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'!
 

Farts, Burps, Chaffing, Snots and Blisters.

What a combination?  Nobody said that distance running was a glorious sport.  It is mentally/physically challenging and comes along with the aforementioned "things".  But you know what?  I love it.  I love it because it also gives such a sense of accomplishment and allows me to push and challenge myself all the while becoming a better and more skilled athlete.  Oh yeah, if you're lucky, you get the infamous "runner's high" too.  All these positives completely out way the negatives and helps to fuel my desire to run.  What's a blister here or chaffing there anyway?  Well, I guess it depends on where the chaffing occurs right?  Nah. 

Our longest team training run of 21 miles from the starting line in Hopkinton to the top of Heartbreak Hill took place yesterday.  The bus ride out to Hopkinton along the Mass Pike kind of put everything into perspective.  How?  Well, as the miles kept passing by and we were getting farther and farther away from our meeting place at Boston College, I realized how far we had to run.  A lot different than the out and back runs that we typically do on Saturday mornings.

OK, yes, I'll admit it.  I farted, burped, had a bit of chaffing, blew snots and got a blister or two throughout the run yesterday.  I'm human, and I'm a runner so who cares in the end?  But, even with all of that, it was an absolutely amazing and awesome run.  Nothing about it was glorious.  Nothing at all.  It was snowing, sleeting, cold, windy and wet.  A gritty run to say the least.  To be honest, that was all perfectly fine with me.  I think that this was one of my best runs at that distance.  It kept me on my toes and helped to keep my mind in the game.  Making slight adjustments to my overall plan as I the miles increased along the rolling hills on the course.  It was a great opportunity to, as our coaches put it, make this run a "dress rehearsal".  Which it truly was. 

I have tweaked and finalized my running plan based on yesterday's run.  I think that biggest thing that I'm going to do differently than in previous runs is to ditch the music.  Yes, I cannot believe that I am even saying that but I am.  The second thing is to not look at my GPS watch that often during the run.  Both of these changes are going to allow me to just enjoy and take in everything that is the Boston Marathon.  I have nothing to prove to anyone and everything to gain from the experience.  I want to take it all in and not be caught zoning out in la la land with my music.  Did I just say "la la land"?  Crap, I guess that I did.  I'm going to let my body and how it is feeling dictate my pace.  Not some arbitrary number that I just came up with when someone asked "What time are you shooting for?" or some number that I want to beat myself up to obtain.  Just enjoy all 26.2 glorious fart, burp, chaffed, snotty and blistered filled mile.

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'!

18 And Life.

Ricky was a young boy
He had a heart of stone
Lived 9 to 5 and worked his
Fingers to the bone

Thank you Skid Row for that 1989 classic "18 and life"!  But, what the heck does this have to do with running?  Absolutely nothing at all except for the number "18". It is the only song that I could think of that referenced the number "18".

 

This past Sunday concluded lucky week 13 which included a team long run of 18 miles on Saturday.  It has been great to train on the marathon course every week as it becomes more and more comfortable and relaxing every time. It has afforded me the opportunity to make slight tweaks to my strategy every week. A fine tuning of sorts. Back off on my pace on this hill but take that one a bit faster. Really concentrate on breathing through this this section.  Begin fueling at that point. The course has become second nature with all of its twists and turns. Heartbreak Hill is becoming like a good friend now. Something that I truly look forward to each week. It is no longer what was an insurmountable "thing" in the way of getting to the finish line. It has helped me become a much more disciplined runner by forcing me to stay focused on the fundamentals during these long runs.

18 and life you got it
18 and life you know
Your crime is time and it's
18 and life to go 

Wow, did that song really come out in 1989?  26 years ago?!  Running by all accounts is looked at by most as just a physical sport. However, as most runners will tell you, it is just as much mental as it is physical.  You're mind can really challenge you especially on long runs with a lot of miles.  There is plenty of time for your head to really start playing games.  That is why I focus on both the physical and mental aspects on the long runs.

This week's long run tomorrow is going to be 19 sloshy and drenched, but glorious miles in the rain.  I guess that I should start thinking of songs to sing during the run.  Maybe "Singing in the Rain"?  or "Raindrops Keep Falling on My Head"? or how about "Purple Rain"?

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'!

Beautiful Day.

