FLYNN2010's blog

At 6:00 a.m. tomorrow, the beginning of the end of this journey will begin. I will board the bus that will bring my teammates and I to Hopkinton, where I will mingle with thousands and thousands of other runners from all walks of life. Some will be there to compete, but most will be there because they have accepted the challenge of the Boston Marathon for their own personal reasons.
I've been a runner mostl of my life, but gradually life took over and running had become less of a priority for me. When I decided to join the Run for the Memory team in December, I could not run 5 miles without stopping. I had two personal goals when I began training in January: 1) to raise a minimum of $7,500 for the Alzheimer's Association, and 2) to renew my love of running. I am proud to say that, despite numerous injuries over the past few months, I have already accomplished both of my goals. I have raised $7,800 to date and I have renewed my love of running. Don't get me wrong - I have not desire to continue to do long runs in the early morning hours in sub-zero temperatures or freezing rain. That's just insane -- and I'm happy that part of this adventure is in the past. But, I have renewed my love of running and will make sure it remains a priority in my life.
In addition to surpassing my fundraising goal and renewing my love of running, I have been blessed to meet so many wonderful people - my teammates, the leadership team, the volunteers of the Alzheimer's Association, and so many others. While I may not be signing up for another marathon in the near future, this experience has made my commitment to the Alzheimer's Association stronger than ever. It is not too late to support the Run for the Memory and the great work of the Alzheimer's Association: Please visit http://alz.kintera.org/boston2010 - go to "sponsor participant" and type in "Judith Flynn" to get to my donation page. Thank you!

After our last group run this morning, the President of the Alzheimer's Association, Jim Wessler, and his wife Susan, were kind enough to host the team for breakfast at their home to thank us for our commitment to the team and to the cause. The fact that they would open their home to us this way demonstrates the personal commitment and passion they both have for the Association. Life is very busy and it has sometimes been difficult to find the time to squeeze in the training runs and the team runs and meetings, but I'm so glad that I had this experience. I've had a number of health challenges during the past few months ranging from the flu to a heel problem and now an arch problem, but I will line up at the start on April 19th no matter what. My two goals when I set out on this adventure were to raise funds for the Alzheimer's Association and to renew my love of running, and I have already achieved both of these goals. So, with only 8 days remaining before the Boston Marathon, I hope you will support my Run for the Memory at http://www.alz.kintera.org/boston2010 - select "sponsor participant" and type in Judith Flynn to get to my donation page. Thank you!
8 Days to Go
$6,450 Raised

17 Days to Go and I have raised $6,050 to date for the Alzheimer's Association, and I have no doubt that I will reach my goal of $7,500. I met Dr. Robert Stern of Boston University Alzheimer's Disease Center recently, and learned of their fantastic research programs. One thing I was not aware of is the need for volunteers for the studies. In addition to the obvious benefits of contributing to the search for treatments and a cure, there are personal benefits to participants and family members. If you have a loved one with Alzheimer's Disease, I encourage you to call Silvia Serrano, MPH, the Outreach and Recruitment Coordinator for Dr. Stern's team for more information at 617-414-1078 or e-mail at sserrano@bu.edu . It is probably the most significant contribution you can make (in addition to your support of my Run for the Memory, of course!) http://www.alz.kintera.org/boston2010 ... select "sponsor participant" and type in Judith Flynn to get to my fundraising page. We are so close - thank you for your support!
17 Days to Go
$6,050 Raised

I really can not believe there is less than a month to go until the Boston Marathon! I ran 18 miles yesterday - from Hull Yacht Club along the coast through Cohasset and Scituate and back around through Cohasset and Hingham. I took it slow (actually, there is only one "speed" for me these days, and that is slow) and followed all of the training tips I've learned from the Run for the Memory coach and teammates. I felt great until around the 16 mile mark when the heel pain kicked in again, causing a run/walk for the rest of the distance. I have an appointment this week to, hopefully, get a cortisone shot to relieve some of the pain. I realize it is just a temporary fix, but I've come too far to let this prevent me from completing the Boston Marathon in support of the great work that the Alzheimer's Association does. You can help me reach my goal of raising $7,500 by making a donation to support my Run for the Memory at http://www.alz.kintera.org/boston2010 - select "sponsor participant" and type in Judith Flynn. Thank you!
29 Days to Go
$5075 Raised

