For Finley Craig, a full-time Aerospace Engineering student at the University of Colorado Boulder, “rocket science” isn’t just a figure of speech—it’s her daily homework. This November, she’s applying the same intense focus she gives her school work to a new challenge: running her first-ever TCS New York City Marathon. As a member of Team AFBS, she’s running for a cause that’s been part of her life for years.
Finley is a longtime family friend of AFBS Founders Marc and Dana Guillet and their daughter, Ava, who was born with Nemaline Myopathy (NM). Her run is a tribute to their family and a mission to fund research to find treatments.
Understanding the Mission
Nemaline Myopathy (NM) is a rare neuromuscular condition that causes muscle weakness of varying severity throughout the body. It can affect a person’s ability to walk, move, swallow, and even breathe.
A Foundation Building Strength (AFBS) is a leading global organization dedicated to funding research to find effective treatments for this rare disease. By supporting Team AFBS, you are directly fueling the science that brings hope to families like the Guillets, as 100% of all donations go directly to funding research.
A Goal Years in the Making
While this is her first marathon, Finley is far from a rookie runner. “I am a seasoned runner,” she explains. “I have been running competitively since Freshman year of high school! I did both track and cross country for all four years. Since coming to college, I have continued to run and have completed several half marathons and made the decision to finally chase the bigger dream of a full marathon!”
Her connection to AFBS made the choice to run with the team a natural one. “I have known the Guillet family for many years and have attended their various fundraisers,” Finley says. Her link to the cause is even deeper, as she was a patient at Marc’s company, Agile Physical Therapy. “I found a passion for running smart and the art of strength training!” she notes. “I always had a goal of running a marathon and when they reached out with this opportunity I knew this was the perfect scenario!”
Training Solo at 5,450 Feet
Balancing an engineering course load with marathon training is no easy feat, but Finley’s primary goal has been to embrace the process. “My goal for this journey was just to enjoy it!” she says. “I knew this was going to be a very hard thing to achieve on top of school work, so I wanted to keep my training positive!”
So far, her training has been a success. “Training has been great so far! At the time I am writing this I just completed a 13.1 mile long run!” she reports.
The main hurdle hasn’t been the mileage, but the solitude. “My biggest challenge has been going through all of this training alone,” Finley admits. To combat this, she found a digital running partner. “I have been using Nike Run Club’s training plan which includes guided runs which have helped so much! I have gained so much insight on nutrition and mindset, I recommend the program to anyone looking to train for a marathon!”
Plus, training in Boulder has a unique silver lining. “I know my biggest reward will be that I am training for this entirely at 5450ft (Boulder!!) so, running the race at sea level will hopefully take some of the load off my lungs!”
And when the runs get tough, she keeps it all in perspective with a mantra only an aerospace major could have. “A funny quip I tell myself when my runs get hard is ‘This isn’t Rocket Science!'” she laughs. “I am currently studying Aerospace Engineering… so basically rocket science. And to get myself through hard runs I tell myself that is it no where near as hard as my classes are!”
The Ultimate Finish Line
For Finley, this race is a powerful way to support Ava and the entire NM community. Every dollar she raises contributes directly to the vital research needed to find effective treatments for Nemaline Myopathy.
Help Finley reach her goal! Support her run and help fund the future of NM research by donating to her fundraising page.
A Foundation Building Strength (AFBS) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to accelerating the development of treatments for Nemaline Myopathy. Our mission is to fund cutting-edge research to find effective treatments while providing resources and a strong community for families affected by NM. We are proud to be at the forefront of driving Nemaline Myopathy research breakthroughs forward.
Donate to AFBS: Your monetary gift to Finley’s Marathon Fundraising page will support critical research and provide vital resources for NM families.
Stay Connected: Sign up for our email list to receive the latest updates from AFBS and learn more about NM research. Are you an individual or a caregiver of an individual affected by NM? Fill out the AFBS Contact Survey so we can connect you with valuable resources, support, and opportunities to get involved with upcoming research studies!