May the Lord bless you and keep you
May He make His face to shine upon you,
And be gracious unto you
May He lift up His countenance upon you
and give you breath, success, and Peace.
Amen.

Love - Poppy (My Dad) This Prayer Makes Me Cry Every Time. Every Time.




Run Sarah Run!! May the Lord help you lift your feet when it seems you can't go on one more step! Know that the wishes and prayers of all of us will help lift you past the finish line--can't you just see us lifting you and carrying you across?! We'll be cheering you on. . .



With YOUR breath prayers at my back, I was able to finish 26.2miles and I finished STRONG! I am still exhausted and exhilarated at the same time - it is a feeling that I cannot compare as I have never felt this way before. Sunday, November 5th will be remembered as the most physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually challenging day in my life ever. Period.

6:20.25 - 1st Time Marathoner, Marathon Finisher - BEF's Team Boomer

Staten Island
Early to rise, I made it to Ft. Wadsworth with plenty of time to spare. It was cold morning, the sun was gray and the clouds were heavy at first, but there was no wind. I scouted the gathering area, 37,000 were gathering it was quite remarkable. I found my start - number 40000-41999. It was literally in front of the Fr. Capadona Memorial Chapel - good sign, I thought. I rested and stretched and kept warm. As the hours ticked by, slowly my area began to fill - and I was filling with anxiety. People were mostly calm and relaxed but anxious to share their "stories". Finally, the Canon fired - and we were off at 10:10am. I shuffled along to the start - which took about 15 minutes to cross. There I was, one of 37,000 runners with the same goal - to finish - no turning back now! We headed over the Verazzano Narrows Bridge - 2 miles. It was surreal - just being there not thinking of the road ahead - just thinking about being THERE.

Brooklyn
I crossed over the bridge and into Brooklyn, the longest stretch of running - about 10 miles. I met Jerry Cahill at mile 4 - God Love Him - he is amazing we were screaming for each other, he had a bottle of water for me and a towel and was taking pictures - which I will post when I get them! He gave me a CF bracelet -I gave him my head warmer which said ING NYC Marathon - a little souvenir. (I had tears when I saw him, I can't conceive running 4 miles with an oxygen tank - remember he ran marathons with oxygen - can you imagine?
Ah, mile 5, the crowds the cheering, the high fives, the energy - it is all there - all so true - I have never been part of such an awesome spectator sporting event. I can not tell you how for not 1 minute did I think I wouldn't be able to do it - if the crowds were this strong, it was going to be a slam dunk. I was loving giving the kids high fives - one little guy even held his hand out for a high five, and I ran by to slap him a high five and he pulled it away and yelled "psyche!" - only in Brooklyn! I needed that though - I had to focus and stay grounded and not get too high!

Through the streets of Brooklyn....I had never really experienced Brooklyn before - my mom was born here and I remember stories from my grandmother, but I've never really been here. The crowds were strong, the sun was brighter and warmer things were moving along. I met up with the 5:30 pace setters, and thought cool - I am on target. Mile 10 - I am starting to "feel" it. The aches are starting to catch my attention. First, the right foot - the toes, then a few pains in the lower back - nothing I can't put out of my mind though.

Queens
Ahh, Queens - don't know much about Queens - just Greek town - Astoria. That's my experience there - with my in-laws who are Greek. There were 3miles or so here and finally the Half Marathon point 13.1 miles! We're halfway there - keep breathing, keep strong, keep looking in front of you at all of the runners who are running for a cause . Every runner around me had a shirt on with a Foundation or an Cause or In memory of...it was chilling. You think you can't do it? Look ahead - some of them are doing it for their loved ones who aren't going to be at the finish to hug and kiss them - I am just inspired with literally almost every step.
That's good though, because I need to be inspired right about now, I am thinking, I still have 13.1 miles to go! I look out ahead and I see the Queensboro Bridge and I see the "wave" of people crossing it in the distance - they must be about a 5:00 pace - they are a good distance ahead and I have slipped back slightly. We had to wind around a few streets to get to the bridge and it was a tease! (The people looked so small).

