While I'm not exactly blessed with the "gift of gab", it's hard to believe I haven't blogged in over a year. So much has happened since then. Let me catch you up on what has been a wild ride.
DFMC 2011
My involvement with the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (DFMC) 2011 charity team began with the chaotic madness of race registration on October 18, 2010, when I was fortunate to circumnavigate a technical glitch in BAA's system to successfully sign up as a qualifier. The resulting backlash from this glitch turned ugly, with so many of the qualifiers shut out of registration misguidedly attacking the BAA Charity Program as one of the main reasons they were left on the sidelines. I found it rather unfortunate these people couldn't comprehend the importance of the program or even see it as a means to gain entry into a race they felt they were entitled to be a part of, instead standing on "principle" they would never run Boston if they couldn't gain entry as a qualifier but, despite trying, I soon learned it was pointless to attempt to sway opinion on such a polarized issue. I quickly moved on.
A few days later, October 22 to be exact, I received confirmation of my acceptance to the 2011 DFMC team. I looked forward to being a part of this group for the second straight year and running in memory or honor of family members and friends who had previously battled cancer or were still in the fight. Unfortunately, the list had grown from the prior year by virtue of my mom being diagnosed with endometrial cancer in July.
Having just run the Columbus Marathon on October 17, I was already in race shape but, as I was working my way back from hernia surgery in early May and wanted to perform at Boston to the best of my ability, I continued in earnest to pound my body into better shape. I completed two more long-distance races before year-end, the inaugural Taterbug 30 Ultramarathon (a 30-mile race, as its name implies) in early November and the St. Jude Memphis Marathon (running as a St. Jude Hero) in early December, before embarking on my official training for Boston.
As my training progressed, so too did my mom's regimen of chemo and radiation. Her battle only provided me with further resolve to train hard and run the best Boston possible. I upped the intensity of my workouts, as well as my running mileage, as January drew to a close. I was feeling good and gaining confidence that a personal best was in store come April 18.
My mom finally completed her treatment on February 15, a cause for major celebration! Unfortunately, the celebration was extremely short-lived, as we learned that same day that my brother's brain cancer had recurred. (He had his first tumor removed in July of 2008.) With a heavy heart, I became further resolved to run my best race ever in honor of what my mom had just been through and what was soon to be in store for my brother, i.e., another surgery.
Somewhere along the way, I pushed my body too far. I had trained for a few weeks with pain in my lower right leg, assuming it was just one of those nagging little injuries that goes with the territory in training for a marathon. I would be in pain for the first few miles of a training run, and then the pain would gradually diminish, so I didn't think it was anything serious; however, as the pain continued to linger, I grew increasingly concerned and sought medical attention.
As it turned out, the news was not good. Roughly five weeks before race day, I was diagnosed with a stress fracture in my right shin and advised by an orthopaedic specialist to cease all forms of weight-bearing activity. No running. No cycling. No fun. I was heartbroken, not because I couldn't run Boston -- that had been accomplished the year before -- but because I wanted to run in recognition of what my mom and brother had been through in their respective battles with cancer.
I moped around in the weeks that followed, struggling unsuccessfully to find an outlet for my running, anything to distract me from thinking about my lost opportunity. I just couldn't let go of the thought of running the marathon, no matter how much I tried. Ultimately, I made the decision to run and, while on a business trip to Thailand, roughly two weeks before race day, I resumed non-impact cardio workouts on the elliptical machine to at least maintain what cardiovascular fitness I had retained at that point. I knew there was no chance of my performing anywhere near my full capabilities, but that wasn't what it was about. I needed to be there for my mom, my brother and all the family members and friends whose battles/sacrifices I wanted to honor.
On race day, despite having a bib number that would allow me to start in the second of three waves of runners, I lined up alongside several of my fellow DFMC teammates in the third wave and had the honor of running the first several miles with them. As expected, the race was a struggle -- I got to roughly mile 19 before I had to resort to a mix of walking and running -- but what matters is that I crossed the finish line. My time was of absolutely no consequence. I had accomplished what I'd set out to do and, in the process, hopefully succeeded in honoring my loved ones.
