Friends

I have been thinking about friends I have lost touch with over the years when I am out on the road getting in my base miles. I guess the holidays bring these memories back. As I think about high school, college and other friends I have not heard from in years I realize that even though we are not in touch, they still have had an impact on my life.

A Prayer
By Frank D. Sherman

It is my joy in life to find
At every turning of the road
The strong arm of a comrade kind
To help me onward with my load.

And since I have no gold to give,
And love alone must make amends,
My only prayer is while I live-
God make me worthy of my friends.

I hope that I am worthy of those who have been there for me over the years. Even though I may not speak to all of my past and present friends as often as I should, I still think of them often and smile at the memories. I know that when we get together again no matter how long it has been, it will seem as if time had not passed and we will begin again where we left off.

Here is my training totals for this week:

Nov. 23 – 8.10 miles (1:15:25, 9:19 pace)

Nov. 24 – 6.20 miles (57:19, 9:14 pace)

Nov. 25 – 6.00 miles (54:29, 9:05 pace) – Tempo Run
Nov. 27 – 3.10 miles (22:45, 7:21 pace) – Speedwork, 5K Race

Nov. 28 – 6.20 miles (53:50, 8:41 pace)

Nov. 21 – 6.20 miles (52:40, 8:29 pace)

Total Miles: 35.80 miles

YTD Miles: 895.27 miles

Turkey Day Race Report

Happy belated Thanksgiving! I started a tradition when I moved to New England by running a road race on Thanksgiving morning. I had two reasons for starting the tradition – 1) so I could eat more and not feel guilty about it and 2) there were so many races to choose from here in the Boston area.

I have run the Lowell Thanks-4-Giving 5K, the Feaster Five Road Race in Andover and most recently the Southborough 5k Gobble Wobble. The last one I have run twice. The main reason is that it is close to home and I can get my son Nathan to run it with me.

The Southborough 5k Gobble Wobble was started last year by NRG-BAR, Eat Healthy Live Healthy. It starts and ends at the Trottier School in Southborough, MA. The course is relatively flat and allows runners to try for PRs or just to run and have fun. Last year I ran a 24:06 (7:45 per mile) time. I felt that with my recent training, I could beat that time. I had run another 5K race in the fall in San Diego when I was there on business and had a time of 24:28.

When the gun went off, I was in the back of the pack where I prefer to start. I worked my way through the crowd during the 1st mile until I was able to get into a steady pace. I held my pace through mile 2 where I clocked in at 15:12. I knew I had to pick it up for the last 1.1 miles. I slowly increased my pace and made a game of passing my fellow runners as I made my way to the final turn and the ¾ lap of the track to the finish line. When I stepped on the track I increased my turnover and was able to cross the finish line at 22:45 (7:21 per mile). I was very happy with my time. I am not certain but I think this is a PR time for me at the 5K distance.

Nathan ran a normal race for him. He had been laying off training after finishing his Cross Country Season at Westborough High School. He was waiting for me at the finish area having clocked a time of 19:24 (6:16 per mile). He was somewhat unhappy with his time as he had clocked a 5K race for his team last month in 18:59. But, I was still amazed at his time. It is hard to believe that just 8 years ago, we ran together in his first 5k race where he finished in 29:14. He has definitely improved.

I finished 12th out of 41 in the 45-49 age group and Nathan finished 8th out of 34 in his 13-19 age group. Not bad for a couple of guys out for a fun morning before gorging ourselves on turkey and all the trimmings.

I would highly recommend to anyone who is a runner to start a similar tradition. It gets you off the couch and outside for a good workout before eating. It reduces guilt and allows you to do something with your family besides watching football and overeating. So, next year think about signing up for a Turkey Trot…you won’t regret it.

Jack Frost Nipping at My Nose

Jack Frost has definitely hit us here in New England. Starting Wednesday, the temperature during my morning runs was around 27 degrees Celsius. I can assure you it is difficult to get out on the road when it is that cold. Not to mention the wind every morning made it especially embracing. It is hard to believe a native Californian can brave these temperatures.

I did get all of my runs in this week. I was not able to take a day off until Saturday. The weekend was my son’s Boy Scout Troop’s Annual Turkey Feast. We host Webelos and their families from our town in hopes of having them cross over and join our Troop in April. We had a lot of them out this weekend. We roasted 3 big turkeys over a wood fire on a spit, baked a couple of hams in box ovens and served it all with the normal feast fixings. It was all topped off with fresh bakes apple pies from our Dutch Ovens.

We built a monkey bridge during the day and had the Webelos climb across it. All in all and despite the frigid temperatures, we had a great time. My son and I look forward to this event every year. The fun part this year was my daughter joined us and camped with me this weekend. It had been a long time since she went camping with me. I really loved it.

