Why am I running the Boston Marathon for the Bottom Line charity?

The complete lie and short answer is that "In a moment of not thinking, I signed up for the marathon." I've often rambled off the previous statement in past conversations, but I'm going to take a few minutes to explain the real reasons.

The Boston Marathon is the most prestigious and oldest marathon in the world. Although, the excitement that surrounds the marathon hasn't exactly reached me.... Oh, I am definitely excited, but reality of 26 miles is nothing to shake your finger at.

I've always been a runner! I LOVED tag as a kid. I loved racing my friends. I loved running the mile during gym class. I remember in the 3rd grade, running around the middle Heritage school baseball diamond because it was our regulation track for the mile assessment test. I couldn't wait to be a Shepherd Hill student to join the track team. I started as a sprinter with the 100 dash in 7th grade. I never won because I ran against seniors, but I did compete in the 1st heat! I'm fast! In fact, I might be living a lie. I'm really a sprinter trying to pretend to be a distance runner. Anyway, one thing led to another and I finished my high school track career with the mile and mile relay as my special events.

Years passed and I ran whenever the puddles were splashing around the UMass campus. I love puddle jumping and running with Andy Cook!! With my real world career underway, the love hate relationship of running called me back.` I joined the Greater Framingham Running Club (GFRC) and signed up for my first ridiculously long race - the Run to Remember Half Marathon of Boston in May 2008. It was a great race. I enjoyed all the training leading up to the big day and finished strong in a time of 1:50.03. Everyone that I spoke with following the race asked me when I'd be running Boston. I laughed and said it was crazy.

The idea was planted. All my GFRC running friends have glory stories from various marathons, if I wanted any respect in the club, I would need to take the plunge. Although 26.2 miles of running is quite a commitment and they're all very nice to me now anyway! I needed further motivation to sign up.

On October 20th, Bottom Line sent their Boston Marathon charity application to the GFRC. The application was due by Halloween. At this time, I rowed three nights a week, helped the Gardner marching band on Tuesdays and weekends, had recently started a Kaplan GMAT prep course, and worked full time! I didn't want to rush into this decision, but I barely had time to think about it! My initial reaction was pure thrill and excitement at the possibility of running the marathon for a charity. Since I graduated I've been searching for volunteer opportunities, but couldn't find the right fit for me. Running the marathon for a charity seemed like the perfect solution and a great way to do my part.

For days, I thoroughly considered all the factors. Whether I'd be able to handle the time commitment of training for a marathon, would I put myself in a huge financial hole for years, can I really run a marathon??? I even submitted my application after the due date. I wanted to make sure I could fully commit to the challenge. I talked with several veteran marathon runners, charity runners, my parents, and friends. I considered all my great friends and family that have supported me over the years. Even with the tough economy, I decided that the UMass Band alumni, the GFRC runners, the Gyrus golf tournament attendees, the members of my old service organization, former and current DSG employees, Corporate Challenge runners, my old & new cubicle neighbors, the NSO staffers, the February training class, my Facebook friends, and even Matt Miceli would respect the idea of a marathon and Bottom Line enough to throw a few bucks my way. I mentally ran through all these people to determine that I know some pretty stellar people. I'm not sure I can run a marathon, but I know that the Bottom Line students deserve my efforts to try.

I had my phone interview with Mike Wasserman and after weeks of waiting, on November 21st I found out that I made the Team Go Far 2009. You're welcome to read about the rest of the journey until mid April. I'm running the Boston Maraton for Bottom Line because I love to run and I want to help others.

Hallmark can declare new emotions?

This morning, I jumped out of bed for my favorite Sunday morning runs. I clicked on the radio for my other favorite Sunday morning ritual Mix Acoustic Sunrise as I contemplated my breakfast choice. I ate Strawberry mini wheats and some walnuts. I heard somewhere that people don't lose weight because they eat too many energy bars before exercising. I ordered Nancy Clark's Nutrition Guide for Marathon Runners yesterday so hopefully I will be on my way to powerful meals and strong muscles in no time at all. I'm not looking to lose weight, but energy bars don't even taste good so gaining weight from them is a double wammy!

