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'!
 

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'!
 

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'!

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'!

To Hell And Back.

Now that is a phrase if I may say so myself.  I became acquainted with it last year while I was perusing the runners expo in the Buffalo Niagara Convention Center in, you guessed it, Buffalo, NY.  I was there picking up my number for my 3rd half marathon when I stumbled upon it.  I nice grey t-shirt with black piping around the collar and sleeves.  Nice I thought.  But, it wasn't until I pulled it off of the rack, that I knew I had to get it.  The front had a small grunge sneaker print with angel wings and the brand name "Asics" under it on the left side (my left, your right).  I had never tried a pair of Asics on but that didn't matter.  I just loved the winged sneaker.  How symbolic.  How cool that was.  Register please, you can put the receipt in the bag.  I had found my go-to running t-shirt for the summer.  But wait, let's flip it around to see if there was anything on the back.  Icing on the cake you might say.  Oh boy was there ever icing, and them some.  There were jimmies, candles and assorted candy pieces that spelled out "Happy Birthday".  You know, the kind that your parents used to put on your cake when you were 8?  OK, it wasn't that exciting but it was the phrase that put it all into perspective "To Hell And Back" at the top with the sneaker and wings below it.  It was rather large and centered on the back.  Up to that time, my farthest races had been half marathons and that is what I related that phrase to.  Little did I know...

My first marathon was in Hampton Beach in October of 2013.  It struck me during that race what the phrase on my favorite running related t-shirt meant.  "To Hell And Back".  Yep, that summed it up nicely.  The physical challenges alongside the mental challenges.  You put yourself through hell.  Teetering on the cusp of the fiery pit.  But you summon all that you have from within and make it to the finish line and all is well with the world again.  The sense of accomplishment washes away any remnants of sulfur left behind by Lucifer's grip.  Figuratively speaking of course. 

As many people probably don't know, I "reward" myself after completing marathons by getting a tattoo as a symbol to myself as to what I can do and as a reminder to never give up.  Well, I owed myself a tattoo for completing the Providence Marathon earlier this year.  I decided to wait until after my races were over in the fall so that I didn't have to worry about the sun on it, not going swimming and so that I could cover up the plastic wrap that you have to put on it (you feel like a left over sandwhich that gets wraped up and put in the refridgerator for the next day's lunch.  How embarrassing!  I fulfilled my reward last week by getting my 2nd running tattoo.  I ended up getting my favorite running t-shirt design on my shoulder, including the "To Hell And Back" script to remind me of just how accurate those 4 words really are.  The funny thing is though.  I keep going back for more.  It is such an addictive thing that is very difficult to describe.  Maybe it is not meant to be understood.  Just something that is done.  All I know is that I will proudly where my Asics t-shirt when I'm not running and a slinglet when I am (to show off my new ink).  Either way, people will certainly know that I have been "To Hell And Back". 

Update on training: I went into Boston on Saturday for a long run so that I could tack on a few extra miles for the week.  I ended up doing 13.15 miles that day for a grand total of 27.6 miles for the week.  It was the first really cold run of the fall/winter training season.  Boy, I didn't really miss that at all from last winter.  Wow.  It did feel good to get those miles in and was able to grab a few pictures along the way (this one is from one of my runs a few weeks ago).

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'!

15 Miles On The Erie Canal.

I've got a mule and her name is Sal
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal
She's a good old worker and a good old pal
Fifteen miles on the Erie Canal

Well, I really don't have a mule named Sal.  I guess that it would be kind of interesting if I had one though.  "Hey, come here you jackass".  I would be giggling like a school girl all the time. 

I did go fifteen miles yesterday.  But, it wasn't along the Erie Canal.  I wish that it had been though because then I would have been back "home" in Lockport, NY.  The site of locks 34 and 35 along the historic Erie Canal.  I spent so much time along the towpaths there as a kid where Sal and her fellow mule friends pulled packet boats many moons ago.  I digress though. 

My fifteen miles were spent "horsing" around (I had to put that in!).  Actually, I ran a long run for a total of 15 miles.  Boy did it feel good to get into Boston and run until my heart was content.  I spent a couple days beforehand mapping out all the routes that I could take.  All the new places I could check out.  But, in the end, like how good old reliable Sal used to hoof her way along the same paths day after day, I decided to go with the course that I knew so well and had run so many times this past winter/spring.  It was my Boston Marathon training route.  It was great to see the old familiar sites like the seagulls at Black Falcon Pier (thank you to the friendly gull that posed so that I could take a fantastic shot- I'll post you to Instagram soon), the families taking in the sites at the Aquarium, the tourists posing with the actors dressed as soldiers at the Charlestown Navy Yard, the spectacular granite obelisk that is the Bunker Hill monument contrasting against the vibrant blue fall sky to the sailboats maneuvering their way in the center of the Charles River (I had to stop and take this picture of them). 

