I am fortunate to be running the Boston Marathon this April as part of Team Framingham 2023! I am raising money for Jeff's Place, which is an amazing organization in Framingham, Massachusetts that supports hope and healing in a supportive community for grieving children, teens, families, and individuals. If you can, please donate to my fundraising project on GivenGain!  

My running story: I started running when I was a kid and it has always been a part of my life.  My dad was part of a running club when I was growing up and it just seemed to make sense that I would run too.  I have countless fond memories of running with friends over the years, in races of varying distances, but the best memories are running with my dad. Everything from specific routes that we would go in our hometown, to running the same race every winter in Rhode Island. I ran my first marathon with my dad running the half marathon that day and when we lost each other up a hill he spotted me once more and wished me good luck.  He had a few miles left and I probably had 17 more to go, but that encouragement definitely helped me cross the finish line.  My dad and I got to run one full marathon together a few years back, which definitely had some unforgettable moments. We may not run long distances together now, but our walks with the dog are still pretty great! 

I am also a mom of 3 young kids and they are pretty used to me going out for a run and coming to cheer me on at a race. I am looking forward to the day that one of them wants to actually go for a jog with me! A shout out to my incredible husband who has embraced Saturday long runs for years and juggled our family responsibilities, never complaining (okay maybe a little complaining), and always encouraging. I would not be able to make this race happen in April without my family being on board. This will be my 7th marathon and I am so incredibly thankful for the opportunity to be part of Team Framingham and looking forward showing up on the course this April.

Why Team Framingham? This is my 17th year working at Keefe Tech, the Career and Technical High School located in Framingham.  I began my career at Keefe Tech as a School Counselor right out of graduate school and am currently the Director of Guidance and Admissions.  I am proud to represent our school and raise funds for such a worthy organization in the Framingham community by partnering with Jeff's Place.  I chose Jeff's Place because I think the space and resources they are providing to so many individuals and families is incredibly essential for the community.  I also think there is something powerful about using the act of running to represent an organization who is building community and connections after someone experiences a loss. Over the years, running has provided a space for me to work through feelings and challenges, build confidence and self-esteem, while at the same time allowing me to create memories that are such an integral part of my life and who I am. Running is always there for you, you just have to show up and put one foot in front of the other.  It feels right to raise funds for Jeff's Place and support their work in normalizing the grieving process and vision that "no one should grieve alone."

The Framingham community has been great to me over the past 17 years and counting and I feel lucky to have the chance to give back in a different way and use something that I love to make that happen.  Thank you for taking the time to read my story and making a donation if you are able.