Fundraiser Prizes Starting Strong!

It is early in the season and while my DFMC fundraiser has only recently been approved, 2 generous companies have stepped up and already donated items for the event.

First, Alex & Ani will be donating a fantastic item.  I'm not sure what it is just yet, but I'm sure it will be great.  Once I have the item, likely closer to the actual event, I will post a picture and thank Alex and Ani a 2nd time for their generous donation!

Second, a repeat donor from a place we love to dine, the Union Bar & Grille! Like last year, Union Bar & Grille is generously donating a $100 gift card!  Last year's lucky winners raved about their experience (their first at Union) and I'm sure this year's winners will enjoy it just as much.

So...the fundraiser, well it is a bit far away yet, but let's just say, keep April 2, 2014 free if you'll be in the Cambridge area!

Philly Marathon Completed!

As a number of people know, I ran the Philadelphia marathon this past weekend with Amy.  It was her first and my 4th marathon.  While I originally thought about running the race for time, I decided to run the race with Amy and share her first marathon with her.  It was the right decision for many reasons, including dealing with injury unfortunately.

Since September I've been fighting a case of ITBS (IT band syndrome, http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iliotibial_band_syndrome).  I have a nice sharp pain on the outside of my right knee and upper calf, though it usually only bothers me while running.  Great for everyday activities, but difficult to know when I'm healed and can really train again.  Anyway, I ran through the pain during Philly and it is good to know that I can complete a marathon with this injury, though it won't be fun.  Since the race though the pain has been intense and bothersome even while walking.  I had planned to take time off before training for Boston and will do so even more now.  It is a bit discouraging, but better time off now and enjoy Boston in April than suffer through training and barely complete the race.

Boston 2014 on the Mind

It is well over 5 months until the Boston Marathon 2014, but I began to think about the experience this weekend - about the upcoming training schedule, the emotions that will accompany me through the training season and especially on race day.  It started yesterday with the Red Sox rolling down Boylston St past the marathon finish and the sites of the 2 explosions which brought all of this to mind.  Today was the NYC marathon, recovering from the effects of Sandy and honoring the Boston marathon along the way.  Separate events, both representing what I hope to experience in April 2014.

As many know, the Philadelphia marathon is only 2 weeks away, November 17th, and I am now in the 'taper' phase of training.  I didn't expect that a 14 mile training run would take >3 hrs, but that's what happens when stopping to watch the duck boats roll by with confetti, World Series trophies and baseball players.  It was a fun run/watch/run/watch, but perhaps not the best way to approach such a run.

Post-Philly, I'm looking forward to taking some time off to rest and recover before jumping back into training for Boston.  Fingers crossed for a good race in Philadelphia and channeling the Boston Strong energy through the entire course.

Two Weeks Out...

This past week had been a good one, all things considered after the events of April 15-19.  As I posted about last time, the closing of Crossroads Pub on April 20 allowed DFMCers and other runners to gather on the 17th, celebrate, reminisce about training, tell stories of the marathon and mourn and support each other re the events that took place on Marathon Monday.  This past Monday, one week after the attacks, the Somerville Road Runners held a small candle light vigil in Somerville.  It was another opportunity for runners to support each other and the victims of the bombings.

The week also allowed a return to running and other work outs.  I was able to attend the November Project twice this week.  For the first time hitting the Monday workout of sit-ups and push-ups and returning to the Wed AM workout at the Harvard Stadium...22 sections in 25 minutes.  Another run is planned for this weekend and with it, another day returning to normal.

While I can say a return to normal, many people are still dealing with the attacks, both physically and mentally.  We have learned that 2 past DFMC runners were injured in the attacks and are still hospitalized.  Two other family members were also injured and their story has been documented in both local and national news.  With the OneFundBoston raising >$20 million thus far, >$650,000 has been raised to help Celeste and Sydney.  To learn more about their story, visit the Site for Celeste and Sydney

Lastly, thank you again to everyone who has reached our and offered support.  Two stories I forgot to relate demonstrating how all Bostonians have rallied around those effected area two separate thank yous.  While having a restaurant patron thank me as I walked by wearing my BAA jacket was nice, having an employee at BJs say "thank you" and shake my hand for "all I did" was very unexpected and caught me off guard.  Amy told me afterward that he had asked if we were there, Amy said that I had just finished and had let other runners use my phone to contact family.  I did nothing compared to the first responders but seeing Bostonians support each other has helped the healing process as well.  Again, thank you for all your support the last two weeks.