"And This Here's Our Pride And Joy, Snots."

This morning's earlybird forecast was 15 and light snow flurries in the city of Boston.  Sounded pretty good to me as it was either that or the gym tonight.  I'll take the cold please.  Plain and simple.  I got up at my usual 4:30 AM to get ready and catch the first train into the city.  The same cast of characters greeted me on the train. They were all bundled up in their warm winter woollies while I was in my minimalist running gear along with an accent of random goosebumps. They may have the upper hand now I thought, but wait until mid-run.  I'll be hot and sweaty.  Who will have the upper hand then?  Ha!

I got to South Station and started on my run. My goodness it was COLD. Cold enough for the proverbial, thingy mabopper to kick in.  You know, the wet um...  OK, snots!  There, I said it. The inevitable faucet that runs from your schnoz like Niagara Falls.  All I could think of was Eddie from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation.  "Snots, you roll over and let Uncle Clark scratch your belly".  "Snots", I giggle like a six year old every time I hear that word.  It gets me every time. 

There is the non-glamorous side of running that all runners experience.  The chafing.  Ouch. The sore muscles.  Where's my foam roller?  Runner's toe. [Disclaimer: Those who are squeamish please skip ahead a bit... For those who are not familiar, it is where the nail bed turns black and then a couple of days later you get to peel your toenail off.  It is actually kind of funky weird- that's for another post though].  The snots.  Gross.  Not really if you have a good pair of absorbent running gloves. OK, it is kinda gross but you do what you have to with what you have.  In the end, it is all worth it. Turning a perfectly clean and dry set of running gear into a not so clean and wet set of running gear with a few side effects is pure joy. 

Eddie: "That's something, ain't it? You pet him, Clark, on the belly and, he'll love you till the day you die." Clark: "I really shouldn't. My hands are all chapped."  I forgot all about things being chapped!  Oh, snots!

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Lions, and Tigers, and Bears! Oh, My!

Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge- Snapped During My Run

I decided to go into Boston yesterday to get my weekly longer run in.  I figured that I would take advantage of the very slight window of warmth to run outdoors knowing that I would probably be forced indoors this coming week due to the return of the arctic express.  The forecast was mid 20's and overcast with gusty winds and snow showers starting very early afternoon.  Early morning run it was!  I learned quickly that the forecast should have been gusty winds very very early.  Running West into the wind on the Cambridge side along the Charles River kicked my butt.  It felt like I was running into the exhaust of a jumbo jet (without the roar of the engine and that nasty smell of jet fuel).  The only thing that I was thinking was the return route going East on the Boston side.  I would make up all of the time, and then some, that I had lost running against the wind! I would be effortlessly pushed along the path.  Nice!

The wind quickly became more and more intense towards the end of the run.  I felt like I was going to be swept off my feet and transformed into Dorothy.  Caught up in a twister like in the Wizard of Oz.  I could watch the cow float by while it is chewing cud out in the pasture.  I could waive to the men rowing the boat past my window as I look on in delight.  Miss Gultch on her bicycle pedaling like there is no tomorrow and then swapping her stuffy old clothes for that flowing witch outfit and trading in her bike for that more efficient broom stick.  "I"ll get you my pretty..."  Sorry, I digress.  It was pretty darn blustery at the end but it was worth dealing with it to be outdoors.  No houses landed on anyone so it was a great day for a run when all was said and done.  I guess I should have remembered to just click my running shoes and repeat: "There's no place like home, there's no place like home, there's no place like home".

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

B.A.A. Distance Medley

My race schedule this year is starting to take shape. Three more races on tap courtesy of the B.A.A. Distance Medley (5K, 10K & 1/2 marathon).  Registration opened Wednesday of this week at 10:00 AM sharp. I was online at 9:55 AM to check things out. Testing out my browser and making sure that everything was in order to ensure, that come 10:00:01 AM, I would be able to get my spot in this great series.  The Web page was loaded.  Mouse and keyboard were in fine working order.  I completed a couple of finger exercises to ensure ultimate dexterity and to eliminate any potential for my fingers cramping up at the wrong moment.  I felt so giddy, like I was getting ready to buy tickets for a Depeche Mode concert from TicketMaster (yes, Depeche Mode!).  The time had come.  10:00:01 AM.  Registration was open.  My heart was pounding (well, maybe not pounding, but beating at a pretty good clip at any rate).  I answered all of the usual registration questions, entered my expected race finish times and clicked "Submit".  Yes!  Loge 12 Row 7 Seats 5 & 6!  I got tickets.  Oh wait, I mean I got registered for the Medley!  Yes!

