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'!

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'!