Other than some minimal dull aches, my shoulder injury is basically healed. I will baby it a bit for a few more days. I was pleased with my training this week. My long run was longer than expected as I felt better and made a wrong turn on my way back to the start of the route. No worries. It was a nice run none the less.


Nov. 16 – 10.00 miles (1:23:33, 8:21 pace)
Nov. 17 – 6.00 miles (54:54, 9:09 pace)
Nov. 18 – 3.00 miles (24:37, 8:13 pace) -- Speedwork
Nov. 19 – 6.00 miles (54:22, 9:03 pace)
Nov. 20 – 6.00 miles (53:14, 8:52 pace)
Nov. 21 – 6.00 miles (54:05, 9:01 pace)

Total Miles: 37.00 miles
YTD Miles: 859.47 miles

Unknown Injury

I woke up on Tuesday with some light soreness in my right shoulder. I headed over to the gym to do a treadmill run and to take a steam to clear my sinuses. I was going to Connecticut and Westchester County, New York to look at real estate. This comprised about 8 hours in a car. By the time I got home from the day trip, my shoulder was very sore and stiff.

When I went to bed that night, it was really bothering me and I couldn’t lift my arm without a sharp pain. It kept me up most of the night. I was taking Wednesday off as part of my usual routine. So, I thought another day of rest would get me over the pain and I could get back to a normal routine.

Well, it didn’t work out that way. I went to the chiropractor to see if he could relieve the pain. In the end, he helped me a little but suggested I go see my primary care physician. My primary care physician wasn’t sure what the cause is as I did not injure it in any way. He ordered x-rays which I am waiting for the results. But, he did suggest I try acupuncture to see if it could relieve the pain. I have never had acupuncture. But, I was willing to try anything at this point.

I went to see an acupuncturist on Friday. I was a bit surprised that my primary MD recommended it until I read a little about acupuncture. “Acupuncture involves the insertion of extremely thin needles through your skin, to various depths at strategic points on your body. Acupuncture originated in China thousands of years ago, but over the past two decades its popularity has grown significantly within the United States. Although scientists don't fully understand how or why acupuncture works, some studies indicate that it may provide a number of medical benefits — from reducing pain to helping with chemotherapy-induced nausea” (from http://www.mayoclinic.com/). I wasn’t sure what to expect or if it would even help. But, I went any way.

I have to say that after the session (about 45 minutes); I could immediately move my arm with a broader range of motion. The ache and pain was significantly reduced. I was amazed. I am going to go back again on Monday for a second session in hopes that it will continue to have a positive impact on my healing process. It will allow me to continue running and perhaps shorten the 5-6 week healing time frame my primary care physician estimated.

I should say here that I am generally a person who wants to find alternative ways to healing that don’t include drugs and/or surgery. I believe strongly that we can heal ourselves through other methods like acupuncture and herbal medicines. I have been able to reduce my cholesterol significantly through a change in my diet and taking fish and flax seed oil tablets along with niacin (a B vitamin). Of course, if drugs or surgery are necessary, I am all for it. I just like to exhaust other methods before resorting to those cures. I guess that is why I like my primary care physician. He too is open to alternative methods if they can be effective.

Obviously, my training was a bit affected by the shoulder injury. But, I still had a good week overall.

Nov. 9 – 10.00 miles (1:27:50, 8:47 pace)
Nov. 10 – 6.06 miles (54:19, 8:58 pace)
Nov. 11 – 3.00 miles (24:34, 8:11 pace) -- Speedwork
Nov. 13 – 6.20 miles (53:56, 8:41 pace)
Nov. 14 – 6.20 miles (55:45, 8:58 pace)
Nov. 15 – 6.00 miles (54:09, 9:01 pace)

Total Miles: 37.46 miles
YTD Miles: 822.47 miles

Why Eighteen?

I am excited to report that I have just past the half way point towards my fundraising goal. I really appreciate the support of my family and friends. I know this is a tough economic time and you have all gone above and beyond my expectations. I just hope I don’t let you down when I run the race.

I titled this blog “Why Eighteen?” because I noticed that many of my donations have been in multiples of the number 18. I think most of you know that I am Jewish. In Judaism, the number 18 has a significant meaning. The Hebrew word for "life" is חי (chai), which has a numerical value of 18. Consequently, the custom has arisen in Jewish circles to give donations and monetary gifts in multiples of 18 as an expression of blessing for long life. How appropriate to give a gift that expresses a blessing for long life especially to those who are fighting cancer.

I want to expand a little on what we as Jews learn from the number 18, or Chai.