I ran the B.A.A. half marathon this past October and enjoyed it so much, that I decided right after that race, that I wanted to run the medley this year.  It truly was the best run race that I've ever participated in.  The B.A.A. definitely has every detail covered in their races and make it such a good experience for the participants and spectators.  I can't wait to see how well they handle the marathon knowing how well they did the half.  I only have 86 more days to find out.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Thank You.

The Boston Marathon is only 89 days away!

I want to send a heartfelt "Thank You" to everyone who has offered words of encouragement about my training and to those who have donated so generously to my fundraising goal of $5,000 for the Curley K-8 School (list of donors are listed to the right under "Recent Donors").  Thanks to the generosity of each of the donors, I am half way to my fundraising goal.  I appreciate each and every one of you for thinking of me and supporting me in my adventure.  If you would like to make a tax deductible donation (501(c)3 Number 22-2514422), whether small, large or somewhere in between, please click on the "Donate" button located on the right side of this page.

Thank you again to everyone for your support.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Outdoors Again.

I absolutely LOVE running in the city.  I know that I probably sound like a broken record.  Let's say a broken 45 of Loverboy's "Working for the weekend"?  I'll even include the yellow spindle adapter just in case you want to try and give it a spin.  I digress, but I really do love running outdoors in Boston so much because it is so motivating and there are so many places to explore. 

I had the day off today so I decided to go into the city to get one last long run in before the arctic blast and snow hits New England tomorrow.  Luckily, I had some extra time to devote to my run today so ended up extending it to 16.5 exciting, invigorating, wonderful, stupendous, gratifying, amazing, kick-butt miles.  Did I mention that it was a pretty good run?  It could have been the new re-fueling gels that I tried (I'll start posting later this week about all of the different gels that I have been trying) or maybe it was the fantastic weather at 36°, feeling like 27° with 13 mph SW winds.  Oh, I just felt like an official weatherman there for a second.  OK, it was my Garmin that gave me the stats.  Stratus clouds formed from the SSW, barometric pressure fell and the humidity was at 55% (thank you again Garmin for the humidity info- I made up the type of clouds and barometric pressure- I have no idea what they were). 

It was wonderful in the great outdoors today.  Looks like it is going to be back to the gym this week though since 10" of snow and frigid temperatures are forecast starting tomorrow.  Hopefully the weatherman will be wrong again, and won't be "tryin' to get it right, get it right" (Everybody's workin' for the weekend...).

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Good Intentions.

The last time I checked Saturday's weather on Friday, it was supposed to be in the low 40's and a chance of rain later in the day.  Perfect.  I'll get up early, go into the city and get a run in before the rain made its way in.  That was the plan anyway.  I went to bed early Friday nigh and woke up bright and early Saturday to the sound of dripping water in the gutter outside my window.  I laid there staring at the ceiling contemplating whether that was really rain drops or maybe just fog that had condensed on the roof and was finding its way to the conveniently located gutter.  Drip.  Drip.  Drip.  Nope, it was rain.  Crud monkeys.  Yes, that is correct.  Crud monkeys (don't ask).  I turned on the Weather Channel hoping that it was just a passing "stray" shower that just had lost its way.  Nope, it was part of a swath of precip engulfing the region and then some.  I have to say that the color patterns on the radar map, which were made up of the varying degrees of intensity of rain/snow, were exquisite.  Something that could be framed and hung in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.  An absolute masterpiece. 

The forecast now was for rain/snow for the entire day.  Not quite the conditions that I wanted to partake in.  "The gym it is", I exclaimed!  I quickly had to change my mindset from excited and invigorated outdoor running to humdrum indoor treadmill running lacking any sense of vigor.  OK, it wasn't that bad (it seemed like it while in the midst of it though).  I made the most of it and ended up with 7.5 miles while focusing on speed work.  All of this while having the option of watching Dora the Explora, sports highlights from the night before on ESPN or a variety of local news shows with the same stories and breaking news on the large screen TVs.  Wait, how could I forget the other option for my viewing pleasure?  The Weather Channel with continuous coverage of the rain and the magnificent precipitation radar map.  Decisions, decisions.  Hmmm...

