Providence or Bust

Posted on April 27, 2017 by Brittany Hoffmann

With a little over a week to go (9 days to be exact, but who’s counting) I ask myself if I really think I can do this again. Having no experience running (and very little training) I ran the Hartford Half Marathon last October. I was flying high until about Mile 6 when it seemed to all go downhill. My body stiffened, my hands were swollen, and I took a nasty fall and was bleeding profusely (okay, maybe that is a bit of an exaggeration ;-)). Every part of my body wanted to give up, but how could I? I remembered the entire time what I was running for, who I was running for. I had the incredible privilege of running for Larisa’s daughter, Marilyn, who passed away at a very young age from Miller-Dieker Syndrome. Through Running for Rare, I not only got to learn about how special Marilyn was, I also developed a close relationship with Larisa, Roman, and their daughter. It was through Marilyn’s memory and her family’s support at the cheering section, that I finished the Hartford Half Marathon. I didn’t expect my victory to be as emotional as it was for me, but after crossing the finish line, I was in tears (and it wasn’t just because of the excruciating pain my legs were in!).

 I am elated to be joining the team again as we make our way to Providence, this time running for Kylene, representing the Mast Cell Disease community. I can sit here and tell you I am more prepared this time than last, but that would be a lie. I am probably more out of shape, I haven’t trained nearly as much as I should have, and I just got back from Texas having had TONS of BBQ – but what I can tell you is no matter what, I will cross that finish line again because Running for Rare gives me a purpose. All of those suffering from a Rare Disease give me purpose.

See you all in Providence!