Angel Wings Took Me To The Finish Line

    10 Running Feet....and a couple pairs of hind paws.



I ran my 2nd of 5 Marathons for Zachary on Saturday.  A nice 26.2 mile race on C&O Path.  Also happened to be a Boston Marathon Qualifying Course.

I couldn't believe my eyes when it was all said and done either.  Was I really capable of that time?, I thought as I looked down at my Garmin.  Running through the finish line I was in awe.  Amazed that I not only was able to acheive my goal, but I far exceeded my own expectations.

3 months ago, June 15, I ran the 1st of 5 marathons in Philadelphia.  I finished that race in 3:46, which I considered to be a huge victory.  How did I improve my time by 13 minutes? I wondered after the race finished on Saturday.  Something even stranger, which I'm just realizing as I type, I improved my time by 13 minutes from my last race.  I was the 13th Marathoner to cross the finish line and it was my 13th Marathon.  Who ever said 13 was unlucky clearly didn't plan this situation.  (One EXTRA SPECIAL number coincidence.  Zachary's Birthday was March 4...3/4...take a look at the picture next to you....I think there were Angel wings flying me to the finish line). 

The truth is, I know exactly how I finished this race with my best time ever.  A few things.

1)  I trained my butt off.  Running faster, longer runs throughout the week.  Running 55 to 60 miles per week for 5 months.  Running sometimes 3 times a day.

2)  My diet, although sometimes there were failed meals/days, was ridiculously restricted to a ton of robust green vegetables (kale, brussel sprouts, zucchini, mushrooms), chia and flax seeds, soy and fish.  Throw in some wine and dark chocolate for good measure and balance and that was my food life.  Exciting huh?

3)  Having a purpose that went beyond myself.  Running for Zachary's memory and doing this for him and his family has been a powerful inspiration.  More than I expected it to be.  I'm very grateful for this experience and happy that it's just the beginning of 8 months of being able to celebrate his life.  From now until March (well, if I get into Boston Marathon - fingers crossed - then we'll continue into April) I am beyond thrilled to give and receive such positive support and encouragement in so many different ways from so many different people.  This is what makes our world a better place to live and what makes the impossible turn into reality.

NEXT UP?  The Glory Days 5k at Bull Run Park with the 2 sets of smaller running feet, Aidan and Carter.  They will be running their 4th and 2nd 5K races (and the furry feet if they let them in).  There's still space to register.  It's never too late to make a difference in your life, your kids' lives, your community's...you name it.  Come join us! 
http://www.prraces.com/glorydays/

Don't forget, you can donate to support our project too!  Click on the link below to go to our Donation Page. 
http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise?fcid=261373

Colleen
 

10 Running Feet photo

 

That pretty much sums it all up, eh?

 

10 Running Feet....plus a couple pairs of hind paws.  :)

10 Races for 10 Years - Remembering Zachary: Race Schedule and Details!

Want to run a 5K or a Marathon with us?

This is our Cause: 

10 Races for 10 Years
5 Marathons
5 5ks
By March, 2014 to celebrate Zachary's 10th Birthday

• Zachary was tragically killed when he was 14 months old.  We want to honor his life and celebrate his 10th Birthday by running 10 Races for 10 Years.
• Our goal is to come together as a family and invite other neighbors/friends/family in the community to celebrate with us. 
• This Project is about celebrating Zach's life through physical fitness, community, and family togetherness.  Coming together to raise money and awareness for amazing people and such a worthy cause.

Run with us and/or Sponsor us!  $.10 or $10 per mile, whatever you want to give.
http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise?fcid=261373


All donations go to Marley's Mission:  http://www.marleysmission.com/
Marley's Mission is a non profit organization that provides equine-based therapy to children who have experienced trauma.

Here's our race schedule!

Five Marathon Races to finish by March 2014

1)      ½ Sauer ½ Kraut in Philly – June 15, 2013 – FINISHED
2)      International Peace Marathon – September 14, 2013
http://www.oarevents.com/events/2013/Trail_Running_Rampage_2013.shtml
3)      Potomac Marathon – November 17, 2013
http://www.safetyandhealthfoundation.org/marathon/
4)      Run with the Dogs 26.2 – March, 16, 2014
5)      B and A Trail Marathon - March 30, 2014


Five 5K Races to finish by March 2014

1)      Glory Days 5K – October 12, 2013
http://www.prraces.com/glorydays/register/
2)      Virginia Run Turkey Trot – November 28, 2013
https://runsignup.com/Race/VA/Centreville/2013VirginiaRunThanksgivingDayTurkeyTrot

3)     Santa 5k at Bull Run – January 1, 2014
4)      Lucky Leprechaun 5k - March 30, 2014
http://www.prraces.com/luckyleprechaun/
5)  Centreville Neighborhood 5K - March 29th

MORE OF THIS RACE TO FOLLOW - Start and end in Centreville, a community race to raise money for Marley's Mission!

