Boston Bulldogs x Boston Marathon
On Monday, April 18, 2016, I embarked on my first Boston Marathon (unless you count the New Year's Day Boston Marathon!), and had the honor of being the first runner to represent the Boston Bulldogs Running Club from Hopkinton to Boylston. After running those 26.2 magical miles, I immediately fell in love. I told myself that every Patriot’s Day in April would be reserved on my calendar so I could return to those streets. The crowds, the camaraderie, and the spirit of hope this race brings to the city are unparalleled and something I hope everyone can experience, whether running or spectating. Running requires knowing and understanding your many "whys," and for me, I have found both joy and purpose in raising awareness and funds for the Boston Bulldogs Running Club and spreading the nonprofit's message of the power and importance of wellness through movement and community.
For those not familiar, we are a coed nonprofit running club with a mission to provide an anonymous and safe community of support for all those adversely affected by addiction. This includes those in recovery, their families and friends, the clinical community, and the community at large. I’ve seen the suffering of far too many people who are close to me and who have been impacted by addiction, but I’ve also seen the tremendous power of the Bulldogs in helping individuals receive the support they need to get back on their feet. Through compassion and community, the Bulldogs have changed countless lives for the better, and my main hope is that we as a club can continue to reach and support more people. I’ve dealt with my fair share of struggles in this beautiful gift we call life and am still in the process of dealing with many today, and the running community, especially the Bulldogs, has always been there for me and supported me whether they realize it or not. Sharing strides and miles with others can be a deeply intimate and humanizing experience, and one in which we can really learn how to open ourselves to the support of people around us. It's about showing up for yourself and the people you care about.
It feels crazy to say this will be my tenth year running and fundraising for the club. My running journey has evolved in so many ways over the past decade and beyond. The constant of Boston and the Boston Bulldogs these past ten years brings with it lots of opportunity for reflection. I helped launch the club and nonprofit back in October of 2015, and have embarked on hundreds of runs with fellow Bulldogs since those early days at the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. To say the Bulldogs have given me so much throughout the years is an understatement. Please consider helping me in my commitment to fundraise for the Bulldogs and the great work they do (please see below for specifics of their programs), and continue reaching out to those you love because we are all deserving of care and compassion. Whether an addict or an ally, it is through connection that we can all heal collectively and help battle both addiction and the stigma associated with it.
Run gently,
Patrick
As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization (through the Road Runners Club of America), the Boston Bulldogs Running Club relies on the generosity of our friends and supporters to keep the Club running and growing. Tax ID: 47-5240494
Donations from individuals, corporations and partners including those made to our annual Run for Recovery & Tribute at Franklin Park and support for our annual Boston Marathon Team directly support our programs detailed below. Donations also allow people without resources to join the Bulldogs as sponsored members. The cost of their membership, running gear, participation in wellness programs, coaching, day-to-day recovery support, transportation, and race entries are covered by the Club.
Donations also support our Weekly Runs (five runs in four locations each week), Full Circle Program which introduces new members to the Club and helps them meet specific wellness/recovery goals. Donations pay for running gear, race/event registration, and support. Our Leadership Team, composed of members who have completed Full Circle, lead our weekly runs and outreach efforts, donations are used to compensate them with stipends and scholarship assistance. We also run a half dozen programs related to wellness and drug and alcohol prevention for young people as part of our Junior Bulldogs Program. Donations are used for gear, book donations, activities and resources for learning and wellness. Lastly, donations support various Boston Bulldogs Wellness Programs in area recovery centers where Bulldogs members share the message of recovery and the power of running, exercise and wellness.
For those not familiar, we are a coed nonprofit running club with a mission to provide an anonymous and safe community of support for all those adversely affected by addiction. This includes those in recovery, their families and friends, the clinical community, and the community at large. I’ve seen the suffering of far too many people who are close to me and who have been impacted by addiction, but I’ve also seen the tremendous power of the Bulldogs in helping individuals receive the support they need to get back on their feet. Through compassion and community, the Bulldogs have changed countless lives for the better, and my main hope is that we as a club can continue to reach and support more people. I’ve dealt with my fair share of struggles in this beautiful gift we call life and am still in the process of dealing with many today, and the running community, especially the Bulldogs, has always been there for me and supported me whether they realize it or not. Sharing strides and miles with others can be a deeply intimate and humanizing experience, and one in which we can really learn how to open ourselves to the support of people around us. It's about showing up for yourself and the people you care about.
It feels crazy to say this will be my tenth year running and fundraising for the club. My running journey has evolved in so many ways over the past decade and beyond. The constant of Boston and the Boston Bulldogs these past ten years brings with it lots of opportunity for reflection. I helped launch the club and nonprofit back in October of 2015, and have embarked on hundreds of runs with fellow Bulldogs since those early days at the Chestnut Hill Reservoir. To say the Bulldogs have given me so much throughout the years is an understatement. Please consider helping me in my commitment to fundraise for the Bulldogs and the great work they do (please see below for specifics of their programs), and continue reaching out to those you love because we are all deserving of care and compassion. Whether an addict or an ally, it is through connection that we can all heal collectively and help battle both addiction and the stigma associated with it.
Run gently,
Patrick
As a 501(c)3 non-profit organization (through the Road Runners Club of America), the Boston Bulldogs Running Club relies on the generosity of our friends and supporters to keep the Club running and growing. Tax ID: 47-5240494
Donations from individuals, corporations and partners including those made to our annual Run for Recovery & Tribute at Franklin Park and support for our annual Boston Marathon Team directly support our programs detailed below. Donations also allow people without resources to join the Bulldogs as sponsored members. The cost of their membership, running gear, participation in wellness programs, coaching, day-to-day recovery support, transportation, and race entries are covered by the Club.
Donations also support our Weekly Runs (five runs in four locations each week), Full Circle Program which introduces new members to the Club and helps them meet specific wellness/recovery goals. Donations pay for running gear, race/event registration, and support. Our Leadership Team, composed of members who have completed Full Circle, lead our weekly runs and outreach efforts, donations are used to compensate them with stipends and scholarship assistance. We also run a half dozen programs related to wellness and drug and alcohol prevention for young people as part of our Junior Bulldogs Program. Donations are used for gear, book donations, activities and resources for learning and wellness. Lastly, donations support various Boston Bulldogs Wellness Programs in area recovery centers where Bulldogs members share the message of recovery and the power of running, exercise and wellness.
Thursday hills with Sean, Will, and Patrick