We are TWO days away from Marathon Monday, so here are TWO reasons why we are so inspired by this incredible team:

1. Your commitment and training to run 26.2 miles are remarkable, and your smiles and enthusiasm throughout the season have brought us so much joy.
2. You have gone above and beyond in your fundraising for the Stepping Strong Center

Special message from Audrey and Steven Reny

Audrey and Steven are excited to share a few inspiring words with the team today!

Click on each of the following bullets to make sure you are prepared for race weekend!

1. Boston Marathon Expo
2. Stepping Strong Marathon Team Pep Rally & Gear Check at the Revere Hotel (TODAY!)
3. Getting to Hopkinton and Start Line Area
4. Race Day Attire (Suggested)
5. Cheering Area #1: Newton, MA
6. Cheering Area #2: One Mile To Go – Kenmore Square + Required Entry Pass
7. Crossing the finish line, Post-Race, and We Did It Wednesday!
8. 5 days. Race Weekend Logistics Recap
9. 4 days. The Final Countdown
10. 3 days. Get Ready to Run Boston

Remember to visit https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon for the most up-to-date race weekend information!

We CANNOT wait to see you all CRUSH it on Marathon Monday and are here to support you every step of the way. Please email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu or call/text 857 505 1225 (Ali W.) AND 857 523 8052 (Ally H.) if you need us at all! Don’t forget, Ally H. is running alongside you on Marathon Monday, so Ali W. is your go to 😊

From start to finish,

Ali and Ally

We are THREE days away from Marathon Monday! While we recommend taking your headphones out and listening to the crowds during most of the race, here are three songs that many runners find inspiring and energizing when you need that extra PUSH!

1. “Free” by Florene and the Machine – Ally H.
2. “Lil Boo Thang” by Paul Russell – Ali W.
3. “Sweet Caroline” by Neil Diamond – Caroline R.

Special message from Dr. Ali Salim, Co-Medical Director of the Stepping Strong Center

Dr. Salim is excited to share a few inspiring words with the team today!

Click on each of the following bullets to make sure you are prepared for race weekend!

1. Boston Marathon Expo
2. Stepping Strong Marathon Team Pep Rally & Gear Check at the Revere Hotel (TOMORROW!)
3. Getting to Hopkinton and Start Line Area
4. Race Day Attire (Suggested)
5. Cheering Area #1: Newton, MA
6. Cheering Area #2: One Mile To Go – Kenmore Square + Required Entry Pass
7. Crossing the finish line, Post-Race, and We Did It Wednesday!
8. 5 days. Race Weekend Logistics Recap
9. 4 days. The Final Countdown

Remember to visit https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon for the most up-to-date race weekend information!

We CANNOT wait to see you all CRUSH it on Marathon Monday and are here to support you every step of the way. Please email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu or call/text 857 505 1225 (Ali W.) AND 857 523 8052 (Ally H.) if you need us at all! Don’t forget, Ally H. is running alongside you on Marathon Monday, so Ali W. is your go to 😊

From start to finish,

Ali and Ally

It’s the FINAL COUNTDOWN to the 129^th Boston Marathon! From April 17-20, make sure to check your email and the runner portal every day for fun and inspiring messages that will be sure to help you cross the finish line on April 21!!

In the days leading up to a marathon, try to focus on several key aspects to ensure you are properly prepared both physically and mentally for the race. See below for FOUR tips!

1. Focus on staying well-hydrated and eating nutritious meals that are high in carbohydrates to fuel your muscles. Avoid trying new foods or supplements right before the race to prevent stomach issues!
2. Prioritize getting plenty of sleep in the days leading up to the marathon to ensure your body is well-rested. Allow time for relaxation and light stretching to keep muscles loose.
3. Mental preparation is crucial for a marathon. Spend time visualizing yourself running strong and crossing the finish line. Positive visualization can help reduce pre-race anxiety and build confidence.
4. Try to minimize stress and anxiety by staying relaxed and maintaining a positive mindset. Engage in activities that help you relax, such as listening to music, spending time with loved ones, or practicing yoga or meditation.

Special message from Cheryl Lang, Director of the Stepping Strong Center

Cheryl is excited to share a few inspiring words with the team today!

Click on each of the following bullets to make sure you are prepared for race weekend!

1. Boston Marathon Expo
2. Stepping Strong Marathon Team Pep Rally & Gear Check at the Revere Hotel
3. Getting to Hopkinton and Start Line Area
4. Race Day Attire (Suggested)
5. Cheering Area #1: Newton, MA
6. Cheering Area #2: One Mile To Go – Kenmore Square + Required Entry Pass
7. Crossing the finish line, Post-Race, and We Did It Wednesday!
8. 5 days. Race Weekend Logistics Recap

Remember to visit https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon for the most up-to-date race weekend information!

We CANNOT wait to see you all CRUSH it on Marathon Monday and are here to support you every step of the way. Please email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu or call/text 857 505 1225 (Ali W.) AND 857 523 8052 (Ally H.) if you need us at all! Don’t forget, Ally H. is running alongside you on Marathon Monday, so Ali W. is your go to 😊

From start to finish,

Ali and Ally

Click on each of the following bullets to make sure you are prepared for race weekend!

1. Boston Marathon Expo
2. Stepping Strong Marathon Team Pep Rally & Gear Check at the Revere Hotel
3. Getting to Hopkinton and Start Line Area
4. Race Day Attire (Suggested)
5. Cheering Area #1: Newton, MA
6. Cheering Area #2: One Mile To Go – Kenmore Square + Required Entry Pass
7. Crossing the finish line, Post-Race, and We Did It Wednesday!

Remember to visit https://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon for the most up-to-date race weekend information!

We CANNOT wait to see you all CRUSH it on Marathon Monday and are here to support you every step of the way. Please email marathonteam@bwh.harvard.edu or call/text 857 505 1225 (Ali W.) AND 857 523 8052 (Ally H.) if you need us at all!

From start to finish,

Ali and Ally

P.S. Don’t forget, Ally H. is running alongside you on Marathon Monday, so Ali W. is your go to 😊

Stepping Strong Teammates,

In just under one week, you will be on your journey from Hopkinton to Boston, and we are SO incredibly grateful that you will be stepping strong with a unified purpose of helping trauma survivors. You are a critical part of our Stepping Strong family, and we are so grateful for each and every one of you!

April 15, now known as One Boston Day, marks the anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombing tragedy. Each year, our family pauses on this day, with both sadness and strength in our hearts, to reflect on the life-changing events that occurred eleven years ago. Despite so many uncertain things in the world, we feel the power of the global community coming together for the common good. This is not news to us; it is how Boston rallied in 2013 in the wake of the marathon bombings. In this city, you don’t mess with us! We are resilient and we pull together to take care of one another.

We are humbled to say that this spirit lives on in the Stepping Strong Center. It defines how we tackle the complex issues that face trauma patients, how we collaborate to develop innovative solutions that improve lives, and how we strive to educate the next generation of medical leaders.

Thank you for joining us, from near and afar, and for supporting this meaningful work. Most importantly, thank you for helping us turn unanticipated tragedies into hope.

We can’t wait to see you at the Pep Rally!

Xo Audrey, Steven, Danielle, Kyle, baby Elyse, Gillian, and Matt