Queensboro Bridge
The Queensboro Bridge was one of my favorite points in the marathon - it was amazing. As soon as I entered the bridge, it was a quiet calm....everyone began walking. No one was running. We were feeling it now - people were stretching on the side, walking quickly, holding their necks and backs. I decided to walk as well. I stretched a little too. It was cold and dark - we walked on the lower level. I put my Ipod on at that point, there were no spectators so I didn't think it would be disrespectful! I got a little pumped up again and kind of "rested" as I walked. Here is the best part: as we were close to exiting the bridge, there were 3 Huge Banners and this is how they read:

Banner 1: "If 10 miles to go makes it a little easier...."

Banner 2(.2 miles after #1) "If 10 miles to go makes it a little easier..."

Banner 3 (.2miles after #2) "Welcome to 10 miles to go!"

I had chills - who thought of that? - it was brilliant and just what I needed to "hear".
Instantly, the race "got a little easier" and we exited the bridge, and let me tell you that the crowds on 1st Avenue and 59th were UPROARIOUS!

Manhattan
We exited to a DJ and it was downhill and we were picking up the pace! I was so pumped up it was unbelievable. The crowds literally carried me up 1st Avenue. There were roars on either side of the street - people screaming Go Boomer, high fives, cheering, and people just plain screaming with excitement - "You're almost there - You're marathon finishers!" Keep strong, stay the course - I was hearing everything and I was so high - on adrenaline. There was a woman who turned 50 that day - Bonnie, her name was and she had it written on her shirt - a bunch of college kids, were on a set of 2 balconies on a lower floor of a high rise, and they began shouting and singing Happy Birthday to Bonnie - how cool is that?!

I met my family at mile 17 (77th and 1st Ave)- they had hugs, kisses, and bananas and bagels. I love them - I cried they were crying for me! They rushed into the street to tackle me - and I was carried for another mile! It is true - between my family and the roaring crowds, I was "carried" for the next 3 miles!

Mile 20 was awful - I was really starting to feel the pains - but I had to keep going, I looked back to make sure there were still plenty of runners behind me...I figured it was ok to stop on the side - stretch and there was a medic station - I entered I saw Icy Hot and I couldn't resist. They were so nice at the station - so caring - I asked to be dipped in Icy Hot! Of course, my leggings were so tight, I could only pull them up to my knees but I did that and they rubbed my legs and knees and ankles...Oh My God! It felt so good! I didn't want to leave but I had to keep going - they encouraged me - told me I was almost there and to "Go Get Your Medal!" I was inspired - I took off again and made it to mile 21 - YIKES!

Last Thursday as I was leaving the Marathon Expo, I noticed a bus that had a Marathon Ad:
"THE RISK? MILE 21. THE REWARD? MILE 26.2.

I had to think about it and I thought, well? I guess I will find out. Did I ever. Mile 21 is considered the "Wall". You have to push through this wall mentally. 21 miles to go is so difficult to digest. You've just completed 21 miles and you have 5.2 more to go. Think about that. You have just completed 21 miles, you are in the 20s now and you still have 5 to go. This could literally take another hour! You can't even stop to walk because it hurts so bad to stop. Mentally it is the most intense battle - it is simply Mind over Matter now....nothing else - your body is done - cooked, burned out, depleted. All you can do is manage your physical energy by drinking Gatorade and eating a power gel or bar or banana and hope that it takes. Physically I can not explain how defeated you could feel..if you don't unleash your mental energy right NOW. Your spiritual energy should also be unleashed now too - because I am thinking I only have a prayer. I don't even know what my body will do at mile 21. I have only run 20 miles in training - 1 time. I felt OK afterward but nonetheless, you don't know what is going to happen now.

