Motivated By Love

8/27/2015 (Permalink)

 Anyone who has spent any significant amount of time on the Cape or Islands knows there are a few local annual events that are not to be missed—the Scallop Festival in September moved recently to Falmouth from Buzzards Bay, the Daffodil Festival on Nantucket in April, and the New Balance Falmouth Road Race in August. (Cape Codders simply refer to it as the Falmouth Road Race.) 

I've been seriously thinking about running in this famous local race since 2012. After moving to Pocasset last August, I started running as a new hobby or habit (whichever way you look at it). Despite record snowfalls and cold temperatures last winter, I did not miss my daily run. By early spring I had added a few more miles to my workout and before I knew it, I found myself training for the road race, a seven-mile route that travels from Woods Hole to Falmouth Heights. Before you ask … yes, there are hills involved!

As the owner of SERVPRO of Upper Cape and the Islands, I am a member of several Chambers of Commerce and I see first hand the good work that these organizations do for the local business community. Before opening the doors to my own business, however, I worked for Community Connections, a nonprofit organization dedicated to helping adults with disabilities. This position gave me insight into the thousands of nonprofit organizations spread out across the Cape and Islands. I firmly believe that at a certain point in our life we have an obligation to give back to our community so in 2014, I decided to volunteer my time and experience to a nonprofit. The big decision, however, was choosing one from among the thousands. As the mother of three children and grandmother to one granddaughter, Mackenzie, I chose to donate my time and talents to the Cape Cod Children’s Museum. I chose this non-profit among the many because of the wonderful educational opportunities it provides to young children and the outstanding activities available to families. I joined the board of directors in June 2014 and I soon found myself serving as the board’s President.

Running in the Falmouth Road Race was a bit of a bucket list item for me, and the decision to run on behalf of the Children’s Museum was a “no brainer.” When I left the start line in Woods Hole, I was thrilled to be doing something so amazing for an organization I truly believe in. The first few miles I thought about my husband, Billy, and my kids.  I thought about my granddaughter and the experiences she will have at the museum and the things she will learn. And then I began to think about other children and young families who will benefit from the money that I was raising from running in this race…and those thoughts— combined with the high fives I received from all the kids along the seven mile route—spurred me on as the hot sun beat down on my back and humidity set in. Those thoughts kept me going as I hit the hills and the muscles in my legs tightened. From time to time, a cool breeze blew at my back and I was convinced that I could achieve this personal goal that would ultimately help so many. By the time I had completed mile 6, I was completely drained. As I approached the last hill in the heights—there when I needed it the most—were three young boys at the bottom, cheering me on, chanting, “You can do it!” Words of inspiration that I needed so desperately at that very moment pushed me up that monumental hill and across the finish line. With the beautiful views of the ocean just to my right, I thought of how lucky and blessed I am to be able to do this….to have the strength and stamina to complete this run and to have the friends, family, and support to raise $1,325 for the museum.