FitCorp Training Run #16

Ok, I give up. I have idea what to expect during this year's marathon. Some weeks just fly by and other weeks it feels like I have had to fight for every inch. So here is what I have decided - The 2009 Boston Marathon will not be my attempt at a personal record. There are plenty of other marathons during the year for that. The 2009 Boston Marathon will be conducted grandpa Rufus style which means:

• Enjoy the experience.
  
• Enjoy the company of friends.
  
• Smile at the children.
  
• Help others.
  

Of course if I feel great on April 20th and can do all of the above and set a personal record all the better!

I haven't done it yet, but watch this week for a special post about grandpa Rufus. March 13th would have been his birthday for which I wanted to write a special post, but I just haven't had the stomach to yet. I'll be sharing some of the memories of grandpa people have been kind enough to share with me over the past 3 years. Thank you all for sharing them with me, they really do make the miles go easier.

This week's run was a choice of a 10 or 12 miler. Since I cut last week short I went for the 12 miles which was a run out to BC and back. All in all we'll count it as a good run. My average time on the way out was great and everything felt fine.

On the way back I had the opportunity to talk to a group I've seen on the course for the last month or so. I've been wanting to speak with them as they all look young and they run wearing bright orange singlets that say Dreamfar. I've been wondering who they are and what they are running for.

It turns out they are high schools students at Newton South High School and they are training for the Providence marathon. Best I can tell from my conversation with them is they are running a marathon to do it. If you see them out on a Saturday morning cheer them on.

Back to me. On the way back I started to run out of steam a bit, but still finished the run with a reasonable time and everything still working. On to 21 miles this coming Saturday!

Feel free to review this week's run by clicking here.

I have many people to thank this week. Thanks to Grandpa Peg, Laurie Kelley, Bob Giunta, Gabrielle Ward Beeler, and Kirk for sponsoring me and supporting the Eaton-Peabody Lab. I would also like to thank Doris and Dave for donating a puzzle that brought in $200 via eBay! Don't forget, you can donate by clicking on the Firstgiving link on the right or by attending my Fundraising Event. It will be April 2, 2009, starting at 7 pm at The Greatest Bar. Click here to view the e-vite and RSVP. Clicking on the ads on this page also produce a small amount that I will be giving to MEEI and the Eaton-Peabody.

And I am number....

25655

In the Marathon of course.

http://www.baa.org

FitCorp Training Run #15 - The Return of Sick Running!

Usually we think of school age kids as germ factories. They are always catching some sort of cold and these colds spread around school like a fire going through CA forest. I have two school age kids.

I also work at a hospital. You know, where sick people go. I do work in an office, but my co-workers are like yours. They are dedicated, and since they also work in offices, see no problem coming in to work sick since they don't deal with patients.

I tell you all this because it feels like I have had more colds this winter than the past two combined! Last week was no exception. All week I was falling asleep on the sofa by 9. Waking up tired. Head felt like a cinderblock.

Yes, I kept going to work.

Yes, Saturday morning I decided I was going to do the training run.

In a new pair of shoes I was trying to break in.

After a night where both kids had woken us up at some point.

Here is where the story is better than week 4. When I was approaching the first water stop and realizing that air was going in and out, but actual breathing was not happening, I decided to cut the run short. Instead of doing the 10-16 I had planned I did 6, went home, showered, and went back to bed. The new shoes? Gave me a blister.

Either I'm getting wiser, or really sick of being sick, but I knew the road would still be there next week. And so will I. Hopefully able to breath.

Feel free to review my Long Training Run #15 by clicking here

Thanks this week to Steve Taranto for sponsoring me and supporting the Eaton-Peabody Lab. Don't forget, you can donate by clicking on the Firstgiving link on the right or by attending my Fundraising Event. It will be April 2, 2009, starting at 7 pm at The Greatest Bar. Click here to view the e-vite and RSVP. Clicking on the ads on this page also produce a small amount that I will be giving to MEEI and the Eaton-Peabody.

Customer Service Done Right - Thanks Cliff Bar!

I believe everyone knows about the Peanut Butter recall that happened recently. Food with peanut butter are a staple of my diet so when the recalls were happening I went to the FDA web site to see which of my foods were impacted. The Peanut Butter Cliff Bar in my cabinet was on the list, and this is my story of customer service done right.

I clicked over to the Cliff Bar web site and learned 1. They gave easy instructions on how to determine if your item was recalled, 2. Instructions on the information you needed to provide them, and 3. An easy, on-line form to apply for a refund. No "take the bar back to where you purchased it," or ""mail us the entire bar in it's original packaging." Just fill out the form and throw the bar away. It was done in under five minutes. I should also point out that none of their products were confirmed to be a problem, but they were recalling them just to be safe.

I knew their plan was to mail a coupon for a free replacement Cliff Bar, but imagine my surprise when I received this in the mail.



That is customer service done right!

FitCorp Training Run #14

I'm sorry to be getting this week's run information posted so late, it has been a crazy week. Instead of giving a detailed update let me just say What a fantastic day on Saturday! I'll try to post more soon.

Click here for the details from this week's run

Long (Well sort of) Training Run #13

Due to some scheduling and family illness issues I did not take part in the FitCorp training run this weekend. This turned out to be a disappointment and an unexpected blessing. The disappointing aspect is I didn't get to do the 10.5 miles run from the Woodside T stop to One Beacon Street. You regular readers know I love this run as it goes over the Newton Hills, and it usually produces some of my best paces. But oh the blessings!

First, it felt good to change things up a bit. Running on a Sunday instead of a Saturday. Taking my time getting ready instead of rushing out the door. Having the Garmin grab a signal quickly instead of fighting to get one. Running wherever I wanted to go instead of having a set course. The only plan I had was to head from home towards Karen's office, as I know there are hills between here and there.

Second, it started to lightly flurry snow when I started out. Light snowfall in New England is an amazing thing. Cars disappear from the roads, the world becomes quieter, and prettier. It becomes just the runner, alone with your thoughts. I didn't realize it, but I missed having that aspect of running. Not always, but it has it's place. The only other runner I saw was near the Muffin House, we traded knowing smiles of having the world to ourselves.

I did end up cutting the run a little short, and running a route back that I normally wouldn't, as around mile 7 I realized the roads would be getting slippery soon.

You can view this week's run here

Thanks this week to Lisa Nelson for sponsoring me and supporting the Eaton-Peabody Lab. Don't forget, you can donate by clicking on the Firstgiving link on the right. Clicking on the ads on this page also produce a small amount that I will be giving to MEEI and the Eaton-Peabody.

Finally, I'm happy to announce the details of the Fundraising Event. It will be April 2, 2009, starting at 7 pm at The Greatest Bar. Click here to view the e-vite and RSVP.