Bronx
Over the Pulaski Bridge into the Bronx. Ahhh the Bronx - I know Nothing about the Bronx except you don't want to be here at night. Isn't it crazy? I actually loved running through the Bronx - it was peaceful, there weren't many spectators but there were some - proud as any other - cheering us on. As I crossed the bridge, a rather large man was sitting on a lawn chair smoking a cigar with a tee shirt that read "Reformed Anorexic". Again, I needed that! I laughed to myself and alas, another mile down.

Let me say that another favorite memory is the Bronx exit over the Willis Avenue Bridge. The BEST DJ I have heard was right THERE! The street was crazy! People dancing, shouting, yelling, and the DJ playing with the runners - cheering for them in the Microphone! He yelled GO BOOMER - so loud! He thought I was "cute" and said to "meet him after the race"! Imagine? I was cracking up - the people there had so much pride and God Bless them. It was cold and growing darker and they were out in full force! Good people in the Bronx! I made another mile!

Manhattan
Mile 22! Harlem - wow - still crowds cheering. Darker, colder, more painful, so close and still so far - HELP ME! "Just keep it moving", I repeat - and it is the MOST DIFFICULT STRAIN ON MY BODY that I have ever felt, I want to cry, but know that I am entering the Park any time now - I am almost unaware of where I am and what I am doing. Mental energy release again - PLEASE! The runners all around me are dilerious - it is almost like a hallucination. We are laughing, shaking our heads, cheering for EACH OTHER. Clapping - C'mon guys, 4 miles to go - we can collect our Medals - let's roll! Keep going!

Mile 23
Ipod is on again. I can't bear it much longer. Need a good song - something to pump me up again - but I can't even fuss with the settings - anything is music at this point. It's darker now, so who cares if I am wearing my Ipod. They can't see it clearly. I run - shuffle and a give a thumbs up to a few cheers.

My phone rings - it is loud, so I hear it - take my Ipod off and it is my sister. "WHERE ARE YOU?!" We are here at mile 24 - waiting for YOU!!!!!!! I cry - WHERE?! Where are you -did I pass you?! I don't know where I am - please tell me! "We're in the Park, are you in the Park?!" YES - I am in the Park - but really the Park is on my right - I am heading south on 5th Avenue. I am still caught in mile 23....I feel like I am in a web now - I am crying. I pick up the pace - my sisters are at 24...I am in mile 23 so I have to be close! I hear cheers from behind me - RUN, Sarah, RUN! Look at you GO - GO Girl - you are running too fast for us now! Take it easy we're all in theis together! Go Sarah - Run, Mom - this is all that is left on the back of my shirt - my rose and my my, Run is now long off -" I am running quickly - I am surpirsed...I can do this - get to my family. It is like a dream!

I round the right corner and INTO THE PARK! I am desperately searching for them! Where is mile 24?! I call them back frantically, did I miss you WHERE ARE YOU?! Don't leave me!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We're at the OCntinental Airlines HotAir Balloon. Can you see it? We're right there! You are almost there! C'mon Steenie (my nickname) and They are screaming into the phone. I have CHILLS like you would not believe.

I am frantic - I know they are right there - I can taste them - I have never been so high on adrenaline!
I see the banner for MILE 24! It is small, but it is growing! A fellow runner sees me and comes up on my right - asks me, no begs me to use my please?! Oh - ahh - oh - OF COURSE - Call your loved ones, call them all! I will walk with you!!!!!!
I slow it down, give him my phone, he calls - speaks in Spanish -I believe - I couldn't understand much at this point - but I was sane enough to help a fellow runner! Thank, God! He returned the phone, crying thankfully. Of course, I said - do you need to make more calls?! NO! Let's GO!