My doctor never knew I had run the race -- it wasn't something I was willingly going to volunteer -- and eventually cleared me to resume weight-bearing activities in early June. I waited another three weeks before resuming, first starting with some spinning classes and then, in early July, getting back to running. The ramp-up was very slow but, ultimately, I got my weekly mileage to the point where I could train adequately enough to at least finish the Tupelo Marathon on Labor Day weekend. I was on the comeback trail and on my way to continuing pursuit of running a marathon in every state.
DFMC 2012
The application process for the DFMC 2012 team began the Friday before Labor Day, and I submitted my application just a few days later. I was very excited at the prospect of being selected to the team for the third straight year and, for the first time ever, hopefully running Boston at 100 percent. (I ran 2010 with a mild inguinal hernia.) Because of my injuries, I was not confident my Boston-qualifying time from the 2010 Columbus Marathon would allow me to gain entry as a qualified runner, given the BAA's new registration process that was enacted in response to the 2011 registration fiasco, but I had no hesitation about paying the higher entry fee to gain entry through the charity program. In my mind, the battle against cancer had to continue.
Fate took another negative twist just a few days later, when I saw the orthopaedic specialist concerning pain I was experiencing in my right hip. X-rays showed a significant loss of cartilage in the hip, and I was diagnosed with osteoarthritis. The doctor broke the bad news that, for all intents and purposes, I had no business running marathons. I was, needless to say, crushed ... but I took his advice, despite his cautioning that the prognosis wouldn't change, and sought a second opinion from a hip specialist in Indy. About two weeks prior to that visit, I received the expected news from the BAA that I didn't gain entry into the 2012 race as a qualifier, having missed the cut-off for my gender/age by a mere 21 seconds; however, three days later, I was accepted to the DFMC team. I held off on finalizing my commitment, pending what the specialist had to say.
As expected, the second opinion from the specialist confirmed the outlook/prognosis I received from the generalist just a few weeks earlier. I was told surgery could be performed to smooth out the rough parts of the bone and remove the torn cartilage, and that might buy me another year or two, but the doctor didn't recommend it, and I agreed it seemed rather iffy to go under the knife for a "might" and to forgo my plans for Boston 2012. I was not specifically instructed that I couldn't run, but it was made clear that continuing to do so would hasten the need for hip replacement surgery. I had some decisions to make.
In actuality, the decision was not a difficult one. I chose to move forward with plans to run with DFMC for one final year. It will be my "farewell tour", of sorts ... one last chance to run the race I love for the people I love ... to run again with my fellow teammates, some of the most dedicated, compassionate and hard-working people I know and love ... to close out my long-distance-running career (and perhaps my any-distance running career) on a positive note by dealing cancer one final blow.
... so here I am, coming to grips with the finality of what has been a tumultuous ride but one considered well worth it through my involvement with DFMC and the work they do to improve outcomes for cancer patients. Realistically, I know there will be no (Brett) Favre-like comeback for me. 2012 will be my swan song, at least from a running perspective. Thereafter, I will have to pursue other avenues of continuing my "mission" in the fight against cancer. I will succeed, of that I am confident.
Training will be a challenge. I won't be able to train according to traditional practice. Every run will be painful, and the lingering soreness and discomfort in my hip and groin will not only prevent me from running on back-to-back days in most cases but also result in many nights of restless sleep ... but, again, the end justifies the means. I am blessed to have this final opportunity, and I intend to relish every day in this journey, including even the worst of them. As the phrase in the title track of this post goes, "My body tells me 'no', but I won't quit 'cause I want more." I want more cancer patients to have happy outcomes and, for that, I will endure whatever I have to and run another "slow" marathon, if that's how things turn out because, in the long run, it's not important where you finish but that ultimately do finish.
If you're reading this, I greatly appreciate the investment in time you've made in getting to the end of what is, admittedly, a lengthy post. I ask you to make one more investment by supporting my final run at cancer by visiting http://rundfmc.org/2012/tonyb to make a financial donation, 100 percent of which goes to fund vital research that will save many lives.