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Pasty Legs.

Wow, do I need a suntan or what?  Holy moly!  Like, seriously.  I think that I overheard a woman walking down Mass Ave. with her her friend yesterday morning saying something like "Did you just see something go by?".  I'm pretty sure that I heard the friend reply "yeah, it looked like a ghost, wicked pissah!"  Well, it didn't really go down quite like that but it certainly could have.

This is my first winter running outdoors in the cold weather of New England so I'm learning as I go along on how to strike the right balance of clothing to wear.  What can I say, I'm used to running in spring/summer/fall.  When it is nice and warm.  I started out feeling like Randy (Ralphie's brother) from A Christmas Story.  I can't put my arms down!  Bundled up with every piece of obligatory winter garb that I could get my hands on.  OK, it wasn't that bad but it sure felt like it.

The weather for yesterday's early morning 10.5 mile run was forecast to be 40 and windy.  This was going to be the day for my new mantra: "More is Less".  That is right.  Shorts, long sleeve tech shirt, new windbreaker and Nike cap (New Gear post).  That is it.  I can put my arms down!  Yeah.  Forget you Ralphie.  I don't need you anymore.  It definitely was cold at first but soon become very comfortable once I got into my race pace.  It was so much more comfortable running with less.  I think that is the way that I'm going to go from now on unless it is very cold out.  Even if it means that I scare a few people with my pasty legs.  Maybe I should look into self-tanners?

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Following Made Easy.

Want to see what is new on my blog but don't feel like having to check back every few days?  Yes, you say (I would not blame you at all)?  Alrighty then (I love that line- thanks Jim Carrey!).  I've added "Follow by Email" to the right hand side of my blog just under the Curley K-8 School logo.  Just enter your email in the box and select the Submit button.  That is it.  You'll get any new posts sent directly to your email.  I've also added a "Subscribe To" option, also on the right hand side, just under the "Follow by Email" box.  This will allow you to subscribe to an RSS feed of the posts from my blog.  As the Church Lady (from the SNL skit Church Chat) always said, "Well, isn't that special?"  Hopefully it is my friends, hopefully it is.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Energizng Run.

OK, new running gear.  Check.  Perfect running weather.  Check.  New course.  Check.  What an energizing run!

I won't bore you with the new gear (yesterday's post covers that).  Yesterday's weather in Boston was perfect for running.  Low 40's and partly sunny.  There was a stiff breeze coming out of the West which helped push me along the Charles back towards my destination which was nice, but holy cow, I thought that I was going to take flight a couple of times.  I was afraid of getting stuck in a tree like a high flying kite.  However, all-in-all, it was gorgeous out for running.

Sights Along My Run

Running along the Charles River is great but I was looking to mix it up a bit yesterday.  Why not run along the harbor and the Freedom Trail into Charlestown I thought.  Why not?  Sure.  I ended up taking in some great sites and photo ops for my other addiction, Instagram (don't ask).  From South Station, to Fort Point Channel, to the North End over to the USS Constitution and then the Bunker Hill monument.  Took in the sites and sounds there and then swung by the Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge, onto the Charles River on the Cambridge side to the Mass Ave bridge.  Then the Esplanade (here is where the tail wind kicked in) and over to the Public Garden.  Took a left at Albuquerque.  Sorry, that was Bugs Bunny.  Onto the Common, down to Down Town Crossing, over to City Hall Plaza, through Faneuil Hall.  Almost there.  Back over to the harbor, then the Fort Point Channel again and finally back to South Station.  I really should be a tour guide.  Turned out to be 13.5 miles.  Sweet.  A new route that is definitely going on my favorite list.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

New Gear.

What to do with some gift cards?  Buy new running gear of course.  I've had a few gift cards laying around just waiting for the right opportunity to use them.  Well, that opportunity finally showed its purdy little face yesterday.  Oh, darn!  Shucks!  I had bought some new cold weather running gear last month but have recently found that it keeps me a bit too warm so I wanted to get a few lighter items along with a couple of other necessities.

True Runner here I come (I'm so glad that they have come to Boston)!  I started out looking for a good windbreaker that would help cut that pesky wind while running along the Charles.  After much back and forth between three different jackets (my wife would say that it was back and forth, back and forth, back and forth, and then back and forth X 20), I ended up with the Infinity Elite Series from PEARL iZUMi.  I ran today with it for the first time and absolutely loved it!  It kept me so much cooler than the Nike jacket that I previously had been using.  I even got a compliment from someone who said that they liked it so I guess I did OK. 