It's a beautiful day
Don't let it get away

You're on the road
But you've got no destination
You're in the mud
In the maze of her imagination

Thank you U2. This past Saturday's 17 mile team long run was cancelled due to the unsafe conditions out on the course. I had to make a tough decision to either run on the treadmill for 17 long, hot, sweaty, excruciating, boring, monotonous, tedious, boring (had to through another one of those in to highlight the dramatic) miles or get out in the great, magnificent, exciting, motivational, inspirational, wonderful, stupendous, fan frickin tastic great outdoors and run with all the glory and beauty that Mother Nature gave us (no I wasn't planning on running in my birthday suit, well... no, that would just be plain wrong!). Tough choice. Not!  

I decided to go into Boston to run because I figured that they would be pretty well dug out on the main routes at this point.  I took my usual scenic route from the Financial District over to the Seaport, into the North End and then over to Charlestown. Made my way back over to Boston and then along the Charles.  The sidewalks, paths and roads were as I had expected. Pretty much smooth sailing. Well, a bit too cold for sailing in the harbor and impossible on the frozen Charles but that is a totally different story.  

I ended up getting in 18.5 glorious training miles on Saturday. It's amazing what a simple thing as getting the chance to run outdoors again can do for your body and mind. It also gave me the chance to get some more pics for Instagram which isn't a bad thing. Beautiful day indeed.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Change Is Good.

So they say.  For those of you in and around Boston, you know that all of this snow has forced many temporary changes upon us like constant shoveling.  Very looooooong commutes (longer than normal anyway). More shoveling. Running indoors instead of outdoors.  I've been reminded through this all though that change can be a good thing even if just temporary.

The culmination of record breaking amounts of snow ended up canceling our 12 mile team long run last Saturday.  When I heard the news I was a bit disappointed as I look forward to running out on the course with my fellow team mates. It's a bright spot at the end of a long tunnel.  I understand and respect the decision of the coaches to cancel in the end as they are looking out for our safety and I appreciate that. It's helped me reaffirm that it is OK to have to make changes to the daily training plan and not feel guilty about it. I don't have to feel like I'm doing something wrong by not being rigid and following it to the T.  How did I change in light of the canceled team run?  I decided to go to my gym's new location that just recently opened a few towns away.  Yes, it was farther away than my home gym but I figured that change is good. If I'm going to the gym for 2 hours I might as well have a change of scenery. I'm glad that I did try the new location because I went into it with a much more positive attitude than if I had gone and done the same old thing at my regular gym. It paid off because I had a great workout and the time flew by. Well, it went as quickly as it could for running on a treadmill. 

The huge amounts of snow that has fallen over the past several weeks have provided for great cross training opportunities.  There have been several times now when I've had to change my training and instead of running I've had to spend the time shoveling, shoveling, roof raking (yes there is such a thing!), shoveling some more and then shoveling the roof. I didn't feel bad when I had to shovel instead of running because it is such a great aerobic activity.  You can burn around 300 calories every 45 minutes of shoveling. Who knew?  Since I averaged 2 hours of active shoveling each time, I made out pretty well. I definitely ended up using different muscles than I normally would have in running or other cross training. Change is good. 

Snowmageddon has certainly had a huge impact on commuting into and out of the city.  Late trains, cancelled trains, taking busses instead of trains. Trying to strategize how you are going to get where you need to when public transit throws daily obstacles in your way. It's all good in the end. Yes, it forces you out of the mundane daily rituals that come with commuting, out of a nice warm fuzzy happy place and into changed situations that you may not be comfortable with but that makes you that much better in the end. 

What does this all have to do with running?  I really don't know. Just kidding. It has taught me to change things up and to not stick with the same old regime. Find a new route to train on. Go to a different gym location to change things up. Don't be so anal when it comes to my training schedule and change. If I miss a day or have to move things around, it really is going to be OK at the end of the day. 

Tomorrow's 17 mile team long run has been cancelled due to continued unsafe conditions on the course. It's too bad because this was a special run where patients and their families were going to man the water stops.  17 miles on a treadmill?  That just isn't going to happen.  I guess I'm going into the city tomorrow to run before the next storm hits later in the day.  Oh, that's right, no commuter rail service tomorrow due to the MBTA trying to finish up the snow cleanup.  I guess I'll have to drive in.  Change is good Keith.  Change is good.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Hot. Sweaty. Mess.