Thanks!
Tony
"Title Track"
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
Runnin' Down a Dream ... Still
I've used this track before in one of my blog posts, but it so appropriately captures what the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge is all about: imagining a world without cancer and taking action to make that dream a reality. I emphasize the phrase "taking action" because that's what's needed. We all have experienced the devastating effects of cancer, whether it be personally, through a family member, or among friends or co-workers. It's not enough to know this disease. It's not enough to hate it, even passionately so. We must band together to combat it head on, or it will continue to wreak havoc on far too many lives for decades to come. I've embraced this challenge and the very real personal financial commitment it entails (in the form of a mandatory fundraising minimum), and I hope you'll do the same. Please give today by visiting http://www.rundfmc.org/2011/tonyb and donating whatever amount you can. If you need to be convinced about the wonderful work the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute does through its Claudia Adams Barr Program (or if you simply want to learn more), I invite you to read about several program initiatives here. Personally, I find it very impressive, and it underscores my belief that Dana-Farber and its supporters are making a huge difference in the lives of millions of people.
This year, I won't be boring my readers with detailed accounts of my training. That's not to say I won't mention a particularly successful or challenging run on occasion, but I doubt my readers (most of them, anyway) are concerned about the miles I've run, the cross-training sessions I've done, or the calories I've burned in the process. That's not what this journey is all about. Suffice it to say I've been working very hard -- and I'll continue to do so -- through challenging circumstances that involve not only winter weather conditions but also a physical ailment that, if my suspicions are correct, will persist from now through race day on April 18. Regarding the latter, I'm not going to say much more until I have confirmation, but it's not remotely life-threatening.
I'll close by following through on a commitment I made in my last post. On April 18, 2011, I'll be running:
Please "take up arms" and join me in the war on cancer. It's a cause well worth fighting for!
"Title Track"
This year, I won't be boring my readers with detailed accounts of my training. That's not to say I won't mention a particularly successful or challenging run on occasion, but I doubt my readers (most of them, anyway) are concerned about the miles I've run, the cross-training sessions I've done, or the calories I've burned in the process. That's not what this journey is all about. Suffice it to say I've been working very hard -- and I'll continue to do so -- through challenging circumstances that involve not only winter weather conditions but also a physical ailment that, if my suspicions are correct, will persist from now through race day on April 18. Regarding the latter, I'm not going to say much more until I have confirmation, but it's not remotely life-threatening.
I'll close by following through on a commitment I made in my last post. On April 18, 2011, I'll be running:
- in memory of my late father-in-law who lost his battle with advanced brain cancer in April 2008;
- in honor of my mom, diagnosed with endometreal cancer this past July and currently undergoing treatment;
- in honor of my brother, a brain cancer survivor who has remained cancer-free since undergoing surgery in July 2008;
- in honor of an aunt who is a breast cancer survivor;
- in honor of a cousin who is a Hodgkin's lymphoma survivor;
- in honor of a little boy named Jack who, at only four years of age, has battled and beaten Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) not only once but, incredibly, twice ... though he will continue to face challenges ahead.
Please "take up arms" and join me in the war on cancer. It's a cause well worth fighting for!
"Title Track"
Thursday, November 25, 2010
Give a Little Bit
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone! I hope you're enjoying time with family and friends and giving thanks for the many rich blessings in your respective lives. It's early in the morning here and, per usual, I'm the only one up. Having much to do before the Thanksgiving festivities begin, I'll keep this brief.
I wanted to share a way we all, especially those of us who lead active lifestyles, can give back to charity. I'd like to introduce you all to the Plus 3 Network, a web site I've been using since late April. By registering with this site and recording your "workouts" -- more on that in a second -- you can earn "free money" for the charity of your choosing. There are many worthy causes from which to choose, including (but not limited to):
... so what constitutes a workout? Just about anything, really ... and it doesn't necessarily have to be what most would consider an "athletic" activity, such as cycling, running, etc. The list includes the likes of badminton, horseback riding, table tennis, walking, etc. There's even a catch-alls for "chores", which could mean just about anything ... and if you volunteer your time, there's even a category for that. In short, anyone can participate and make a difference!
