Month: November 2025

Why run for the Boston Public Library Fund?

Obviously if you are going to run for a charity it needs to be important to you and connected to your why. So, why the Boston Public Library Fund? Here’s what I said on my application for the team:

Application: Why do you want to run for Team PBL?

Answer: To say that I’ve spent my life hopping from library to library is an understatement. I have deep memories that date back to my elementary school days of volunteering in the school library. I can clearly picture the librarian, Mrs. Breakstone- the card catalog system the comfort of being surrounded by books. I have similar memories in Junior High and Senior HS. One constant regardless of the school was that I was volunteering in the library. I imagine it’s my love of books that had me in the library as a student. The love of books has continued and been passed down to my children, ages 10 and 12. As I type this it seems really evident that I should most definitely have become a librarian. But I was fixated on becoming a lawyer, which I did and also involved a lot of time in a library! But after having children, I was drawn to education and back to the library. During the onset of Covid I became a substitute teacher to help bridge the gap during in person learning. Any guesses about where I was stationed…correct the library. 

Running a race for charity has to be highly personal. You have to believe deeply in the cause and the mission to ask other people for money. When things get tough you have to draw on that sense of purpose of why you are doing something. While I do not live in Boston, I know the importance of the library to the community and the broad depth of the programming that you offer. I serve on a local library board, so I feel a connection to the importance of public libraries and what they contribute to the community. 

Whenever I finish a race- my boys ask “which marathon are WE running next?” I always chuckle about the we part because I’m the one doing all the running. The answer has always been the same…BOSTON. They even got me the Run Boston hat as a reminder. The reality is that while they aren’t doing the running- they have always been part of the process. From chatting to me on the treadmill during my early morning training runs, to brainstorming ways to raise dollars for charity, to being out on the course with my husband to support me. As much as books are an integral part of our every day I can’t imagine how excited they would be to hear that we are going to fundraise for the BPL.(Read about their response below). For them and me it would be a dream come true to combine my passion of running and reading while accomplishing the unicorn marathon.

Application: Please tell us something interesting about yourself.

Answer: I’m a mom to two boys, who pivoted her entire professional life when they were born. While I don’t regret getting a law degree (truly got to have my dream job!), as it provides me a foundation for much of my work as it relates to critical thinking and putting systems into place for our independent day school- I’ve thought more than once about going back to school to obtain my library science degree. I feel blessed to be able to work at the same place my children go to school. 

In the mean time I share my love of reading and book in general in other ways- like blogging about them or sharing on social media. My blog website is literally- runreadrepeat.com. I started a book club at work. We have been meeting for nearly two years. Each month the group comes up with a genre and I put together 5-6 books for everyone to consider. Then we vote- so we all have ownership over the book. Some have been winners- others less so but it has really helped build a sense of community among a group of us who know that we all enjoy reading. 

I also enjoy meeting authors and attending author events, especially those presented as public library fundraisers. My best friend from college and I plan our annual get together around traveling to an author event. I’m so excited because this coming week I’m taking my ten year old to a local event featuring Jeff Kinney. He’s literally been counting down the days until he gets to see meet his first author in real life.

So how did the boys respond to the news? You know how there’s just something about kids- where their emotions and responses are so genuine? There was so much PURE JOY when I shared the news. The wheels were already turning for them about how much fun it would be to incorporate our love of reading/books and running into this adventure.

I think it’s clear me + books + running = Boston Public Library Fund 2026 Boston Marathon team!! Let’s go!

support my boston marathon run for the boston public library fund

Explain it to me…why do you run marathons?

As I was jumping for joy (literally) about being selected for the Boston Public Library Fund team to run the Boston Marathon in April 2026 my friend asked that important question- why do you run marathons? I paused for a moment and responded “because I can.” I wasn’t being flip, I was being serious. I know that at some point in my life I will not be able to run (may that be a VERY long time from now), but for now I can and I do. This morning I got a reminder that our time is finite. Susan Hurley, the founder of Charity Teams (who organizes the teams to run for charity for the Boston Marathon) died at the age of 61 of ovarian cancer. Live for today because tomorrow isn’t promised. So I stand by- I run because I can!

My marathon running journey started as a way to cope with my father’s advancing Alzheimer’s. He had early onset Alzheimer’s and ultimately succumbed to the terrible disease at the age of 64. Running has always been my time and space for thinking and decompressing, so it seemed logically to run for charity. All but one of my marathon runs has been for charity. It takes on extra meaning to not only train, but to train with a purpose of raising dollars for awareness for an organization.

So back to the why do you run marathons question? For several days after being asked, I continued to really think about why on earth do I train for twelve weeks to go through the grueling challenge of running 26.2 miles?? The training process is hard. It’s hard to balance along with work and two sons with full and active schedules. It takes careful planning, early mornings and LOTS of time on my Landice treadmill. LOTS! Yes, I do all my training on the treadmill, but that’s a different story for another day. So yes, just getting ready for toeing the line is a lot of work and preparation. But, I thrive on schedule. I’ve followed the same training plan for each of my previous four marathons. I know what I’m supposed to do when, I make a plan and I stick to it. Making the time is easier said than done, but fortunately my husband is incredibly supportive and I apparently don’t mind getting up when it’s dark outside.

