All By Myself.

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

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

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

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

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

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

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

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'!

Still Of The Night.

In the Still of the Night
I feel my heart beating heavy
Telling me I gotta have more...

More running that is.  I love that song. Brings back memories of my first concert when I was a freshman in high school. Whitesnake playing at the old Aud in Buffalo, NY.  No comments on the selection of band from the peanut gallery please. I was young and hadn't opened my eyes (or ears in this case) to the vast untapped possibilities of music choices that were out there. Seems like it was just yesterday.  I stress "seems" because it sure as heck wasn't.

Sneaker Print In The Snow At Night

I've really become a fan of running at night.  There is just something about seeing the Boston skyline lit up in all its glory.  The way the lights reflect off the Charles.  In the shadow of night, I see the full moon rise (sorry, had to add more lyrics here and there).  Speaking of the moon, I have seen some magnificent variations of it while running at night.  Real purdy!  Stress relief for everything that has built up during the day.  You feel things building and you say to yourself "I can't take no more, no, no" (sorry had to do it again).  What better feeling then to know that you can let it all go in a few hours at the end of the day.  Cleanse your mind and recharge.  There's nothing like it. 

I ended up running 7 miles the other night in the city before the big snow storm swooped in.  Gorgeous weather and fantastic sites (yes, I had to stop for more pictures to fulfill my Instagram addiction).  I'm going to end up running in the city tomorrow morning due to scheduling conflicts.  I know, completely the opposite of the topic of this post.  Don't worry, I'll be singing "I'm waiting for the night to come, ooh, baby" as I make my way down the Esplanade at 7:00 in the morning. 

Until next time, keep on runnin'!
 

Outdoors Again.

I absolutely LOVE running in the city.  I know that I probably sound like a broken record.  Let's say a broken 45 of Loverboy's "Working for the weekend"?  I'll even include the yellow spindle adapter just in case you want to try and give it a spin.  I digress, but I really do love running outdoors in Boston so much because it is so motivating and there are so many places to explore. 

I had the day off today so I decided to go into the city to get one last long run in before the arctic blast and snow hits New England tomorrow.  Luckily, I had some extra time to devote to my run today so ended up extending it to 16.5 exciting, invigorating, wonderful, stupendous, gratifying, amazing, kick-butt miles.  Did I mention that it was a pretty good run?  It could have been the new re-fueling gels that I tried (I'll start posting later this week about all of the different gels that I have been trying) or maybe it was the fantastic weather at 36°, feeling like 27° with 13 mph SW winds.  Oh, I just felt like an official weatherman there for a second.  OK, it was my Garmin that gave me the stats.  Stratus clouds formed from the SSW, barometric pressure fell and the humidity was at 55% (thank you again Garmin for the humidity info- I made up the type of clouds and barometric pressure- I have no idea what they were). 

It was wonderful in the great outdoors today.  Looks like it is going to be back to the gym this week though since 10" of snow and frigid temperatures are forecast starting tomorrow.  Hopefully the weatherman will be wrong again, and won't be "tryin' to get it right, get it right" (Everybody's workin' for the weekend...).

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Good Intentions.

The last time I checked Saturday's weather on Friday, it was supposed to be in the low 40's and a chance of rain later in the day.  Perfect.  I'll get up early, go into the city and get a run in before the rain made its way in.  That was the plan anyway.  I went to bed early Friday nigh and woke up bright and early Saturday to the sound of dripping water in the gutter outside my window.  I laid there staring at the ceiling contemplating whether that was really rain drops or maybe just fog that had condensed on the roof and was finding its way to the conveniently located gutter.  Drip.  Drip.  Drip.  Nope, it was rain.  Crud monkeys.  Yes, that is correct.  Crud monkeys (don't ask).  I turned on the Weather Channel hoping that it was just a passing "stray" shower that just had lost its way.  Nope, it was part of a swath of precip engulfing the region and then some.  I have to say that the color patterns on the radar map, which were made up of the varying degrees of intensity of rain/snow, were exquisite.  Something that could be framed and hung in the Boston Museum of Fine Arts.  An absolute masterpiece. 

The forecast now was for rain/snow for the entire day.  Not quite the conditions that I wanted to partake in.  "The gym it is", I exclaimed!  I quickly had to change my mindset from excited and invigorated outdoor running to humdrum indoor treadmill running lacking any sense of vigor.  OK, it wasn't that bad (it seemed like it while in the midst of it though).  I made the most of it and ended up with 7.5 miles while focusing on speed work.  All of this while having the option of watching Dora the Explora, sports highlights from the night before on ESPN or a variety of local news shows with the same stories and breaking news on the large screen TVs.  Wait, how could I forget the other option for my viewing pleasure?  The Weather Channel with continuous coverage of the rain and the magnificent precipitation radar map.  Decisions, decisions.  Hmmm...

