After at least 20 years of saying I was going to do this only to dive into huge servings of pizza, beer, and apple cider donuts, I have decided that now is the time to put up or shut up.
I am running a marathon.
Yes, I am aware that running a marathon is the biggest New Year's goal that never happens, like losing weight or walking the runway on RuPaul's Drag Race (Call me, Momma Ru!). But this year I will do it because things are different. And I know you're wondering what is so different about now as opposed to previous years. Simply put: I rediscovered my mojo and found a cause.
I am signed up to run the Marine Corps Marathon on October 28, 2018. It's out in the ether, so it has to happen! However, this is not all about my goal. It is also about my cause. I work for Crime Victims Treatment Center in New York City. I have been working here for nine months and have been a witness to some meaningful work with very powerful people.
What is CVTC? Well, I direct your attention to the description I borrowed from their page:
"Since 1977, the Crime Victims Treatment Center has been helping survivors of interpersonal violence heal. Our support comes in the forms of crisis intervention, individual and group trauma-focused therapy, legal advocacy, complementary therapy and psychiatric consultation. We are available from the moments following an assault, all the way through the culmination of a survivor's healing process. We are dedicated to advocacy on behalf of survivors, collaboration with partners across a multitude of disciplines, and training for those who work with survivors. We are committed to changing cultural norms around violence and promoting social justice through progressive legislation and community mobilization. All of our services are confidential and completely free of charge."
As I said, meaningful work, with very powerful people. If you want to read up on CVTC, please go to their webpage, or find them on Instagram or in the Twitterverse. If you look hard enough you will see our director, Christopher Bromson, who has an awesome selection of coats.
So, what point am I trying to get to?
Well, as part of my training, it has been suggested to me that I run smaller races to see how I am progressing and to have an idea of how long the marathon will take me to complete. There is nothing quite like knowing your outcome to make you feel like eating an apple cider donut. And this became my "aha! moment" (to paraphrase Oprah). I figured, what if i did the runs, and did them for a charity? Why not my organization? In these trying times where the news is inundated with stories of violence and sexism, as well as the impact of the #metoo movement, the disparities in pay between the sexes, and the increased hostilities against underrepresented communities, the services CVTC provides are vital and needed more than ever. Because it is a 501c3 charity, CVTC needs money to continue the good fight.
So here's what's going to happen—
Between now and October 28, 2018, I will run the following three races:
NYC Run for Mental Health 5k (3.1 miles) – June 10, 2018
NYCRuns Ice Cream Social 10k (6.2 miles) – July 22, 2018
NYC Lantern Run Half-Marathon (13.1 miles) – September 1, 2018
The culmination of all of this self-punishment will be the Marine Corps Marathon in Washington, DC, on October 28, 2018. Throughout that time period, I will post my progress online so you can share in my pain (and maybe watch me eat a apple cider donut while shedding a tear), and share information on trauma, the therapeutic process, and the work that CVTC does. I am hoping that my pain is CVTC's gain. So, how 'bout it? Are you in?