I’ve been struggling for days to think of how to explain the amazement of race day. It’s knowing that you have literally done everything possible to get to that moment and that you have to trust that it’s enough to get you from the start to the finish. It’s wondering if your nutrition is going to work. Have you fueled enough? Is the weather going to cooperate? Is your mind going to go the distance? While running is very obviously a physical activity, when you hit the wall of fatigue it becomes just as much mental as physical. It would be super easy to be like- I’m out, no need to finish. I’m reminded of my 2021 NYC Marathon experience- I had just entered Central Park with 2-3 miles to go. EVERYTHING hurt. I accidentally called my sister and thought that she had called me…there was no doubt in my mind that I was going to finish, but seriously I was delirious. I might be delusional, but I have never once thought that I wasn’t going to finish a race…even a marathon. Crazy, right? May my streak continue and allow me to finish in April.

Back to race day- there is so much excitement and so many people who come out just to cheer on all the “crazy” runners. When you are questioning humanity- you should definitely go to a race. That’s where you see people doing really hard things and total strangers cheering their heads off in support. I learned early on to make sure I wear my name on my person. It’s literally like magic- people know when you need it and they call out- “Kelly, you’ve got this.” And you keep putting one foot in front of the other.

Crossing the finish line is magical. It’s a holy cow- I did that moment. It’s all the emotions- exhaustion- tears, always tears, and absolute pure joy. The closely thing I can think to compare it to is giving birth. Similar in a lot of way- months of hard physical preparation to push your body to go the distance. Back to NYC 2021- the boys were young. We were just “coming out of Covid.” They weren’t even vaccinated yet. Jeffrey and the boys, ages 8 and 6 were in the grandstand in Central Park for HOURS. For sense of timing- as I stood on the Verrazano Bridge preparing to start Jeff texted to say they were in the grandstand. Yikes- it was going to be a minute until I got there. But the boys saw all the professionals finish. Fortunately, they didn’t count how many people finished in front of me. They were patient and they literally got to see me finish one of the largest marathons in the world. Seeing the three of them there for me is a memory that I will not soon forget. Jeffrey got a truly remarkable photo of the boys from behind with cowbells- and me right in between- signature arms in the air finishing. Priceless!

So, while I run for all of these reason- I run for me and that I can- I run for the amazing experience- I run to raise awareness and dollars for amazing organizations like the Boston Public Library Fund– I also run because I know the boys are watching. They watched my disappointment in 2020 when the NYC Marathon got postponed. They watched as I said screw it, I’ll run my first marathon solo in my neighborhood because I didn’t think my dad would make it to 2021 (he didn’t) and because I had set my brain on running that year. They watched as I was unjustifiably disappointed with my time in 2021, so I signed up for the Chicago Marathon on the way home. They watched as I ran Chicago not focused on time but for the experience. They watched when I took a break from running and racing. They watched when I didn’t get selected for the Boston Marathon when I applied to run for charity in 2024. There were tears- but then I found another marathon and ran that instead. They watched when I applied again and got selected. This whole process is a metaphor for life- there are ups and downs. There are times you have to dust yourself off and try again. There are time you have to give yourself grace and recognize that you are enough.

The boys knew I was applying again this year. They knew how important running the Boston Marathon was to me. And they too, had total joy when I announced we are going to Boston. Somehow something so individual as running a marathon has become a family affair. On Patriot’s Day I know my three biggest fans will be cheering me on. They won’t care how long it takes- they will just care that I do my best!

Support My boston marathon run for the boston public library fund

The Blog is BACK…and did someone say Boston Marathon?

It has been a minute since I provided an update. Actually, it’s been nearly two years! How is that possible? It seems working and momming, running and reading and all the things in between got in the way just a bit. I started this blog in January of 2020. Yes, in the life before Covid, during my stay at home mom life era. In September I would go back to work, for what was supposed to be part time that quickly turned nearly full time subbing in the Lower School…during COVID. One thing led to another and by July of 2021 I was back to work full time. So much has happened in the nearly six year since I created this space! But let’s just do a quick catch up sine January 2024…shall we?

