Enjoy The Silence.

Words like violence
Break the silence
Come crashing in
Into my little world
Painful to me
Pierce right through me

-Depeche Mode 1990 [Violator Album]

While I love Depeche Mode and their songs, I'm not sure that I would fully agree on this one.

This past Tuesday marked a full week since I last spoke any words.  7 days of "enjoying the silence".  Wait a minute!  That would mean the silence of not hearing my own voice. In this case, I think that actually may be OK.  For those of you who know me and have talked with me know that my voice has not been what it should be.  I have been dealing with voice issues for almost 2 years now.  Raspy, hoarse, soft spoken and at times very very difficult to understand or hear me.  "What's wrong with your voice?" I would be asked every time.  I felt that I should answer by explaining what the problem was which always caused more questions and would always lead to lengthen the discussion with more questions.  I always started off with "I have a paralyzed vocal cord" and went into the details from there.  But, after awhile, I learned it was just much easier to say "I have laryngitis" and leave it at that.  So much easier indeed. 

What does one do for vocal cord paralysis?  Well, I went through voice therapy in an effort to strengthen the working vocal cord.  While I enjoyed reading pages and pages of words and performing facial and laryngeal massages daily, it really wasn't providing very much positive difference.  The only other options were Botox injections every six months or surgery to place a Gortex implant, both in the non-working vocal cord.  Hmmm... Neither really sounded like options that I wanted to decide to do but I knew that I had to do something.  However, I decided in November 2014 to go the more permanent route with the implant.

You are probably asking yourself at this point, "what the heck does this have to do with running?".  Well, I had a big decision to make.  Do I go forward with the surgery in December knowing that the recovery time was going to be six weeks.  Six weeks of missed marathon training.  Six weeks of not being part of the Miles for Miracles team.  The alternative was to postpone the surgery until after the marathon was over.  Postpone it was.  Fast-forward to one week and one day after the marathon.  I had the implant surgery.  It kind of freaked me out a bit before I went in though because silly me watched a video of the procedure a couple of days before the procedure.  I know, why the heck would I do that?  I don't know, I jus had to.  At least I knew what to expect.  Fast-forward another week (to this past Tuesday).  The first time that I was allowed to speak in a week.  What an incredible transformation that happened with my voice.  I was standing in front of the mirror in the bathroom thinking "Should I speak?"  I hadn't gotten the doctor's OK.  Heck I was going there in a couple of hours so I did it.  What to say?  What would my first words be?  Well, it wasn't that exciting.  "Hi, how's  it going?".  Seriously, that was the best thing that I could think of?  Sounded like a cheap pick-up line.  I cannot believe that those were the words that were uttered from my lips.  Those were the words though, whether good or bad.  It really didn't matter though because it was just amazing to hear my voice again.  But, to hear it loud and clear.  While it didn't sound like me because of swelling and muscles which needed to be trained to be used again correctly, it was something.  Something in the right direction.  I went to my follow-up that day and was cleared for limited talking and running.  Yes,  I could run again.  I ran that night.  Boy did it feel good.  Good to get back to activity that helps to clear my mind and makes me feel energized and alive.  It was also good to get back to taking pictures along my run to be later posted to Instagram too.  Yes, I stopped way too many times for snaps but I had to make up for lost time.  The picture here was one of them.  Sorry, had to include at least one!

Would I do it all again knowing what I know now?  Absolutely.  It has been such an incredible experience to effortlessly talk again and to have people be able to hear/understand me again.  It is incredible that my doctor was able to fix this with a simple piece of Gortex and that he was able to factor in my breathing for when I run.  It was such an amazing experience to complete my full training and run the Boston Marathon as part of the Boston Children's Hospital Miles for Miracles team.  I have to go back to listening to my Depeche Mode play list.  Don't ask...

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

What A Feeling.

What a feeling
Being's believing
I can have it all
Now I'm dancing for my life

Well, in this case it would be running instead of dancing but same difference I guess.  Well, maybe not because I can certainly run but I cannot dance for anything!  Great lyrics to represent how I felt running the Boston Marathon last Monday and how I have felt since.  Thanks Irene Cara! 

I have run other marathons before but there is a special feeling that you get when running Boston which is like no other.  Maybe it's the challenging course with the rolling hills in Newton along with Heartbreak Hill?  Maybe it's participating in a race with a storied history and rich tradition?  Maybe it's the incredible spectator support from the starting line in Hopkinton all the way to the finish line in front of the Boston Public Library on Boylston street?  Maybe it's the pride of wearing the Boston Children's Hospital Miles for Miracles singlet and representing an organization that is saving lives and making differences for children and their families on a daily basis?  Maybe it's the joy of running for Patrick (my patient partner) and my son Simon who have both been touched and received care from Boston Children's Hospital?  Maybe it's being part of such an incredible team and training with them for five months (shout-out to my fellow Miles for Miracles teammates)?  Maybe it's the incredible sense of accomplishment every time that I put on my Adidas Night Flash (fancy name for purple!) 2015 Boston Marathon Anthem (don't ask because I have no clue!) jacket?  Just maybe it's all of these things and then some. 

