Growing up in Boston, Marathon Monday is something everyone looks forward to. It is a time for people from all around the world to come together and cheer runners on or to run those 26.2 miles from Hopkinton through heartbreak hill and across the finish line on Boylston Street. The excitement I get on Marathon Monday is like being a little kid waking up on Christmas. Since I was about 10 I have been attending the Boston Marathon. Each year is different than the last. I was at the marathon for the bombings. Fortunately, I was not at the finish line, but the marathon means a whole lot more to me from the unity that came from people and communities. It truly shows that we are Boston Strong.
While every marathon is special this year’s marathon is a much more special occasion than previous years because my mom is running in it. Being a freshman in college I wasn’t sure if I was going to attend prior to my mom qualifying. Who knew when I would have exams. My mom was selected to Horizons for Homeless Children marathon team back in early December. She will be doing something that she loves while supporting an organization that she supports. While she has been training she has also been actively fundraising for Horizons for Homeless Children and is more than half way to her fundraising goal!
Growing up and cheering on the runners is such an incredible feeling, but to know that I get to cheer on my biggest cheerleader means so much to me. I have seen the rigorous training and hours my mom has spent trying to get into the best shape she can mentally and physically be in to conquer the upcoming 26.2 miles. Every marathon I lose my voice from extreme cheering and this year will be no different, the lost voice will mean a whole lot more than it usually does! T-18 days!