Books- I’m still reading all of the books!! I don’t anticipate returning to regular book reviews on this platform, but never say never. The best place to see my latest reads is on Instagram. I started a book club at work. We have been meeting for over eighteen months. We have fun discussions and read a variety of genres. Plus we meet in the middle of the day, so we are actually talking about the books! It has been such a great way to spend time with my coworkers doing something that we all enjoy. It’s been so meaningful to me to inspire others to rekindle their passion for reading. I’ve connected with Netgalley and love the opportunity to read Advanced Reader Copies of books! We have added visiting local independent bookstores to our itinerary whenever we travel and have a running list of all those that we have visited. The boys are totally in love with this idea and we’ve discovered so many fun small businesses to support as part of our travels. I continue to attend author events and enjoyed sharing C’s first opportunity to meet one of his favorite authors- Jeff Kinney. It’s also possible that I introduced myself to author Lucy Score in a Sheetz bathroom following a Frederick Backman author event and a picture of us from the bathroom was in her newsletter. I’m also into my second year on the Jewish Library of Baltimore Board. Books and access to them continue to be a meaningful and integral part of my life.

Family/Life-The family is doing well! We are in our travel soccer, wrestling, drums, piano era. Which means, Jeffrey and I spend a lot of time dividing and conquering. The boys continue to amaze me each and every day with how they conduct themselves and the commitment they have to their various interests. It’s hard to believe that they are in 6th and 4th grade. The world they live in is so different from the one Jeffrey and I experienced. We work to keep them grounded in faith, family and friends to remember what is truly important.

I transitioned into a new role at work. While I’m missing “my people,” I’m loving the new challenge of building an organizational system and using my brain in new ways again. I get to work with an entirely different part of the campus. We said goodbye to Ruby in September. She was my shadow, my ride or die, always by my side furry companion. Truth be told, rather than sitting at the table, if she were here, I would be on the couch typing with her snuggled up next to me. Hoping each day gets a little bit better, but we still have a Ruby sized hole in our hearts.

Running-How about running- what has happened on the running from since January 2024?? Honestly, running had just become one of the many things I was doing to stay active. Then I was more focused on riding and lifting. In the summer of 2023 we went to Boston as part of our summer vacation. During the course of the trip, I picked up a Run Boston hat. The seed was planted in that moment that I would run the Boston Marathon. September of 2024, the running switch flipped and I applied to run the Boston Marathon for charity. Spoiler alert I wasn’t selected. I was incredibly disappointed, but used the opportunity to find another marathon. In March, 2025 I ran the Virginia Beach Shamrock Marathon. A beautifully flat course. A much smaller race, but the perfect race back into running races again. It was the first time I wasn’t running a race for charity, but just because I wanted to run a marathon. I know, why does anyone want to run a marathon?? More to come on that topic soon!

Why is the blog back?? Originally, way back when I created it this was a space to share racing/training updates. And maybe, just maybe I’m going to have a big race coming up in 2026. If you know me, I didn’t just let one year of not getting selected for the Boston Marathon keep me from trying again. As soon as the application process opened I submitted my application to the same charity that rejected me last year. I promise there are no hard feelings and I will forever be supportive of them and their mission! I knew that my why was the same and hoped that this year would be different. But as a wise person reminds me- hope isn’t a business plan. So when a coworker suggested I apply for a charity team that is in line with my values and interests (you won’t be surprised to hear what charity) I applied there too. Two chances had to be better than one?! After submitting my application, I had the most lovely follow up conversation with the organization. They loved my passion and the fact that my marathon running/fundraising is a family affair and on Thursday, October 30 they offered me a bib for the 2026 Boston Marathon! To say I’m excited is an understatement. The boys are excited- Jeffrey is excited that I’m excited.

Fun fact, that original charity, the one that said no in 2024. They reached out on October 31 and offered me a bib. Ironic, right? I share this to say- that this is 100% my year for Boston. It was meant to be. Shortly, I will reach out and decline the October 31 offer and make someone on the waitlist very happy!! I will forever support that charity and their mission.

I have run the NYC and Chicago Marathons for the Alzheimer’s Association and in memory of my dad. Incredibly meaningful and the most important why for which I could run. I’m forever grateful for the opportunity and the fact that I could honor him in that way. It’s time for a new chapter.

Big reveal- For the Boston Marathon, I will be running for a new charity. One that I truly believe my dad would be excited for me to get behind and hopefully he will be pushing me up Heartbreak Hill- One that excites me and is still very near to my heart. One that my boys are excited about and thinking about ways that they can help with the fundraising efforts. One that involves…wait for it…books! I can’t think of a time in my life that books weren’t a part of it. If you were to visit our home, you might ask if it was actually a library. The first place C visits when he gets to school each day…the library. When I was completing my application for the marathon I reflected on all of my school librarians from elementary through high school and how I can vividly remember volunteering in the library The card catalog to digital library. I’m the secretary of the Jewish Library of Baltimore- because books and access to books is so very important. So, no surprise I’m running the 130th Boston Marathon for the Boston Public Library Fund!

I’m truly excited for this opportunity. For the fun we will have as a family to fundraise so that the Boston Public Library can continue to provide the amazing services that they do to the Boston community. Running the literal unicorn of marathons is once in a lifetime opportunity. I can’t wait to share the journey from beginning to end!

Support my Boston Marathon effort and the Boston Public Library Fund