The big day is here.  The Boston Athletic Association is nervous about runners being safe in what could be the hottest day the race has seen, well, in its history.  So we are all being reminded hourly to take it very slow.  And that's exactly what I plan on doing.  While thinking about all the support I have received, and our Bottom Line team has received, over the months of training.  

Thank you. 

Right on Hereford.

Left on Boylston.  

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With the Boston Marathon just 6 days away, I would like your attention one last time.

First, for those who have given, thank you.  I am as ready as I’ll ever be for 26.2 miles on Monday.  I have learned a lot about my body over my four months of training.  At one point it more or less broke down, and since then I’ve had a team of medical pros helping me put it back together so I can finish the race.  Consequently my training has involved as much swimming as running, but I’m getting healthier and healthier each day.  To put it in car terminology, my engine is stronger than ever, even if the chassis needs a fair bit of work.  I won’t be aiming for the time I was expecting before the body broke down. If you thought, as my cousin Glenn did, that your check only gets cashed if I win, think again.  But I’m going to finish this thing and that’s what counts.

More important than any of my running news, I have raised 9,000 dollars for Bottom Line, and I could not be prouder of all of us for supporting this organization.  Last week Rainey and I attended the Bottom Line annual dinner and it was simply amazing.  The student speakers were inspiring.  These Boston kids, many of them against incredible odds, are going to college and they are succeeding.  Bottom Line helped them get in, and Bottom Line counselors are keeping them on track and focused so that they graduate and then go far in the world.  In short, these kids are moving themselves and their families into the middle class because of their hard work, and with Bottom Line’s guidance.

I am still hoping to raise another $1,000 to bring my grand total to $10,000.  For those of you who have not yet given, I am asking for your donation.  So far I have received support from teenagers and grandparents of teenagers.  From runners and walkers and sitters.  From former colleagues, close friends and family, and from friends of friends who simply decided this cause was worth supporting.  Sophia’s Grotto, Russo’s Market, and The Daily Show stepped up big time to support my fundraising.  And even public radio workers took a break from asking for money to give some money themselves.  I’d love to see some new people join the list of donors.

You can send a check, made out to Bottom Line, to me at 41 Amherst Street, Boston, MA 02131. Or give through my Crowdrise fundraising site, here.

This has been quite a journey for me, and I would not have even made it past the first mile without my community of well-wishers and supporters.  I can’t thank you enough for your generosity and encouragement.  Although, of course, this isn’t really about me, but about the students who are working so hard for something most of us take for granted. If I reach my goal, we will help another ten first-generation college students Get in, Graduate, and Go Far.

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I am running the Boston Marathon this coming Patriots' Day (April 16, 2012) to raise funds for an organization in which Rainey and I deeply believe: Bottom Line.  I am hoping that you can donate in support of my effort.

I expect you have several questions:

1) With me being among the slowest runners you know, do you have to donate a certain amount of money for every minute it takes me to finish the marathon?

2) Does this mean whenever you see me you will have to listen to my cracking joints and groaning? 

3) What is the bottom line on Bottom Line?

Relax.

1) You can simply make a donation via this website. You don't have to worry about how long it will take me to run the course.

2) Yes.  But isn't this already the case?

3) Bottom Line has been giving one-on-one support to students in Boston public high schools for 14 years.  These are low-income students whose parents were not able to attend college.  And The Bottom Line has had great success, in large part because not only do work with the students through high school, they also continue to work with them during their years in college, and help them land their first jobs after graduation.  My cousin Greg Johnson took over the program a few years back, and now he has expanded Bottom Line to Worcester and New York City.  Rainey and I have met and heard the stories of some of the students, and we are always impressed and moved.  You can read some success stories here.

If you know me, you know that while I do not have any kids of my own, I care greatly about all the children in my life.  Our support for Bottom Line comes from our deep belief that communities need to do right by all the children in our midst, not just those that share our bloodlines.  It costs Bottom Line approximately $1,000 to support one student for 1 year.  I have committed to raising $6,000, but I am aiming to raise $10,000.  That would support 10 students.  

So please give generously, and help me start off on the right foot. 

BOTTOM LINE INC wrote -

Bottom Line was founded in 1997 to help low-income and first-generation students get in to college, graduate from college, and go far in life. Since then, we have provided one-on-one guidance and mentoring to thousands of high school and college students. This year, we will be providing personalized support to nearly 2,000 students across Massachusetts and New York.

Bottom Line's 2012 Boston Marathon Team will run 26.2 miles on April 16th (plus a few hundred more during training) as a way to contribute to our organization and the students we support. We're hoping to raise more than $75,000 this year through our marathon team, which makes a huge impact on our organization.

I hope you'll consider making a contribution to the team or a specific runner.

Thank you. Whatever you can contribute will help our students get in, graduate, and go far!