Goal!

This week I met the modest fundraising goal I set for my run in Boston. Of course, that doesn't mean I'm done or will stop raising money for this cause. Every drop in the bucket counts and I am happy to help fill this bucket. Every single dollar is needed and will be used to help beat Duchenne. If you have donated "Thank You," your generosity continues PPMD's mission to improve "the treatment, quality of life, and long-term outlook for all individuals affected by Duchenne through research, advocacy, education and compassion." If you are thinking about supporting us the time is now. Here's the link, and Thank You!

Fundraising wasn't my only goal. I also hoped to further awareness about Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Results for this goal are not as easily measured. This week I was featured in the Melrose Patch and the article turned out to be the top story of the week. Judging by the number of Facebook shares for the article I think people are paying attention. Via a few other channels the word has gotten out and I've watched the traffic to this blog grow. I hope this continues.

It may not have been obvious but I also hoped to inspire those of you who can run, to run for those who can't...Run!

Run for our Sons is signing up runners for races of all sizes and distances. If a marathon's been on your "bucket list" or you want to give greater meaning to your running, the time is now. If you've been running, consider joining us at the New York City Marathon in November. Not only is it important, it can be rewarding.

Finally, my sporting goal... That comes tomorrow. At the right you'll see my "pace band." I've got no idea if it makes sense or how much I'll use it. At the minimum it will help me know if I'm on pace or not. As I write this I see the weather conditions are shaping up to be near perfect. I'm confident in my training, I'm rested, and injury free. There's just one thing left to do.

Run!

Expo Day

Today William and I went to the Boston Marathon Expo. Our first order of business was to head up to the main expo floor and get my bib and packet. On the way there, we bumped into Rick Hoyt on the elevators. Sometimes it's funny who you meet on the elevator. Of course, William's primary interest was THE elevator. Those of you who know William will know what I mean by that. We grabbed my number and race packet. That process was smooth and easy which was the opposite of the expo. That was a bit of a mob scene. No worries, we made the most of it and checked out products and food. William and I ate a lunch worth of samples and drinks.

Our final stop at the expo was the New York Road Runners booth to say "hi" to Anne's high school friend Sean Haubert, their man in charge of Social Media. William was a good sport as we chatted a bit. I'll be running their big race, the New York City Marathon, in November and I'm already looking forward to it.

The whole time we were chatting with Sean, Bill Rodgers was right next to us. I tried to explain to William how many times Bill won the Boston Marathon but he just isn't the kind of kid to be star struck.

No trip to Back Bay would be complete without a visit to Mecca (a.k.a. the Apple store) so that's where we went next. William enjoyed checking out shiny new tech and for the Nth time reminded me just how much he likes the new MacBook Air (the 11 inch one)!

Finally we headed back to our car via a closed Boylston and across the finish line. I took special notice of the gentle downhill along that stretch of Boylston. No doubt I'll appreciate it Monday.

Hills

Not only do you have to charge up them, you have to keep going strongly over the other side.

Runners are happy to give advice and tips and I'm usually eager to listen. One of the most common bits of advice I've been given, more than any other in my preparation for Boston, is to run hills. Practice not only running up them, but down them. The Boston Marathon is well known for the Newton Hills that rise to a crescendo at Heartbreak Hill but what many don't realize is the reason these hills hurt so bad is because the first 16 miles are run mostly down hill! That can be tough on the quads!

One of my favorite loops takes me up Farm Street in Wakefield then down Main Street in Saugus, about a mile up and a mile down each side. If you hit it with a few miles in your legs, and run it strongly, you can really feel a good burn in your legs and lungs.

Down the backside I usually fly by the Elks Lodge in Saugus but, Saturday May 7th, it's going to be a destination. Friends we've met through the Jett Foundation will be hosting Beat Duchenne, an evening of music and fun featuring Acme Music Trio right along side a hill that has led me to Boston. Check out their website and consider going or supporting them.

I've often said running is the easy part but, really, it's easier to climb the hill together while rocking it out.

The boy likes to go fast

Boston may be in a week but we are already looking beyond. Next up on the calendar is a 5k that starts and ends about 4 blocks from our front door, the Healthy Melrose "5K" on April 30th. Last year William and I ran this together and finished 5th in a field of over 100. Considering the route is hilly and the course is inaccurate (long) we wont be racing for time. Rather, we hope to improve upon our placement from last year. This will be a tall order since you never know who will show up.

Later this spring we hope to run the Team Hoyt 5K in Waltham, MA. There our goal will be to be first across the line with a run chair as we start taking stabs at sub 19 together (So far we're down to 19:46/6:22 pace). I've already run with the Hoyt's in a race and it is inspiring. Really, there is no difference between William and I racing than when Dick and Rick race. It's just a father and son sharing the experience of competition. William is becoming accustom to the flow of 5Ks. In the race we talk strategy, keep track of splits, and he tracks our position and yells at me to go faster. I've been trying to convince him to run a half marathon with me but so far I've had no success. You see, he likes to go fast and thinks the half might just be too boring, so 5Ks it is.

April!

Just as it seemed the winter would never end the daffodils are now blooming in our back yard. Two weeks ago I was feeling banged up and in need of that so called taper period. Now I'm feeling fresh and rested and enjoying the warm air. That said, I'm sure it will snow at least once next week.

Although it doesn't feel like it, the big race is looming. Because Boston requires logistics unlike most races I've begun getting everything in order. I'll be taking a club bus to Hopkinton that should afford me much more comfort and tranquility than the race organized school buses that dump runners out on a cold, damp field known as "athlete's village" to wait for a couple hours before the race starts. If you don't already agree marathons are crazy here's what's going in my bag:

• Asics DS Racers
• Feetures socks
• Zensah calf compression sleeves (red)
• North Face "Cardiac" running shorts
• RFOS shirt
• Race bib (5461)
• Nike arm warmers
• Old fleece hat and gloves that I can toss when no longer needed
• Throw away cotton sweat pants an long sleeve T to wear before the start. (These are collected and donated.)
• GPS w/ heart rate monitor
• Pace band for 2:59:00
• 6 GUs (Roctane - blueberry pomegranate)
• Water bottle to run with so I can avoid water stops for the first few miles
• Two bandaids
• Body glide
• Large garbage bag
• Empty 32oz Gatorade bottle
• And a change of clothes for when it's all over
  

What am I missing?