Spring Fever Will Hit You in the Middle of the Face

I ran 20 miles this morning, starting at 6:45am with Linda York from the Brophy school in Framingham, Ma. We trekked all around Framingham, Sudbury, and perhaps other towns to complete our loops of fun, thrills, and training. When I run, I'm thinking about last weeks events, upcoming plans, my goals, where I am in the route, how my body feels, the Boston Marathon, the Bottom Line students, and my surroundings. Oh and of course, the lovely chatter that occurs with my running partner. Today, the day focused mostly on my surroundings. I notice the numbers on the houses to gauge the length of the road. When running 20 miles, I have small goals of finishing one road or portion of the run. The day started out to be very chilly at 23 degrees and my body was tense. Linda and I tried a new style of running, our plan was to run for 10 miles and walk for 1 minute. You're suppose to feel so much better and have energy for the end of the run - it worked! I ran fast up the last hill and for the last stretch through the path to the parking lot. Exciting... perhaps I WILL be able to sprint the last mile of the marathon! I want reallly want to RUN the last mile! We clocked about 3 hours and 20 minutes. I felt not so hot after two hours, but then felt great after completing 3 hours. It is a huge relief completing 20 miles!

I immediately jumped in the shower, and jumped back in the car to head to the Bottom Line meeting in Jamaica Plain for a noon time meeting. We chatted for about two hours about fundraising, Bottom Line, and Rick talked about preparation and the Boston Marathon experience. We have 29 days and this is going to be the most exciting month... in my life!

Rick mentioned that "Spring Fever Will Hit You in the Middle of the Face!" Marathon Fever will hit soon and I have to admit it already has plagued my office and friends. Everyone is asking, how far, how long, how many days? I couldn't ask for anything more! Rick mentioned, and it's very true, as the weather changes and the days count down, the media coverage is going to gain momentum. The Boston Marathon is more elite than the Olympics for running, it's the MECCA of running! It's completely crazy that it's going to be my 1st marathon, but being this is my home state, I couldn't do it any other way. I have the privilege of running the Boston Marathon and having friends and family line the course.

Rick gave us all kinds of advice - fuel, clothing choice, Hopkinton throw away clothing choice(all the clothing that is thrown off in the first miles of the marathon are donated to a homeless shelter!), 9AM arrival time, ice is great along the marathon route (HINT HINT!) Helium Balloons held by visiting friends, red liquorish, and reminded us of all the great work that we're doing.

I'd like to plan a Pasta Party Fundraiser with Marathon Logistics Focus for April, but I'm not exactly sure of the date ... or location!

Okay, I want to lie down and rest before my Saturday night. I bought two new Boston Marathon books on my way home!

Please visit my Fundraising Webpageand forward the link to your friends. Thanks for your help! Nothing significant in life is ever achieved alone!