DFMC Training Kicks Off

Saturday was the first group training run with this year's DFMC team.  After being sick and not running at all during the week, it was good to get out with both veterans and newcomers to the team. We had a great turnout of about 100 teammates and had great weather to start the training season, a clear and crisp 28F day.  I took it easy running only 8 miles for the morning, but still not feeling 100%, I wanted to make sure that I didn't get worse before the big guy in a red suit visits later in the week :)

It has also been a great start to this year's DFMC fundraising!  As of this morning, we've raised $1870 towards our goal of $11,000 for 2015!  This is fantastic considering we have 119 days to go until the marathon!  We also learned that the team has surpassed the $700,000 mark and we're well on our way to hitting our $5.3M goal for 2015.  What a great way to transition from 2014 into 2015!

As 2014 wraps up, thank you to everyone who has supported me and DFMC over the past 3 years.  When I first joined the team in 2011, I really didn't expect to run Boston so many years. The impact that I've seen from the fundraising and importantly, the great support from family, friends and in some cases people I've never met has been a huge motivator to continue the efforts.  Of course, running in honor of RJ and having developed such a great relationship with him and his family is a motivating factor that can't be put into words.  Thank you to everyone for past, current and future support!

Philly Marathon is a Success

This past weekend was the Philadelphia marathon, #6 of my 'marathon career'.  I would not have thought that when I began training for the NYC marathon in 2011, that I would continue to run this distance.  Each race has been unique and memorable for it's own reasons and I'm certain that 2015 Boston will continue this trend.

The marathon this past weekend was a great day.  After a good training season, I set a personal best by ~2 minutes, finishing just over 4hrs.  I was a bit disappointed that I didn't crack the 4-hour mark, but setting a PR was still a great accomplishment for the day.  We got lucky with the weather as Saturday was cooler and much windier whereas Monday was way too warm (60s) for a marathon.  Overall, it was a great day!

Heading in to Thanksgiving, I'm recovering from Philly and prepared to cheer on those running the Gobble, Gobble, Gobble.  In only a few short weeks, Boston 2015 training will begin and thanks to a number of generous donors, we've already raised $1,250 for DFMC and innovative cancer research!  We're off to a great start! Happy Thanksgiving everyone!

2014 Begins...

While we haven't quite finished with our prep for the Philly Marathon in a few weeks, I'm already looking forward to more training for DFMC 2014!  After a somewhat 'blah' run last week of 19 miles, yesterday's 12 mile run was a bit nicer.  While not specifically training for Boston, all this running will certainly pay dividends come January-March when Boston training really picks up.

More importantly is the large amount of support that a number of people have already provided.  After my first fundraising e-mail last week, we've already raised $850 and are well on our way to hitting our $11,000 goal!!  Your generosity continues to amaze me each and every year.  Thanks to those that have supported DFMC and our goal of a world without cancer!

A Great Marathon & Weekend

Reflecting on the 2014 Boston Marathon around mile 15 of the race, I already knew that while I was not having the race that I wanted, the marathon itself and the whole weekend had been amazing.  I won't dwell on the race much...it was a warm day and for that reason (& perhaps others) I struggled from mile 14 onward.  I was physically tired, my stomach was upset and I couldn't properly eat/drink to recover from it; mentally, I struggled after missing my family and friends at locations I expected.  I often thought of those individuals that I was running in honor and in memory of, those battling cancer, RJ and friends and family who have supported me the last 3 years of running for DFMC.  Of course, the events of the 2013 marathon were also not far from my mind.  In the end, I saw many friends from mile 17.5 onward, Boylston St was unreal, the fan support was amazing and I finished another Boston Marathon!  Importantly, thanks to >100 donors, we raised $11,600+ for DFMC (as of this post)!!  While DFMC had a goal of $5.3M, we have helped raise more than $6M for the Barr Program, an incredible year for us and DFMC!

I stated the weekend with my sister and dad arriving in Boston.  We proceeded down to Copley Sq and the BAA expo.  After getting my bib number we walked through the expo a bit and tasted some Sam Adams 26.2 Brew.

Official bib picked up

We also walked through the Boston public library and through the 'Dear Boston' exhibit.  Following the bombings in 2013, a makeshift memorial sprung up in Copley Sq.  After a few weeks, items that were left were catalogued and stored.  The 'Dear Boston' exhibit displays some of the memorial items.

Shoes left by runners from 2013

We also stopped by Old South Church, which is near the marathon finish and was close to the 1st bombing in 2013.  The church was generously giving out blue & yellow scarves to marathon runners this year.  This was part of the Marathon Scarf Project. In short, the Old South Knitters Club came up with the idea and people from all 50 states and 8 countries knitted more than 7,000 scarves for runners, wrapping them with love and courage.  Mine was made by someone in Salisbury, NC.

Runners getting scarves from Old South Church

After a full day on Friday, our Saturday was just as busy.  Ashley, Amy and I ran the BAA 5K on Sat AM with 10,000 other runners. We ran a nice & easy 30min race on a gorgeous April morning. 

Finishing the BAA 5K!

5K complete with our 'official' photographer

After a quick recovery and breakfast, we headed out to Fenway for the RedSox v Baltimore game.  While the Sox haven't been playing great, we got to see a win!

Heading into Fenway Park

Though we didn't sit next to RJ, he was also at the game and we were able to meet up before and after for a bit to chat.

Meeting RJ before the Sox game

After a nice Easter morning mass at which we met Father Joe and received a special blessing (Mayor Walsh was also in attendance), we headed out to Copley Square and the Expo for Amy to pick up her bib.

Signs of support were all over Bosoton

At the fnish line VIP seating area

Boston finish line catwalk

We also walked by the sites of last year's bombings and paid our respect to the victims.

Crosses for those killed in events related to the 2013 marathon

After our photo session at the finish line and the expo, we headed over to the DFMC pasta party.  Before dinner we met up with RJ and stopped by his poster that we prepared back in March.

Walking into dinner are the posters of all the patient partners, which serve as an incredible reminder of why we fundraise, train and run the marathon.  Our efforts are minor compared their struggles and journey.

Patient Partner Posters

As this is the 25th year of DFMC, we heard from a number of people involved in the program, including grandsons of Sidney Farber, regarded as the Father of modern Chemotherapy.  A former DFMCer also spoke.  Darby was hoping to run with the team this year but early on found it more challenging than it should be.  After a checkup, Darby learned that the breast cancer she thought she had beat had returned and metastasized to her lung, bone and elsewhere.  One can imagine what this means for Darby and highlighted the need for continuing innovative research efforts.  Darby's story was one that all runners took to the start line and thought of throughout the race.

DFMC 25 Year Highlights

Following the emotional DFMC pasta party dinner, we headed home with lots of inspiration for the marathon.  We woke up early on Monday (4.45am) to catch the bus out to Hopkinton.  Though our bus took a wrong turn (really!?!) we arrived at the DFMC refuge and prepared with teammates, volunters and our coach, Jack Fultz.

Ready to start after words from Jack

Inspiration for the 26.2 mile journey to Boston

Starting corral with 700 teammates

As I said, it wasn't the race that I wanted and after missing family at mile 16, I made sure to see family and friends whenever possible along the remainder of the course.  Most importantly, we saw RJ, his family and my family at mile 25!

Seeing RJ at mile 25

A quick picture at mile 25

As we ran down Boylston St, I cannot remember any thoughts I had but I remember the atmosphere.  The crowds were loud and sidewalks were many people deep, it was a great return to Boylston

Approaching the finish line!

Boston Marathon 2014 Complete!

We celebrated the end of the weekend with a nice family photo before heading out for well earned drinks and food!