OK, hot as in body temperature and not looks. Far from the looks end of things over here.  Let's just say a "sweaty mess" between us friends. You know that you've had a darn good old fashioned training run when you pause, reflect and can say "damn, that was good!"  All the while, standing there in sweaty running gear splattered in road grime and salt. Brand new sneaks crusted with salt. Wet like there is no tomorrow.  A couple of little stones and rock salt in your sock to top it all off.  There is nothing like it.  I guess there probably is something like it but nothing that I can think of right now.  Last week's long run was 16 glorious miles in the great outdoors.  There is such a feeling of accomplishment when you put your all into it, are rewarded with a runner's high and workout gear that seriously needs to be picked up with salad tongs and put in the washer (no idea where salad tongs came from).   

This past Sunday was the end of week 9 of training.  It felt like it was Ground Hog's Day was celebrated this week instead of last week because boy did it feel like Déjà vu.  It felt like it was Ground Hog's Day was celebrated this week instead of last week because boy did it feel like Déjà vu. Sorry, I had to. Snow.  Treadmill.  Snow. Treadmill. I did brave a night run on Beacon Hill and along the Charles a couple of days after a storm. All set there thank you very much. Wow, two lane streets turned into very narrow one lane streets. Cars still completely buried in snow from the first snow storm several weeks ago.  The only visible sign that a car was in a snow mound?  The tiny sliver of what resembled a side mirror.  I felt like I was the poor little frog caught in that 80's classic video arcade game Frogger. Ribbit. A player inserted their quarter, grasped the joystick and was now skillfully navigating me across streets while dodging cars, trucks and busses.  Moving onto the top of the screen and the river.  The Charles river.  Instead of dodging logs, alligators and turtles, it was ice, snow drifts and more ice.  Ribbit.  With another snow storm this weekend, I'm guessing I'm going to be spending a bit more time at the gym than I had wanted to.  Oh well, spring has to get here sometime with warm weather.  Right?  Warm weather to make me even more of a hot, sweaty, mess.  That's right.  A sweaty mess.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!
 

Monkey Business.

This past Sunday marked the end of week 8 of training.  Outdoor training has been a bit of a challenge the past two weeks with all the snow and frigid temperatures that we have had here in Boston. Yes, I have had to revert to using the old dreadmill again.  Ugh.  Not to be confused with Ugg.  You know, the Australian company with the fashion boots that everyone has to have (not the sparkly glittery ones though- sorry if you are wearing a pair as you are reading this- no offense intended).  I guess this year though, the fashion must have is the LL Bean duck boot. Sorry, "bean boot".  Not that I would know though. Just saying. OK, back to the "expression of disgust or horror" (thanks for the succinct definition Google)-Ugh.  I guess what I dislike most about running on a treadmill is the lack of freedom to get out and explore, the overall atmosphere of the gym and having the treadmill do part of the work for me. Darn it, I want the entire effort to be mine. Not a machine forcing me to move my feet by driving the belt below me. Nope!  On the flip side though, I do know that it is a love hate relationship with the old RunMaster Xtreme Turbo Propulsion Tread Tracker Max 5580 (I just made that name up if you couldn't tell. Had to have something dramatic).  There will be times that, for safety's sake, I will just have to buck up and pound the treadmill deck instead of the pavement.  Oh, that didn't come out sounding quite right.

There was a plus side this week.  It was the week's team long run where we were finally able to run up, and then back down, Heartbreak Hill.  I had drove it before. Oh, that one didn't come out sounding quite right either.  I road in a car down the hill once (that sounds better). That was my only experience with it before Saturday.  It is a pretty gradual hill so it wasn't too bad to run. I say that after having only run 7 miles before encountering it. Much different than running 20 miles and then encountering it like it will be on race day.  The highlight of running the hill was seeing the Boston skyline just past the peak. Highlight indeed. Well, then there was also the photo op at the bottom of the hill with Bill the gorilla who is the Heartbreak Hill Running Company mascot (the store is located at the base of Heartbreak Hill- very clever name that they came up with. The store that is). 