This was the best marathon experience that I've ever had.  I came into the race last Monday with the most confidence and feeling the best physically that I've ever felt before, during and after a marathon.  I attribute it all to the great coaching that I received from the Miles for Miracles coaches Sarah Lucas and Jeff Hintlian.  With a well planned training regime, I was both mentally and physically prepared and was at the top of my game.  I ended up running a PR of 3 hours 53 minutes which was not something that I was trying to achieve.  My plan was to run the race comfortably with no time expectations.  I wanted to just run and take everything in.  Every single aspect that is Boston.  No checking my watch for pace and no music to distract me.  It turns out that, because of my training, I was able to run the race comfortably, take everything in without worrying about pace.  All without listening to music.  What a feeling.

There is a big sense of "what now?" now that Marathon Monday has come and gone.  Five months of training, commitment and countless time away from family.  All culminating in an event that was over in 3 hours and 53 minutes.  Completed.  Finished.  Done.  No more early Saturday morning team runs.  No more worrying about trying to juggle, fundraising, work and the training schedule.  There was anxiety and nervousness leading up to the marathon.  That all quickly faded and was replaced with jubilation and excitement during the race and in the days after.  Now, it almost feels like a sense of loss.  Something that is now missing.  A faded memory of sorts as life goes on. 

I will always cherish April 20th, 2015.  The memories of everything leading up to that day and the joy of crossing the finish line soaking wet, cold and enjoying every minute of it.  Thankful for being given the chance to be on the Boston Children's Hospital team.  Thankful for everyone who supported my fundraising efforts and those who supported me with well wishes.  Thankful for meeting and getting to know such a great patient partner and his family.  Most of all, I'm thankful for the unwavering support of my wife Jennifer and my son Simon throughout this journey.  Without their backing, love and support, I would not have been able to do this.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart.  You will never know how much this all has meant to me and what a feeling I have experienced. 

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

The Numbers Behind The Run.

3 Days until 4/20/15.  2 training runs left.  Numbers.  Marathon training is full of numbers.  Numbers that most non 26.2 mile runners would not stop to think about. I have some extra time on my hands due to tapering and thought that I would put together some that show the other side of what it takes to train for a marathon.  The other side of "yeah, training is going great!".

19 weeks of training.
75 training runs in total.

16 of the 75 were team runs.

39 times at the gym cross training.

21 miles- longest run.

3 miles- shortest run.
34 packs of Jelly Belly Sports Beans used during training.
6 packs of Jelly Belly Sports Beans I'll use during the Marathon.

2 pair of sneakers.

65+ bottles of Gatorade/Powerade.

9 years- age of Patrick who is my Patient Partner.

593 miles run.

95 donors to my fundraiser.

$7,969.20 raised for Boston Children's Hospital.

 

It is hard to believe that this is all coming to an end in 3 days. As I look back on my training over the past 19 weeks, I find myself fighting back my emotions. There have been many highs and lows and I have met so many incredible people along the way including my coaches and fellow Miles For Miracles team members. I was able to be partnered with an inspiring patient partner.  My family and I experienced the life saving services that BCH provides first hand back in December when they saved my son's life after a traumatic head injury.  Would I have done it if I knew then what I know now?  Absolutely.  This is an experience that I will always hold near to my heart and will be ever grateful for.  Until Monday...

Until next time, keep on runnin'!
 

And The Winners Are...

Thank you to everyone who participated in my "Chance to Win" benefiting my Boston Children's Hospital Miles for Miracles Boston Marathon fundraiser.  Through the generosity of those who participated, an additional $851 was raised for my fundraiser.  THANK YOU!

Now, the winners are:

1. iPod Shuffle- Lindsey Baumgardner
2. iPod Shuffle- Jeannie Mendez
3. Texas Roadhouse Gift Basket- Jodi Mark
4. $50 Trader Joe's Gift Card- Brian Bean
5. Instagram Print- Lauren Addesa

The video below shows the selection of each of the winners.  Thanks to my wife Jen for filming it and to my son Simon for his guitar "drum roll" along with the music at the end.



Thank you to Matt Labkon for the two iPod Shuffles and Matt Frohne, Managing Partner at the Brockton, MA Texas Roadhouse for the Texas Roadhouse gift basket.

