Gratitude

I am full of thanks today.

Thank you to my co-workers who showed me that non-runners can become marathoners.

Thank you to my parents for instilling in me the crazy little voice that told me I could sign up to do this.

Thank you to Bottom Line for the opportunity to run with the world's most incredible team, and to raise awareness for a cause that I feel so strongly about.

Thank you to my Marathon Coalition teammates and coaches, who are a constant source of positivity.

Thanks especially to Charlotte, Jess, Natalie, Ginnie, Meredith, Dan, Shaina, Holly, Sue, Sam, Dani, Pat, Lori, and Chad for being the reason I get out of bed on Saturdays and for their willingness to talk for hours about anything and everything.

Thank you to all the people in my life who have patiently respected my training schedule the last two winters, which often meant I was absent, or late, or distracted (or ravenously hungry).

Thank you to everyone who has cheered me from the sidelines during races and regular runs.

Thank you to everyone who has run with me, and those who have pushed me through the toughest days.

Thank you to every person who has donated a single dollar or single minute of their time to supporting our cause.

Thank you to the woman who draped a blanket around my shoulders as I shivered in the immediate aftermath of last year's attack.

Thank you to all of the volunteers, first responders, and law enforcement officers who helped restore our sense of community and safety in the following hours and days.

Thank you to the many town officials and coordinators who have worked tirelessly for the last year to preserve the spirit and safety of the 2014 marathon.

Lastly, thank you to everyone who will hang around the sidelines until we arrive this Monday. Those of us who were unable to finish last year will be at the very back of the pack, and I personally will appreciate every single spectator out there.

Thank you all. See you Monday.