A first marathon for AIDS- In Memory of Imette St. Guillen

Hi! Thanks for stopping in!

Wait, don't leave yet!  You have the opportunity to build on something good before you go.  Or at least learn a story to pass along.

I'm Marisa.   I'm 24 years old; and currently I live in Alexandria, VA, right outside Washington, DC.  I'm really excited to be training to run my first 1/2 marathon ever, with the National Aids Marathon Training Program.   You're here for my first steps, something historic, at least for me.  Thanks for coming.

I'm going to finish this marathon in memory of Imette St. Guillen, my friend and GWU c/o 2003 classmate, who was killed earlier this year.  She was a smart, funny, and determined person, so I think my training and this cause will serve her memory well.  And I'll be sure to tell you guys about Imette as the miles go by.

My run is a fundraiser to benefit the Whitman-Walker Clinic  here in DC.  They're a major provider of ahem, affordable health care in this area.  And they're the principal provider of AIDS care here.  Since 1 in 20 people here in the District- yes, I said One in Twenty- have HIV or AIDS, the clinic serves a significant part of this city. I've been hearing about them since I came to DC to start at GW in '99.   The clinic is struggling for funding this year.

No, Imette didn't have AIDS.  But she was spontaneous and compassionate.  I believe she'd probably run with me.

I can't think of a better way to take action or a better cause to serve Imette's memory.

Here's the deal: the goal is to raise at least $2,500 for this marathon. (if you can't click on this, go to AidsMarathon.com, click on Support a Runner for WDC, and enter runner number 0698.) That's what I'm here to do.  The super-awesome goal is $5,000.  Why those numbers?  Well, Imette died five days before her 25th birthday.  And I, along with the majority of  our c/o 1999/2003 classmates, will turn 25 this year.   We can do that much.  But if we don't have $2,100 banked by July 5th, the clinic keeps the cash, which is all good, but I won't have earned entry into the marathon, and so I won't cross that finish line for Imette and all those who live in the District with AIDS. 

So this blog is going to be one of many ways to reach out.  You can click here to donate toward our $2,500 goal.  My runner number is 0698.   I've also started a letter-writing campaign.  So if you've ever known me, get ready for a letter or an email to come your way, even if you haven't seen me in about 10 years.  It's worth it.

This blog, I must confess, is also a way to record my thoughts and feelings and where I'll come for the "you can do it!" cheerleading and ideas when charlie horse and sore hammies hit.  I mean, I was on the crew team when I was undergrad, but that was a while ago.  Now I sit at a desk all day.  And I never before ran, walked, or otherwise used my feet to go 14 miles in one go.

The first group run was this past Saturday, May 6th.  It was a rush to be there, but it was only a mile run.  I've got two training sessions this week of half an hour.  Those are where the journey really starts.

This is the challenge of a lifetime that I'm taking up to honor a wonderful woman.  Thanks for sharing this- and your support- with me.

 ~Marisa