Big news! Biggest news! Exciting and terrifying news!

In four months, I will be running the Boston Marathon. Fulfilling a huge, seemingly unattainable bucket list dream (and trying not to die in the process). I will be running on behalf of Boston Scores, an incredible organization that partners with Boston Public Schools to provide urban youth with after-school soccer & enrichment programs. By helping kids build essential life skills and character through soccer, Boston Scores envisions a world where every child feels a sense of belonging and achieves their full potential.

So yes very on brand for me.

I’m so excited and nervous and thrilled and scared and about a thousand other emotions. Four months to raise $7500 for this amazing non-profit. Four months to train my body to run 26.2 miles.

And what better way to keep myself motivated, hold myself accountable, and share updates of my progress and encourage donations than by writing!

Yesterday I completed my first two weeks of training, capping it off with my first double digit run EVER (10 miles!) and since today I can hardly move my legs, it’s a perfect time to document this first phase.

Some background. I’ve always been an extremely active and fit person, and a couple years ago I was running pretty consistently a few times a week. That tapered off this year and I only ran maybe once or twice a month (apart from warm-up runs before my daily workouts) up until July, when I started going to F45 six times a week and stopped running completely.

So that’s where I was at two weeks ago when I got the news that I had been accepted to the Boston Scores charity team.

Let’s recap what I have learned since then:

• Nothing
• No really I know nothing
• Marathon training is so complex
• I am so unprepared
• None of my leggings or shorts have pockets
• Apparently I need pockets for food????
• Cause I get to eat gummies and stuff while I run so that’s fun
• Why did I feel so tired after a 4 mile run
• But felt absolutely stellar after my first 8 mile run
• Like fully thought I hallucinated it
• Anyway running in Florida sucks
• It’s December why is it so hot I’m dying
• But also I did get really spoiled with my first week of training in NYC
• Ty to global warming for giving me 60 degree weather in December
• It is gonna be in the 30s when I get back and I am scared
• Desperately need to go shopping for cold weather running clothes
• Like I truly have nothing
• Also need to go to a running store and get my shoes evaluated??
• And maybe get a new pair??
• Help me I’m poor
• In the meantime I am being held together by bandaids and Ibuprofen
• So many blisters
• And mosquito bites
• Ty Florida

Needless to say, this has been quite the experience so far! With the exception of the first week, my first month of training will all be in Florida, which can be an advantage and a disadvantage.

Pros: strategic water stops on long runs thanks to my best friend’s house and my cousin’s house
Cons: hot, hot, hot, so hot, how can it be this hot
Pros: yummy post-run fuel thanks to my dad’s cooking
Cons: occasional gator sightings

My training goal for this first month is to just focus on getting my body used to running again, especially these long distances that I’ve never done before. Figuring out the best warm-up and cool-down routines and stretches and taking special care of my knee. Doing research on good cold weather running clothes and trying out some gummies and snacks to see what works best for me.

My fundraising goal is to get to $2k in the first month. Right now, I’m at $1275 (not bad for just a little over two weeks!) but would be great to be past that goal by the time I get back to New York. I have to have at least $3k raised by the beginning of February in order to register so if you’re reading this, please consider supporting and making a tax-deductible donation! Any little bit helps.

Here is the link to my fundraising page:
https://www.givengain.com/ap/dany-vasquez-raising-funds-for-boston-scores/

Alright my legs are crazy sore from yesterday’s 10 mile run and I’m already dreading tomorrow’s 5 miles so time to plop in front of the TV and not move for the entire day.

Tune in next week for updates on week 3 of training! Until then, thank you so much for reading and for all your support!