Fundraising Update: Passed the half-way mark!

I have passed the half way mark with my goal: $1,037 dollars! I cannot thank you all enough for donating. I never imagined I would be able to raise this much money in just one week. With you continued help and support I can keep up this fundraising for the next 12 weeks (83 days!) leading up to the race! 

One of my favorite parts about getting a new donation are the little messages of encouragement that pop up on my fundraising page. Reading through these messages keeps me excited and motivated for the race. Thank you for the good luck messages and reminders to stay safe. I can't put into words how much this all means to me. Here are the ones that have been posted so far: keep them coming!

Here's a little story to fill some time during the state-wide snow day (PS, stay safe everyone!)  

Starting my training for the marathon has been a giant leap in my running schedule and skill. This weekend, I finished my second full week of official training and my body is definitely feeling the extra miles. One of my memories about Abbie, however, keeps reminding me to approach the training with open arms and take each run how it comes.

Last year on Thanksgiving, I was walking up to the Benford's house, chocolate pie in one hand and Oreo turkeys for Abbie in the other. When I got to the door, Abbie was there to greet me with a HUGE hug, ignoring the two full plates in both of my hands. I tried my best to hug back, but mostly just laughed as I tried not to drop anything! Abbie was so full of joy and welcomed me to the family, literally, with open arms. I think of this memory often as a reminder to stay positive and approach the hardest days, moments, and even runs, with open arms.

Keep Smilin'

Long Run Day: 10 Miles!

After one day of fundraising I have reached $425; almost 25% of my $2,000 goal! Thank to everyone who has supported my run by donating to Keep Smilin' and everyone who has shared my blog link and fundraiser link to their family and friends. With your help, I will reach my goal!

If you haven't gotten a chance to view my fundraising page, follow this link!

http://www.keepsmilin4abbie.myevent.com/participant/164211

Today on my long run I completed 10 miles. An FYI for my Westfield State friends; the sidewalks are VERY icy! These conditions slowed my pace, but the run was great!

Running for Abbie is an honor. As family and friends reach out and ask me about the race, I have the opportunity to share Abbie's story and the success of the foundation. Spreading the word to family and friends is exciting. 

Yesterday, when I got to class, I looked across the table and saw a girl I did not know wearing a http://www.keepsmilin4abbie.org/  bracelet. We talked and shared stories about how we knew Abbie. Signs of Keep Smilin' spreading makes me even more excited to run for Abbie in April.

Keep Smilin'

The Countdown to 2015 Boston Marathon Begins: 89 Days!

I am so excited to announce that in 89 short days, 

I will be running the 2015 Boston Marathon in memory of Abbie Benford and to support 

Keep Smilin' 4 Abbie!

For those who don't know, Keep Smilin' 4 Abbie is a foundation in memory of Abbie Benford, who passed away from an anaphylactic reaction on December 18th, 2013. Keep Smilin' 4 Abbie works to fund research into early detection of anaphylaxis, increase awareness of anaphylaxis, and fund scholarships.

Abbie's positive spirit has touched her friends, family, and even complete strangers in so many incredible ways. Each day, I think about Abbie and her amazing attitude on life. In the one short year I knew Abbie, I enjoyed every moment of her contagious laugh and fun loving attitude. I hold my memories with Abbie close to my  heart and think of them often. Sharing and listening to stories and memories about Abbie has given me the chance to get to know Abbie even more. Keeping Abbie in my thoughts each day as helped me to realize the importance of finding new and exciting reasons and strength to smile each and every day.

Abbie's friends and family have done a fantastic job of spreading awareness and raising funds for Keep Smilin' for Abbie. With the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon to support Keep Smilin' 4 Abbie, I hope to be able to help with these fundraising efforts. Until April 20th, 2015, I will be looking for sponsors for my 26.2 mile run. My fundraising goal is to reach 2,000 dollars in donations for Keep Smilin' 4 Abbie!

In order to reach this goal, I need YOUR help! If you would like to sponsor my 26.2 miles, please follow the link to my fundraising page: 

http://www.keepsmilin4abbie.myevent.com/participant/164211 . 

Here, you will find all the details about how to make a donation. Thank you so much for supporting my run and the Keep Smilin' foundation.

If you have some spare time and have not yet visited keepsmilin4abbie.org , please check it out and learn about the foundation, their amazing efforts, and most importantly, Abbie's life. I would love for all my sponsors to learn more about this foundation and be touched by the photos and stories about Abbie.

Be on the look out for my future marathon-update blog posts; as I train, I will keep all my sponsors up to date on my miles and fundraising on this blog!

Keep Smilin'