Inaugural Post: 10 Running Feet running 10 Races for 10 Years to Remember Zachary

This is Zachary.  This blog is for him and his family.

 

 

Zachary (a.k.a. Meatball) was tragically killed at the hand of an abuser when he was 14 months old.  His killer was convicted, sentenced and remains in jail. On March 6, 2014, Zachary would have turned 10.  Zachary's Mom wanted to celebrate his 10th Birthday in a BIG way with Remembering Zachary - The Project.  https://www.facebook.com/#!/notes/chrissy-marie-mclaughlin/remembering-zachary-the-project-3/10151280772967687.  His Mom asked friends and family to do something special to celebrate his life.  Keep reading to find out how my family and I fit into this project and how we decided to be involved.

This is Chrissy.  She's Zachary's Mom.



Chrissy has been my friend for 12 years.  We met when I was pregnant with Aidan, my oldest son.  Her daughter and Aidan are three months apart and have obviously known eachother their entire almost 12 years of life.  We were both young Moms and hit it off right away.  Chrissy had Zach 5 months after my younger son, Carter, was born.  Zachary's death was a shock to us all.  A Mommy should never have to deal with that.  Chrissy was on a mission to make a difference and make sure that Zach had a permanent handprint on this world.  Chrissy became a mover and a shaker.   She started C.H.I.L.D. https://www.facebook.com/childorg whose mission is to raise awareness of child abuse and promote prevention.  A huge milestone happened this year with Zachary's Law.  Zachary's Law gives someone convicted of 3rd degree murder on a child 13 years or less an extra 2 years of sentencing in the state of Pennsylvania.   She's pretty Bad Ass right?  :)  She's also really involved in this organization called Marley's Mission....more on that to follow too.  :)

This is ME.  I like to Run. 

 

 

A lot.

 

 

Some would say Obsessively.

 

These are my constant Running Partners, never leave home without them.

And These are My Favorite Racing Buddies

So, all together, we have 10 Running Feet....and two sets of hind paws. :)

This past June, I was running a Marathon and met this man (shameless plug!!!)

http://marathonman.com.au/

We ran for a mile or so together and he told me that his Mother died of cancer and he was embarking on this adventure to raise money and awareness in her honor.  He loves running a little too.  :) 

Folks, that's when it just CLICKED. Chrissy asked her friends to do something special to honor Zachary's birthday and I wanted to prior to this race but didn't know how or what to do. After I met Marathon Man, I knew that I wanted to incorporate the things I love and hold dear and make that part of the cause.

Running is a huge part of my life. I love running by myself with my dogs but also with my two boys, Aidan and Carter. Our goal is this:

Run

I will run 5 marathons (1st one already ran in June when meeting Marathon Man - so 4 more to go!)

The boys and I together along with anyone else who wants to come out! will run 5 5k races

5 Marathons + 5 5ks =

10 Races for 10 Years of Remembering Zachary. Making his life even more meaningful than it has already been proven to be.

WANT TO JOIN OUR ADVENTURE????

 

I'll blog later about all the races we are running, run along with us!!! 

Don't want to run but want to show support and make a difference?  SPONSOR OUR RUNNING! Donate $.10 for every mile or $10 for every mile! Your donations go towards such a worthy cause! (See below)  Visit our Donation Site HERE:  http://www.stayclassy.org/fundraise?fcid=261373

This is Marley's Mission

In Zachary's Mom, Chrissy's words, here's what they do and what they mean to her:

Marley's Mission is a non profit organization that provides equine-based therapy to children who have experienced trauma.

The Mission has made Zachary a part of their family from the very beginning. Each year, Marley's Mission gives out the Remembering Zachary Award. The award is given to someone who brings greater awareness to child abuse and the protection of children. It's only fitting that they are helping me to celebrate Zachary's birthday by giving him a home there as well.

Any amount you'd like to donate would not only be amazing, but it would be deeply appreciated. Your support means that Zachary will be remembered and he will have his very own spot at Marley's Mission.