Five days post marathon and I am still a little sore, but otherwise feel pretty good. I’ll probably even go for a short run today or tomorrow – crazy right?

Just a few quick (final) updates:

Martin W. Richard Charitable Foundation – Team MR8 Fundraising Total

As of today, my fundraising total is $10,732 and the Team MR team fundraising total is $1.12M. This is all in the span of less than three months existing as a foundation. I have been a charity runner for over 10 years and this was my 7th time running a marathon for charity – never have I seen a response quite like this. Thank you to all who have donated! And if you haven’t yet but would still like to, here is the link: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/LauraDonia/team-mr8-boston-marathon-2014. Martin Richard’s life was cut too short, but thanks to all of the resources that we were able to raise, Martin’s message of peace will make an impact in the lives of many for years to come.

Pictures!

I have created a video of all of the pictures that I (or others) have taken over the last three months. Some of you are in these pictures so enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f_N4VBXpxMw

What’s Next?

Good question! I’m not entirely sure. I am planning to run the Boston Run to Remember Half Marathon at the end of May, the B.A.A. 10K in June, the Smuttynose Half Marathon in October, and the B.A.A. Half Marathon in October. (If I complete both the B.A.A 10K and Half Marathon I will have completed all four B.A.A. events in 2014). You can follow my running saga here if you are interested: http://www.railtrailrunner.com

As for Boston next year – I just don’t know. I had said this would be my last, but my experience with Team MR8 was just so inspiring I may have to go back next year. Or I may train a little harder and see if I have a BQ in me for 2016. So right now I don’t know but don’t be surprised if you hear from me again next winter! Regardless of whether I run the marathon or not, I do hope to stay involved in the Martin W. Richard Charitable Foundation in some way. Be on the look out for some great things that the foundation has planned. If you have ideas that support peace in athletics, education, or community, or are interested in following their progress, you can check in here: http://www.teammr8.org.

Thank You!

I know I’ve said this a million times already, but really I just don’t feel like it’s been enough. So once again, thank you all so much – whether you donated to my fundraiser, beeped at me when I ran, sent me an encouraging email/text/Facebook post, cheered for me very loudly on Marathon Monday or put up with my insanely crazy behavior for 3-4 months – thank you for it all. And I would be remiss if I did not especially thank my brother Gary at Nashoba Valley Medical Center for fixing my very painful foot in time to get me back on track with training, J. Ashley Jewelry for supporting an amazing fundraiser, and my parents, my in-laws, and Mike, Ryan and Adyson for all of their love, support, help, and sacrifices, and for giving me the time I needed to heal my heart. I could not have done this without them.

“No more hurting people. Peace” ~ Martin Richard (8)

“Darkness cannot drive out darkness; only light can do that. Hate cannot drive out hate; only love can do that.” ~ Martin Luther King, Jr.

With much love and peace always,

Laura