Dear Family & Friends,

The Organization:  GoKids

The History:  Tradition

Have the opportunity to run the Boston Marathon again:  PRICELESS!

In 2009, with your help, we were able to raise over $84,000 for the GoKids Foundation.  This set a record which we, as the team - Motley Crew, are hoping to surpass in 2010.

Yes, I am a glutton for children and will do my best to represent.  I am running the Boston Marathon on April 19, 2010 for the GoKids Boston Center at UMass Boston.

Their Mission remains the same:  Kids.  They are committed in finding ways to prevent childhood obesity.  Please visit the awesome website:  www.firstgiving.com/gokidsboston and learn firsthand how great this center is in providing opportunities to children locally and beyond.

I would like to share a great point taken from the website:  "A recent study  conducted at GoKids found that interactive games elicited a similar cardiovascular training response commonly associated with more traditional activities such as running hard or jumping rope.  The difference was that kids did not associate the interactive exercise sessions as being hard work, but rather, they simply thought of it as play.  The result was that heart rates were high but their perceived levels of exertion were modest, which could result in longer exercise times and more calories burned compared to more traditional forms of exercise when performed by kids who are generally unfit."

I learned there is no better way to run Boston than to run for GoKids.  The course actually runs by the facility, which is very uplifting.  This makes the training runs tolerable, hills easier and the finish truly incredible on Boylston.  This is the Ultimate Marathon in every aspect.

Thank you for your continued support, monetary donations and help in improving children's lives - the proof is currently residing in Boston.  Your donation means a lot to me and to the UMass Boston Foundation.

Sincerely,

Joanne

P.S.  I will let you know what my time is on April 20.  I know how to deal with the wind this time!