It was an absolutely fan-frickin-tastic day for a run.  Beautiful weather.  Beautiful sights.  It brought back a lot of great memories of preparing for the Boston Marathon earlier this year.  A lot of great memories.  Hmmm...  That gives me an idea...

Get up mule, here comes a lock
We'll make Rome 'bout six o'clock
One more trip and back we'll go
Right back home to Buffalo

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Back In The Saddle Again.

Sunday, May 4th.  Two short weeks after the Boston Marathon. The day that I took the reins back and got back on that horse.  That full marathon horse that is. Neigh!

I was beating myself up ( figuratively of course as I didn't want to get charged with assault and battery on myself- how embarrassing would that have been?) in the days after Boston. In hindsight, I knew what went wrong and what I needed to do if I were to try another marathon. 

It was the Thursday after the Boston Marathon when I woke up and entered the second phase of the grieving process.  The "stop feeling sorry for yourself man and do something about it" phase.  The "get back in the saddle and ride this puppy like there is no tomorrow" phase. I wanted to run another marathon so that I could finish and have closure to the emotional scar that I inflicted on myself. I was in shape from the months of training and didn't want it to all go to waste. I knew the Cox Marathon in Providence, RI was fast approaching so I checked to see if registration was still open.  Hoping that it was but figured it would be closed due to the proximity of the date of the race. Luck would have it. The registration was still open. I talked it over with my wife and son and got their blessing (thank you Jen and Simon very much for supporting me in that decision).  I signed up that night. 

Race day. It started out rather on the cool side but then became warm very quickly.  The sun was out in all its blazing glory. It reminded me very much of that morning on April 21st. It didn't matter because I had a new game plan and was going to stick with it this time. There was a very different vibe for this race. I was much more relaxed and focused. 

The national anthem was sung.  A stirring pre-recorded version by Beyoncé. Well, maybe not stirring but it did invoke a lot of emotions. The pop of the runner's pistol.  I took off out of the gate, sorry coral, like a thoroughbred chasing victory. 

The course wound it's way through downtown, neighborhoods, semi-industrial areas, along the Ocean and down a rail trail. It even featured a "heartbreak hill" (elevation is the same) which had to be completed twice as it was an out and back course.  There was a lot of great spectator support along the way to give cheer and provide needed breaks from the task at hand. A special thanks to the couple blaring the Rocky theme at the end of their driveway out in the middle of nowhere!  

This race turned out to be much more of a mentally challenging race than a physical one. I found myself second guessing every single thing that I was doing. Every decision went before a judge and jury. Afraid that I was going to make that one mistake that would keep me from finishing again.  There were two points in the race that I let my head momentarily get the best of me. However, I knew that I had to make that short lived and dug deep to regain my composure and focus. That second time was not an easy task at all but I knew that I could, make that "had to", do it.

I finished the race in 4 hours 30 minutes. Did I want a faster time?  Absolutely. But in the end what was more important to me?  Finishing.  I had nothing to prove to anyone else except myself. I didn't have to try and best anyone else's time.  No PR to achieve.  This was my race to complete. Complete and bring closure.  Neigh, neigh. 

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Thank You.

The Boston Marathon is now a week in the rearview mirror and I'm in a good place now with the results.  I want to take this opportunity to thank everyone who supported me along the way.  Family, friends and colleagues.  Those who supported my fundraising effort.  Those who provided kind words of encouragement.  Thank you to each and every one of you.

I want to especially thank my wife and son for all of their support from the start back in December to race day and the days afterward.  I appreciate their understanding, unwavering support and their commitment in helping me get to where I did with all of this.  I appreciate everything that they did for me.  For all of the weekends that we couldn't get out and do things as a family because I was in Boston training.  Thank you for understanding.  For all of the hours that they stand around waiting for me during races.  Thank you.  For all of the fundraising efforts that my wife did for me.  Thank you.  I thank them both so much for helping to support me with this running addiction.  I could not have done any of this without them.

Thank you all.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

What A Feeling.