New Gear from True Runner

The next item on the shopping list, a new hat.  The cap that I had previously was a fleece hat and completely trapped the heat in and created "Mr. Wet" head.  I would always have completely drenched hair after running in it.  The first hat that I picked up yesterday was the one that I ended up getting.  This time only one back and forth.  It was a Nike Dri-Fit Stay Cool cap which allows the moisture to wick away.  I wore it today for the first time and loved it as well!  It kept my head warm and just a bit moist.  So much better than having a full head of wet hair like I had just stepped out of the shower.

Socks. Seems like a very simple thing.  I found out that it really isn't.  I have some Asics socks for training but felt it was time to get some new socks while stepping it up a notch (no pun intended... well maybe it was).  Who knew that it would take me forever to figure out which ones I wanted to get this time around.  After much back and forth (I won't even list how many there were this time around as you would be so bored with just reading them over and over again).  I decided on the Feetures! Elite socks.  I was told that they have more compression than most socks.  Boy, was that an understatement!  There is a lot of compression in them but felt that that was a good thing when I took them for a run today.  It took a bit to get used to them but I think that they are going to work out well.  I think that I'm going to try wool socks next (no, not the scratchy sheep smelling ones).

I finally picked up a foam roller too.  The "Original The Grid" is the one I decided on.  I've heard so much about them and have wavered on getting one but figured that I should give it a shot.  I've used it a few times and it is great.  Definitely worth picking up.

Finally, I picked up some re-fueling gels.  I'll get into refueling and all of the different gels that I've tried in a future post.

Getting the right gear definitely makes such a difference in helping to make the most out of a run.  The better equipped that you are the better you will perform and the better you will feel about what you have done.  Thank goodness for those gift cards!

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Early Bird Catches the Worm?

Well, I'm not sure that I'm very keen on worms (unless they are gummy) but I guess I don't mind being called a bird.  Maybe a Blue Jay or Cardinal.  I decided to go in early this morning to get a run outdoors in Boston instead of going to the gym again last night.  It wasn't a hard decision even though the temperatures were going to be in the teens this morning.  I didn't care.  I just wanted to fulfill that itch to run outside.  So 4:15 AM it was (had to get up that early to get everything together and to get to an early train- thanks to my wife for getting up so early to take me to the train station)! 

Boats at the Boston University Sailing Pavilion on the Charles

I got a pleasant surprise when the train pulled into South Station and the door of the train opened.  Snow!  The frozen precip made for a beautiful run but boy did it sting like a bird, maybe a Blue Jay or Cardinal, pecking my eyeballs out.  Of course the time that I decide not to bring my sunglasses, because there was no sun,  I needed them to deflect the sharp flakes from my eyes.  Oh well, it was beautiful, what I could see of it anyway!

It is so motivational to run in the city along the Charles River.  I LOVE it.  I have my tried-and-true loops which never get monotonous.  They can get busy in the nice weather with other runners and cyclists but it is worth it.  Today, there was no issue of crowds.  Just us die-hards.  I ended up with 10.3 miles.  I'll take it.  This bird would never fly south.  Wouldn't want to miss the opportunity to run in this kind of weather!  Chirp, chirp.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Star Trac #7630 Pro.

Yes, I know, it sounds so official.  So tantilizing.  So mysterious.  "Star Trac #7630 Pro".  Well, it really is not that exciting.  A bit of smoke and mirrors more than anything else.  It's the model of treadmill that I run on everytime I go to the gym when "the weather outside is frightful".  OK, it isn't that tantilizing or mysterious now that you know what it is.  Right?  I felt that I had to spice it up a bit instead of "treadmill" or my favorite "dreadmill".  I guess I should show some respect to the equipment that is helping me to get my miles in.  Just a little bit of respect.  I ended up with 7 miles today consisting of mainly straight miles with some speed work and just a dash of hill work (am I a chef now?).  I want to get another 7 miles in tomorrow but it looks like it is going to have to be on the "Star Trek 7630".  Beam Me Up, Scotty.  Oh, sorry, "Star Trac 7630".  Beam me up, Bob Harper (the guy from The Biggest Loser- people say that I look like him.  Hmmm...).

