Angela's Marathon Day
By Angela Caggianelli
Jack and I made our way to the corrals behind thousands of people. It took 15 minutes just to cross the starting line . . . we were off!
Around the 5k, my left knee started to hurt. Just then, I looked left and saw MY DAD-- surprise! I cried (not a surprise!) but greatly appreciated the distraction.
Miles and hours seemed to fly by as we soaked in the surreal experience. From the biker bar in Ashland to the Wellesley College women, the crowd kept us going while Gatorade, water and Gu fueled us toward the finish.
At the top of Heartbreak Hill my right knee gave out and I slowed down, but didn’t stop. On my left wrist, I had written the initials of one of Pathways' patients and on the right, the amount that was donated—both served as powerful motivators when the pain persisted.
Around mile 24, the Citgo sign came into view, then a little hill, Sox fans, a glimpse of some Pathways family, we were on Boylston Street and . . . with one last burst of energy we sped across the finish line.
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