MILE 24 - OH MY GOD
There they are - my 2 sisters, and 2 brother-in-laws!
They come running out - with RUN Aunt Sarah RUN signs and posters - I am blurred - I can't see straight - I collapse into their arms - my sisters each grab my arms and put them over their shoulders, we are running together now - my little feet bouncing off of the pavement - we are running at about 10min. mile!!!!! I am blowing away the "competition"! My brothers are running behind, carrying my signs and the crowds are cheering and screaming, and laughing - RUN AUNT SARAH!!!!! No one cares at this point how you get to the next mile - just get there! My sisters are kissing my cheeks, screaming I did it! I am screaming at them, "How blessed am I right now?! This is my DIVINE Intervention!"
It is here - my lovely sisters running in their street clothes! The other runners are jealous - I wish I could carry them too - but we can't - Just focus ahead! My sister yells 1 mile to go!!!!!!!! We are at MILE 25.2!
Oh GOd - I can taste it!!!!!!!! Rounding the corner to the right we are on Central Park South! It doesn't hurt so much anymore! They must exit the park now, the cops are out in full force - they exit - I am screaming - they are screaming - RUN SARAH, RUN!!!! YOU ARE THERE!!!!! .8 MILES TO GO! OH GOD THE SUSPENSE!!!!!!!!! They continue to run along side with me - behind the crowds - screaming -
The crowds are as large as on 1st Ave nearly 10 miles ago - can you believe it?! These, blessed spectators! I am SPRINTING NOW - I don't know where it came from!!!!!!!!!! I am going with it - if I die at the end, it was worth it - I am flying so high - the crowds are screaming GO BOOMER!!! RUN SARAH, YOU GO BABY, YOU ARE INCREDIBLE - LOOK AT YOU - You are Finishing SO STRONG!!!!!!!!
I am running faster - probably the fastest I have ever run before!!! The streets are nearly dark grey and I am so COLD - I am so high, I must be dead? Did I die?! Oh GOD - I am rounding the right corner past Columbus Circle - the crowds are so ALIVE, I am so ALIVE - really - never felt this way before, but this is how I imagined the ending - SO STRONG and FAST - I saw myself on the HUGE TV Screen - WOW 6 hours and 30 minutes - I am going to be THERE in 1 minute - my sisters and brothers are running down Central Park South with me- all the way - behind the small crowds - I lose them now as I round the Park into the final stretch and then?!

800, 400, 200, and 100 meters!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I am THERE - THERE IS THE FINISH LINE !!!!!!!! I am SPRINTING faster than EVER - Just like I practiced on all my training runs - Finish Strong - People can't believe how fast I am going for such a late time - I hear them almost chanting -I pass EVERYONE in front of me - I am, for that one minute - the Strongest being ever.....

DONE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I Have Crossed that FINISH LINE, I have CROSSED OVER - IT is OTHER WORDLY
I have NEVER, EVER, felt so ON TOP OF THE WORLD! GOD BLESS ME!!!!!!!!!! I cry a little - then shuffle through, claim my "Gold" medal and just want to pass out - but first, they take my Photo - Thank You. Proof that I am the BEST in show!
I just want to hug all my fellow finishers, there are High fives, pats on the backs and warm, exhausted smiles - the PRIDE over that Finish Line is Surreal! I am SO PROUD of MYSELF, MY FELLOWS, MY FAMILY, The RACE COORDINATORS and mostly all of my SUPPORTERS!!!! I am wiped - I reunite with my family - it is almost 5pm and so dark! I look for them desperately. I find them at the Family Reunion - 81st and Central Park West. Oh GOD- Carry me - they carry me to the car, literally - My husband has the car warmed and ready and there are my sons and my Taso - we hug and cry and I say goodbye - to my family and the best day in NYC ever! EVER.

In sum (you think?) I can say this:

"My experience in NYC today was surreal. You can only know this "place" exists if you physically go there. It is truly the most encompassing challenge of the human spirit, the human mind, the human soul and the human body."

I sincerely understand now if even a little bit, that CF is THIS challenging - all encompassing of all of our energies:

Physical
Mental
Emotional
Spiritual

I believe that any one of you, CFers, would trade this day with me in a heartbeat.
If I could sustain your CF for one day - I would gladly trade with you and bear your burden. I know that I could because THIS MARATHON, this lowly marathon, in comparison to you all - has prepared me to endure something greater.

