THANKS!!
Well, we all know that the marathon didn't end as planned, but I wanted to write one final update to close out what has been a really wonderful experience for me. As for the marathon itself, it was a tough battle to keep going in the final miles, but the huge crowds all along the route helped tremendously, especially the Liver Team cheering section at mile 16. I would have finished in about 4:35, which was just about the fastest I could have hoped for given how my foot injury had limited my training.
More important than all of that though, I am so happy to have raised over $6,400 for liver research in memory of my dad more than 150% of my goal! I obviously could not have done any of it without all of you, so once again, THANK YOU! It was very fulfilling for me to do this as part of a supportive team full of great people. Together the team (about 200 runners) raised $1.1 million this year! Last Saturday we all got together one more time and walked the last five miles of the marathon course, crossing the finish line together as a police officer stopped traffic on Boylston St. It was a strange feeling to be down there, but very heartwarming for all of us to be able to do it together. It convinced me that I will have to do this again sometime in the future! Until then... thanks again!!

by Sarah Rous on Thu, May 09, 2013 @ 9:08 PM

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The final countdown
Less than one week until the big day! I've been able to do a couple of 10-ish mile runs without any foot trouble or other issues. So, although my fitness level is not ideal, I'm ready to give it my best shot next Monday.
Last week a few supportive friends and I held a bake sale in the Classics Department. We had a huge range of delicious goodies, including liver-shaped cookies and some beautiful and carefully packaged rice krispie treats sent all the way from Wisconsin by my mom. We also raffled two pies as the finale of the sale! It was a wonderful way to bring our department's community together and raise awareness of the Liver Foundation's efforts. When we counted the donations at the end, we were please and surprised to have raised over $600!! Thank you to everyone who came by for a treat or a raffle ticket!

by Sarah Rous on Tue, Apr 09, 2013 @ 6:30 PM

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An overdue update
The past few months have not been great training-wise. I developed "sesamoiditis" an inflammation of the tiny bones beneath the big toe joint. The only thing to do about it was take a few weeks off to let it heal, which means that my fitness level is nowhere near it where it should be this close to the marathon. But, I'm thinking positively now because I got some custom-made orthotics and I've started to run again. It feels great to be out there again, though now I have to deal with giant blisters from the orthotics. They will turn into callouses soon enough I hope.
I feel grateful for and overwhelmed by how much support I have from everyone. Knowing that we're all in this together for a great cause will get me to the start line of the marathon, and as far through it as I can. I won't be out to set any speed records, I'll just be remembering the reason I'm out there!
Thanks again for all of your donations. I have one more fun little fundraiser planned in a few weeks: a good old-fashioned bake sale! I wonder if I can find a liver-shaped cookie cutter??

by Sarah Rous on Sat, Mar 23, 2013 @ 1:51 PM

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Hello from Marathon!
Wow, I can't believe I am already so close to my fundraising goal!! Thank you all SO SO much for your support!
I have been having a great time in Greece, trying to run a little bit here and there, but mostly learning a lot and being inspired by awesome landscape of places like Delphi and by the amazing history of places like Marathon. It will be fun picturing the drive(!) from Marathon to Athens as I'm running the same distance in April.
Thanks again everyone! More soon...

by Sarah Rous on Mon, Jan 21, 2013 @ 9:36 AM

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A short break...
Well, since my mom and I are treating ourselves to a trip to the Galapagos for Christmas, I'll have about a week and a half with no running (we'll live on a small boat!). But don't worry, I won't be completely off of training- we should get to snorkel at least once a day, plus lots of hiking. I'll be thinking of my teammates running in the cold on Saturday morning while I'm enjoying the sun on the equator...
Happy holidays everyone!

by Sarah Rous on Wed, Dec 19, 2012 @ 8:48 PM

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A rainy rainy run
Well, it was snowing in Wisconsin this weekend, but Boston just got pouring rain for our team run on Saturday morning. Luckily I love running in the rain too! What started out as a light drizzle was a full on rain storm nine miles later, and I think my clothes and I weighed about ten pounds more at the end than at the beginning. Just more of a workout, right? Looking forward to next week's run! What comes after snow and rain??

by Sarah Rous on Mon, Dec 10, 2012 @ 9:44 PM

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Training has begun!
Our first team run yesterday morning coincided with the first real snowfall of the year in Boston. What a perfect start to the training season! There really is nothing like gentle fluffy snow to get me excited about going for a run. It must be my Wisconsin blood! I really enjoyed the camaraderie of the team, including the "mission moment" before the run, the water stops manned by friends of teammates, and the breakfast afterwards, not to mention the actual company while running, of course! I can tell I will make a lot of good friends on the team and it feels great to be part of a group of people committed to doing something amazing. Here's hoping for more snow next Saturday!

by Sarah Rous on Sun, Dec 02, 2012 @ 4:59 PM

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