I'm very excited to be running the 2012 Boston Marathon on April 16th!  This will be my 4th year running and 3rd year running with the GoKids Boston Charity Team. GoKids, a UMass Boston Charity, is a state-of-the-art health and fitness center for low income, multi-ethnic children. The great work and research they do includes teaching children about nutrition and fitness in a supportive environment. Their incredible dedication inspires me to cross that finish line.  Please consider donating to this amazing center.

Thank you so much to my friends and family for their continued support. Also, a big shout out to the Angel & Devil - thank you for your coaching and wisdom during this training season and past seasons as well.  You kick our butts, but you make the hard work fun!

One more week - I can't believe it!  I'm feeling very grateful that I get to run the Boston Marathon for such an amazing organization. :)

On Saturday, March 31st, I got to spend some time with great friends at an amazing fundraiser. The ride home was very entertaining thanks to Caitlin & Nicole (and I think Cher was in the backseat too?).  Guys, this week's song dedication goes to you two.  And it's: "Somebody That I Used To Know" by Gotye... and I think you know why.... oh yes I stooped, I stooped, I stooped, oh yes I stooped....

Past song dedications include:

"Stronger" by Kelly Clarkson and it goes out to all Boston Marathon charity runners.    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Xn676-fLq7I 

"Yellow" by Coldplay and it seemed fitting after running 17 miles dressed as the yellow Power Ranger:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PvqsglkZsR4 

Before that it was one of my new favorites,  "This is War" by Ingrid Michaelson, dedicated to Heartbreak Hill.  Here you go, HH, this one is for you: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KEQfM31dSeM

CheckCheHere's some more information about the GoKids organization from UMass Boston:

GoKids Boston, a key strategic initiative of Chancellor Keith Motley, was founded at UMass Boston in 2006 in collaboration with Children's Hospital Boston to advance the science relating exercise to youth health and wellness and to become a local leader in combating the obesity epidemic. 

GoKids Boston's unique youth fitness, training, and research center based at the University of Massachusetts Boston's College of Nursing and Health Sciences strives to 1) reduce the impact of obesity on children, families, and communities through service research partnerships, 2) improve children's lives through fitness and supportive relationships, and 3) enlist youth and professionals as health ambassadors.  

GoKids provides low income, multi-ethnic youth with engaging physical activity and nutrition education programs aimed at preventing and treating obesity and chronic disease in our safe and supportive environment (a 5,300 square foot fitness center.)  Equally important, we provide a training center where College of Nursing and Health Sciences faculty and students produce significant research.  The center exemplifies a health promotion-focused youth development program by translating current science into innovative programs and by collaborating with primary care providers, schools, and other community resources.