When I first got married in 1988, we lived in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, not far from my in-laws. By chance, the NYC Marathon ran by the end of the block that they lived on. Like every other New Yorker, you stood there cheering on the runners, big or tall, fast or slow, because of their tenacity just to even attempt such a ghastly fate as running 26.2 miles. And, like a lot of other New Yorkers, you get inspired by these people. Enough so, you proclaim “I’m going to be INSIDE those ropes one day”, taking on the five-borough challenge. Most who said it, it was just hopeful words.
Fast-forward 17 years later to 2005. My good friend, Glenn, presented me with the challenge of running a half-marathon (13.1) with him. A mere two weeks later (and having never run more than seven miles EVER), I did it! And, in under two hours. I was SO proud of myself! Then, two years later in 2007, my same friend decided we should kick things up a notch and run a marathon. Not just any marathon, mind you, but, THE NYC MARATHON…my dream. Having entered the lottery to try and obtain a bib/number for this coveted event, we came up empty-handed. As luck would have it, I reached out to a client whose hospital had a Charity Team with two spots available…SOLD!
While the training for the unknown was scary and daunting, I did it! I cried after crossing the finish line…having accomplished something only 1/10 of 1% of all people in the world have ever done! Thinking, like the majority of marathon runners, I was one and done, not wanting to go through the brutality, once again, of training for hours on end. I framed my shiny new medal with pride and checked off my bucket list item.
Then, in 2008, I heard Beth Stern, Howard’s wife, on his show talking about starting a NYC Marathon Team for North Shore Animal League America (NSALA), the largest no-kill shelter in the U.S. As a kid growing up on Long Island, EVERYONE knew of the League. Tempted to lace up my sneakers one more time for this great cause, I contacted NSALA and expressed my interest. Long story short, I not only joined the Team, but they also made me Captain due to my vast (one marathon) experience. I took on this role, like I do everything else, FAST and FURIOUS! Fast-forward 14 years later, I am still the Captain, still running the NYC Marathon, and MY Team has raised over $2M for NSALA!
However, November 5th, 2023 was also one of my proudest personal accomplishments, as I finished not only my 38th marathon but my 15th CONSECUTIVE NYC MARATHON, joining an Elite Group of about 200+ people in the world who are currently on this Streak!
Looking back, the countless miles and endless dedication to the sport, has made me a better person. From the hundreds of people who have been on my Team to help me achieve our fundraising goals to the thousands of people who have taken this journey with me, whether family, friends, fellow runners, spectators who line the streets cheering me on, etc., I am forever grateful.
On Sunday, November 3rd, 2024, I will be embarking on my 16th NYC Marathon and my 39th marathon overall!
More importantly, it will be my 15th year running on Team Animal League, savings lives on behalf of North Shore Animal League America, the world's largest no-kill animal rescue and adoption organization.
Once again, I'll be running my 26.2 on behalf of those less fortunate. Only through your generosity can we continue to help both families and pets alike.
About North Shore Animal League America: Since 1944, North Shore Animal League America has been working to rescue, nurture and adopt pets into permanent, loving homes. To date, they have rescued over 1,000,000 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens.