What a feeling, being's believin'
I can have it all, now I'm dancing for my life
Take your passion and make it happen
Pictures come alive, now I'm dancing through my life
What a feeling

I couldn't have said it any better than Irene Cara (just replace "dancing" with "running").  What a feeling it was yesterday to go and pickup my official bib and runner's packet after the B.A.A. 5K.  If you are following my blog you'll know that I have been using the word "emotional" a lot lately to describe how things related to the Marathon have been hitting me.  Get ready as I'm going to use it again...  It was such a momentous occasion for me to be there at the Hynes Convention Center to pickup my bib.  Just a year ago, I had been at the same place for the running expo thinking to myself that I would probably never get the chance to run Boston.  I was a bit jealous of the runners who were there picking up their packets at the time.  Thinking about how excited that they must be and wishing that I was feeling that same feeling.  No disrespect at all just wanting to experience the same thing that they were.  Yesterday I was able to experience that feeling first hand.  It all hit me at once as the volunteer was handing me my bib and info packet.  E M O T I O N A L.  All of the early morning training in the cold and snow, missing time with my family, inconveniencing my family to accommodate my training and everything that went into the fundraising came into perspective at that moment.  This was it.  The tangible bib that I was holding meant everything to me.  It validated everything that I had worked so hard for.  It was official.

As I sit here today, the day before the Marathon, I get a chance to reflect on everything that has led to where I am today.  What an incredible journey it has been.  I was extremely fortunate to have been given the great opportunity, back in December of last year, to have my place in this world class event.  Something that I will always be thankful and grateful for.  This is truly an experience of a lifetime.   

As I finish this post, you can rest assured that I will not be uploading any videos of myself in my running gear poised over a chair with gallons of water splashing down on me as "What a feeling" is playing in the background.  Guaranteed.  For those who are too young to get this reference look up the movie "Flashdance" from 1983.  Now, I'm off to get everything ready for tomorrow and to think about my big plate of pasta with Trader Joe's creamy tomato basil sauce for dinner tonight.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Rice Medley.

A delicious and wholesome medley of whole grain brown rice, wild rice and red rice mixed with vegetables and seasonings.  As Mr. Food would always say, "Ooh, it's so good!".  Sorry, I meant "Race Medley".  Such a goof ball sometimes. 

Today was the 5K race which was the first race in the B.A.A. distance medley and was the kickoff to Marathon weekend.  It was such a good feeling to run a race again after all of the training runs the past several months.  I had wondered if the fact that there were going to be 10,000 entrants running in this race was going to make the course very congested and slow the pace down.  Luckily, it didn't.  It was a bit slow at the start but once we got onto Beacon street it opened up pretty quickly. 

The race today was a bit of a dress rehearsal for Monday as part of the course included the last part of the Marathon.  It was really cool to actually run "Right on Hereford, Left on Boylston".  Making that "Left on Boylston" was a truly emotional point of this race.  The Boston Fire Department had a fire engine with it's ladder extended and a huge American flag hanging from it over the street.  As I went under it, all I could think of was the two firefighters, who passed away a few weeks ago, that were from the firehouse that this engine was from.  Really powerful stuff.  My thoughts quickly went to the events from a year ago as I was approaching where the second bomb went off last year.  I tried to imagine what it would have been like for all those people around that area.  It quickly changed again as I approached the Marathon finish and the site of the first bomb.  I continued down Boylston weaving my way through other runners and then made the final turn onto Charles street.  I put everything into it to finish strong.  I ended up setting a PR for myself for a 5K finishing in 22 minutes 1 second with a pace of 7:00 min/mile.  My race results overall were: I finished 770 out of 8,640 participants and 65 out of 451 in my division.  I'll take that any day.

What an emotional roller coaster this race turned out to be.  From start to finish.  It is something that I will never forget.  I can just imagine what Monday's race is going to be like if I thought this one was emotional! 

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

The Final Countdown.

Oh, We're heading for Venus (Venus)
And still we stand tall
Cause maybe they've seen us
And welcome us all, yeah
With so many light years to go
And things to be found (to be found)
I'm sure that we'll all miss her so

It's the final countdown...

I crack up every time that I hear that song. A montage of Gob Bluth's (Arrested Development) cheesy magic tricks, sorry, "illusions" cycle through my head like I'm flipping channels trying to find something to watch. I absolutely love Arrested Development (original series and not the reborn Netflix version). I digress.

