Yesterday I ran the first race of my life – Philadelphia’s half marathon. It was completely exhilarating. The crowds were awesome and my mix totally kept me going. I was singing (or at least mouthing the words) through most of the run. The end result is one small blister and a whole lotta pride. I can’t wait to do it again. Maybe a marathon; who knows?
My time was 1:51:53! I ran it in under 2 hours (a secret goal).
I want to thank the following people for donating to stop MS, a cause that is very close to my heart.
Julie & Coye Cheshire
Tim Mahoney
Karen & Paul Harris
Rich White
Lauren Hancock
Liz Brennan
Linda Demmler
Ellie & Ali Jarvie
Carolyn Heckman
Jenn & Hayes Davis
Liz Bartels
Joanna Lopinto
Denel Kopf
Eric Gerst
Drew O’Neill
Claire Malden
Anne MacKenzie
Michael O’ Neil
Rebecca Karp
Jana Colgin
The Karabell Family
Tony & Karyn Heyl
Deena O’Neill
Mike & Stacy Costa
Alison Bell
Emily Conn Gantman
My fabulous mother, Dorothy Childers, who donated and spread the effort to Maryland:
Brian Jacobs
Jane Tribbitt
Jerry Kappes
Kathleen Cramer
Bernie & Janet Nelson
Peggy Mullen
Joan O’Day
Lois Dolby
Su Mei Prete
Mike Kappes
Eunice Rollings
Mark Thompson and Iron Hill in Media for putting on the Give 20 which raised almost $350
the Neill Family
Jeff Martin & the Martin Family
Race day highlights:
- Riding with Denel and Mrs. Freeland to the city
- Hanging out at the MS tent before and after the race
- Hand warmers. So clutch!
- Waiting only slightly forever for a port-a-potty before the run
- Singing along to “A Little Less Conversation” (JXL remix) down the Ben Franklin Parkway
- Sign: “Chuck Norris never ran a marathon”
- High fiving a guy in a chicken costume
- Hearing strangers yell “Go, Alison!” (the name on my black market race bib)
- Singing along to “Baby Got Back” through University City
- Sign: “You paid to do this?”
- Seeing Mrs. Kopf. Twice!
- Singing along to Kanye’s “Stronger” by the zoo
- Sign: “Run if you’re horny”
- Taking the split to the finish line rather than mile 14
- Hearing Timmy yell “L Doc!” on the home stretch
- Grinning like a fool while crossing the finish line
- Meeting some of the other MS KarmaStriders
- Laughing with team captain, Paul Goldstone
- Seeing Dave Gloss after the race
- The fantastic bath when I got home
- Surpassing my goal of $1500 and raising over $2100 for the fight against Multiple Sclerosis
It’s not too late to donate. The National Multiple Sclerosis Society will use funds collected from your pledge to support cutting edge research projects, as well as provide programs which address the needs of people living with MS today. Because we can do something about MS and donations to the National Multiple Sclerosis Society are helping to change the world right now, we are getting closer to the hour when no one will have to hear the words, “You have MS.”
“I run because I can. When I get tired, I remember those who can’t run, what they’d give to have this simple gift I take for granted, and I run harder for them. I know they would do the same for me.”
~ Anonymous