I am so proud that I can say I finished my Marathon, but I am more proud of all of you, CFers, who continue on.....


Thanks for reading (if you made it this far)!

I LOVE THIS SITE, It has changed my life.

GOD BLESS US ALL.

With Love and Victory, which is ours,
Sarah



-------------------------
Administrator
CysticFibrosis.com

Edited: 11/10/2006 at 06:20 PM by SarahK

Thank you to all of my well wishers and staunch supporters!

I will be thoughtful and prayerful as I begin my journey which starts today at 3.30pm. I will be hosted by my brother-in-law's family on Staten Island - 10 minutes from Ft. Wadsworth - the gathering of 37,000 race entrants tomorrow morning beginning at 5am!

Tonite, we will rally on baked ziti, salad, meatballs and sausage and of course bread! There will be about 20 of us - and I will have everyone sign my race shirt. I will say good nite and sweet dreams to my husband, Taso and 3 sons - Alex -4.5yrs, Evan -3.5yrs and Stephen who just turned 1. I won't think about how they will sleep without me tonite, I will leave that up to Taso and my parents - Jeanne and Peter who will have a "sleep over" with Stephen. I will turn in about 8 or 9 pm - I am sleeping in Staten Island and my brother's mother in law will take me to the start tomorrow morning at 7am.

Tomorrow morning, early, I will collect my thoughts and prayers and watch the sun rise over the Manhattan sklyine to the north east. I will think that I am about to embark on a tough but exhilerating journey that I have prepared for all year. I will blend in with 37,000 runners all chasing a dream. I will listen to the 2 million spectators along the way - high fives and and cheering - Run, mommy, run! Go, Boomer, go! Run, Sarah, Run! I will be one of 37,000 stories.

I will meet my family and friends along the way - First Avenue and 77th and then again at mile 25 or so in Central Park. WOW! I will finish strong and I will breathe for all of us - the last breath crossing over the finish line will fill me with exhileration and I will probably cry! I did it because I have to do this....for me and for all of you!

Thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers. I will pray especially for the following:

Cindy - who lost her 2nd niece to CF last night - our prayers are with your and your families at this most difficult time.

Emily - you too can run your race and be accomplished - you are truly an inspiration.

BEF - Keep strong and supportive! Jerry and Dave - I love you!

Bren - your son will remain strong and be lifted up tomorrow - feel lighter and have a better day!

Jazzys Mom - and all in the CF community, thanks for your support always!

The Shuarts - be empowered and share!

Laura - Stay strong!

CysticFibrosis.com - May we continue to be a strong resource for the CF community! May we breathe for all of YOU when you need us most, let us always be there posting your blogs, forums, chats, bringing you the latest education and the pharmas and companies that need to INTERACT with YOU directly!

The entire cysticfibrosis.com community - keep building, stay connected and be creative. Be supportive, informative and educate each other. Together we increase awareness and build hope and we can breathe easier together.

Jeanne and Peter Barnett - the founders of www.cysticfibrosis.com and the visionaries. My biggest fans!

All of my financial supporters to date - I am proud to report that I have raised close to $4,500. which will be donated to Jerry Cahill and the BEF tomorrow nite at Dennehy's Pub after the race! I hope we keep academic dreams alive!

All of my personal family and friends - The list is long and distinguished, Thank you, Thank you, Thank you. I love, love, love you!

The men in my life - Taso, Alex, Evan, Stephen - learn from me! Let me always be an inspiration to you - you can reach any goal with the support of family!

My RACE NUMBER is...Lucky Number 40238! (I thought there were only 37,000 runners!) I am toward the end for sure - but the last shall be first! I have Sunny skies for tomorrow and I am all set! You can track the race online at www.ingnycmarathon.org - hey if you want, you can even track me! Enter my race number!

