Life is Good - Heidi

I can't remember what the subject of conversation was at the dinner table one night this week, but my 11-year-old son, Christopher, turned around to flash the “Life is Good” logo on the back of his shirt. I think that sums up my feelings as I read the blog comments and hear the words of encouragement around the Hospital. I felt a little panicked when the word was spread at Newton-Wellesley about Martha and me running the Marathon. I couldn't help but feel that now that the word was out about our undertaking, there was more pressure to succeed. It is a good kind of pressure, however, and such a great feeling to have so many warm wishes and words of support.

My first comment was from my lovely running teammate Stephanie from the Suburban Striders. I did my first 10-mile run ever with Stephanie this fall before the Boston Half Marathon. When we completed that run, I felt a sense that it might really be possible to complete a full marathon. The Friday before the race, she left a goodie bag at my house with tissues and “goo” and other race necessities. Stephanie is one of about forty awesome women who make up this running club that I am now fortunate to be a member of. It is an incredibly supportive group. We meet once a week for a track workout where our phenomenal coach Cathy helps us fulfill our potential (when she can keep us from chatting). Members of the group share information about upcoming races, training and also meet for long runs at other times of the week. You can check out the website at www.suburbanstriders.com.

Before I had even let them know about the blog, my high-tech savvy in-laws discovered it and sent words of encouragement. Elise, a friend from college posted a note but even better let my best friend from seventh and eighth grade know about the site so that I got back in touch with her by email. I have two cousins in California that are like sisters to me and loved hearing from both of them this week. I work with a great group of people at Newton-Wellesley OB/GYN. My nurse Mary (who I could not live without) was talking to a family member about the Marathon who has run Boston. He sent in words of wisdom about not over-training (which is a recurrent theme from those in the know) and his own copy of Runner's World Magazine. Thank you Paul!

In summary, I feel lucky to have so many supportive people behind us. Thank you to everyone who has said something, sent in a blog comment or personal email. Thank you to my husband and son who are going to drive the two of us to Hopkinton tomorrow morning so that we can run back to Wellesley. The Marathon is just nine weeks away and we're going to need all of your collective strength to make it the full 26.2 miles.