Last Monday, I participated in the Sanofi Genzyme Running for Rare Disease Day Relay. I ran from my Westborough, MA office building to the Framingham site. The run was 6.9 miles; the longest run of my training for the May 1st Providence Half Marathon so far.
In the past I run to reflect on myself, and self-reflection isn’t a bad thing by any means, but Monday I ran for my friend Shauna. I ran to commemorate our friendship, made possible by this wonderful organization. And the ironic thing about that is that Shauna and I live only a few miles from each other. I may never have gotten to know this smart gal with a passion for weather and a hatred for the color pink if it hadn’t been for this cause.
I am excited, humbled and grateful to be a part of this group for the first year (of hopefully many more to come). And I am looking forward to meeting my team along the way. Cheers!
My name is Emily Burke, but my family and close friends call me Em, Emmy or Emma. I started running as a means of meditation when I was a freshman in high school. What was supposed to be training for the field hockey season turned into something more for me. Now at 33, I still reflect on the things going on in my life, sort through my feelings, and refocus my energy with a long hard run. Now I can add something else to this list of things running does for me, building a community of friends for a lifetime. Looking forward to being a part of this team, and the friends I meet along the way.
Shauna was my partner for the 2014 Boston Marathon. The Rothmund-Thomson Syndrome community is amazing and so inspirational. She and her family are a lot of fun and love to take goofy pictures. You’re going to have the BEST time and you will gain a friend for life!
Glad the relay was a great run for you, Emily. I was at the Science Center when you guys came in and I think I saw you carrying the torch (?). I also had a great day running for the Rare community as well as our Sanofi/Genzyme community. I’m always amazed at how many people turn out for the relay. Keep up the training!