Long story short: I finished.

It was an extremely long day that started with a sinus infection, a sore throat and tendonitis and ended with a sunburn and a 2011 Boston Marathon Finisher's medal.

Thank you all for your support. The fundraising will continue through May. We are hoping to raise another $200,000.00 and break our $1 Million goal.

Please continue to support the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. I'll be back next year!

After 5 months of training I have less than a week until the marathon. Thank you to everyone who has donated. You have helped the team raise over $750,000.00 so far. Our fundraising pages are active through May so continue to forward this link to friends.

Feel free to track me on Marathon Monday my bib # is 22866. I've been hit by some serious tendonitis this season so I'm expecting a slow, painful run. If you see me out there on the course, please cheer me on. I will need it, especially in the hills leading up to Heartbreak.

From what I have learned this training season, the marathon is an extremely gruelling task physically. The Boston Marathon, though, is a completely different monster. I have been lucky enough to have trained the entire season on the course, getting to know the ups and downs of the hills from Hopkinton to Newton. It is clear to me now why Boston is given such legendary status. Preparing physically is the easy part. If you don't show up prepared for the emotional toll the course takes, you will not finish.

It is the mental part of the race where I think I have been given an advantage. Running with Team In Training has put me in a position where I am constantly inspired to push through barriers. All I have to do is remember the stories of survivors or those who have lost the battle with blood cancer. Throughout the season those stories reminded me of what the team was accomplishing and they helped me to finish the long training runs.

I am dedicating my training, fundraising and marathon finish to my sister Beth who passed away on September 24, 2010. After witnessing her experience fighting cancer, I will never forget her incredible physical and emotional strength when faced with a never ending uphill battle. She never gave up and neither will I.

The team has raised over $580,000 so far. Please help us continue toward our goal of $1 Million at our next fundraiser:

Join us at Tides Restaurant & Pub this Thursday February 24, 2011 from 6 to 9pm in Nahant, MA.

Tides will donate 10% of sales between 6 and 9pm that night to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. We will also have a raffle with prizes including:

-Bruins Tickets

-Bruins Autographed Pucks

-FitWerx gift certificate

-YMCA 12-visit passes

-Custom Etched wine glasses

-50/50

We hope to see you there.

Thank you to everyone who attended our fundraiser. My teammate Trevor and I raised over $1,000 on Friday. Special thanks to Pamplemousse for hosting the wine and beer tasting and to Deana Horne for telling her inspirational story about battling Acute Myelogenous Leukemia.

Please continue to forward this link to family and friends. There is no better time to donate than right now! Thank you.

Join me and my teammate Trevor Boylston for a wine and beer tasting hosted by Pamplemousse at 185 Essex Street Salem, MA. The event is this Friday January 28, 2011 at 7pm.

Local Salem establishments will be providing food and raffle prizes for the evening.

Food from:

-The Upper Crust

-Rockafellas

-Gulu-Gulu Cafe

-Victoria Station

-and more

Prizes/Silent Auction Items:

-Bruins tickets and a signed puck

-Restaurant gift cards

-Triathlon wet suit

-Triathlon training accessories

-Handmade jewelery

-Etched wine glasses

-Massage gift card

-Hair cut/style gift card

A few of our sponsors:

-Pamplemousse

-Fitwerx

-The Upper Crust

-Rockafellas

-Gulu Gulu Cafe

-Greenland Cafe

-Amie Marie Salon

-Tavern in the Square

-Victoria Station

-Boston Bruins

There will be a suggested donation of $25 at the door. I hope to see you there!