It turned out to be a fantastic and energizing 15.5 mile long run even though it was 10 degrees with a wind chill of -7.  I guess that is winter in New England though.  Once you get going and are a couple of miles in, you do end up warming up.  So much so that you end up having to unzip the layers to cool down and then zip back up to get warm again.  Zip, unzip, zip unzip.  Enough to make you go bananas!

Until next time, keep on runnin'!
 

Week 4 In The Books.

This past Sunday was the end of week 4 of training.  It's amazing how fast it has been going by this time around.  I think that looking forward to the weekly Saturday team long run really helps a lot.  The past two weeks, our team run has taken place completely on the marathon course through Wellesley, MA and Newton, MA.  Getting acclimated to the route again and seeing familiar sights again is definitely a plus and motivational.  That may sound kind of weird but it really is.  Even running past Newton-Wellesley Hospital.  Enough said. 

I have to say that I really do enjoy running by myself most of the time as I can run whatever distance I want at whatever pace I want whenever I want.  I don't have to worry about anyone but myself.  That said, I am quickly enjoying running with the team once a week.  It's nice to meet fellow runners as well as running in new locations (each week we are adding on a couple more miles).  It keeps it fresh and exciting.  Running?  Exciting? Absolutely! 

I logged a total of 33.3 miles for week 4.  There were many opportunities to take a day off from training here or there since I was on vacation and there was New Year's Eve/New Year's Day.  In the end though, I ended up sticking with the training schedule and didn't take the easy route out.  I've got way too much invested in this to start slacking off on training, even if it is only a day or two.

Week 5 started off yesterday.  Wow, what a crazy day to run outdoors in Boston!  That had to be the hardest training run I have ever completed.  The temp was 22 degrees.  That wasn't the issue.  The "feels like" temp was 14 degrees.  Nope that wasn't it either.  The wind was gusting at 38 MPH.  That was it!  Running into that amount of wind for a good chunk of the time was very challenging.  At one point, the wind literally stopped me in my tracks.  I decided to run down neighborhood streets using the brownstones as windbreakers instead of running along the Charles river.  That worked for the most part.  The upside to running in that wind?  The moon.  It was absolutely amazing as it was rising in the sky.  Completely worth dealing with the wind and freezing temps.  Wow, it really was amazing!

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

You're As Cold As Ice.

Cold as ice, you know that you are
Cold, cold, as, as, ice, as cold as ice to me
Cold, cold, as, as, ice
Ooh, ooh, ooh, cold as, cold as ice
You're as cold as ice

Yes, December 31st was cold as ice.  However, I needed to keep with my marathon training and get my run in for the day.  Even on New Year's Eve day.  Even though the weather outside was frightful.  Well, fricking freezing.  Cold as ice cold.  Cold enough for, say... ice sculptures! 

What better way to run the miles away than going into Boston to see how the preparations were going for First Night?  First stop, Boston Common.  The food vendors were setting up their stands and getting ready to try and entice people to buy their morsels.  I could only imagine them practicing their spiel as they were stocking the supplies, "Get a hot slice of cheese with roni over here!"  One food trailer that made me turn my head as I went by was the "Slush King".  Seriously?  The real feel was 11 degrees.  I don't think that they probably sold too many slushies last night.  I could be wrong though.  I continued on past a couple of ice sculptures.  Frogs frolicking with "2015" above them, some super heroes and Albert Einstein.  Pretty impressive.  Luckily it was cold enough for them so that there were no dripping and drooping masterpieces.  I past the pyro technicians setting up the launch tubes with Chrysanthemum, Peony, Palm and heart shells.  Past vendors setting up their stalls selling plastic horns and those goofy glasses which quickly remind you what year is coming up.  Next up, the Public Garden.  Not much at all going on over there so I continued over to the Esplanade.  Again, nothing happening.  Zilch.  Nada.  On to Copley Square!  That is where all of the action was.  A city block of news vans lined up in a perfect row.  Reporters doing the obligatory "So what is your New Year's resolution" interviews with passersby.  Sound checks on the main stage and, oh yeah, more ice sculptures! 

