Running 26.2 - The Second Time Around

Remember that time I ran the 2013 Chicago Marathon and said that I was going to run it again in 2014?

There was a part of me that thought about putting off the marathon until 2015. Training for the race was a fantastic experience, but it was a huge time commitment. I was tempted to sleep in on Saturdays this summer and be able to enjoy a couple of beers at Friday night happy hours, but something (or rather, someone) made me change my mind.

His name is Nicco.

The day we adopted Nicco, cone and all.

 

When Tom and I moved in together two years ago, we started talking about the idea of adopting a dog. We both realized that taking care of a puppy would be a great deal of work, and agreed to put it off until we were really ready for the responsibility. I began pushing a bit harder for a dog last year, and when I signed up for the marathon in 2013, Tom said that we could get a dog when I finished the marathon.

 

Best. Motivation. Ever.

 

As you all know, Tom and I adopted our sweet baby Nicco right before the new year. Judging by the hundreds of photos I have on my phone, I love our puppy quite a bit, as does Tom. We have PAWS Chicago to thank for helping us find our wonderful dog.

 

PAWS is a no-kill shelter in Chicago that saves the lives of nearly 6,000 homeless pets every year. Started by a DePaul alum, PAWS takes in animals off the streets and from other shelters, treating those with illnesses and providing spay/neuter services to those in need of them. Animals are kept in a cage-free environment and the wonderful volunteers provide them with love and support as they find their forever homes.

 

I am eternally grateful to PAWS for the care they gave Nicco as he waited for us to find him. I sometimes wonder how Nicco felt in the days leading up to his adoption, if he was scared, hurt, or alone. But I know that PAWS provided Nicco with everything he needed, and because of PAWS, we found the best part of our little family. The day we adopted Nicco, the volunteers tied a red PAWS Chicago Alumni bandana around his neck as we prepared to take him home. As we walked down Clybourn Avenue with our little buddy, a number of people walking down the street congratulated us on our new dog. It's exciting to see the impact and reach that PAWS has on the community, and I've met countless dog and cat owners who adopted their pets from PAWS.

 

When I decided to run the marathon this year, I signed up to run as part of Team PAWS. If you've watched a big race in Chicago, I'm sure you've seen the Team PAWS members in their navy tanks, often with the names of their pets written on the back. Team PAWS raises about one third of the funding that PAWS needs to carry out their valuable work. As part of being on Team PAWS, I will be working hard to raise money to support this wonderful organization.

Running a marathon takes a great deal of dedication, from committing time to training to mentally preparing to making it through the race. Last year, this seemed like a daunting task, but it ended up being a wonderful experience. I'm even more excited to train this year, especially as a member of one of the best teams around.

I will be posting blogs every two weeks, talking about my training, new developments with Team PAWS, and sharing cute pictures of Nicco. I may also dish on my favorite Bravo shows, as I anticipate spending many more nights in, catching up on my DVR shows.

To donate to Team PAWS, please visit my fundraising page here. If I hit my goal, I will wear a tutu on race day and if I exceed my goal, I will throw a party to thank all donors. Let's save some animals!