Since I've been a member, I've raised over $200 for my charity. Granted, I'm more active than most people, but that's not the point. This is free money that generous companies have offered to give on your behalf. It costs you nothing but a few seconds per day to record your activity ... and if you use a GPS sports watch for your outdoor activities, such as walking, running or cycling, the data entry process is further simplified.
I have no idea how many people read this blog, but if you're out there, I hope you'll consider joining this site ... and, if you do, I'd love to hear from you there (or here, for that matter). You can find me on the Plus3 site here.
... and I'd be remiss if I didn't make an appeal for donations to Dana-Farber. If you're able to support my efforts in any way, even if you perceive it to be "a little", I'd greatly appreciate it ... and, through the end of this year, I'm matching 25 cents on the dollar (for the first $2000 in contributions), so that's further incentive to give now. Just click here to donate, and thanks in advance!
"Title Track"
Since I couldn't find what I felt was a good version of Supertramp's original, here's a decent cover version by the Goo Goo Dolls.
I wanted to share a way we all, especially those of us who lead active lifestyles, can give back to charity. I'd like to introduce you all to the Plus 3 Network, a web site I've been using since late April. By registering with this site and recording your "workouts" -- more on that in a second -- you can earn "free money" for the charity of your choosing. There are many worthy causes from which to choose, including (but not limited to):
- The Alzheimer's Association
- The American Heart Association
- The American Red Cross
- The Conservation Alliance
- The Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (via Team in Training)
... so what constitutes a workout? Just about anything, really ... and it doesn't necessarily have to be what most would consider an "athletic" activity, such as cycling, running, etc. The list includes the likes of badminton, horseback riding, table tennis, walking, etc. There's even a catch-alls for "chores", which could mean just about anything ... and if you volunteer your time, there's even a category for that. In short, anyone can participate and make a difference!
Since I've been a member, I've raised over $200 for my charity. Granted, I'm more active than most people, but that's not the point. This is free money that generous companies have offered to give on your behalf. It costs you nothing but a few seconds per day to record your activity ... and if you use a GPS sports watch for your outdoor activities, such as walking, running or cycling, the data entry process is further simplified.
I have no idea how many people read this blog, but if you're out there, I hope you'll consider joining this site ... and, if you do, I'd love to hear from you there (or here, for that matter). You can find me on the Plus3 site here.
... and I'd be remiss if I didn't make an appeal for donations to Dana-Farber. If you're able to support my efforts in any way, even if you perceive it to be "a little", I'd greatly appreciate it ... and, through the end of this year, I'm matching 25 cents on the dollar (for the first $2000 in contributions), so that's further incentive to give now. Just click here to donate, and thanks in advance!
"Title Track"
Since I couldn't find what I felt was a good version of Supertramp's original, here's a decent cover version by the Goo Goo Dolls.
Sunday, April 18, 2010
Thank You
It's hard to believe that, in just over 24 hours, I'll be heading toward downtown Boston to catch a bus to the start of the 114th Boston Marathon in Hopkinton. It's all VERY real now ... so much so that I awoke at 2:30 AM (Eastern) today and have been awake ever since. I'm looking forward (with great anticipation, obviously) to meeting my fellow DFMC teammates later today and, of course, to the race tomorrow. I'm hoping to have a very successful run, improving on my 3:30:51.50 PR (in my only other marathon) by as much as 15 minutes.
I've trained very hard, harder than I've ever trained for anything in my life, to enhance the chances of success and, while I'm still a good 32 1/2 hours from crossing the finish line and finally being able to reflect on the entirety of my first "Boston experience", I want to pause now to give thanks. (Actually, I've been doing it all week on Facebook, so this is somewhat of a repeat for those who follow me there.)
"Title Track"
I couldn't find a good version of Led Zeppelin's original take on this song, but Tesla does a pretty good cover of it. Enjoy!
