Help Lia raise money

On August 21, I will be running the Falmouth Road Race with the National Brain Tumor Society (NBTS). The Falmouth Road Race has always been a special race for me. My uncle, Ara, and I used to run it every summer that we could. The months leading up to the race, our text exchanges and conversations would always involve discussing our race strategy and goal pace. When Falmouth started the self-seeding start, I remember him telling me weeks ahead of the race "We are lining up with the sub 8:30 pace". It wasn't even a question. 

As competitive as my Uncle was with me about the race, he was just as carefree about it. I remember chasing him the first mile as he weaved in and out of runners and when I would catch him, he'd cheer for the spectators and pull me in for photos for anyone with a camera. When we passed the band on Surf Drive, he would sing along to whatever song they were playing for the next few minutes as I laughed. 

For our later Falmouths, he could tell that I was able to push his pace, so we'd run together for the first bit then he would turn to me and say "Go. I'll see you at the finish" and cheer me on as I picked up the pace and went ahead. The Falmouth Road Races that we ran together are some of my best memories. 

In 2019, my Uncle Ara was diagnosed with glioblastoma, an aggressive type of brain cancer. He took it in stride and didn't let it slow him down, keeping his vibrant and fun spirit with him everyday and letting his competitive side come out on the ski slopes. We weren't able to run one more road race together before he passed away this past August.

This summer, I am running Falmouth Road Race for the National Brain Tumor Society to raise money for individuals and families facing diagnoses and for finding treatments and cures to brain tumors, like my Uncle. My Uncle and I had talked about running Boston Marathon for NTBS, but were not able to do so with COVID. I'm happy to have a chance to run with and raise money for an organization that means so much to people like my Uncle Ara. We may not have been able to run one last Falmouth together, but running for NBTS will feel like he's running Falmouth next to me, singing out of tune to some classic rock song on Surf Drive.