The Alzheimer's Association reports that in 2009, nearly 11 million Alzheimer and dementia caregivers provided more than 12 billion hours of unpaid care totaling $144 billion, demonstrating the growing impact of the Disease. You can download a copy of the 2010 Alzheimer's Disease Facts and Figures at:

http://act.alz.org/site/R?i=h-stXLXpYaF368UnqnPzfg

You can support the great work of the Alzheimer's Association by making a donation to support my Run for the Memory at http://www.alz.kintera.org/boston2010 - select "sponsor participant" and type in Judith Flynn. Thank you!
41 Days to Go
$4,775 Raised

I ran 16 miles in Falmouth Saturday. It was a perfect day for a long run and the scenery was beautiful. I ran along the ocean from Falmouth Heights to Woods Hole and back again, and then in the opposite direction to get the rest of the distance in. While seasoned marathoners are running 20 miles at this point in the training, I have to remember that I could not run more than a few miles back in early December. No matter how long it takes me to finish the Boston Marathon on April 19th, I have to remember that I have made real progress towards my goals of 1) raising as much money as possible for the Alzheimer's Association and 2) getting healthier. I am hoping this burst of warmer weather will provide new inspiration as I increase the mileage over the next few weeks, and I'm hoping the donations continue to come in for this very worthy cause. You can support the Run for the Memory at http://www.alz.kintera.org/boston2010 - select "sponsor participant" and type in Judith Flynn.
42 Days to Go
$4,775 Raised

Ran 11.5 miles in North Conway, New Hampshire on Saturday. The first five miles was a series of hills, which did not seem so bad while I was running ... but boy did I feel it afterwards. My quads were killing for three days! I can not even fathom the pain I will be feeling after 26.2 miles. I just keep reminding myself that it's all for a good cause ... all for a good cause ... all for a good cause! You can support my pain -- and the great work of the Alzheimer's Association at http://www.alz.kintera.org/boston2010
Select "sponsor participant" and type Judith Flynn.
54 Days to Go
$4,025 Raised

WOW! Phenomenal news just passed along from the Alzheimer's Association. The Social Security Administration (SSA) announced today they have
added early-onset/younger onset Alzheimer's to the list of conditions under its Compassionate Allowance Initiative, giving those with the disease expedited access to Social Security Disability Insurance
(SSDI) and Supplemental Security Income (SSI). The Alzheimer's Association, a longtime advocate for those with early-onset Alzheimer's, has played an integral role in this movement to reduce the length of disability decision process. Learn more about Social Security Disability updates and early on-set by going to:

http://www.alz.org/living_with_alzheimers_social_security_disability.asp

67 Days to Go
$3,750 Raised

Consider these statistics from the Alzheimer's Association:
* 5.3 million Americans are living with Alzheimer's disease
* Nearly 10 million Americans provide unpaid care to a loved one with Alzheimer's
* The number of people living with Alzheimer's disease is expected to grow to as many as 16 million by 2050!
I am trying to make a difference in the lives of those who suffer with Alzheimer's disease and their loved ones who care for them as a member of the 2010 Alzheimer's Association Run for the Memory Boston Marathon team. I am doing my part by dragging my poor, sore body out to run every day, no matter how much it begs me not to. You can do your part by going to http://www.alz.kintera.org/boston2010 - select "Sponsor Participant" and type in Judith Flynn. Let's collaborate for a cure!
69 Days to Go
$3,500 Raised

I ran with the Run for the Memory team on the Boston Marathon course today. It was exciting to run part of the course, and to get familiar with the hills of Newton, including Heartbreak Hill. A 5-year veteran of the team was kind enough to partner with me (thanks Dale!), which motivated me to keep going. While it is really hard to fit in team training on top of every thing else, there is so much value in it. Now that I've experienced it, I know I've got to make it a priority for the next 11 weeks. Fundraising is coming along just like my running ... slow and steady.
72 Days to Go
$3,175 Raised