Hello! Welcome to my NY Marathon fundraising page :)
Before I get into my own my marathon journey, and why I decided to raise money for the Bone Health & Osteoporosis Foundation (BHOF) I just wanted to say THANK YOU!! Thank you for cheering me on, supporting me, and hopefully donating on my behalf to BHOF.
On January 1st 2022, I had one New Years resolution — to run the NY Marathon. And as you may already know…24 days later I broke my left femur skiing.
When I woke up from surgery I immediately asked my doctor if I will be able to run the NY Marathon in November. My doctor responded with a laugh of disbelief, and kindly advised that I readjust my 2022 goals.
Fast forward a few exciting months full of wheelchairs, electric chairs, walkers, crutches, and 5 different physical therapists and I am finally ready! Eager, excited, and determined to take on the NY Marathon.
For me, running this marathon is more than just checking off a delayed New Years resolution. Sure, learning how to walk again was hard. But learning how to run again feels nearly impossible at times. There were, and admittedly still are, so many moments of self doubt. Moreover, when you’re recovering from an injury, everyone seems to have an opinion about what you “can’t” do when you're injured.
“You can’t walk up your 5 flight walkup”
“You can’t walk more than .2 miles a day”
“You can’t go to that party on crutches”
“You can’t go for that bike ride”
“You can’t run a marathon less than two years after your surgery”
(I can go on and on and on)
But this marathon, my first marathon, is all about what I can do!
I was told that a full recovery from a broken femur typically takes ~1-2 years. On marathon day it’ll be 1 year, 9 months, and 13 days since my injury. I know it's ambitious, difficult, and maybe a little crazy, but I know that I’ve got this!
If I’m going to run a marathon and ask my family & friends for support, I wanted to do so for an organization that I can personally vouch for. And while there are no “broken femur societies” I specifically chose to run for an organization that internalizes the importance of bone health, something pre-injury- Michelle most certainly took for granted. BHOF’s mission is to prevent osteoporosis and broken bones, promote strong bones for life and reduce human suffering through programs of public and clinician awareness, education, advocacy, and research.
Thank you again for your support! I'll see you at the finish line!
Lots and lots of love, appreciation, and gratitude,
Michelle
