126th Boston Marathon Training Recap

“Ask yourself: Can I give more? The answer is usually, ‘yes'”.

Paul Tergat

Training for the 126th Boston Marathon is the dream of any runner. It is like the preparation for the final game of a championship. The only goal for this cycle was: do not fuck this up! Dissecting this directive a little further, it meant: 1) don’t fuck this up, 2) Toe the line 100% healthy, and 3) finish the race.

Since I came to find out for sure that running the Boston Marathon was a “go”, I only had 13 weeks of specific training. I only had 4 weeks of build-up prior to confirmation.

While my training was conservative and just on the edge of taking a step back to avoid any possibility of injuries and time off from running, it didn’t neglect hill training, speed, and tempo training that allowed me to push my limits. My hill training took part in Clermont. I designated four long runs in Clermont to help me get adjusted to up and downhill running. On one of my Saturday Clermont runs, I met one of the fastest double amputee in the USA, Marko Cheseto. He was kind enough to stop for a quick chat and for a pic. He gave me the boost I needed, and I will never forget him asking me if I was training for Boston. It felt so good to say, yes, I am!

Marko and I training in the hills of Clermont

One month before the race, my left calf was acting up as it normally does. I felt acute tightness every time I started to run. Having done all the recovery methods I knew to do, the only option was to go to the doctor and find out if there was something that I was missing.

It turns out that the best alternative was to give it a rest and do an ultrasound for possible blood clots. My doctor’s theory was to rule out any possible blood clot due to COVID-19 exposure, infection, or due to vaccination side effects. I am happy to say that my ultrasound came up clean and all that I needed was to rest and slow down the inflammation.

To get the anxiety out of the way, I decided to run the Tomoka Half Marathon five weeks out to Boston. It was my only option, and I knew it would be essential to have the physical and mental prep since it had been 2 years (thanks to Covid) since I had raced or participated in a live race event. However, the primary prize was Boston, and Tomoka Half was nothing more than a glorified long run and an opportunity to practice race week management, nutrition, sleep, and race energy management. I am happy to say that I managed the race well despite the 68F degrees at the start (6:30 a.m.) with a steady 94% humidity. It took about 4-5 miles for my body to get acclimated and for my mind to find peace. I was never shooting for a PR, and I can say that at 1:55:45 (8:50 pace) was just as great as PR.

Running is truly a TEAM sport. I am so lucky to have the best TEAM supporting, encouraging, guiding, and teaching me to be a stronger runner and better person. My TEAM includes my doctors, physical therapist, chiropractors, friends, family, and of course, my husband. I could not have done it without him. Thanks to his support and coaching, I had the BEST marathon training cycle to date. I was fully healthy and in peak performance to give Boston my very best. Boston is the best and deserves our best.

I am ready for Boston!

Boston Marathon Charity Runner: the Joe Andruzzi Foundation

It is a true honor to be presented with the opportunity to run the 126th Boston Marathon as a charity runner for the Joe Andruzzi Foundation. I will forever be grateful to the gentle soul and friend who has helped me to become a Boston Marathoner while helping over 436 cancer patients become the recipient of monetary grants that will help them go through the financial burdens that cancer treatment presents. You are my hero!

The Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF) is a registered non-profit organization committed to providing help, hope, and a reason to smile, for New England cancer patients and their families by contributing financial support when it is needed most.

JAF provides direct financial assistance through the distribution of grants and gift cards, which cover basic non-medical needs, including housing, food, transportation, and utilities, that patients and caregivers impacted by cancer often find themselves unable to afford. JAF recognizes the hidden costs of cancer that can negatively impact a cancer patient’s health outcome and strives to alleviate this financial stress.

HOW JAF MAKES A DIFFERENCE

JAF provides direct financial assistance through the distribution of grants and gift cards, which cover basic non-medical needs, including housing, food, transportation, and utilities, that patients and caregivers impacted by cancer often find themselves unable to afford.

FACTS in 2020…

• JAF distributed more than $848,000 in direct financial assistance, impacting more than 3,100 people affected by cancer.

