An Army On The March

And if the darkness is to keep us apart

And if the daylight feels like it's a long way off

And if your glass heart should crack

And for a second you turn back

Oh no, be strong

Walk on, walk on

What you got they can't steal it

No, they can't even feel it

Walk on, walk on

- U2

Couldn't let the fall season pass without acknowledging the efforts of an ever-growing army of walkers who took part in this year's Jimmy Fund Walk on the historic Boston Marathon course, and in particular, the herculean efforts of two of the generals in Annie's Army, Jackie and Heather.

For more than 15 years, members of our extended family have been taking part in the fall classic along the roads of Wellesley, Newton, Brookline and Boston, covering the back 13.1 miles of the Boston Marathon race course.  For several of those years, we had our Commander-in-Chief Annie leading the way, smiling and high-fiving all the supporters along the way, garnering cheers for her courageous battle against leukemia.  But we lost Annie to the disease on July 26, 2016, and while her footsteps can never be replaced for the event, her two biggest walking buds still carry on the journey in her memory.

Jack and Heather walk now to support Annie and all of the people (and families) who have battled against so many various forms of the disease.  It's unimaginable how many lives have been impacted by the disease.

This year, more than 8,000 walkers pounded the pavement to help raise more than $8.5 million to support the folks at Dana Farber in their efforts.  Thank you to each and every one of them.

But thank you especially to these two besties, who share a lot of laughs, blisters, and sometimes tears along the course.

Along the way, as you can see, they pause to give a pat of support to the Jimmy Fund warriors highlighted on the mile marker posters

It's perhaps ironic that our favorite stretch of the course is on the access road that runs parallel to a stretch of road that is the LEAST favorite stretch of road of almost anyone who's ever run in the actual Boston Marathon itself - Heartbreak Hill.

This year, several of us ran legs of varying distance on the course, with almost all of us connecting on the road between the Newton Fire Station and Boston College

Right before we started up the hill, we collected members of the Nicholson Clan and their friends, as the army's numbers swelled - welcome Andrew, Katie, Ben, Beatriz, Don, John, Cindy, Cheryl, and Zachary!

Heather really, really, really, LOVES Heartbreak Hill

Zachary, Cindy, Ben and Beatriz even logged some steps running up the legendary mountain

The last time Ben ran this hill on Marathon Monday in April, it was raining SIDEWAYS!  He wasn't smiling then, but his spirit was just as strong

Strike a pose, everyone! 

As always, Jack and Heather had to pause for their annual Annie pose before heading into Kenmore Square's Victory Mile!

One mile to go!

Boston Strong, and Annie Strong to boot!

The finish line! 

Ran into my fellow St. Joseph's High alum, Bill Mahoney, with his fighter/survivor walking partner Laurie!

And yes, because I know everyone frets through this every year, Andrew was able to score his cupful of clam chowder at walk's end.  The poor boy was nearly wasting away after his efforts on the course, but we made sure he got the sustenance he needed to get him to his next meal waiting in the wings.

Again, thanks to everyone who supports Jackie and Heather's fund-raising efforts every year.  It's our little contribution to the never-ending battle.

And it's one these two buds are more than honored to carry on in Annie's name!

And I know it aches
And your heart it breaks
And you can only take so much
Walk on
walk on