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Pasty Legs.

Wow, do I need a suntan or what?  Holy moly!  Like, seriously.  I think that I overheard a woman walking down Mass Ave. with her her friend yesterday morning saying something like "Did you just see something go by?".  I'm pretty sure that I heard the friend reply "yeah, it looked like a ghost, wicked pissah!"  Well, it didn't really go down quite like that but it certainly could have.

This is my first winter running outdoors in the cold weather of New England so I'm learning as I go along on how to strike the right balance of clothing to wear.  What can I say, I'm used to running in spring/summer/fall.  When it is nice and warm.  I started out feeling like Randy (Ralphie's brother) from A Christmas Story.  I can't put my arms down!  Bundled up with every piece of obligatory winter garb that I could get my hands on.  OK, it wasn't that bad but it sure felt like it.

The weather for yesterday's early morning 10.5 mile run was forecast to be 40 and windy.  This was going to be the day for my new mantra: "More is Less".  That is right.  Shorts, long sleeve tech shirt, new windbreaker and Nike cap (New Gear post).  That is it.  I can put my arms down!  Yeah.  Forget you Ralphie.  I don't need you anymore.  It definitely was cold at first but soon become very comfortable once I got into my race pace.  It was so much more comfortable running with less.  I think that is the way that I'm going to go from now on unless it is very cold out.  Even if it means that I scare a few people with my pasty legs.  Maybe I should look into self-tanners?

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

Energizng Run.

OK, new running gear.  Check.  Perfect running weather.  Check.  New course.  Check.  What an energizing run!

I won't bore you with the new gear (yesterday's post covers that).  Yesterday's weather in Boston was perfect for running.  Low 40's and partly sunny.  There was a stiff breeze coming out of the West which helped push me along the Charles back towards my destination which was nice, but holy cow, I thought that I was going to take flight a couple of times.  I was afraid of getting stuck in a tree like a high flying kite.  However, all-in-all, it was gorgeous out for running.

Sights Along My Run

Running along the Charles River is great but I was looking to mix it up a bit yesterday.  Why not run along the harbor and the Freedom Trail into Charlestown I thought.  Why not?  Sure.  I ended up taking in some great sites and photo ops for my other addiction, Instagram (don't ask).  From South Station, to Fort Point Channel, to the North End over to the USS Constitution and then the Bunker Hill monument.  Took in the sites and sounds there and then swung by the Zakim Bunker Hill Bridge, onto the Charles River on the Cambridge side to the Mass Ave bridge.  Then the Esplanade (here is where the tail wind kicked in) and over to the Public Garden.  Took a left at Albuquerque.  Sorry, that was Bugs Bunny.  Onto the Common, down to Down Town Crossing, over to City Hall Plaza, through Faneuil Hall.  Almost there.  Back over to the harbor, then the Fort Point Channel again and finally back to South Station.  I really should be a tour guide.  Turned out to be 13.5 miles.  Sweet.  A new route that is definitely going on my favorite list.

Until next time, keep on runnin'!

The Great Outdoors.

Finally, the weather this morning was good enough to run in the great outdoors.  My goodness, that was WAY overdue!  Today's high was supposed to be around 40.  However, when I went running in Boston this morning it was more like mid 20's and blustery along the frozen Charles.  I'll take it any day.  I decided to run in the city today because I wanted to run a long run and absolutely LOVE to run in Boston because it is so motivational and there are some great photo ops for my Instagram addiction.

Boston Marathon Ice Sculpture

It was a great morning for running even though it was a bit chilly (I'm not complaining at all).  Paths in the Common/Public garden along with those along the Charles were pretty clear for the most part.  I did end up with cold wet feet because of a few slushy sidewalks and crosswalks but what did I expect a couple of days after the areas first Nor'easter? 

I altered my normal course to run down Boylston street as I wanted to snap a pic of the Boston Marathon ice sculpture from New Year's eve in Copley Square.  This also gave me the opportunity to run past the finish line of the Marathon.  The ultimate "Finish Line".

I finished my run with 12 miles through the streets of Boston and Cambridge.  Thank you to my wife for getting up early and getting me to the train station and thank you to mother nature for a great morning for running.  I just love the great outdoors!

Until next time, keep on runnin'!