What and Why
On April 18, 2011, I will run the Boston Marathon with Team Hoyt, the father-son team that are the roots of The Hoyt Foundation. I'm running because I believe in the message of Team Hoyt, "Yes You Can." Even when it seems crazy or impossible, yes you can. Please support me in this run of a lifetime - click "Sponsor Me Now" at the top of the page or read on for more information.
About The Hoyt Foundation
The Hoyt Foundation strives to help those who are physically disabled become active members of the community. You can read more about the foundation's activities in the section to the left. In case you haven't seen Rick & Dick personally, I encourage you to watch the videos below. This first video clip is from the Today Show in which Dick and Rick Hoyt were featured as “Today’s Heroes”:
http://www.teamhoyt.zrainmedia.com/videos/todays-heroes.htm
This second video clip is called “Together” and displays the incredible bond between this father and son.
http://www.teamhoyt.zrainmedia.com/videos/together.htm
The reach of Team Hoyt is more than these videos. It is more than the list of over 1000 races they have finished. It is more than the list of what the foundation supports. Together, Rick and Dick Hoyt inspire people of all abilities to challenge themselves, do more, do something different, do something difficult, push your own limits, and challenge expectations. They inspire people to be better. Thanks to their work to, quite literally, change the rules of sport, more people each week are becoming athletes. For one example, see this article from The Deseret News about a new track star: http://www.deseretnews.com/article/700068912/W-Jordan-youth-goes-the-extra-mile-for-lifelong-pal-who-has-cerebral-palsy.html
But you - AGAIN?!?
Last year's Boston Marathon was the run of a lifetime. I faced challenges that made me tremble and cry, but I also had unexpected blessings. My dad ran 10 miles of the course with me, incluing Heartbreak Hill, while carrying luggage. My mom ran across the famous finish with me. My husband and other supporters cheered me from home with crazy messages. I met amazing people on the course, including Margaret and Jess in that photo to the left.
At the end of the race, I recieved the most unexpected gift of all in a boy named Jeremy. Jeremy had been attending Easter Seals camps and was inspired by the Hoyts to started running. He gave me a huge hug and told me how proud he was of me that I finished. It was as if the whole reason why I ran suddenly found me and gave me a hug. That hug from Jeremy was worth every step, every bit of soreness, every mile in the snow through the winter, every everything.
I know I finished and Jeremy is proud of me for it, but my finish was unofficial. By the time I hit Wellesley - the halfway point - the BAA had already written me off. This meant that I did the second half of the race with no formal support - no water stations, no first aid, no space blanket, and I crossed Rt 128 (among other intersections) without any traffic control. It was a crazy finish and I earned every step - but it's not recorded.
I'm again inspired by the Hoyts to believe that I can be better. I'm doing the run of a lifetime again and it will be a new experience again. Last April, I faced some of the most difficult situations I've ever encountered and lived to tell the tale. I know I can make it to the start line, especially with the wonderful runners that comprise Team Hoyt's Marathon crew. I know I can cover the distance, even with minimal support. Now it is all about speed - something that I never worried about before. I'm determined. I'm going to run harder and longer through the winter. I'm going to worry less about getting lost while running (a very frequent occurence last year) and more about keeping going. This year I'm going to cross that finish line with the clock still on, get a real finish time and get my shiny space blanket like a "real" runner - YES I CAN! Please support me in this run of a lifetime - click "Sponsor Me Now" at the top or bottom of the page or read on.
Why This is a Big Deal
If you have met me, then you know I'm odd. You might not know that my oddness is actually a mild developmental disability. Starting with the recommendation of a doctor and then through a series of accidental encounters and advice, two years ago, I became a triathlete. I learned that I like to race, even though I'm not likely to win. Training is hard and not without challenges, both normal and bizarre: I get lost on familiar roads, trip over my own feet, and get confused by traffic. I keep it up when I know I'm not going to win and when training is hard because every race I finish is a victory, for me and for all the other folks who struggle with their own demons and disabilities. I finish for Jeremy and all the people like him.
Rick Hoyt once told his father, "Dad, when I'm running, it feels like I'm not handicapped." He's right. I get moments like that during a race. When I race, I can only focus on what I'm doing and in that moment, I relax and there is peace in my little world.
Thanks to the Hoyt Foundation, I'm going to be "relaxing" for the whole Boston Marathon. Last year I thought I was crazy for trying - apparently I'm still a bit crazy, because I'm trying again. It's still too much – too long, too many people, too big a deal. But I finished and now I'm going to work for speed and finish "for real". I'm willing to try hard with the support of the other runners, our terrific coach, Uta Pippig, and the support of friends and family.
Please Help
Please help me share the idea of hope and possibilities with other people, like Jeremy. Please help the Hoyt Foundation to enable people with physical disabilities to be active by making a contribution using this fundraising page. Donations can be made two ways: You can donate through this secure web page by hitting the “SPONSOR ME NOW” button at the top or bottom of this page and follow the instructions accordingly. The other way is to send a check made payable to The Hoyt Foundation Inc and mail to my attention: Veronica Morris, 38 Greenfield Street, Lawrence, MA 01843.
Thank You!
The Hoyt Foundation, Inc., is an IRS 501(c)(3) charitable organization.