My journey to the NYC Marathon

THE BEGINNING: My journey started in February of this year, when my wife decided she wanted to terminate our 8 year relationship and take a job transfer to London. Dealing with a loss of this nature is difficult for anyone, but for someone like myself, who has fought depression for over 30 years, the loss was completely crippling and more than I could bare. There were many days spent in bed, a huddled crying mass, wondering what I could have done differently, how could I save my marriage, and where do I go from here when the only future I ever saw was one with her in it. Days turned into weeks, and weeks slowly passed by, and then a much greater tragedy hit. On the morning of March 24th, Newtown father Jeremy Richman, died by suicide. I was overcome with more grief than I could possibly put into words and I was hit with the desire to do something. That “something” came in the form of volunteering my time with Dylan’s Wings of Change and the Wingman program.

A NEW CHAPTER STARTS: I was very familiar with the Wingman program as my daughter had participated in it at her elementary school. The Wingman program is a unique youth leadership program that develops social and emotional skills through team bonding and trust building activities. It’s mission of inspiring children to be more empathetic, courageous and inclusive young leaders was one I believed in wholeheartedly. So, I began to work with Ian Hockley, founder of Dylan’s Wings of Change and father of Dylan Hockley who was killed in the Sandy Hook shooting. At a time I needed it most, Ian allowed me to be a part of something that really and truly mattered; something I felt was making a difference. Brainstorming sessions, trips to NJ to watch Ian tell his story, and many conference calls later, I began to start feeling like my old self again.

A CRAZY IDEA: I can’t even tell you when I thought of it or what possessed me to do it, but at some point in my younger, more athletic life, I put “Run a Marathon” on my bucket list. As an adult, the only organized running I had ever done was a few charity 5Ks, where you just go out there and give it the old college try. However, I was feeling like I had something to prove to myself and although I was starting to feel better, I still greatly needed to find something to focus on besides my failed relationship. So on a whim, I looked up what charities I could raise money for in order to run in the New York City Marathon. As the Universe would have it, Dylan’s Wings of Change was one of the charities that received 4 marathon bibs as the larger Sandy Hook Foundation distributed some of their marathon bibs to other Sandy Hook charity organizations. I had asked and the Universe had answered. I would be wearing one of my favorite colors, purple, and running for a charity I was physically and emotionally involved with, and I was going to get to check of a bucket list item. But the Universe wasn’t done providing yet…

A RUNNING COACH, A FORMER TEAMMATE, AN INCREDIBLE FRIEND: I ran 15 miles last week, I am set to run 16 miles tomorrow and none of it would be possible without my amazing running coach. As luck or the Universe would have it, my former college teammate, and great friend, Amy Kvilhaug had left her head coaching position and was training runners. Amy had become an avid and quite successful runner herself, and took all that wisdom and was imparting it on others. We spoke at length, I told her about my fears of starting down this road and not being able to finish it, and we decided that together, we would do this. With Amy by my side, and an incredible amount of support from my family and so many friends, I am 7 1/2 weeks from running the New York City Marathon.

THE JOURNEY: Its been a difficult journey. I am sore on a daily basis. I have cried before runs, after runs, and during runs, and I have pushed myself harder than I possibly ever have in my life, but I have to do this for me and I have to do this for Dylan. Its been a journey of self discovery, of finding out what I am truly made of. I have gotten up to run before the sun comes up and I have run in the pitch black at 1:30 am with my headlamp on high. I truly can’t thank everyone enough for supporting me through this journey. What a (very) long, strange trip it has been. I will see you all at the finish line on November 3rd!

YOUR SUPPORT IS NEEDED: If you are so inclined, it would be amazing if you could make a donation to my charity to show your support for me and my efforts, as well as for Dylan’s Wings of Change. (Please note: when you donate, it will say Sandy Hook Foundation, but the money will absolutely go to Dylan’s Wings of Change.) Thank you so much! DONATE HERE: https://www.crowdrise.com/donate/project/sandy-hook-promise-foundation-nyc-2019/lynnsouza1

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