There is still time to make a 100% tax deductible donation before Marathon Monday if you haven't had a chance yet.  Heck, there is still time even if you have already donated and want to donate again.  You won't be able to win a prize since the contest is over but you will get a tax deduction and, more importantly, the good feeling that you are helping Boston Children's Hospital in their mission of helping children and their families: "Until every child is well".

http://fundraise.childrenshospital.org/goto/runner716

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

 

Emotions "Running" High.

15 weeks of training in the rear view mirror and the emotional rollercoaster has started to leave the station.  The attendant already checked my lap belt and restraint bar.  I've listened to the pre-recorded safety message about keeping my hands in the ride at all times, not to stand up during the ride and to wait until the car has come to a complete stop before I exit the ride upon returning to the station.   It really is starting to all sink in now as to what I'm doing and how much of an impact it has on me.  There was a bit of carefree excitement at the beginning of training way back in early December.  At that time there was 20 weeks to go.  Plenty of time to focus on other things going on in my life which were a distraction of sorts.  As the weeks have gone by, the juggling act of training, family life, fundraising and work have all increased in step with the weekly miles.  I think that it really struck me while driving to the team long run last week.  An energetic song with a high BPM (beat per minute)came on the radio.  It is one that I also have on my running playlist so it already had the potential to invoke some kind of response.  Boy, did it ever.  I lost it.  Tears were flowing like Niagara Falls.  I just needed to flash some colored lights in my eyes and it would have been like the illumination that happens every night at the Falls.  It is quite something to see.  The real Falls at night that is.  Luckily I was going 70 (yes, I was speeding) so people couldn't really see me carrying on with my box of Kleenex. 

I think that most non-runners, understandably, don't fully know the extent of the commitment (physical and emotional) that it takes to take on something like this.  Yes, people know that it is a lot of hard work and training.  But they really don't know how much it takes and how much day to day pressure there is along with the swings of highs and lows.  To me, that is OK because they didn't sign up to do this.  I did and I have to say that I kind of really like it.  It helps me to be a better, more focused person and a stronger and smarter athlete.  Kleenex and all.

Speaking of emotions, Boston Children's Hospital held a special event for us team runners and our guests recently at their main campus in Boston.  Queue the Kleenex please.  What an emotional and inspirational event.  Executives from the hospital spoke about how the funds that we are raising will be used and one of our fellow teammates spoke about his experiences with the marathon.  We were also able to take a tour of the newer sections of the hospital that were recently renovated so that we could see how previous funds were spent that directly impact patients and their families.  An absolutely fantastic event put on by BCH for us and something that I will never forget.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Brookline.

Brookline, MA.  According to the city's official Web site, they describe their city as "an unusual urban and suburban enclave surrounded by the City of Boston, just minutes from Back Bay, downtown, and other parts of the city".  For me, Brookline, MA represents 88% of my goal of raising $7,000 for Boston Children's Hospital.  I started this fundraising effort back on the starting line in Hopkinton, MA with .07% raised.  Now, I'm at 88% of my goal which is represented by reaching somewhere along Route 30 (marathon course) within Brookline as shown in the graphic below. 

Thank you to each and every person who has donated to my fundraising effort thus far (listed under "Donors" to the right).  Without your support I would have never made it to this point.  I am truly grateful for your generosity.  I would like to say a special "Thank You" to two recent donors who made very generous donations.  The first is Lynn Turgeon who made a $500 donation.  She supported my fundraising efforts last year as well so I'm truly grateful for her continued generosity and dedication to the children who are being helped by the fundraisers.

The second is Dianne Byrne who donated $1,000 from the proceeds of winning the Brown Rudnick Center for the Public Interest M. Robert Dushman Community Service Award.  As a recipient of this award, Dianne directed Brown Rudnick LLP to make a donation on her behalf to my Boston Children's Hospital Miles for Miracles Boston Marathon fundraiser as well as a donation to the St. Vincent DePaul Society in Dorchester, MA with which she is a very active member.  This is the second year that the Center has been directed to make a donation to my fundraisers as part of the M. Robert Dushman Community Service Award.  I am very grateful to Dianne and the Center for the very kind and generous donations.

The Boston Marathon is only 43 days away.  If you had previously thought about donating to my fundraiser but haven't had a chance yet, you're in luck as you still have time!  If you have already made a donation and want to donate further, you're in luck too.  Please help me complete the last 12% of my goal.  While Brookline is a very nice community, I would really love to reach Boston and the finish line.  I can only do that with your help.  Please consider making a 100% tax deductible donation today: http://fundraise.childrenshospital.org/goto/runner716

I will be announcing a "chance to win" opportunity later this week to help raise additional funds for my Boston Children's Hospital Miles for Miracles fundraiser.  Keep your sneakers tied up, the Gatorade cold and your GPS watch connected to the closest orbiting satellite for more information to come.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!
 

