Thank you Friends and Family of Gerry McDonald!

This page is now messed up because Gracie the Cat decided she was going to help type by sitting on my arm while I hit the keys.  Where was I?

Oh yes, It was a beautiful day in Chicago, not too hot for a slow runner, and unfortunately, I was slow:  I finished in 5:17, no where near my goal, but I have to admit, after the 18 mile marker, when I knew I wouldn't make my Boston time, I stopped to chat with a few people on the way to the finish line.  On the other hand, that time was good enough for the 36% level of the women's 60-64 age group.  In memory of a great friend who would get a big kick out of Gracie the Cat's assistance with this project, thank you everyone for your donation.  Treehouse does a lot of good work for strays, like Gerry's mom did in his neighborhood.

Thank you all again, Kate 

and real thank you's a coming shortly via snail mail!

 

 

In Gerry's memory, I am running the ChicBostogn o Marathon on Sunday, October 9.  When I began running marathons I had no idea what a huge fan of running Gerry was.  I also didn't know until I spoke with Anne how Gerry came about caring for cats the way he did. Gerry's mom frequently took in neighborhood strays, Gerry's favorites being Big Al and The Kitten.  Anne thought that Gerry would greatly appreciate it if I ran in his memory with the proceeds going to Treehouse Animal Shelter in Chicago, a no-kill cat shelter which has been featured on Animal Planet.  Treehouse is also where Cousin Lise found two more of Gerry's favorite cats, Garibaldi, aka The Big Guy, as Gerry called him, and Izzy.

 Some people donate per mile, but this is my 16th marathon so you're not betting on whether I finish.  I'm trying to make my Boston qualifying time yet again, and maybe with Gerry's help this year I will, but you might have a good laugh betting on my time.  My Boston cutoff time is 4:20.  The best I've done, 2001, was 4:21. 5:07  was my most recent, "old age" time.  You can track me on line if you go to www.ChicagoMarathon.com and look up Bib #34053.  The big laugh comes in when you see my pace suddenly die, usually somewhere between miles 15 - 18.

Gerry, thank you for all your support during my early marathoning efforts, particularly the first year when you and Anne met me at the finish line.  This one's for you.

Gratefully,

Kate