Family and Friends:

I'm sure if I were to ask you, you could personally identify a dream or goal that you had or have; one that you prepared for, hoped for, and waited for... and waited for... And every once in awhile, the dream becomes real - that moment comes when you're staring that dream straight in the face.

Since the birth of our triplets (Emily, Hannah and Nicholas) and the beginning of my journey as a "stay-at-home" parent, I became reinvested in the running I enjoyed just a few decades earlier. It began with simple morning runs and occasional weekend 5K races. It grew to midweek training runs and speedwork, with an occasional half-marathon thrown in here and there. And it matured into a passion for mixing sprint triathlons with more training runs and a few annual marathon events. I feel like I'm living the dream of a 20-year-old.

At the same time, while I've been raising my own little ones, I've found myself drawn into so many wonderful opportunities to support youth - from chairing the Fargo Marathon Youth runs to coaching soccer and baseball and rejuvenating school playgrounds. Some of my favorite opportunities have been serving on the Children's Museum at Yunker's Farm, serving on my son's school PTO and raising needed funds for individual youth, community youth programs and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital. Again, another opportunity for me to "live the dream." But wait, it gets better... What if I told you that these two dreams have miraculously collided in these past few months?

I'm very excited to tell you that I have been invited to run one of America's greatest races, the 113th Boston Marathon, on April 20, 2009, AND I will be running as part of the Children's Hospital Boston's marathon team. A dream come true... and it gets better... A very special part of the program is the patient partner match, where runners are paired with patients. And again, it will be my honor to be running for a young person similar to Savannah.

Savannah is seven years old and she has Vacteri Syndrome, a collection of birth defects that left a huge gap in her esophagus and faulty valve in her heart. She has had three open-heart surgeries and countless visits to the hospital. Despite all of her challenges, Savannah has been very lucky, as she has been a patient of Children's Hospital Boston since birth.

Savannah's just one patient - but there are thousands of kids who wouldn't be here today without Children's Hospital Boston. To support Children's good work, I joined the hospital's marathon team and have committed to raising $5000 to help save kids' lives through its phenomenal research and care. Please strongly consider joining me in my support of Savannah and Children's Hospital by sponsoring my run.

For many of you, you and I have had a conversation in the past where you may have said something to the effect of, "I'm going to owe you big time..." And I responded, "Just wait because someday I'll call you on that..." And this is that time, my friend.

But don't worry - I'm not going to ask or expect you owing or donating "big time." In the next few weeks, you will receive additional emails from me that will give you simple and unique ways to donate to this very worthy cause, that will not deplete your wallet. There is no amount too small (or too large) to donate to Children's Hospital. It's tax deductible and will help ensure that Children's Hospital will always be ready and able to care for kids who have nowhere else to turn. I will be sending out information to you in the coming weeks and I only ask that you read my email and prayerfully consider at least a small donation (again, no amount is too small... or large...).

In the meantime, take a moment to view my promotional YouTube video at www.hoedlshaven.com/2009BOSTONMARATHON. But before clicking on this link (which will take you away from this email), please read the rest of the email below.

I have taken the time to develop a personal website for this wonderful venture at: www.hoedlshaven.com/2009BOSTONMARATHON.

At this site, I will:

  • keep you informed of my run from Fargo, ND to Boston, MA - It is approximately 1628 miles from Fargo, ND to Boston, MA, and it is my goal to run all of these miles (cumulatively through my training runs) between April 20, 2008 and April 20, 2009. I am presently just beyond 680 miles and just south of Madison, WI. Remember, of course, this is a virtual run, and not actually out on the highway.
  • dedicate and pray during each mile (or set of miles) of the 1628 total miles for a particular person(s). You can see to whom the miles of have been dedicated. And if you would like me to offer a friend or family member up in prayer during my training runs, please just send me an email at leehoedl@yahoo.com.
  • share personal thoughts and reflections between now and through the 2009 Boston Marathon. I will try to use this space to motivate you in your goals and dreams - as we are all in this journey together.
  • acknowledge those who have sponsored and supported me throughout this journey. Without you, I couldn't possibly accomplish what I am attempting; in advance, thank you for your support.
  • provide direct links so that you and others can donate to this wonderful cause. And if you have any present desire to donate, you can do so online right now by going directly to: http://howtohelp.childrenshospital.org/bostonmarathon09/pfp/?ID=HL0057

Again, I am very excited to be a part of this race, both the one run in Boston and the one run through the halls of Children's Hospital Boston on a daily basis. When I reach the starting line of the Boston Marathon on April 20, I will be wearing the names of all those who helped me in my cause... and you will be remembered, thanked and prayed for during those 26.2 glorious miles.

In advance, as well, thanks for your support and prayers during my training. Together you and I can truly make these "miles for miracles."

Peace, Lee

Lee Hoedl's 2009 Boston Marathon Miles for Miracles

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