I asked my priest, Fr. Jim, for an email blessing yesterday and this is what he wrote back to me:

May the Lord give you the strength to accomplish your dream, may He send you
the stamina to finish the race and win the crown for His glory -I'll be
waiting to hear the good news on Sunday mindful the victory is already
yours.
Love to all and God bless
Fr Jim

I thought that was cool - an email blessing. I share this with you and hope that we know that victory is already ours. I am on my way now....


Sincerely,
Sarah K
Administrator

-------------------------
Administrator
CysticFibrosis.com

Edited: 11/04/2006 at 12:23 PM by SarahK

Dearest Family and Friends:

Mark your calendars. Sunday, November 5th, I will finish 26.2 miles, completing my very first ING New York City Marathon! One of my life goals has been to run in the NYC Marathon. I will soon be crossing this "to-do" off my list, as I was finally accepted into the marathon this year. I whole-heartedly committed to this grueling challenge and have been training for nearly 6 months. It's not the daunting task of running in the marathon that is challenging, it's about telling everyone you are running in the marathon! My strategy was TELL EVERYONE of my acceptance nearly 4 months ago. Since I have told all of you I am doing it, now I must FINISH!

To help me along the way, I began thinking of motivators, and inspirations. It isn't the 3 mile training runs that get me thinking so much as the 10-15 mile training runs - as there is much more time to think! I realized that when I am running, however, I am mostly thinking about all of you. Interestingly, I will share with you that I pray during these long runs. I "offer" them up for people, causes and needs in my life. Each mile represents another family member, or friend, or need, etc. During one of my early long training runs (which back then was about 8 miles) I had a revelation. I was encouraged to run for something greater than physical fitness and weight loss (which was a lot of weight after 3 sons in under 3.5 years!). Why not run for a cause? I had received a few charity run brochures over the year, and although these particular causes are important, I decided to join with the Boomer Esiason Foundation's Team Boomer. Team Boomer is designed to promote exercise and help raise funds for the Exercise for Life scholarship program for people with CF, which helps them pursue their academic dreams. As an administrator for cysticfibrosis.com we are partners with the BEF, and they are dear to me. Jerry Cahill, the founder of "Exercise For Life" has Cystic Fibrosis and Jerry celebrated his 50th Birthday this past June. He is also a marathoner. Jerry attributes his success to daily exercise, and proves that he can breathe.

I have enclosed Team Boomer's, "Exercise For Life" and Donor information for your review. I kindly ask that you reflect upon me. I ask that you pray for me on Sunday, November 5, 2006. I expect to finish the race, and I expect to finish in approximately 5 hours and 30 minutes, anything less is a BONUS! I will keep you in my "mile breath prayers" upon which I will reflect on you. I also have collected a list of those who are afflicted with Cystic Fibrosis through our cysticfibrosis.com site who have signed up for my reflection as I am running. I will treasure all of you at this time. You have encouraged me and motivated me to finish. Thank you for you support.

God Bless You.

Love -
Sarah

-------------------------
Administrator
CysticFibrosis.com

Edited: 10/05/2006 at 04:12 PM by SarahK

For all of you who have lent your kind words to me, I will continue to update you on my "Big Day", November 5, 2006. The ING New York City Marathon, is just ONE MONTH away, I can not belive it, myself. This marathon awaits me, I feel so small in this so very big event! I have wanted to participate for quite some time - just being an avid runner - albeit I am not a very fast and experienced runner. I love that I can "feel" the seasons here in the Northeast. Today was a brilliant autumn day, perfect for my 5 miler - cool temperatures and slight breeze, the smells of leaves and grasses, the deciduating leaves on the road. I have to watch out for the acorns though, they fall freely and wouldn't that be something if I slipped on one or twisted an ankle? I really should be winding it down now. My long run, a 20 miler, was completed 2 weeks ago in Central Park. I have another long run this Sunday, perhaps 15-18 miles. I have decided not to complete a 26 miler prior to the marathon. I feel it is not necessary and will "save myself" for 11/5! After this weekend I will rest up and go easy. I keep this entire CysticFibrosis.com site in my mind as I am running - for the pure motivation that I can actually contribute something personal to all of you at the site.