According to my trainig schedule, I wanted to run between 7-9 miles today. I joined the GFRC Brophy runners, but it's tricky because we're all training for different races, at different levels. I stuck to my schedule as much as possible. I don't want to add too much mileage too fast! The men were running the terrible 10. I joined them and then cut off a few miles early. I bought the new iPod Nike system the other day, but my iPod battery died on the run. I know, you're jumping up and down! My blog is going to improve by leaps and bounds once I can figure out how to upload the details of my run with that little iPod gadet. Anway, it was a nice run! Happy Sunday everyone!! Go out and enjoy the Sun!

ps. Oh and the blog title topic was mentioned during the run. Check it Out - HallMark Scientists Identify 3 New Emotions.

Julie Jenkins, I owe you one!

Happy New Year! Happy Mentoring Month! That's right folks! What a great time to support a swell mentoring organization like Bottom Line during the National Mentoring Month of January?! The one on one support that Bottom Line students receive not only help them through their application process and college, but the part that I appreciated hearing directly from Bottom Line students is that they become resourceful students. This organization is not holding the hand of helpless children. The counselors are aiding students that face many hard problems in their daily lives- loss of parents, dangerous living environments, and helping to provide them with the tools to succeed in life!


Julie Jenkins provided me with the tools to succeed this past week. Julie is a veteran of the Boston Marathon with two complete Dana Farber runs under her belt. She gave me the amazing, yet simple advice that I don’t need to run everyday. First time marathon runners get caught up in the idea that we must run all the time. Seems sensible to me? I’m stuck in that idea. I knew to a certain degree that it was crazy though– I’m accepting my rest days more and more. She graciously mentioned her old training schedule and I am now very much more excited for training. I will now run only three days a week, cross train twice, and rest two days – possibly sneak in a few Yasso 800s! This greatly decreases chances of shin splints or any other hard pavement pounding injuries!! I love to cross train too. I grab a good book and spin on the bike for a few minutes. Phew, it’s a relief to have a real training schedule set up and one that I truly believe that I can handle!

Thanks to everyone for their donations and support so far!!! :-0) Especially thanks to Michelle Sparr and Julie for their hospitality over the New Years break!!!

Icing and Stretching are Just as Important as Running.

This blog entry has been inspired by Bary Michaelson, Synergy Printing Extraordinaire. They do great work -
check them out! One compliment earns a lot in my book.

The GFRC champagne run was cancelled. The plan was to run from house to house and cheer to 2009 at five different locations with 5 miles of running. How amazing does that sound? A dream come true... really! Ohhh well, I tried to make the New Year's Eve dream happen at Planet Fitness with 5 miles on the treadmill. I ran the 5 miles, but it was FAR from enjoyable or dreamy. The pain of training for a marathon is felt at Planet Fitness on snow storm days. I welcome the long runs in the beautiful outdoors. I also invite you to check back to see my reaction after these long runs! ha!

Onto the important Icing topic. It's a fact of training, right? Well, I wish that the psychological mess that I'm going through was not. In the last week, I've had two twisted knees, achilles heel soreness, quad pain and other muscles that I've had to check with WebMD on their proper name. On Tuesday night, I dreamed that my gluteus maximus was in sore. I sat in a bucket of ice and then fell in. The dream isn't far from reality, but all the so-called injuries fade within a day or so. I might be a hypochondriac now!

Anyway, the Achilles heel soreness is no laughing matter. I am taking the proper measures to stay in good health. My coaches recommended icing in a bucket of water and no stretching.
I like to use my time efficiently so as I email or look over the Endo lab objectives, I can freeze my foot as well.

Thank goodness for Gyrus ACMI and their committment to recycling! The barrels are clean, fresh and the perfect size!

I love to stretch -it's really important too! Stetching prevents injury! ALthough you can stretch incorrectly...please read on!! Anyway, I strech a lot. Yesterday, while standing in the office, talking with Deb, Tim and Theresa, I leaned over to stretch my calf muscle. I'm still listening and adding to the conversation, but no one appreciated my display of athletic ability in the halls of the office. In fact, it might have offended them, but they laughed and poked fun until they were over it. In all the laughter, Tim attempted to poke fun at quad stretching. If nothing else, Tim Lynch, Deb Adams and Theresa Hebert now know how to properly strecth their quadriceps. I'm certain that I heard sounds of relief and excitement with their new found knowledge. You must grab your opposite foot - try it both ways and you'll feel the difference! I only learned this important difference this past Sunday! Phew, no one wants to be down for the count because of improper quad stretching.