I made my way down Boylston street, past the marathon finish line, down to Mass Ave and back over to the Charles.  I wound my way back to where I started and ended my run with 7.5 miles logged.  I'll take it even though it was definitely the coldest day of running this training season.  A balmy 20 degrees with a real feel of 11 due to the gusty 20+ MPH winds.  These are the conditions that I kind of like though.  The ones that make you buck up and, in the words of Nike, "Just do it".  I could be inside a sweaty smelly gym clomping away on a dreadmill, sorry, treadmill.  Nope, not for me.  I would rather be running outdoors in the freezing passing the artistic creations of frozen H2O.

Cold as ice, you know that you are
Cold, cold, as, as, ice, as cold as ice to me
Cold, cold, as, as, ice
(Thanks Foreigner for the lyrics- they are completely stuck in my head now!)

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Jack Frost.

Chestnuts roasting on an open fire
Jack Frost nipping at your nose
Yuletide carols being sung by a choir
And folks dressed up like Eskimos

OK.  There were no chestnuts and no fire.  Jack Frost was certainly nipping at my nose though.  My cheeks.  And my forehead.  Carols were being sung but not by a choir.  Just by me and it was only in my head as I didn't want to scare anyone with singing out loud.  Most folks did look like they were from Alaska, but not me.  No fur.  No big warm clunky boots.  A zipped sweatshirt, sneakers and a hat.  Kind of boring.

Day one of week one training completed yesterday. Boy, that was a cold one!  6.5 easy miles.  Very easy!  It was a bit hard to not go at my normal pace.  I kept finding myself running faster and then having to slow down to get back to the slower pace.  It is something that I need to work on and remember that training is not competitive.  I don't always have to go out full force every run like I have been doing lately.  Follow the plan my friend.  Follow the plan.

It was kind of neat running in the city as all the Christmas lights were on in the Common and the Public Garden.  The lights and light snow coupled with the cold winds made it a festive run indeed.  Cannot wait for tomorrow's run to take in more of the lights around the city.

They know that Santa's on his way
He's loaded lots of toys and goodies on his sleigh
And every mother's child is gonna spy
To see if reindeer really know how to fly
 
Run Weather:

22 degrees | Windchill 13 degrees

Winds 9 MPH | Gusting to 18 MPH

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'!

Windy. Windy. Windy.

Wind.

noun: wind; plural noun: winds
/wind/

1. The perceptible natural movement of the air, especially in the form of a current of air blowing from a particular direction.
"The wind howled about the building."

synonyms: breeze, current of air; gale, hurricane; literary zephyr

Thank you Merriam Webster for your succinct definition of this word.  A word that I was able to experience first hand during my run this past Friday evening along the Charles River and Boston Harbor.  I'd have to say though, my definition wouldn't have been so polite and "nice".  It would have been more direct and laced with a "what the f@ck!" here and  "are you kidding me you piece of sh%t" there.  What the "h" "e" double hockey sticks is up with this $@#%!# gusty stuff?  A real truck driver mouth if I may say so myself. 

I knew that my evening run was going to be a bit breezy as the high rise building I was in was increasingly creaking like an old wooden pirate ship undulating in an angry sea as the day went on.  I guess I didn't realize how gusty it would be though until I made my way towards the Charles.  You get a really nice wind tunnel effect along the way due to all the buildings.  I kind of felt like a Porsche 918 Spyder being examined for aerodynamics.  The only thing that was missing was the smoke to demonstrate the airflow as it moved across my body. 

Notwithstanding Mother Nature's fury, it really was a good run.  While it was challenging to run into a strong headwind, it does help in training to keep a race pace in this type of situation as you never know what type of weather you're going to encounter on race day.  I checked the weather when I finished and the temp was 42 (real feel 34) with sustained winds at 18 mph gusting to 29 mph.  Sweet.

I ended up running 10 miles Friday night for a weekly total of 25 miles.  I'm trying to keep an average of between 25 and 30 miles a week leading up to my marathon training which starts up in earnest at the end of December. 

As I've noted in past posts, I'm hooked on taking pictures as I'm running through the city.  So much so that sometimes I'm stopping every a couple of minutes trying to best the last snap that I took.  Especially those sunsets along the Charles River!  I plan to include a picture or two from my runs to each post to add a little eye candy to all of this blah blah text.  The two pictures that I've included on this post are of the Bunker Hill Monument and the Colonel William Prescott statue (in front of the monument) that I took Friday night.  Enjoy!

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'!

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'!