Sorry about that last post. I was trying not to say what I'm about to say.
I'm running/walking/- no COMPLETING- the Rock'N'Roll Half Marathon in Imette's honor. You guys know that.
Her death and the emotions it caused rolled across the nation. I don't know that I'll ever be able to express how I felt when I got that phone call.
Every time I see her face on a news program, I get really sad. Really sad. They always use this one picture of her from her high school yearbook. It gives me this jolt of recognition. They always say her name funny. I never called her "Emmett", always "EEmette", with the i latina del español.
Her mom is soooo tiny, with red and white hair. I remember meeting her, just the once, during parents' weekend up at GW. Frank was with them. Imette definitely got the brightness of her smile from her mom. She was so energetic, yo. Her mom said something last night on the CNN newscast that just resonated.
"She was fantastic. She was just fantastic." I have to agree.
You know, I say that I'm running this in Imette's memory, but through all my efforts I have no idea if her mom's okay with this. I hope so. Just as I like to think that Imette's cheering me on. On the hard miles and especially during this last hard patch, I can hear her SO distinctive voice, not letting me give up. But the truth is, I run to honor her, because I'll never really know if she's okay with this or not. All I can do is look for the signs, and cross off the miles I run on roads I'll never know if she sees. I don't really know how to honor a fantastic person who died so wrongly. But I chose this.
So tonight, when I run, I know that God is with me. I hope Imette asks him to send a wind to dry my tears.
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