Potpourri.

This past Sunday wrapped up week 12 of training and it is pretty amazing to think how fast the time has gone by. Luckily the weather cooperated and we were able to get our 17 mile long run in this past Saturday.  It was our usual along the marathon route in Wellesley and Newton. This time though we went a bit farther and entered the beautiful city limits of Brighton, MA.  It is nice getting to explore new areas each week when we tack on additional mileage.  Kind of feel like Jacques Cousteau but on land.  I don't have a red knit cap and glasses though.  I digress.  The little red line outlining the path of the training run doesn't look that impressive below does it?  Geez, 17.1 miles and just that short little red line.  Oh well.

Next ingredient in my fragrant potpourri.  No, it is not flower petals or spices.  My last post I talked about change being good.  Well, I did find a time when it isn't good this past week.  Our coaches let us know that they did not want us to use headphones while on the long run because of the unsafe conditions in spots along the route.  Especially in the sections where we have to run in the road.  I have run in the past without music but I have always gone back to it as it helps me get into that happy place when running.  However, safety first so I ran without music.  Did I already mention that change is not good sometimes?  Running 17 miles without music made it very long.  I found myself not focusing as much on my breathing and technique like I do when I am listening to music.  I know, that sounds pretty backwards but what can I say.  I also noticed that I was paying way too much attention to every twitch and ache.  Way too much.  But, in the end, it was worth not having the music so that I could be safe.

Now for an update on my recent post "Get In My Belly".  I really really love the Jelly Belly Sport beans.  I've tried two new varieties since the original post including "Assorted" and "Juicy Pear".  Both are phenomenal.  The "Assorted" is nice because it gives you a sampling of the different flavors that they have.  It comes in the standard version as well as "Extreme" which contains caffeine.  The flavor "Juicy Pear".  What can I say.  I'm not a big pear fan but the flavor of these beans is delicious.  I think that I have finalized my refueling for the marathon.  I'm going to alternate between "Cherry" (Extreme) and "Assorted" (regular).  Yum.  Yum.

 I have been wearing my Boston Children's Hospital Miles for Miracles singlet the past few weeks on our team long runs.  A couple of simple words really made me think during this past Saturday's training run.  "Thank you for running for Children's".  These words were uttered three separate times by three random women along the course.  That really made me stop and reflect on why I am doing this and justified everything that I have put into it.  It made me feel very proud to be part of such a great effort and very thankful to those three women for yelling out those simple but impactful words to me.  It really meant a lot.

The last piece of my fragrant potpourri? Getting outdoors to run again means opportunities to take pictures again and posting to Instragram.  It is almost therapeutic in a way.  It can be a bit of a pain too though.  Run a bit.  Stop and take a picture.  Run a bit.  Stop and take a picture.  Run a bit.  You get the picture.  Oh, that was an unintended pun right there!

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

More Than A Feeling.

I looked out this morning and the sun was gone
Turned on some music to start my day
I lost myself in a familiar song
I closed my eyes and I slipped away
It's more than a feeling, when I hear that old song they used to play (more than a feeling)

I love that song and always look forward to it when it comes up on my running list.  How coincidental is it that the group that sings that song is Boston and I'm running the "Boston" Marathon for "Boston" Children's Hospital?  OK, not very, but I had to tie it in someway.  I did look out this morning and the sun was definitely gone though.  I was checking to see if it was snowing and whether I wanted to venture to Wellesley in it for the 14 mile team run this morning.  Oh, it was snowing for sure when I peaked out the front window and it was coming down pretty good.  I sat for a moment and debated: 

Should I stay or should I go now?
Should I stay or should I go now?
If I go there will be trouble
An' if I stay it will be double
So come on and let me know

[The Clash- 1982]

The hearty Buffalonian in me decided, ah, what's a little snow?  Just go already.  A couple of inches?  Inches sminches.  I figured it's always fun to run in the snow so why not.  That said, I decided that I should bring in the mail just in case to see if the run had ended up getting cancelled because of the snow.  The e-mails came in as fast as the snow was falling.  Wait, what was that that just came in from yesterday?  Looked like "registration" something at "baa.org" something or another.  It spun by so quick that I thought that I had just spun the big wheel on the Price Is Right.  Trying to get the red $1.00 so that I could go onto the Showcase Showdown.  I scrolled down to find the message.  There it was.  My confirmation that I was officially registered for the 119th Boston Marathon.  More than a feeling.  It is now officially "official".  I have my golden ticket.  The last piece of the puzzle is complete and I can now Mod Podge it and hang it on the wall.  A fantastic surprise to find in the old mailbox this morning. 