• JAF provided additional support to over 280 patients and their family members through participation in (Up)Beat opportunities and patient navigation.

• 48% of the funding JAF provided through direct financial assistance was used to stabilize housing – helping with a mortgage, rental payments, and taxes.

• Nearly half of distributed JAF grants helped patients and families who reported living on $25,000 or less – the amount an average family income can drop to following a cancer diagnosis.

• JAF also believes that sometimes laughter can be the best medicine and aims to help families forget the burdens of treatment, if only for a day, through fun, laughter, and good times through their (Up)Beat outings.

WHAT IS THE HIDDEN COST OF CANCER OR “FINANCIAL TOXICITY”?

In addition to the physical impact, there is also a “hidden cost of cancer” that many people do not realize. Following a cancer diagnosis, many patients and their families face a dramatic decrease in household income because one adult must stop working or significantly reduce their hours to care for themselves or a loved one.

This loss of income, combined with a significant increase in out-of-pocket expenses related to treatment, creates a stressful situation for the family battling the disease. This economic distress is known as financial toxicity and can have a negative impact on a cancer patient’s health outcome.

• 42% of new cancer patients lose their entire life savings in two years because of treatment, losing $92,098 on average

• 62% of cancer patients are in debt because of their treatment, with 55% pf them owing at least $10,000

• Cancer patients are 2.65x more likely to file for bankruptcy than non-cancer patients

• Cancer patients who filed for bankruptcy had a 79% greater risk of death than patients who did not file for bankruptcy

JAF CONNECTS WITH PATIENTS

JAF partners with social workers and patient navigators at over 120 healthcare facilities throughout New England to identify patients who are experiencing financial distress to help them apply for assistance through the Foundation’s Financial Assistance Program, Pediatric Assistance Program, and Extraordinary Needs Fund, or Food Security Program.

My heart is so grateful for all the loving, messages, and generous donation I have received during this campaign. I can’t thank everyone enough!

Together, we can make this world a better place.

The Boston Marathon Dream

Boston Marathon Finish Line

LeftonBoylstonst blog was born out of my desire and relentless pursuit of one day the top of the mountain: the Boston Marathon. Its purpose was to document my journey and to keep myself accountable through this long process. It feels unreal that I am finally publishing the story of this dream and how it has come to life.

The day after running the Baystate Marathon in 2019, I had to see and feel the finish line of the Boston Marathon. I ran across it, stood by it, walked on it, and looked at it in awe. Little did I know that I would be training to officially cross it three years later.

My mantra in life has always been, “Never give up.” Embracing detachment while focusing on my goals and dreams has been a breakthrough that allowed me to enjoy and appreciate the process. After all, it is not about the destination but the journey itself, the challenges, and the people who join me.

Running the Boston Marathon is a BIG goal for me. It is personal. The opportunity to run the first virtual Boston Marathon last year allowed me to visualize and sense the excitement of the race from a greater perspective. As hard as it is to train for 26.2, I will always choose to do it and never count myself out. I continue to show up and do what I love without immediate expectations.

I’m honored to run the 126th Boston Marathon to raise money for the Joe Andruzzi Foundation (JAF). Words alone can’t express how grateful and privileged I feel for the opportunity to run the 126th Boston Marathon and run it for the New England area cancer patients and their families striving each day to beat cancer. The JAF is committed to providing help, hope, and a reason to smile for New England cancer patients and their families by contributing financial support when needed.

There is more to running than simply running to better ourselves. When we do something for others, we are the one who benefits the most.

I am beyond grateful for all your support. To my husband, Kurt, THANK YOU! Without you, this would not be possible. I look forward to meeting you at the finish line and graciously putting the Unicorn medal on you, as it is my tradition to always have you wearing the medal after every race. You’re my champion!

Join me or share the fundraising link in my profile. Together, we can run and create a kinder world!

https://www.givengain.com/ap/celia-westbrook-raising-funds-for-joe-andruzzi-foundation/

I had no idea that I would be a Boston Marathon charity runner. Dreams do come true. You just have to keep showing up.

Celia