I am thrilled at the contacts and partnerships we have formed this year. The Boomer Esiason Foundation being one of them. Team Boomer has been initiated by the BEF as a cause run for "Exercise For Life". I met with Jerry Cahill, 50 with CF, Founder of "Exercise For Life", volunteer for the Boomer Esiason Foundation this week. For those of you who know Jerry, you know that he is a most amazing individual. He, like most of you, has overcome many obstacles, and continues the fight. I can tell you personally that Jerry is a vibrant, humorous and dedicated man. He is passionate about exercising - a marathoner himself - and believes that promoting education and awareness about the importance of daily exercise in the young lives of CFers - will most certainly prove benficial in the long run...he is 50! Jerry has founded the "Exercise For Life" program and will award a male and female Cystic Fibrosis patient next June with at least a $10,000. educational scholarship each. It is my goal to help raise funds by starting with the New York City Marathon. I will let you know of my success when I complete the run (although, I think my family and friends are so supportive of my efforts, that in their minds I have already won the race and they will contribute even if I should not finish!).

Let me share with you what Jerry had said to me back in April, it affected me so greatly that I decided at that moment, I would run for this outstanding porgram. He said (I am paraphrasing), "Sarah, imagine you have CF and that you have an average life span of 35 years (I turned 35 this year). Imagine that you don't care much about education because you assume you either won't live to finish school, or, you won't live to have a career. What do you do? You don't place enough emphasis on a strong education. Now, ask yourself - if you can live longer, isn't it wonderful to know you could and should plan for your education? Sarah, this program, "Exercise For Life" allows individuals a chance at education and a promising future! Imagine that we can offer a means to academic dreams? Awesome! So...sign me up - as long as I'm running, I'm running for you! Jerry is a total and gifted inspiration and I am honored that I can contribute. For more information on the BEF's "Exercise For Life", please visit them at http://www.cysticfibrosis.com/team_boomer.html.

I have also posted a letter at my blog for you, friends and family. I am keeping everyone up to date on my personal efforts and my count down.

-------------------------
Administrator
CysticFibrosis.com

Edited: 10/05/2006 at 03:41 PM by SarahK

I would like to thank the Boomer Esiason Foundation for inviting me to join them in the 2006 NYC Marathon! I am a relatively "young" mother (turned 35 yesterday as a matter of fact) of 3 sons - Alex 4.5yrs., Evan 3yrs, and Stephen 9 months. I have always loved running. I view it as positive outlet for me and it has been a somewhat reliable form of post baby weight loss! I had entered the NYC marathon lottery for several years and was "rejected" each time. For those of you who have entered, run or know someone who has, you understand that it is a very difficult race to be accepted into. It was so frustrating and disheartening to be rejected - especially because I live in NJ - and only 12miles outside of NYC...I mean c'mon! I am right here!! Anyway, there are rules and rules are mostly rules. One of the rules is that if you are rejected 3 years in a row, you are automatically accepted the 4th year - and of course, I was accepted last year! (I was smart enough to keep entering when I was pregnant because I knew I would be rejected and it payed off!) So, last year I was accpeted, but was pregnant and was able to defer for 1 year (another rule) and so....here I am! 35, 3 sons under 4.5yrs and I am doing it this year!!! November 5, 2006 and I am training and I am so happy. But here is the BEST part. I reconnected with the BEF earlier this year upon returning to work - a relationship I had formed/started 5 years ago. I was lucky enough to meet Jerry Cahill. He hosts the Cystic Fibrosis Podcasts and is an avid runner - if you can imagine Jerry Cahill - 50 years old last month with CF and he runs marathons! Well - I told him I wanted to run with him, for Cystic Fibrosis. I was already in and how could I run for CF? If you are going to run 26.2 miles, you may as well run for something, and I know that my run is going to be for cysticfibrosis.com and now, the BEF - how lucky am I? I am going to have 26.2 breath prayers - one for each mile. I wish I could carry all of your names and yell them out but I am not sure that I can carry much - so I will have to come up with another idea. I just wanted to say thank you to you all for giving me the inspiration to run and especailly to Jerry for orchestrating Team Boomer. I will have to get Jerry to post the info so you can read about Team Boomer. It is just another amazing story about keeping ahead of this disease. Jerry, - You Rock! It will be an honor to run for Team Boomer and all of you at www.cysticfibrois.com. Thank you.