Speaking of the old mailbox, I had another fantastic surprise today in my snail mail mailbox.  A shipping envelope from Boston Children's Hospital.  I squished the packing a bit to see if I could figure out what it was.  Hmm...  Soft.  Felt like material.  But, what was it?   I carefully opened it to find my "official" Boston Children's Hospital Miles For Miracles singlet.  Yeah!  There was also a letter asking me to start wearing it during my training and on the team runs.  OK, you don't have to ask me twice.  I will go forth and wear it proudly.  I'll just wear it to the gym on my cross train days for now and then wear it on my runs when it warms up. 

When I'm tired and thinking cold
I hide in my music, forget the day
And dream of a girl I used to know
I closed my eyes and she slipped away
She slipped away
It's more than a feeling, when I hear that old song they used to play (more than a feeling)


Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Thank You.

Thank You.
noun \ˈthaŋk-ˌyü\ 
something that you give or do to show thanks : a polite expression of thanks

Thank you to Joe and Heather Barros for holding a 50/50 raffle during their New Year's Eve party in support of my Boston Children's Hospital Miles for Miracles Boston Marathon fundraiser.  Thank you to Barbara Barros for running the 50/50 raffle that night.  Thank you also to everyone below who contributed to the raffle which raised a total of $146 ($73 went to the winner of the raffle and $73 went to my fundraiser):

Gloria Shainis
Dianne Goldberg
Heather & Joe Barros
Barbara Barros
Jill Barros
Abbey Wolent
Barbara Joseph
Lindsey Joseph
Daniele Bullock
Bobby Joseph
Linda Kosonen
Jose Barros
Michelle Dolan
Tom Dolan
Shannon Joseph

Thank you again to everyone involved.  I greatly appreciate your kindness and generosity.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Partner.

Patient Partner- "The patient partner program pairs up kids who are current or former patients with runners to help inspire them". 

When I signed-up to be part of the Miles for Miracles Boston Children's Hospital Boston Marathon  team I had the choice to also join their "Patient Partner" program if I wanted.  I signed up for this program without hesitation.  It was the opportunity to be able to get more directly involved that I was looking for.  The chance to get, as BCH puts it, "inspired".  That has been fulfilled and then some.

I was sent an e-mail with the name of my Patient Partner a couple of weeks prior to the team kickoff event that was held a couple of weeks ago at Kings in Dedham, MA.  Just a name in an e-mail.  Patrick.  Nothing more.  Nothing less.  It left me wanting to know more.  Wanting to know Patrick's story about how Children's has helped him and his family.  To find out more about him personally.  To put a face to the name.  To find out who Patrick is.

I wrote to his mom and she filled-in all the details.  Patrick is a very active and involved nine year old who is currently in the third grade.  He lives with his mom Karen, father John, twin brother Connor, brother Nicholas, a German Shepherd named Helga and a cat named Mr. Mustachio.  His mom told me that he loves to sing and dance and that he has "the most infectious laugh and smile".  After getting a chance to meet him in person, I have to completely agree by her accurate description!

He keeps himself very busy with multiple activities throughout the year including being a member of the Special Olympics soccer, basketball and swim teams.  He also plays adaptive lacrosse and challenger hockey.  He loves going to the beach and going out on the family boat in the summer.

How has Boston Children's Hospital helped Patrick and his family?  Patrick has Down Syndrome.  It is a genetic disorder caused when abnormal cell division results in extra genetic material from chromosome 21.  This genetic disorder, which varies in severity, causes lifelong intellectual disability and developmental delays. Patrick and his family have been going to BCH since he was born and are participating in the Down Syndrome program at the hospital. 

I look forward to this opportunity of my family being able to get to know Patrick and his family more and more as the days and weeks go on.  Patrick's story is only one out of countless many that demonstrate the impact that Boston Children's Hospital has on patients and their families.  Oh yeah, and runners by providing us with this great partnering opportunity.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Ironic.

Some things in life can be so ironic. As I compose this post, I'm sitting in room 904 next to my son waiting for him to be discharged.  Discharged from Boston Children's Hospital.  Who would have thought when I signed up to run on the Miles for Miracles team back in September that I would find myself with my son being a patient again.  I thought that the time had past that he would have to use the services of BCH again. Especially since he seems like a grown man to me. He is taller than me and has a size 13 shoe for goodness sake.  An adult who knows better than engaging in risky behavior which can result in injury. I forget sometimes though that he is still a kid. Still young and learning by his mistakes.