Happy New Year everyone! Have fun out there and be careful. Strech with a friend!

Updates & Great Interview Video

Hi Folks,

Tuesday, December 30th is a rest day. I'm not a fan, but I've heard my muscles need the recovery time and I'll do whatever it takes to get across the finish line!

Please check out the following link to watch Greg Johnson, the Executive Director of Bottom Line explain the mission of BL, how they're helping students, and the growth & future of Bottom Line.


!!! CHECK OUT THE VIDEO !!!! Fox Boston - Bottom Line Interview

Enjoy! And please consider making your Year end donation to my Bottom Line Marathon fund!

The Starting Line!!!!!

I traveled a few minutes down the road and instantly became a tourist! I took a billion pictures, but only a few can be posted on the blog. The BOSTON MARATHON starting line is pictured below. The cars wouldn't stop for me. I really wanted to take a photo of myself kneeling for the "gun" start.

This morning I had the pleasure to learn the art of running downhill. Paul Serafini, a fellow GFRC member and also training for the marathon mentioned that the first six miles of the marathon are all downhill and no one knows how to race them. I like to run up hills, but I had no idea how useful the downhills could be. If done correctly, it's like falling and a nice recovery! I dragged Paul out to the Hopkinton area. Since Paul is the "fastest downhill runner", who else would be better to help coach me on the downhill running art? Paul has run Boston twice before and has tons of nutrition advice to offer. He's also going to help me work through my training schedule later today!! Thanks Paul!!

We ran 3 miles out and then 3 miles back. We ran at about a 7 minute pace out and a little under 8 minute on the way back. Phew, yea it was fast! Look - we're so tired!

Dunkin Donuts in Ashland at mile 3.2 will be my first stop along the Marathon route. I plan to not use porty potties along the route especially with nice facilities like Dunkin Donuts. Although, I hope that I don't need to use the bathroom after only three miles. How many Dunks are along the marathon route?? Is this a really poor idea - leave comments. I appreciate the other views on this subject, although you'll need some strong reasons because comfort is going to be my number one concern on April 20th.

I am so excited. Just a few days until the race...

Merry Christmas!

What a beautiful day! I ran this morning under the bright blue sky with my Santa hat flapping in the breeze. So many people smiled and waved on my little 3 mile loop around Marlborough center. It was quite a fun run - I've never smiled so much while running, although, I have a feeling I might be smiling for the entire marathon route in April. It will be a "intense run" as Jesse Lumb told me on my facebook Marathon event page, but knowing my fundraising and your donations will be helping to provide more mentors for the students of Boston and Worcester will help to push me up and down the rolling hills of the course ... with a smile on my face!


Also this morning, Joe Piedrafite and I discussed a very heated topic that has plagued my marathon training discussions far and wide.

Joe: so I was at my uncles house last night
His neighbors came over and we're friends with them. I told mark and debbie (the neighbors) that I'm training to run a half marathon.
they're HUGE runners
they've each run boston 10 or 12 times
done new york and chicago, etc
so they were very excited and asked, what kind of running shoes do you have?
and I said, uh, just my regular sneakers?
me: haha
Joe: and debbie was like oh, no, no, no, when you're a real runner, you dont have sneakers
you have RUNNING SHOES
me: that's what my friend Tim Lynch from work always says to me when I say I need to grab my sneakers!
Joe: haha well, we will continue to wear our sneakers and refrain from running shoes
me: too funny!
Joe: resist! resist!
me: Yea, because I think my running shoes are interchangeable with other activites. I don't wear them for anything else, but I could!!
Joe: haha

By the way, Santa brought me a gift card for new sneakers! I'm going shopping tomorrow. I hope the store has "my sneakers" in a different color. I can't buy a different type of sneaker, but a different color would be exciting!