boston, the integrity of the Boston marathon, and the grit of the people who run it. To make a long story short, I didn’t do it that day at Sugarloaf, for a variety of reasons (or as Rose would say, excuses). The last 6 miles of that race was characterized by debatably the worst pain- the triad of physical, mental, and emotional- that I have experienced simultaneously to date. I sat down (the most ashamed to admit), cried, laughed, laugh-cried, but somehow made it across the finish line. This dude was an integral part of my support team. He was part of the village that got me across that finish line when every fiber of my being was ready to quit at mile 20. Recently, he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in his leg.  He has been undergoing chemotherapy, and has begun his long fight ahead.  As many of you can imagine, the cost of healthcare is astronomical, especially the costs that accompany extensive treatment and doctors visits. After Sugarloaf, I thought I was done with racing. But to return the favor of his unconditional love, support, and loyalty, I’ve decided to come out of racing retirement. I’ll step on the line at the Old Port Half in Portland, ME in June, and chase one of my lifetime goals of breaking 1:33:00 in the 1/2 marathon. As the biggest part and motivator of this project, I’m starting this gofundme to raise money to help him and his family defray the cost of his treatment and surgery.  My fundraising goal is a minimum of $2000.  I’m sure he’ll be more disappointed if I don’t break 1:33 than if I don’t raise the $2000, so if you’re in Boston, and you run, get in touch with me and keep me on track. But also, please donate, because the fight against cancer isn’t a one man battle, it takes a village.