My son receiving emergency care here quickly reminds me of all the reasons why I'm running for such an outstanding organization like BCH. Front and center.  I am so grateful to everyone who works here. Everyone from the maintenance staff, people who deliver the meals to the rooms, the cleaning staff,  the nurses and doctors and everyone in between.  It really makes you feel incredibly fortunate and appreciative to know that such a high caliber facility is here and waiting to help when people are sick and in need.  I learned during my son's stay that Boston Children's Hospital was ranked #1 Children’s Hospital by U.S. News & World Report.  A well deserved honor.  I was also reminded that this hospital is not just for those with chronic illnesses but also for those who need emergency services.  Something that I had never really thought about until this past Thursday.  

I had another bit of irony today.  What's that you say?  Well, let me tell you.  Today was the first weekly run (5 miles) of the Miles for Miracles team which also included a pre-run clinic (proper stretching and warm-up).  What's so ironic about that?  It just happened to be at the Boston Children's Hospital Waltham campus.  Who knew!  It was a great clinic and first of many team runs. 

As I close this post, I think about the conversation that we just had with our son's surgeon and his resident regarding going home today.  The events of the past couple of days are finally coming to an end. We can try and get back to some sense of normalcy.  All the while feeling such gratitude for everyone who helped us out at Boston Children's Hospital. Thank you to those who we had the opportunity to interact with and to those who we did not but who helped out indirectly.  Being a member of the Miles for Miracles team running to support this hospital has a whole new meaning for my family and I.  A small way to give back and say "Thank You".

And isn't it ironic... don't you think?
Who would've thought... it figures
Thank you Alanis.  Hey, I had to get some lyrics in here somewhere!

Until next time, keep on runnin'!
 

All In Perspective.

What a fantastic morning today.  My wife, son and I attended the Boston Children's Hospital Miles for Miracles Boston Marathon kick-off event this morning at Kings.  Bowling, brunch and my family and I meeting Patrick, my patient partner, and his family in person.  What could be better?!  This was such a well-orchestrated event that allowed us all to officially introduce ourselves and begin to get to know each other better.  It was a great start to a long relationship. sdfsdf

I was really looking forward to today's festivities for different reasons.  A sense of reality as to what I am doing and getting myself into.  Something tangible.  I found out that I made it on team Miles for Miracles back in September but there hasn't been a lot of actionable items since then.  That is, until today.  It all starts in full gear now.  There are key tasks and deadlines.  Training, training and more training.  Well, that actually starts tomorrow but we'll go with it as it is almost Monday now anyway.  It's here.  It's now.  You could say it is where the rubber meets the road.  Rubber.  Shoes.  Get it?  Rubber soles pounding the pavement?  Love that one.  Seriously though.  This is it.  Time to be serious and get to the task at hand.

I have to say that it struck me today at one point while standing by the air-hockey tables watching my son, Patrick and another little girl as they all gleefully played a back and forth game of air-hockey.  The smiles on their faces as the puck glided across the thin layer of air above the surface of the table.  Ker-plunk as the puck landed in the goal.  The three of them were all patients of Boston Children's at some point in their young lives.  I then panned around at all the kids who attended today's kick-off.  The majority of them are/were patients.  They are the reason that I'm doing this.  They are the faces of those being helped by such an outstanding health care facility.  The beneficiaries of the great work being done by all of the professionals at the hospital.  That moment really did put it all into perspective for me.  I received the tangible piece that I was looking for and then some. 

I start my official training tomorrow.  20 weeks of highs and lows.  Cold night runs and cold early morning runs.  Snow, rain and wind.  Ups and downs.  But, after today, I have the perspective that I need to know that it is all worth it in the end.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Barry White.

OK, I'm not the 3-time Grammy award winning composer and crooner with that distinctive bass-baritone voice.  However, someone did describe my voice as a very hoarse version of his.  "Thanks", I guess?  I'll take any semi-compliment that I can get related to my voice though. 

For those of you who have talked with me over the past year and a half or so know what I'm talking about.  Hoarse and low volume.  It started out with minor hoarseness and then steadily increased to where it is today.  I went to a local ENT doctor and found out that it is caused by vocal cord paralysis.  Yep, one of my vocal cords doesn't work.  Kaput.  Inoperative.  Done for.  Goner.  Finished.  Non-functioning.  Out of commission.  Down for the count, and wait for it..., Down the tubes.  "Down the tubes"?  Get it?  Larynx.  Tube.  A bit of a stretch.  Stretch?  The vocal cords are stretched from back to front over the larynx.  Boy, this is getting really cheesy now!

 The initial course of treatment was voice therapy to learn how to talk better with one vocal cord.  Six weeks of daily facial and neck massage techniques including "laryngeal massage" (don't ask- it causes clicking noises due to pieces and parts rubbing together- freaky stuff!), and pages and pages of phrases to speak out loud.  Did it work?  Not to the extent that I had wanted.  I did learn how to increase my volume a bit and how to be more aware of opportunities to help others hear me better. 

