Girl Scouts, Gorilla and Gratitude

Heartbreak Hill Running Store Gorilla 

It's been a long, cold winter that seemed to never end. I wrote about the challenges of running in frigid temperatures and the theme continued for the next month. On the Girl Scout Team we are fundraising for the Girls Get Moving Initiative which provides health and wellness programs for young girls. The programs educate young scouts on how to live healthy and active lifestyles in a variety of ways and to "keep moving all year long." I've taken creative ways to keep moving this winter. 

It seemed like there was a snow storm every weekend. One Sunday, I stepped out my door and started slipping on ice so I found the newly-renovated-and-still-unknown Barry Farm Aquatic Center pool where I aqua jogged for 2 hours.  As you can see in the picture below, I had it all to myself for over an hour and imagined running outdoors as I went up and down the pool lanes. It's a little mind-numbing, but I like to recreate some favorite running memories. I also think about why and how much I enjoy being active and thankful that I have a beautiful place to swim and pool jog (for FREE).

I went to Boston in early March and ran with the Girl Scout Team on their Saturday Training Run as part of the Marathon Coalition. The snow had melted some, but there were snow banks to be negotiated on some corners. The picture was taken at the end of my friend's driveway.

I went to the training run and set off for a 12 mile run with the group. I got caught up in talking with other Marathon Coalition runners about how inspired we were running for our causes and the positive impact. We were running the marathon route but it looked and felt different running on the sidewalks. I lost the group as I kept following the route. When my Garmin hit 12 miles, it didn't look familiar. I kept going until 13.5 miles and stopped at an aid station. A volunteer told me I had run past the turn and offered to drive me back to my group. 

We drove back and I saw where I'd missed the turn- at Heartbreak Hill Running Store with the Gorilla. I had given the Gorilla a high-five instead of turning. Oops!

I am hopeful that with my early spring flowers blooming that warm weather will soon follow.  It seems that my garden, like the rest of us, is ready for spring. I am grateful that my body has allowed me to run through another winter. I am thankful for the support of family, friends, neighbors and colleagues through the years to inspire, motivate, and keep moving. I am especially thankful for the healing spirit of Boston strong as I still get sad when I think about April 15, 2013 and those affected by the bombings.

If you haven't done so already, I hope you will please consider making a contribution to my fundraising efforts. I could really use your help! You can donate through my fundraising website at:

https://www.crowdrise.com/girlscoutsboston2015/fundraiser/malissazimmerman. 

If you would like to mail a check:
Please make it  payable to the "Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts",
credited to the fundraising account of Malissa Zimmerman
Mail to: 
Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts 
ATTN: Jennifer Perrone
95 Berkeley Street Suite 404

Boston, MA 02116

Any contribution would be appreciated, even $10 for my 10^th Boston or $25 for my 25^th marathon.  

Thank you for all your support!

Running in gratitude