Hey all-

So to wrap up Marathon week and the high I'm on, I wanted to share some good news and let you know where we ended up with fundraising, 

First of all, I'm so happy to let you all know that I'm a 2010 Boston Marathon Finisher. AMAZING!

Second, is the difference we made TOGETHER during this journey!!! With your help, I had almost 100 donations and raised over $3,500 in college scholarship money!!! INCREDIBLE! Throughout this experience, you have blown me away with your thoughtfulness and generosity. 

The New England Patriots Charitable Foundation raised more then $80,000!!!! In May, there will be a dinner at Gillette Stadium, where I will have the honor of meeting the recipients of these scholarships that with all of your help we raised money for. Should be pretty bittersweet. 

Which reminds me, donation deadline as been extended to May 19th...so if you'd like to donate again or if you haven't already here is the link: Seriously any amount helps!!!  <http://www.firstgiving.com/ryanbelmore> 

 

On to the race details...

I started slow, I hugged and kissed the girls in Wellesley, At mile 15 I nearly went down with a hip labral tear, I broke the heart of that hill, I toasted and laughed with the kids at BC. I ran hard through Coolidge Corner, I high fived Red Sox Nation, I had a moment of final silence in the tunnel. I took a right on Hereford, Left on Boylston, I put on my smile,& crossed that finish line. 

My goal was to complete a Boston Marathon and to live in the moment and savor every minute of the experience, I accomplished both of these goals. During the marathon, I made memories that will last a lifetime. It was truly a surreal experience for me.

What went through my mind as I ran...I repeated over and over again "Run this race, like you can't fail", I remembered a quote I put on Facebook earlier in the day that I loved... "TODAY is the Boston Marathon: Move like it's your first time, Fly like it's your only time , Live like it's the last time you'll ever run!". I listened to clips on my Ipod from Braveheart, Remember The Titans, We Are Marshall, Rocky and etc during hills, moments where I HAD to walk cause I could not run....do you know what got me through it all?

THE FANS & YOUR SUPPORT

Someone told me before the race, "In Boston, the fans will take you home, trust in them & trust in yourself" when I went down in mile 15, I knew I had to continue...not just for me, but for my team, for the NEPCF, and for my friends, family, and other supporters. I put my fate in the hearts of the fans during some of the fiercest pain I've ever experienced and they came thru more then I could have ever imagined. Goosebumps and near tears were felt every mile during that race from the strangers that would reach out touch you and just know the right thing to say and way to get you moving.

When I crossed that finish line on April 19th I was not alone...my family, my friends, my supporters, my teammates, and the fans in the 8 towns along the course crossed with me. Boston, I will forever love you!

April 20th when I woke up, no matter what pain I was in....I smiled because I will forever own a medal to one of the most prestigious races in the world and in history and from this point forward, I will be an official Marathon Runner! The questions have changed from "how's training" and "are you ready" to "Will I be back next year"? My goal now is to get healthy, enjoy some time off from training during this post- race honey moon period, and absorb what it is that I exactly accomplished both mentally and physically. When I've done those 3 things, I think then I will know. 

I want to personally thank Susan Hurley and my entire 2010 NEPCF team for being an inspiration and being so great to work with. So many great people but thank you to teammates Louie, Allynn, Jennie, Lindsey, and Dave for the advice, help, and/or just running with me on Monday. A special thanks to Al and Dwight at work as well for non-stop advice and tips. 

I am so happy that you were all a part of it, supporting me, encouraging me, and believing in me. 

All the best!

Ryan Belmore 

 

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I would like to thank the following off-line sponsors for their financial support:

Brian Anderson

Ina Winer

William Guy Jr.

 

The Management & Staff at Ri Ra Irish Pub- Providence, RI