You're probably asking yourself right about now, "what does this have to do with running?"  Here's how.  I ended up going for a second opinion a couple of weeks ago to find a more permanent solution that would hopefully get my voice a bit closer to what it used to be (it will never be the same again though).  The good news is that there is an implant that I can get.  No, not that kind of implant!  An implant made of Gortex which is surgically inserted into the paralysed vocal cord.  The bad news.  I have to be awake during the procedure so that they can hear me speak with it in place and tweak it as needed.  The even worse news.  It will require 6 weeks of downtime from running.  Decisions.  Do I focus on getting my voice better now and pass on this great opportunity to run the Boston Marathon as part of the Miles For Miracles team since the downtime would cut right into my training?  Do I go all in and fulfill my commitment to Boston Children's Hospital?  In the end, I have to finish what I started.  The marathon it is.  I've put way too much into this already and am committed to the cause to let any personal gain get in the way.  What is another 5 months of this raspy voice belting out Barry White classics in a dive bar on Wednesday karaoke night?

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

#GivingTuesday - Thank You!

Thank you to everyone who donated to my Boston Children's Hospital Miles For Miracles fundraiser yesterday as part of #GivingTuesday.  Your very generous donations totalled $905 and were applied towards my goal.  The 2 for 1 match of these donations raised an additional $1,810 that went directly to Boston Children's Hospital.  What a tremendous outpouring of generosity!  Thank you also to all of the other generous donors who have donated to my fundraiser to date.  I really appreciate everyone's support. 

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

#GivingTuesday

While Black Friday and Cyber Monday are for shopping, Giving Tuesday is all about giving back to a cause you care about.  Please consider making a 100% tax free donation to Boston Children's Hospital as part of my Miles for Miracles 2015 Boston Marathon fundraiser.  All donations made online through this link http://fundraise.childrenshospital.org/goto/runner716 on Tuesday, December 2 will be matched 2 to 1 by a generous donor and New England Acura Dealers.  Please note that only your donation will count towards my fundraising goal but the match will greatly help the hospital with its mission. 

My fundraising goal as part of Boston Children’s Hospital  Miles for Miracles team is $7,000.  Please consider supporting my run, and supporting the Boston Children's Hospital! It is fast and easy to make a 100% tax deductible donation, whether small, large or somewhere in between.

Donations by Credit Card:
Please visit my Children’s Hospital fundraising page: http://fundraise.childrenshospital.org/goto/runner716

I am currently at 22% of my fundraising goal due to all  of the generous donors (listed on the right)who have already made a contribution to my fundraiser.  Thank you all!

 

Thank you in advance for any support that you can provide.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

All By Myself.

Hard to be sure
Sometimes I feel so insecure
All by myself
Don't want to be all by myself anymore

What a bit of cold weather and stiff winds brings out?  Nothing.  Nobody.  It's amazing how the paths along the Charles and the sidewalks around the harbor are now pretty much deserted.  Vacant of most walkers, runners and bicyclists now that the temperatures have dipped south of the 30's.  I'm "all by myself" you could say.  Well, sing anyways.  OK, for all of those who don't get this musical reference (I don't blame you if you don't as it is going back a ways) it is the power ballad "All by myself" released by Eric Carmen in 1975 (thanks to my wife Jen for coming up with this one).  Who is Eric Carmen?  Again, I don't blame you if you have no idea.  He only gave us such great songs as "Marathon man"- 1977, "Make me loose control"- 1988 and "Hungry eyes"- 1987.  Alex, I'll take absolutely useless music trivia for $300 please.  "What movie was the smash hit "Hungry eyes" featured in?"  Seriously though, when the weather is nice it is jam packed with people getting in all kinds of outdoor exercise.  Kind of like sardines in a can.  Warmth + sardines.  Eww, like totally gross.  Gag me with a spoon.  Grody to the max!  Barf me out!  I know, enough already with the valley girl talk- thinking of those 80's songs just made me do it!  When the weather gets cold and windy though, you can hear the crickets.  There is hardly anyone out and about.  Actually, you cannot hear the crickets as they have all died off due to the cold.  Sorry.  It's a circle of life thing.  You do come across a couple of other die-hards here and there but it is pretty much wide open the entire way.  So much so that I want to run on the left hand side of the path instead of the right.  I know, "wow, he is such a rebel".  Well, I haven't mustered up enough courage to do it yet.  Hey, you never know when a bicyclist is going to come up from out of no where.  Just trying to think of their safety.  Yep, that's me.  "Mr. Safety".  Ha!

