Sunday, September 14, 2014

Running Update:
9/10/2014
9.1 mi
1:24:10
9/12/2014
5.0 mi
44:04
9/14/2014
15.0 mi
2:26:10
Less than a month until the Hartford Marathon!  I’ve got a 22 mile training run planned for next weekend and then I get to taper.

Jane and NF Update:
Yesterday was the 2nd Annual NF Walk in Putnam, CT!  It was the first official NF event we’ve attended as a family.  Todd and the kids always attend my running races, but usually I am the only person at these events fund raising for the Children’s Tumor Foundation.   The NF Walk was attended only by people supporting the Children’s Tumor Foundation!  At first Jane seemed a little self-conscious.  I don’t think she knew what to expect (nor did I, for that matter…), but shortly after we arrived the walk’s organizer, Rhianna Curotto, gave Jane a NF Hero cape and streamers, and she was off!





Face painting

Showing off her butterfly

By the Quinebaug River

Aunt Anne came all the way from Boston to walk with us!

Aunt Anne and Grandma Ag





The walk was an out-and-back stroll along the Quinebaug River, and our family walked in the middle of the pack.  When we reached the turn-around point, Jane noticed that the parade was being led by three kids holding a CTF banner.  She asked, “How come they get to be up front?”  I told her there was no particular reason, that she could walk up front if she wanted.  Before I knew it she had gone up to the trio and asked if she could help carry the banner, too!








After the walk we enjoyed a cookout and raffle.  Jane spent the rest of the event dressing up in the photo booth and taking pictures with her new friends.


Dressing up for photos



Each person at the walk who has neurofibromatosis was given a medal.  Jane was happy to accept hers.



Jane won a basket of crafting items, including a small photo album.  That night, after we were home, she put all her photo strips in the album and carefully labelled them “NF Walk 9-13-14”.  She pointed to the pictures and said, “This girl had the tumor, too.”  I think, in her own way, Jane was very happy to finally have met other children affected by NF.



2 comments:

  1. I love the cape! And what a wonderful way for the kids to identify and make friends with other kids who, as Jane says, have the tumor too.

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    1. Thank you, Alice! It means so much to me that you always read my blog posts <3

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