The year was 1996 I was visiting my sister Denise at her home in Sudbury Mass. Up to that point, I had been making a series of bad life decisions regarding alcohol and drugs as well as poor relationship decisions that effected me and my sons. My second marriage was over and I still battling with my first wife on just about everything regarding our sons Robert and Matthew. I weighed 225 lbs but I still felt the need to talk to my niece about running.
My niece Diana a world class runner at that point was very polite and listened to me tell that since I had been sober I had been walking 1-2 miles. I remember telling tell her that at the age of 39, I was pretty sure that my running days were over, I would have to walk or find something else to get back in shape. Truth be told, I was not sure I would ever get motivated enough to get into any consistent exercise program.
I think about that day a lot. Since then I have run countless 5K and 10K races including 17 Peachtree Road Races, 6 triathlons 4 half marathons and 1 full marathon. You never know what you are capable of doing. Running literally saved my life.
Over the last year I have watched my son Robert dedicate himself to completing a marathon in a Boston Qualifying time. For his age group, that meant running a time of less than 3 hours and 5 minutes. He worked hard, listened to his coach and reached his goal in October at the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington DC. I was so happy I could be there and so proud to watch him achieve his goal. He finished the race in 3 hours 3 minutes and 33 seconds and right then and there I knew what I was going to do.
I have committed run Boston to raise money for Technology for Autism Now, TAN is an organization that uses computers to help autistic kids. I am blessed to have two closed friends that have raised autistic children. They inspire me with their love for their kids but they are also both among the most loving and caring people I know.
I plan to use this blog to keep track of my progress toward this goal. I am excited and nervous about taking this on. I hope you will follow my journey and if you are able make a donation to TAN at: http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/eddibuck/boston-marathon.
See you in Beantown.
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