I ended up going into Boston yesterday morning to get in a long run to boost my miles for the week.  I finished the run with 13.2 miles and a weekly total of 27.1 miles.  I have to say that that morning run was pretty lonesome just like my weekday nightly runs.  I have to break out into song for a moment...  "All by myself, don't want to be...".  Yesterday was pretty cold.  30 degrees with winds gusting at 25 mph which made the real feel at a balmy 20 degrees.  Special note to the folks at Weather Bug and the Boston Museum of Science: You may want to have maintenance take a look at your anemometer as it is reporting zilch, notta, zero, nothing.  I found that out the hard way yesterday.  There was no wind when I left my house.  But boy, when I got off the train in Boston, there was wind.  Again, gusting to 25 mph.  Silly me, I wore shorts based on Weather Bug reporting no wind.  Silly, silly me!  I have since switched over to the Seaport Hotel station since that is accurately reporting the wind.  I kind of like these conditions though.  Peace and quiet and cold temperatures which make it exhilarating to run.  Gives me a pep in my step.  Sounds good to me. 

Thank you to everyone who has donated to my Boston Marathon Boston Children's Hospital Miles for Miracles fundraiser!  I appreciate the generosity of all the donors.  If you would like to make a donation please visit my fundraising page.

I'll be posting soon about the patient who I've been matched up with as part of the patient partner program.  He sounds like a very active 9 year old and I can't wait for our families to meet at the Miles for Miracles kick-off event coming up in the beginning of December.

The answer to the trivia question: "Ghost" released in 1990.  Congratulations to everyone who got it correct. 

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Here I Go Again.

I don't know where I'm going
But, I sure know where I've been
Hanging on the promises in songs of yesterday
An' I've made up my mind, I ain't wasting no more time
But, here I go again
Here I go again

Lyrics from "Here I go again".  Such a great 80's song by the classic big hair rock band Whitesnake.  That said, it does have a wicked cheesy video though with its scenes of the band playing on a stage interlaced with Tawny Kitaen doing gymnastics between two cars and polishing them while slithering all over them.  The cars that is.  So cheesy that it makes me think of a couple of other classics.  Cheeses that is: Roquefort with its sharp, sweet and nutty flavor or Parmigiano-Reggiano with its great crunch and deep caramel-y, nutty flavors.  How quickly I get distracted...  It really is an appropriate song in this situation though because "Here I go again".

I told my family that I had met my goal and felt a sense of closure after I completed the Cox Providence Marathon in May of this year.  That I was done with Marathons and would focus my attention on training and improving my half marathon races (which worked as I had both a half marathon as well as a course PR for the B.A.A. Half Marathon last month).  That's the same thing that I said a year ago when I completed my first marathon up in Hampton Beach, NH.  My wife and son know me better than that though and they told me both times that I would run a marathon again.  Well, they definitely do know me too well, because:

Here I go again on my own
Goin' down the only road I've ever known

I'm running the 119th B.A.A. Boston Marathon on April 20, 2015.  However, I'm not on "my own" as I have been accepted as a member of the Boston Children's Hospital Miles for Miracles Marathon team.  This was the team that I tried to become a member of last year but wasn't able to because they filled their team very early on so I am very grateful that I have the opportunity this year.  Being able to support Boston Children's Hospital's critical mission personally means a lot to me as my son has received outstanding professional and compassionate care from this outstanding organization over the years.  I am very appreciative to have the opportunity and to be able to be associated with such a prestigious organization in the health care community.

I have also signed up to be part of the Miles for Miracles Patient Partner program where I will be teamed up with a patient of Boston Children's Hospital.  This is such a great opportunity as we will be able to provide support and inspiration to each other during my training.  I'll provide more information about who I'm partnered up with when I get the details in early December.

My fundraising for Boston Children's Hospital has just begun.  If you are interested in helping me with my goal of $7,000, please visit my fundraising page:  http://fundraise.childrenshospital.org/goto/runner716  Any donation, whether small or large or somewhere in between is greatly appreciated. 

I want to thank my wife and son for their continued unconditional support and understanding of my need to do this.  Training for a marathon takes a lot of dedication, shuffling of schedules to fit in training and a lot of time away from family.  Knowing that they are behind me 100% makes it a bit more manageable.  Thank you and I love you both more than you'll ever know.

I'm going to blog about my training and new products that I will be using as part of my training along the way.  I've already made several trips to running stores and picked up a few new things that I cannot wait to try out.  It's a bit geeky I know.  As I'm finishing up this post, we are getting our first snowfall of the season.  It reminds me of some of my training runs this past winter.  I cannot wait for those days with 2 degree temperatures, whipping winds and snow in January.  Now that is geeky!

An' I've made up my mind
I ain't wasting no more time...

But, here I go again,
Here I go again,
Here I go again,
Here I go,
Here I go again...

Until next time, keep on runnin'!