More information and today's loong run...

Two things for the bliggity blog today--
1. More information on where the funds I am raising are going to, and what exactly they'll be used for.
2. Today's long run with one Caitlin Andrews.

First, where your donated money goeth...

All money being raised by yours truly for the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (AND all the money raised by the other runners--go figure!) is going directly to the Claudia Adams Barr Program. the program is focused on innovative cancer research. A little extra history--the program was started in 1987 by Claudia's daughter Delores Barr Weaver and her husband Wayne, to commemorate Claudia, who was taken by cancer 50 years ago.

This year, the team, which is made of 550 people, that is running on behalf of DFMC has an overall goal of $4.5 million--ALL of which will go directly to the program. An interesting side note: This is more than $175,000 being raised PER MILE of the marathon. Incredible! I have never felt so strongly a part of something so good--and we are raising enough money to truly make a difference. A little at a time, and a little by every person does go a long way, it seems.

If you haven't yet donated, and would like to do so, please visit the DFMC website, which is located at www.rundfmc.org, then click the support a runner tab. Type in my name and follow the instructions on how to donate online. If you'd rather send a check, please make it out to the "Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge" and mail it to me at my home address: 404 West Broadway, Apt 2, South Boston, MA 02127.

To our second topic!

This morning (a lovely warm NE day, probably near 50) I ran the long run with Caitlin Andrews. Caitlin is also running for Dana-Farber this year, and it will be her first marathon as well, so we are good company on these runs. I had mapped out a route from Mass General Hospital by the Longfellow Bridge that took us down Comm Ave to Kenmore and Fenway, then out on Brookline to loop around Jamaica Pond and Arnold Arboretum. (A more scenic run in the summer when the trees have leaves, but beggars can't be choosers.) Though we may have gotten turned around a few times, we managed to avoid getting truly lost, and trundled our way home merrily, a solid 13.25 (or so) miles under our belts. We've both signed up to run a 16-miler (Boston prep) on January 27, so the next few weeks will need to be good ones and high in mileage.