CR and I traveled to one of Patrick’s favorite places during the last week of August: Priscilla Beach in Plymouth, MA. His grandfather built a home on top of a hill overlooking Cape Cod Bay, and their family has been going there on summer weekends ever since. The last time Patrick was there was in November 2015 over Thanksgiving. His mom, siblings, first cousins, and families decorated gingerbread houses in teams — the kids eating more candy than they attached. We ate and danced, talked and cried (a little). The time together was happy. As we were leaving, Patrick stood with his mom and looked out over the ocean for a long time, and though he didn’t verbalize it, I knew he was saying goodbye.

Returning to Priscilla Beach without Patrick was bittersweet. He wanted CR to enjoy the place and the time with family, and I hope we will be able to return for years to come. CR spent the week running with cousins, wading in the ocean (which was surprisingly warm, for once), digging in the sand, and laughing. Patrick led her to touch the water soon after she had learned to walk, and now she runs in on her own.

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MARATHON UPDATE:

The New York City Marathon is two months from today! My training has been lurching forward, at best. I’ve been beset by a sore hamstring, terrible blisters, and now an irritated IT band. I had hoped to run 12 miles this past weekend, but had to stop after 8.5 miles. Ugh. A note for all marathon running hopefuls: It’s a better idea to ALREADY be in shape and then start training for a marathon rather than get in shape WHILE training for a marathon. Onward, HO! Please support B*CURED!