Medford to Newton

I haven't been writing, but I have been getting some running in. Here is today's Medford to Newton effort. I stepped on a root around mile 8 and from then on went quite a bit slower.

Medford to Newton by wljcr at Garmin Connect - Details

Where does the time go?

It seems like yesterday that I finished the 2010 Boston Marathon, and yet here we are in countdown mode for the 2011 event.

Quick recap of the 2010 Boston Marathon - I had the pleasure of running most of the race with several other Team Eye and Ear runners. When I hit the wall I kept going, even when it meant walking. I knew I would get to the finish, even if it wasn't with a personal record time. It was great to be able to finish.

Post-marathon I decided to take a break from running and limited myself to a few favorite events. The mental break was good, but the effect on my fitness level was alarming. I had to walk parts of the Harpoon 5-miler. But with the occasional 5K here and there I kept my legs moving during the summer.

November came and it was time to start training for Boston. Things were going well, core workouts, adding miles, and then Thanksgiving morning



I was going to the basement to get something, stepped off the stair, onto a shoe, and the ankle rolled. At first I thought it was going to be serious, Karen wanted to take me to the hospital, but I quickly found that it would bear weight. When I finally went to the doctor about it he referred to it as a small tear and instructed me 1. it is more likely to happen again, 2. Training is fine, but go slow, and 3. give it more support.

So training this year is off to a very slow go. Longest run so far has been 10 miles when I'd like it to be 14-16. My speed makes turtles look fast. Both very discouraging.

But then I remember why I'm doing this. It isn't for a personal record. It isn't for personal glory. It is in memory of someone who dealt with Parkinson's disease for more than a decade and only complained once. It puts the small setback of the ankle in perspective.

2010 Boston Marathon

I'll post more as soon as I get a chance, but for now here is my 2010 Boston Marathon. You'll see I forgot to hit the "Stop" button at the end, so you even have some of me walking after the finish.

It's Almost Go Time!

Tomorrow is the day.

None of the past matters. The disappointing Boston and Newport
marathons last year, the PR at the Wicked Half in the fall, the
difficult and scary November, the weeks of training lost when trying
to save ankles cost me a hip, the fantistic bounce bank runs. None of
it, none of it matters.

All that matters now is that tomorrow I will be in the starting chute
and after a fantastic 26.2 mile journey I will be on Boylston St in
Boston. Along the way I'll see Family, Friends, The women of
Wellesley, The pains of the Newton Hills, and The best and the worst I
have inside me. Already Zander understands I'm a winner because I
line up and I keep going.

Being year 4 the planning and packing have become easier. But the
reason I run is still with me.

Thank you Grandpa Rufus. We still miss you.

You may track me online during the race at http://www.baa.org using my bib number 25713

Thank You Cleveland! Goodnight!

I know, what the heck does Cleveland have to do with me. I'm not from Cleveland, never have lived in Cleveland, heck - I've never even been to Cleveland. Bear with me for a little story telling (you like stories, right?)

Saturday was the best weather Boston has seen since Halloween. It was also the day of Zander's birthday party for his friend's at Monster Mini-Golf. The good news is a great time was had by all. The bad news is they play music. Let me rephrase, that they play music isn't bad news. But getting a song stuck in your head can be bad news. Which explains Cleveland. If you ever watched the Drew Carey show you may remember it's theme song "Cleveland Rocks" performed by The Presidents of the United States of America.



Thus how I found myself running 18 miles, plus one bonus cool down mile with Zander, chanting over and over again "CLEVELAND ROCKS!"

Thank you Rachel, Nelly, Janet, Marie, Cathy and Jim, Karen, Kathleen, Joan, Doug, and two anonymous donors.

Short Runs Sunday, In the Rain

I didn't get a long run this weekend, instead I did a series of shorter runs. I ran to Davis Square, to run the Ras na hEireann 5K, and then ran home again. Some observations from running in the rain:

• It makes you feel like a hardcore runner
  
• Your shoes weight twice as much
  
• You get to be a kid again running through, instead of around, puddles
  

My Garmin isn't waterproof, so instead of having the normal data available I used the google map pedometer and the race map so you can see yesterday's run.

Going: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3544125

Race: Ras na hEireann U.S.A. 5K

Coming Home: http://www.gmap-pedometer.com/?r=3544150

Thank you Bob, Sean, MJ, and Richard for sponsoring the Eaton-Peabody.

The Tale of Two Runs

Last week's run, February 28th, was near perfect. I ran from my house to my mother's house, Medford to Lincoln, almost following exactly Paul Revere's famous ride. The mileage turned out to be less than I hoped to complete, but my pace ended up being to training plan and I recovered nicely. Heck, I even managed to run by the house grandpa built, a real tear provoking moment for me, and get a few nice hills in towards the end of the run. Look out Newton Hills, here I come!!!

This week's run, March 7th, was the polar opposite. Right leg Achilles pain became hip pain. Hip pain became lower back pain. My pace stunk. Heck, I stunk! By mile 15 I was toast. Of course that is when someone else I know, who qualified for the marathon, drove by. Thank goodness they aren't judgmental, and only shouted encouragements. The aches pain finally went away last night.

So what lesson am I taking away from these two runs? Marathon running favors those who can remember that training is a long process, but who can also forget the short term setbacks. March 7th, you are dead to me.

Thank You Nick and Alicia, Jim, Nancy, Jan, Mary, Steve, Xio, Michelle, Andy, Anne-Marie, Carlo, Larry, Susan, Margaret (who I'm pretty sure also so me this past weekend), Vince, Brenda, Judy, Leslie (I'm ordering new shorts today!), Laurie, Kevin, the Bergs, Nicole, Stephanie and Joe (we still need to get together!), Carol and Max, Grandma, and Lee and Sharon for sponsoring me.

If your going to be in Boston on March 25th, please don't forget to RSVP to join me at the Harpoon Brewery from 5:30 to 7 pm for a Marathon Happy Hour. It is my way of thanking you all for your support.

Looking forward to seeing you there!