Sarah

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Sarah Katopodis
Administrator
CystiFibrosis.com

It is truly remarkable that we celebrate the 10 year Anniversary of www.cysticfibrosis.com this month! As an administrator for M.L. Burke Consulting, Inc. to which www.cysticfibrosis.com belongs, I am reminded of just how much this online community has grown since its inception in 1996. I am Jeanne Barnett's daughter, Sarah Katopodis, and I am the Director of Marketing. Jeanne has been the strong hand that has directed this site for 10 years and she is to be commended for such perseverance and commitment! She presides over the forums and blogs daily, with such passion. I left Wall Street in early 2000 to help pioneer the Internet and develop this remarkable Internet opportunity with Jeanne. With a penchant for sales, I began calling upon pharmaceutical companies to help in our pursuit to build online patient communities. This was extremely difficult, as there were no models. Health care and the Internet were just forming. Big pharma was not interested at that point in time. Discouraged, but not defeated, we kept on moving. The events of 9/11 certainly slowed us down and we were quiet for about 6 months, as was much of the Internet. In this quiet time, we began building the site from the inside. This is when we began working with all of you! So many of YOU have been with us from the beginning, especially you, Risa - I remember all of the excitement you and I generated! We began emailing and phone calling each other with ideas such as the children's section, nutrition, and FAQs. We helped you with Transplantbuddies.com! My, my, my where has the time gone? You are more beautiful than I remember you and you are happily married and I know that you are a testament to the commitment and dedication that these 10 years have been. Most of all, you are 6 years older than when I first "met" you! Congratulations on your transplants and your unsurpassed will and conviction to live and live happily! You are such a model for so many of us!

I am so touched by the CF community at www.cysticfibrosis.com. Do you know that when I am complaining of a tired, sleepless night, or that one of my sons has a cold or that I am stressed out - my mom, Jeanne, directs me to a thread of the Forum, or a blog that one of you has written - so as to say...you think you are tired and stressed out? Look at this community - tireless, hopeful and by the way, they're stressed out. I read on...and on...on. I am humbled and I am quiet - wiping tears and thinking only that I pray for God to bless this site today. Send them a surprise - a cure, or bring them closer to being cured and God bless all the babies being diagnosed today and let the families and caregivers find cysticfbrosis.com and let them be welcomed and comforted in some way. I like to think of this site, and our work as a Great Big Hug to all of you and your families. We are working fervently to bring information and education to you directly from the professionals. I notice that Pari is answering directly at the forums and I have to say that this is certainly uncharted and perhaps the biggest step in the right direction for all of us. Imagine when the blogs and forums are bursting with real time questions and answers from the dozens of pharmas and their product managers and even doctors provided by them to answer us! This is our dream - to bring us all together - BIG TIME! We want to improve health care and we know that www.cysticfibrosis.com should be the model for all.

I just wanted to say Congratulations to all of you, for building and strengthening one of the most beautiful online communities that the World Wide Web has ever known. With over 3,000 registered users, 93,000 threads of information and 10 solid years of dedication and commitment to living passionately, we celebrate our spirit!

Happy 10 Year Anniversary to All Of YOU at www.cysticfibrosis.com!

"Just Breathe"

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Sarah Katopodis
Administrator
CystiFibrosis.com