I've trained very hard, harder than I've ever trained for anything in my life, to enhance the chances of success and, while I'm still a good 32 1/2 hours from crossing the finish line and finally being able to reflect on the entirety of my first "Boston experience", I want to pause now to give thanks. (Actually, I've been doing it all week on Facebook, so this is somewhat of a repeat for those who follow me there.)
- I give thanks to God for blessing me with just enough running ability to have this opportunity and for keeping me healthy and relatively injury-free during my 21+ weeks of training. I would not be where I'm at without Him.
- I thank my family for their love and support and, in the case of my immediate family, making sacrifices on the weekends (in the form of forgone family activities) to accommodate my Saturday long runs and Sunday recoveries.
- I'm thankful for Hal Higdon, my virtual coach, and for Jack Fultz, DFMC training advisor. I'm grateful to these "trailblazers" for sharing their training programs, insights and advice, so novice (and late-blooming) runners like me have the opportunity to experience something as grand as The Boston Marathon.
- I thank my awesome personal trainer, Diana Holland, for making me a little leaner and a whole lot meaner (and for making me do those darned chin-ups) and Drew Figas for his great advice and selfless and unwavering support. You've both played HUGE roles in making me better for Boston!!!
- Thanks to everyone who has supported me (or will) along this journey. Whether it has been an occasional word or two of encouragement, just asking how things are going, or donating to my cause for cancer research, it's all VERY MUCH appreciated. I'm so grateful and blessed to have an overabundance of incredibly wonderful friends!
- I thank my DFMC teammates, who embraced me as a friend without yet knowing me. Thanks also to the members of "DFMC West" (Southern Indiana Chapter): Drew Figas, Jeff Anderson, Joe Zhou, and Mike Galvin, for making those long Saturday morning runs the highlight of my running week. (Yes, Jeff, even with your jokes!)
- Last, though certainly not least, I give thanks for all who have fought or are currently battling cancer. Their strength/courage is truly inspirational and the stuff REAL heroes are made of. Tomorrow, I run in memory of my father-in-law, Marvin, and in honor of my brother, Tim, my aunt, Shirley, my cousin, Lesa, and one very special little boy, Jack Bruce ... and I'm privileged to have the opportunity.
"Title Track"
I couldn't find a good version of Led Zeppelin's original take on this song, but Tesla does a pretty good cover of it. Enjoy!
Friday, April 16, 2010
Amazing
Just three days until Marathon Monday, and the significance of what is about to transpire is finally beginning to sink in. I awoke at 3:30 AM today, and the wheels in my brain immediately began turning to the point where there was no hope in getting back to sleep. Hopefully, I'll be able to grab a nap this afternoon. (I'm taking half a day to finish packing for my flight tomorrow morning.)
It's not so much the marathon itself that is dominating my thoughts. It's the DFMC Pasta Party on Sunday evening, where I'll finally have my first big opportunity (on a large scale, at least) to finally meet my teammates, many of whom I've corresponded with on Facebook and/or dailymile, that has my heart pounding. While we obviously have a lot in common, my heart is touched by how so many of my fellow runners/fundraisers have embraced me as a friend without ever having met me. It's one more reason I know I've aligned myself with a great group of people!
I don't need to wait to post this until after Sunday's festivities. I know they are going to be "amazing" ... and, quite possibly, a little tearful (in a good way)! Like Steven Tyler says, "Life's a journey, not a destination.", and this has been, and will forever be, an incredible thrill ride!
"Title Track"
It's not so much the marathon itself that is dominating my thoughts. It's the DFMC Pasta Party on Sunday evening, where I'll finally have my first big opportunity (on a large scale, at least) to finally meet my teammates, many of whom I've corresponded with on Facebook and/or dailymile, that has my heart pounding. While we obviously have a lot in common, my heart is touched by how so many of my fellow runners/fundraisers have embraced me as a friend without ever having met me. It's one more reason I know I've aligned myself with a great group of people!
I don't need to wait to post this until after Sunday's festivities. I know they are going to be "amazing" ... and, quite possibly, a little tearful (in a good way)! Like Steven Tyler says, "Life's a journey, not a destination.", and this has been, and will forever be, an incredible thrill ride!
