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'!

Out Of The Blue. WHAMM!

Have you ever had one of those powerful moments that just jumps out of nowhere, surprises you, and then hits you like the dynamic duo fighting a dastardly villain?  POW!  ZLONK!  Something that you will always remember for the impact that it had on you.  I had one of those moments today. 

I knew that I had to go for my weekly long run today as I was not able to get to it yesterday.  I wasn't very motivated though as between Friday and yesterday I pulled 20 1/2 hours straight at work working on a huge IT infrastructure project.  A good amount of that time was spent on the hard floor of a computer room.  Not too good for the legs and joints but you do what you have to do.  I figured out that between Friday morning and this morning, I had only had 9 hours of sleep in total.  Again, not too motivated when the alarm went off at 5:50 AM this morning.  SPLATT!  THUNK!

As I was taking the train into Boston this morning, I was trying to figure out a route that I haven't taken in awhile and that would help to get me excited about today's run.  I kept coming up with the same tried and true routes that I have been going to faithfully.  I needed something different though.  Something to provide that BAM!  I ended up starting out going over into the Seaport District.  Not very BAM inducing but it was different than what I normally run.  I usually don't venture too far into the Seaport District because it really is not that inspiring to run.  Just some fish companies, Black Falcon pier and a lot of solitude.  I made my way down Summer Street, over into South Boston to the old electric plant and then back over to Black Falcon.  I then made my way over to Northern Ave. passing by Harpoon Brewery and the old Bank of America Pavilion.  Northern Ave. turned into Seaport Blvd.  Then it hit.  BIFF!  BONK!

I was focused on trying to watch the road as I crossed the street so that I could run along the water.  I then looked up and saw it.  The new 2014 Boston Marathon banners that were unveiled this past week.  As far as the eye could see.  Both sides of Seaport Blvd.  What a beautiful sight.  My inspiration and motivation was found.  As I passed by each banner, the emotion that I felt increased.  It then culminated into a feeling that I will never forget.  I finally stopped to think about this thing that has completely taken over my life for the past four months.  All of the training.  All of the time away from my family.  The fundraising.  Trying to balance work, family and everything that comes up in a given day.  I hadn't really put it altogether.  Until that moment.  The emotion became so much that I started to cry as I ran by each banner (I'm getting that feeling again as I am typing up this post.  It is such a powerful and emotional thing to think about).  One banner after another.  The tears of joy flowed. 

I continued on my run and used that moment of seeing the banners for the first time as the motivation that I needed to get through today's run.  Along the waterfront in the North End, over to the Bunker Hill monument, along the Charles River on both the Cambridge side and the Boston side.  I ended my training run on Summer Street by South Station.  What did I see when I looked up?  2014 Boston Marathon banners.  BOFF!  "Holy ironic Batman". 

Until next time, keep on runnin'!