It is the final countdown. 4 days until race day. I have so many mixed emotions right now. Nervousness, anxiety, joy and sadness.  Each one waiting for the right moment to hit like a Mack truck.

It has been a very long week this week waiting for race day. The local news coverage of what happened one year ago at the Marathon really hit me harder than I thought it would. I think that that is because I have a greater understanding of what the Boston Marathon means now not only to myself but the other runners, their families and the City of Boston. Very emotional  stuff.

This week has also been very long due to the fact that I'm tapering. It was much more difficult this time around as I'm really sticking to it. When I trained last year for the marathon in Hampton, NH, I didn't focus to much on tapering and I it caught up with me. I was just winding down a very active race season and didn't feel that I needed to follow the program that closely.  Lesson learned.  I was able to get my final training run (5 miles) in tonight though so that helped with putting my sanity back in check.  It was pretty darn cold out there with the wind whipping and a temperature of 32. I guess it didn't help that I was running in shorts.

I have the B.A.A. 5K race on Saturday along with bib pickup for the marathon at the race expo. Exciting weekend of running activities. It is kind of sad though to think that it is all coming to an end. This thing that has taken over my life since December.  Controlling so many aspects of what I do and don't do. It's a love hate relationship.  More of a love thing though. 

Now, I have to go and pop in the first season of Arrested Development and laugh my @ss off!  Love those crazy Bluth's! 

It's the final countdown
We're leaving together
The final countdown
We'll all miss her so
It's the final countdown (final countdown)
Oh, it's the final countdown.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

 

 



AT&T Athelete Alert.

The Boston Marathon is only 8 days away!

Interested in following my progress during the Boston Marathon on April 21st?  AT&T and the B.A.A. provide a service called "AT&T Athlete Alert" which allows you to sign-up to receive text messages and/or e-mail alerts when I reach the following marks during the race: 10K, half-marathon, 30K and the finish line.  If you want to sign up to receive notifications, just click on the link below and select how you would like to get notified.  My bib number is 27855.

http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/participant-information/att-athlete-alert.aspx

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

It' All In The Numbers.

This tapering thing is for the birds!  It is very difficult to run so much during training in the months before the marathon and then have to limit how much you run in the last couple of weeks.  I know that I need to do it but it goes against the norm over the past 4 months.  That said, I might as well do something with the extra time on my hands so I figured why not reminisce about my training and put it into some real numbers.  Show what goes into training for a marathon.  So, without further ado...

Training Stats
Number of months training: 4
Number of training runs: 46
Distance run: 454.48 miles
Total time spent running: 58 hours  10 minutes
Average length of each run: 1 hour 15 minutes
Average elevation gain: 506 ft
Average elevation loss: 560 ft
Average speed: 7.2 mph
Average distance: 9.88 miles
Average temperature: 29
Average real feel temperature: 23
Lowest temperature: 12
Lowest real feel temperature: 3

The most important number: 27855

Why is 27855 the most important number?  That is my official bib number for the race.  I was so excited to get my marathon packet recently which contained my runner passport and that awesome number.  27855.  Numbers.  Hey, I should play the lotto now that I have some numbers to use!

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Last Long Run.

Saturday.  Just another weekend day.  The day after Friday and the day before Sunday.  Well, maybe not.  It was the day to take my last long run before the Boston Marathon.

 I knew that I had to get my last long run in this weekend as the marathon is only 3 weeks away now.  The weather forecast was calling for rain this weekend on both Saturday and Sunday.  However, it was going to be rain free Saturday morning.  Saturday morning it was going to be then.  I took the early train in and started my run. 

The weather was gorgeous.  47 degrees and partly sunny.  Perfect weather for shorts, a short sleeve shirt and shades.  I was so excited because I hadn't been able to wear shorts for quite a long time (it's the little things!), it was my last long run and I was trying out three new gels (I'll post about the new gels soon).

 

My intention for yesterday's run was to log 20 miles, focus on staying near race pace, and putting the final touches on my refueling/hydration plan.  I was able to meet my goals and beat my mileage by 2 miles.  I ended up running 22 miles during this session.  The 20 mile mark was approaching and I said to myself that I'm feeling good so let's make it another mile.  The 21 mile mark approached and I did a quick check again.  I was still feeling good and I still had time before I had to head back to catch the train home so I went for it.  I felt really good at the end of it especially saying that I had run 9.25 miles Friday morning (total of 31.25 miles in two days).