"Title Track"
Monday, April 12, 2010
Look Where We Are
Training Recap
While this past week's training mileage was slightly higher than last week's, it was at lower intensity. Here's a quick recap:
| EXERCISE | TOTAL MILES | TOTAL CALORIE BURN |
| Running six runs, including a long run of 8 miles -- it seems strange to refer to it as a "long run" -- one 6-mile run, one 4.4-mile recovery run, two 4-mile runs, and one set of five 0.45-mile hill repeats that, with warm-up, recoveries, and cool-down, totaled 7 miles | 33.40 | 2,738 |
| Other N/A | N/A | N/A |
| TOTALS: | 33.40 | 2,738 |
I went to my doctor last Tuesday to have my lower abdominal issue checked out. The doctor's prognosis was that it's either "abdominal weakness" (whatever that is) or a mild hernia. Thankfully, I was not put on any restrictions from running. I am not scheduled to see a general surgeon for further evaluation until April 26. I don't know how this will affect my race next week but, first and foremost, I'm very thankful I'm still going to be running it. The injured area has been feeling a little better of late, likely due to the reduction in training duration and intensity, but I don't know how it will react to 26.2 miles of pounding. What I do know, however, is that any pain it causes me will have to ultimately compete with sore knees and/or sore hips, so I'll just deal with whatever may come my way. The way I figure it, it's six of one, half a dozen of the other.
Fundraising Update
My fundraising total has climbed to $3,075, thanks to contributions from Sarah Dalp, Karen Daniel (her second), Pat Stofleth, and Janet Sisson. Thank you all very much for your wonderful support!!! In addition to these fine folks, I made my second of four planned contributions, this one in honor of my brother Tim, who is kicking brain cancer's butt! I'm only $175 away from the fundraising minimum, hoping to get there before race day, and $5,000 is looking more and more achievable by the day, although it will likely be a stretch. If you can help this great cause, please click here!
That's all for now! I'm off to watch Without Limits on DVD before an early bedtime.
This Week's "Title Track"
| Look Where We Are A track by Hoobastank from the release Every Man for Himself |
I still remember the time,
When this all felt like a dream. (Author's note: It still does!!!)
So completely out of reach.
Frustrating.
We kept our nose to the grind,
To make the days turn into weeks.
Hoping time will heal the pain,
Of waiting.
Now it seems so long ago.
Just look back on,
How far we've come.
We made it somehow.
Look where we are now.
All we've done,
Our battles won.
We made it somehow.
Look where we are now.
...
And the best is yet to come.
'cause our story isn't done.
No! No! No! No! No!
Sunday, April 4, 2010
Break
The most exciting piece of news to report is that I've reached the taper period. There are only two weeks left to go, and it's time to cut back on the mileage and let my body heal and build strength. As you will read a little later, it couldn't come at a better time.
Training Recap
The week before last, Week 19, I executed my first-ever 22-mile training run, the longest non-competition run I've ever done. If you've been following my blog for a while, you may recall I had attempted this distance a couple weeks prior and bonked (i.e., ran out of energy) well before completing the distance. It felt good to be able to get that run under my belt. That week was also significant in that I logged 60 miles, making it my biggest week ever. Here's the full recap:
| EXERCISE | TOTAL MILES | TOTAL CALORIE BURN |
| Running six runs, including a long run of 22 miles, two 10-mile runs, one 5-mile Arc Trainer recovery, one 4-mile treadmill recovery, and seven 0.45-mile hill repeats that, with warm-up, recoveries, and cool-down, totaled 9 miles | 60.00 | 4,888 |
| Other one spinning class for 50 minutes | N/A | 319 |
| TOTALS: | 60.00 | 5,207 |
This past week was officially the beginning of the taper period, but it didn't seem much like it. The week began just like any other "step back" week, with similar mileages and ended with an actual half-marathon race on Saturday. I made a few adjustments to get myself rested for the race, swapping the hill repeats that were on the agenda for Wednesday with next week's tempo run and then essentially taking two consecutive rest days, my normal Thursday off-day as well as Friday.