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

The Great Outdoors.

Finally, the weather this morning was good enough to run in the great outdoors.  My goodness, that was WAY overdue!  Today's high was supposed to be around 40.  However, when I went running in Boston this morning it was more like mid 20's and blustery along the frozen Charles.  I'll take it any day.  I decided to run in the city today because I wanted to run a long run and absolutely LOVE to run in Boston because it is so motivational and there are some great photo ops for my Instagram addiction.

Boston Marathon Ice Sculpture

It was a great morning for running even though it was a bit chilly (I'm not complaining at all).  Paths in the Common/Public garden along with those along the Charles were pretty clear for the most part.  I did end up with cold wet feet because of a few slushy sidewalks and crosswalks but what did I expect a couple of days after the areas first Nor'easter? 

I altered my normal course to run down Boylston street as I wanted to snap a pic of the Boston Marathon ice sculpture from New Year's eve in Copley Square.  This also gave me the opportunity to run past the finish line of the Marathon.  The ultimate "Finish Line".

I finished my run with 12 miles through the streets of Boston and Cambridge.  Thank you to my wife for getting up early and getting me to the train station and thank you to mother nature for a great morning for running.  I just love the great outdoors!

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Slowly Becoming Friends Again.

 OK, I cannot believe that I'm going to say this but, the treadmill and I are slowly becoming friends again.  That's right, at one point we were the best of friends.  That is, before I started running outdoors more and more for my training and realized that I LOVE to run outdoors so much more.  Technically, it is much better to train outdoors on pavement so that your body is used to the impact of running just like on race day so I have that on my side.  That said, it is not always convenient to run outdoors, especially when we are right in the midst of Winter's mighty grip. 

This past Thursday, the Boston area was in hyper freak-out mode because of Hercules coming to town (first Nor'easter of 2014).  Every local TV channel had a team of at least 15 reporters out in the field showing us everything from how the plows get put on the front of the trucks, ginormous salt piles, traffic tracker vehicles broadcasting live footage from the road and "Breaking News" (just the live broadcast from the road, they wanted to play that dramatic music and show their cool "hey we have to interrupt the regular news for this extra special news" logo, along with extended news coverage which seemed like eternity.  Come on already, I'm missing my favorite shows just because of a couple of snow flakes?!  While everyone else was rushing to the grocery store for the remaining staples of any great storm, cartons of milk and loaves of bread, I was rushing to the gym to get my 6 miles in before they closed early for the storm (hey, I'm originally from Buffalo so this storm was nothing).  I pounded out 6.26 miles with both straight miles and hill training and then finished up with some weight training (trying to add in this type of training to build my upper body and strengthen my core).

Yesterday's bitter cold temperatures made it necessary to visit the gym again and to have another opportunity to work on coming to terms with a necessary dependence on the gym and the treadmill.  I ended up working on speed (which I absolutely love) and hills (not loving it so much but I know that it is a crucial part of my training).  I ended the session with 7.25 miles which I felt wasn't too bad.  I had thoughts of running a long run today in the back of my head the entire time so maybe that was my motivation for the day.  Who knows?  I think that was really it.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Thank You. Thank You. Thank You.

Joe & Heather Barros

A heartfelt "Thank You" to my friends Heather & Joe Barros who organized a 50/50 split during their annual New Year's eve spectacular that they held last night.  The proceeds from the event went towards my Boston Marathon fundraising. 

I was very surprised and very appreciative when I found out on Monday from Joe that they were planning to do a fundraiser for me to help raise money for my marathon goal.  That was such a kind gesture and something that I will never forget.

Generous Contributors & New Year's Eve Revelers

A heartfelt "Thank You" also goes out to all of Heather and Joe's friends and family who attended the party last night and generously contributed to this cause.  The outpouring of support by everyone was very much appreciated and I thank each and every one of you for your generosity.

Due to everyone's kindness, $126 dollars was raised in the 50/50 split and $104 of that will go towards my goal of $5,000 for the Curley K-8 School in Jamaica Plain (Shannon Joseph donated an additional $41 of her share of the split).

Congratulations to Shannon Joseph who was the winner of the 50/50 split!
 

Shannon Joseph and Myself

Thank you again to Heather, Joe, and all of their family and friends who generously donated.  Thank you.  Thank you.  Thank you.

 

Until next time, keep on runnin'!