I met my goal of staying around my race pace too.  This is something that I work on from time to time but really hadn't focused on too much previously as I usually go for speed over staying at race pace during my training runs.  I had to challenge and prove to myself though that I could be disciplined so that I could finish strong at the end where it really counts.  This is something that is always in the back of my mind from running my first marathon last October.  I started out that race at what I thought was at the right pace but quickly learned, at about mile 17, that I had started way too fast.  I learned from that mistake and will not let it happen again. 

I used this long run to make final adjustments to my refueling/hydration plan as well.  I've decided that I'm going to alternate with Body Glove energy gel and Honey Stinger Ginsting energy gel for the marathon  I found that this combination gives me the energy and mental clarity that I need during my runs.  I also used it as an opportunity to focus on the signs that my body gives me when I need to rehydrate.  The human body is a pretty smart cookie and gives great clues as to when it needs something.  You only have to be smart enough to listen for those clues.

I made a special point during my long run to stop by the scene of the tragic fire that claimed the lives of two Boston firefighters this past Wednesday.  The scene was quiet and a bit eerie.  The only thing that you could hear was a slow "beep... beep... beep" coming from either the charred shell of what once was someone's home or the houses on either side that were impacted by this devastating event.  It made me pause and reflect on what is really important to me in my life.  My heart goes out to all the families that were touched so negatively by this horrible fire.

I also made a special trip over to Boylston street to see the newly painted finish line.  What a sight for sore eyes.  To most, it probably doesn't mean that much at all.  Just some yellow, blue and white paint splashed on the pavement.  To me as a runner, it means so much.  It is the ultimate prize for all of the training.  It is what I've worked so hard for all of these months.  That simple mark on the road is the culmination of such a profound journey.  "Journey".  "Keep on Runnin'".  Wow, I love when they come together like that!

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Let The Tapering Begin.

The Boston Marathon is 21 days away!

Three weeks to go.  This has been a long journey since starting training back in the beginning of December.  Long runs. Early morning runs. Evening runs. Lots of refueling gels and sports drinks.  Trying to balance training, work and family.

Taper.  I'm not talking about a lovely wax dinner candle used to set the mood for fine dining.  I'm referring to reducing the number of miles that I run in the remaining three weeks leading up to the marathon.  The purpose of tapering is to allow the restocking of depleted glycogen supplies and the repair of damaged tissue from the weeks of hard training.  In essence, it is giving my body the chance to recover and to be in peak condition for the big day. 

This process calls for a reduction of miles by 20 to 25 percent per run three weeks out.  A further reduction of 20 to 25 percent per run two weeks out.  The final week before the marathon calls for a few six milers early in the week. 

The process of reducing mileage can be seen as a good thing on one hand but also difficult on the other.  The thought of being able to cut down on mileage each week is so inviting and welcomed this far into training.  However, it can also have a negative mental impact by giving you extra time to start questioning your training.  Did I do enough to prepare myself for this race?  Did I run enough?  Should I have focused more on my speed?  Should I have put more hill work into my weekly training?  All good questions.  However, deep down, I know that I've done the best that I can.  I just have to keep reminding myself of this fact whenever I begin to question things with the extra free time that I'll have on my hands.  Questiong things is expected and has already begun to some degree.  It is just another aspect of marathon training to be prepared for.  This mental component can be just as hard to train for as the physical component.  You have to learn to take complete control of the head games and put everything in perspective.  Mental strength + physical strength = Athlete.  Hello world, my name is Keith and I'm an athlete.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Delivered.

Last Thursday was a momentous day as it is the day that I delivered the $5,856.40 that I raised to the Curley K-8 School.  I met principal Katie Grassa who informed me that the extra money that was raised ($856.40) will go towards benches and trees for their new playground (funded by another fundraising project).  It was great to finally see the learning community that was going to benefit from all of the generous donations that were made to my Boston Marathon fundraiser. 

Thank you again to each and every donor who helped me obtain my goal and then some. You are all very generous individuals and I appreciate your kindness. 

There are only 24 days until the marathon!

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'!

Fundraising Goal: Met.

Never Surrender.

With a little perseverance
You can get things done
You can never surrender

- Corey Hart

I have fantastic news to report.  Due to the complete generosity of all the people listed under "Donors" on the right side of my blog, I have officially met my Boston Marathon fundraising goal of $5,000 for the Curley K-8 school.  I could not have done this without each and every one of them.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!