This is a recent picture of me on vacation ... relaxing ... but I won't look like this for long as I'm about to start training for the 2011 ING NYC Marathon for Team Boomer!

Why do I run?  

Simply put, I run because I can. My love for running began at a young age when my dad encouraged me to run a local 2 mile race in my hometown of Eastchester, New York. He rewarded me with a warm cream soda when I finished. Since then, he's been banned from most Finish Lines and so has cream soda! And, you know what?  I'm just grateful every day that my two feet land on the ground and I  can stand upright... so it only seems natural to move a little quicker from time to time and run!

Why am I running for Team Boomer?

Most gals my age would run for Team Boomer because they're die hard Boomer fans (i.e. my sister Caroline)  who've been swooning over this former NFL player since the 80s. Me, I never much liked the Jets, until recently (thank you Mark Sanchez!) or the Bengals...so there's more to it.

No doubt what Boomer did on the field back in he day was phenomenal, but to me, it's his contributions off the field to the Cystic Fibrosis community that make him the real MVP...

Boomer, after his son was diagnosed with CF, founded The Boomer Esiason Foundation : a dynamic partnership of leaders in the medical and business communities joining with a committed core of volunteers to heighten awareness, education and the quality of life for those affected by cystic fibrosis, while providing financial support to research aimed at finding a cure.

I also happen to work at WFAN, not with Boomer per se, but we share the same halls and I'm truly inspired by his consistent work ethc and passion for what matters to him. 

So ... what can you do to help? Donate! Donate! Donate! I'll need to raise $1500 by September and  another $1500 by October. So, time is ticking away!

I promise that I'll work for it! My training's started! T-16! Check out my latest blog posting! www.runavrun.blogspot.com and stay tuned....I'll be planning  a FUNdraising Happy Hour soon...

CAN'T THANK YOU ENOUGH and hope to see you all in one of the boroughs on November 6th cheering me and 42,000 runners on!

Cheers,

Annie