From the website http://www.inner.org/responsa/responsa.htm

“Kabbalah teaches that 18 corresponds to the power of ratzon, ("will"), in the soul. This is the third and lowest head of the keter. The commandments of the Torah are the will of G-d. When a person performs a commandment, he gives
G-d, as it were, nachat ruach, "pleasure," in that he performed G-d's will. Ratzon ("will") corresponds to Arich, which is also Arichut Yamim, ("long life"). This of course, corresponds to chai, 18. The long life alluded to here is in the merit of the commandments that the person performs.”

I consider that my running of the Boston Marathon as a member of the Dana-Farber team as performing a mitzvah. But, all of you who have given generously to this cause are also performing a mitzvah. I am hoping that this community effort will give G-d nachat ruach. I know that I will enjoy every step of the route thanks to you.

The other interesting number in this effort is the number 26. According to the website http://kabbalahcode.com/, the number 26 is a fundamental number of the universe. Here is what they had to say:

“Kabbalah is in agreement with science. Take the numbers, 26 and 137, which are said to be the fundamental numbers of the universe. Richard Feynman, recognized as our foremost authority on the subject of creation, a brilliant physicist, and Nobel Laureate, is quoted as saying that physicists ought to remind themselves of how much they don’t know by putting a sign on the walls of their offices with the number, 137. Feynman stated, "It is one of the greatest mysteries of physics, a magic number that comes to us with no understanding by man. You might say the "hand of God" wrote that number and we don’t know how He pushed the pencil." Werner Heisenberg, another giant in the world of physics said that all the problems of quantum theory would disappear only when 137 was explained. The book of Genesis says God told Moses that He has revealed Himself under other names but that His true essence is the number of the four letters YHVH which translates into English as Yahweh or Jehovah. It is used by many Christian sects as the name of God. The number of YHVH is 26. Yud = 10, Hay = 5, and a Vav = 6, for a total of 26. In English, G is the seventh letter of the alphabet, O is fifteenth, and D is fourth. 7 + 15 + 4 equals 26. Kabbalah teaches God is 26. Neils Bohr, discovered that when electrons absorbed energy they jumped to higher orbits and that these jumps occur at very specific distances from the nucleus. He created a chart showing the maximum number of electrons possible in each orbit was 2, 8, 18, 32, and 50. On his death bed he confessed that he derived these numbers from the number 26. And physicists using Dimensional Analysis have shown that the minimum number of dimensions in our universe is 26.”

Think about it. The fact that the marathon course is 26 miles (I am of course ignoring the 0.2 of a mile) is a way to connect at a higher level. In a sense, we are running G-d’s route. We are linking ourselves to G-d and our greater community through running a marathon. I know most of us run in solitude. When I am out on the road in the early morning, I sometimes think of it as a meditative experience. It is a time where in that quiet you can hear G-d’s voice and you are at one with the universe. This must be why I enjoy the training for and running a marathon. I hope you too will see the greater connection between the marathon distance and G-d.

Here is how my training went this week:

Nov. 2 – 8.27 miles (1:13:03, 8:50 pace)

Nov. 3 -- 6.00 miles (55:36, 9:15 pace)

Nov. 4 -- 3.00 miles (25:10, 8:23 pace) -- Speedwork

Nov. 6 -- 6.00 miles (56:57, 9:29 pace)

Nov. 7 -- 6.00 miles (53:19, 8:53 pace)

Nov. 8 -- 6.20 miles (54:57, 8:52 pace)

Total Miles: 35.47 miles

YTD Miles: 785.01 miles

Training Update

I was on the road this week in Texas. I started in Houston and went to Austin and San Antonio. I was able to get a run in while in Houston and two really nice runs through downtown San Antonio. I ran by the Alamo which looks really cool in the pre-dawn light.

Oct. 26 -- 9.09 miles (1:21:53, 9:01 pace)
Oct. 27 -- 6.15 miles (56:47, 9:13 pace)
Oct. 28 -- 3.00 miles (26:47, 8:56 pace) -- Speedwork in Houston
Oct. 30 -- 6.00 miles (51:09, 8:31 pace)-- San Antonio
Oct. 31 -- 6.00 miles (53:19, 8:53 pace)-- San Antonio
Nov. 1 -- 6.21 miles (54:54, 8:50 pace)

Total Miles: 36.45 miles
YTD Miles: 749.54 miles

I enjoy running in the fall. The weather is cool and brisk. I don't have to bundle up too much for a run. It was a little strange running in Texas this week as it was unusually warm there. But, it was a nice change of pace for me. I am a little suprised by my times. I really was not pushing the pace. In fact, I was just running without paying any attention to my Garmin. It will be interesting to see how I feel at the end of next week's training.