What Running Boston Has Meant To Me

Good evening. Six and one half years ago I started on an incredible journey that tested my mind, body and spirit. I took on my first Boston Marathon in 2016. I had the extreme honor of running for my nephews school, The Perkins School for the Blind. The school has a wonderful slogan, "All we see is possibility." Of my three runs this one will always be the most special because at a time when I needed someone to see possibility in me these wonderful people saw just that. Them having faith in me that I could meet the fundraising goal and finish the race truly meant a lot. I am truly inspired by the work they do and I exceeded not only my fundraising, but I also exceeded my own expectations when I crossed that finish line with my brother cheering me on.

My next two Marathons in 2017 and 2019 respectively were for The Boston Celtics Shamrock Foundation and Team With A Vision, another great charity that supports the blind community. Both of these experiences were very rewarding. Again I was able to help do some great charity work and experience the greatest Marathon there is.

Sadly one month after the 2019 race, I suffered an injury that required a surgery on my right leg known as a fasciotomy. I tore a calf muscle and it bled into my lower leg and caused swelling so extreme that surgery was needed. This caused a condition known as compartment syndrome that affects the circulation in the leg. The procedure called for tissue known as fascia needing to be cut to relieve the pressure of the bleeding and to restore the circulation. I was told there was a possibility I could've lost that half of my leg. Luckily god was on my side that day and I was blessed with a surgeon that had the skill necessary to help me.

Since recovering I have not been the same. I've been running, but I had been fearful of hurting that leg again and going through that trauma all over. I really had a rough time with this and eventually got over the fear, but have run into limitations from the surgery as I developed nerve damage and have scar tissue hitting some of my nerves causing numbness that makes trying to go hard very difficult. I am in this Monday's edition of the race, but because of these limitations and also gaining COVID weight during the pandemic I am a real long shot to even get out there.

I will tell you all something. Those three medals represent a test of my mind, body and spirit completing the most famous Marathon course in this country. The privilege of running the same course as Johnny Kelly, Bill Rodgers, Tarzan Jones, Kathryn Switzer, Des Linden and so many other incredible athletes. For charity runners like myself it means enriching lives in a small way. Knowing that the fruits of the labor you put into training and the fundraising truly helps others in need. In all honesty that piece of it is more meaningful than the race itself.

This year I am running for The Hopkinton Center for the Arts. This center serves the Town of Hopkinton and many of the communities in the metro west area bringing art classes and culture to a lot of communities that can use it and don't have an art center of their own. I self published a children's book, "Big Dan Runs The Marathon" about my first marathon. I love art and I felt this charity was a good fit especially with the 5th anniversary of my book coming early next year. I've come to find out that the pandemic has made fundraising very, very difficult. Despite my best efforts I simply have not come close to fulfilling my fundraising goal.

I would like to enrich some more lives whether I'm on that starting line in Hopkinton Monday or not. Dedham, I am asking for your help. I would be forever grateful if you would help me at a very difficult time. I'm asking you to please consider donating to my cause. No donation is too small. I wouldn't ask if the need wasn't great. Truth be told every charity suffered last year when the marathon went virtual. They are all hoping for better tidings this year. Here is the link to my fundraising page: https://www.givengain.com/ap/d...

Thank you for taking the time to read. God bless and please stay safe. - Dan