If you know me, you know how important running is to me. It is the thing that centers me, my greatest passion, and reminds me that I am mentally and physically capable of nearly anything. In 2022, I ran my first two marathons, finishing the Brooklyn Marathon in second place in my age division with a Boston-Qualifying time of 3:17:55 and the New York City Marathon with a second Boston-Qualifying time of 3:26:59.

This year, I am thrilled to be running New York again, but with even greater tenacity as I am running for Tedy's Team. Tedy's Team is a charity with a goal that is personal to me and my family: raising awareness of stroke and heart disease.

In 2015, I got a message in the middle of Spanish class informing me that my dad had a stroke that morning. My sister and I arrived to the hospital to visit him and were fortunate enough to see him in decent condition and learned he was expected to make a full recovery. Almost exactly a year later, we got an eerily similar call. My dad had a second stroke. Again, he made a recovery that would bewilder anyone.

As a survivor of multiple strokes and Guillain-Barré syndrome, afficiando of classic rock, and man with a distinct ability to locate the best resturant in any city, he remains one of more impressive people on this planet.

More impressive than all that is his unwavering optimist, zest for life, and commitment to his children, despite his personal hardship. Personally, his dedication to my amateur-running career is meaningfully greater than one could ever expect. Case in point? In October of 2022, we met in Nantucket to visit his good friend Marc, enjoy one final warm New England weekend, and so I could run the Nantucket half marathon. He told everyone we spoke to on the island that weekend that we were there because his daughter was going to win the Nantucket half marathon— his words proved to be prophetic as I finished the race in first place with a time of 1:33:01. A few weeks later, he flew to NYC to watch me finish my first major, and soon we will touch down in Nashville so I can I run my third.

Candidly, my dad is the greatest friend and undoubtedly my biggest fan.

Dad, you have given me the sun, the moon, and every single star. Can't wait to run like the wind for you. 

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The mission of Tedy's Team is to raise awareness for stroke and heart disease while supporting survivors on their journey, giving them a means for a comeback!

Tedy's Team was originally founded in 2005, when Tedy Bruschi, former linebacker for the New England Patriots suffered a stroke shortly after winning his 3rd Super Bowl and just days after returning from his first Pro Bowl. to learn more about who we are, please see our website, www.tedysteam.org.

We are honored to be part of the Official Charity Program of the TCS NYC Marathon for 2023.

New York Road Runners has allowed us to utilize their platform to elevate the awareness of the warning signs of stroke, which are best remembered by using the acronym BE FAST, which stands for: 

• Balance Difficulties
• Eyesight Changes
• Face Drooping
• Arm Weakness
• Speech Difficulties - and if you notice any of those warning signs, it's...
• TIME TO CALL 9-1-1.

Should you ever have any questions about your donation, please reach out to Elizabeth@TedysTeam.org.

Donations to Tedy's Team are non-refundable and fully tax deductible.