On Saturday, I participated in the IU Mini Marathon in Bloomington, Indiana. The main objective of this race was to gauge my running fitness to get an idea of what marathon pace I may be capable of running in a couple weeks. A couple weeks ago, I had done Yasso repeats in order to get a preliminary read, and they suggested that I could run a 3:10 marathon. At the time I wrote about this, I expressed skepticism that I could run an average 7:15 pace over 26.2 miles, given I had done an 8:03 on my last marathon. The equivalent half-marathon pace (95 percent of marathon pace) to a 7:15 marathon pace is 6:53. By contrast, my best (and only) half marathon pace was 7:38.
Going into Saturday's race, I was confident the increased intensity of my training had positioned me to run faster than before, but I was not ready to believe I could run 45 seconds faster per mile than I had done before. I set my sights on a more conservative 7:15, though hoping I could do closer to 7:10, thinking (correctly, it turns out) that it would put me in the top three in my age group. Unfortunately, it wasn't meant to be. For starters, I did not sleep well at all the night before, which is what I get for being a tightwad and booking a cheap hotel. Secondly, the course was much more challenging terrain-wise than my prior half marathon, featuring a lot of hills. Thirdly, I had been experiencing some pain in my lower abdomen earlier in the week, and it continued into the race, worsening as time went on. Finally, at around the eight-mile mark, it started raining and the wind picked up, further increasing the degree of difficulty. Despite all that, I finished with a time of 1:35:45 for a 7:18 pace, finishing 67th out of a field of 791 finishers and 5th in my age group. All things considered, I'm pretty pleased with my performance.
A 7:18 half marathon pace translates to a 7:41 marathon pace, which is a far cry from the 7:15 the Yassos predicted. Given the circumstances on Saturday, I suspect my true ability lies somewhere in between the two extremes. Right now, I'm leaning toward targeting a 7:30 pace at Boston, which would translate to a time of 3:16:30, over 14 minutes faster than my last marathon. This target will be subject to adjustment, depending upon how well rested I am, weather conditions, and whether my abdominal issues clear up.
Below is the summary of the full week's activities: (NOTE: Calorie burn totals from the half marathon are not included, as I did not wear my heart rate monitor.)
| EXERCISE | TOTAL MILES | TOTAL CALORIE BURN |
| Running five runs, including a half marathon (13.1 miles), one 8-mile run, one 5-mile Arc Trainer recovery, a 45-minute tempo run on the treadmill totaling 5.5 miles, and a 10-minute blast on the treadmill the day before the race to support a carbo-loading technique a friend shared with me. (Not included in the mileage total: a 3-mile recovery walk the day after the race.) | 32.90 | 3,911+ |
| Other not applicable | N/A | N/A |
| TOTALS: | 32.90 | 3,911+ |
Now, I really feel like I'm at the taper! I'll log roughly the same number of miles this week as last, but they will be spread over six runs (as opposed to 4+) and at a somewhat lower intensity. The final week, the mileage from the prior week will be cut by more than half to 15(ish). I'm hoping this will allow my abdomen to heal up.
Fundraising Update
On the fundraising front, the intensity of the past two weeks has rivaled that of my training. I have a lot of people to thank for taking my total from $1,998.00 to $2,722.42, just $527.58 from the minimum fundraising requirement! A BIG THANKS to Paul Ferguson, Kellie Robbins, John Simms, Audra Brake, Becky Brake, Kim Kasenow, Vasanth Murugan, Jerri Ballard, and Brian Hunt!!! In addition to these folks, I made the first of four planned contributions, this one in memory of my late father-in-law, Marvin Lomas, who lost his battle with brain cancer two years ago yesterday.
I'm very pleased with how well things have gone recently, but I have a LONG way go to reach my goal of $5,000. I have a fundraising event idea in mind that I hope to finalize this week, but I'm still going to be heavily reliant upon individual contributions to get me where I want to be ... so if you haven't donated yet, please click here to take a stand against cancer!
This Week's "Title Track"
 | Break A track by Three Days Grace from the release Life Starts Now |
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