The End of a Long Journey

Here we are a mere 8 days away from the start of the 113th running of the Boston Marathon. If you have a chance to visit Niketown at Newbury & Exeter in the Back Bay section of Boston, you will find the marathon wall that covers the entire store from top to bottom (thanks Trish for reminding me). There is a plaque at the top of the stairs that says:

The Finish

For months you prepare for the journey, a mere 26.2 miles. All downhill at the start, a drop of over 300 feet. But the hills near the end define the race. The hills of Newton dictate the training. Training to replicate race conditions, the wise runner mixes long runs with interval repeats on grades to strengthen the legs for the steep climb and steel them for the rugged descent.

Run, diet, rest; everything works together. Long range goals and short term plans evolve into a race day strategy, culminating in achievement, satisfaction, and the realization of a dream.

We pay tribute to all who run the race!

Doesn’t this short message bring out the essence of the journey we have all been on since we became a part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team. What it doesn’t say about our preparation is the additional effort we all put into fundraising for this very worthy cause. We all had two goals in mind when we signed up for this journey – 1) to run in and finish the Boston Marathon; and 2) to help raise funds for Dana-Farber in hopes that those dollars will one day lead us across a more important finish line than the one on Boylston St. The finish line I am referring to is a world without cancer.

Running is a spiritual journey not just a physical one. I wake each day with a training run scheduled. It is my time to go out into the world with just my running gear and shoes and see what I can do that day. It is my time to improve my heart and lungs. It is a very introspective time and in some ways a selfish pursuit. But, being a part of the DFMC Team has really changed my view of running. It has help to solidify my belief that the running community can make a difference in the world.

As I contemplate toeing the starting line on April 20th, I have come to realize that somehow this marathon is going to be different for me. I can’t really explain why just yet. I just know it will be different. I hope that when I post my message after the race I can put words to that feeling. For now just know that I am proud to be part of this team and know that each of you will finish in your own time and it will be the first step on a long life of making the world a better place. In Judaism we call this Tikkun Olam. Tikkun Olam (Hebrew: תיקון עולם‎) is a Hebrew phrase that means, "repairing the world" or "perfecting the world." Our runs will be our way of helping to repair the world.

In my final email to my donors and potential donors I told them that I was going to carry with me on the back of my singlet a list of all of their loved ones. I felt that this group of individuals would be there for me as I run from Hopkinton to Boston. My own group of angels to will spur me on and be there to encourage me when I doubt my ability to finish. They will lift me up when my legs are rubbery and sore. Because some of my followers will not be here in Boston to see it in person, I want you to see the list. There are 60 names on my list. Each person meant so much to me or one of my supporters. We run so that lists like this can cease to exist.

In Memoriam:

Dolores Abrams, Fred Bishop, Betty Bogart, Jack Bogart, Edie (Edith) Bridgers, Janine Burnett, Angela Caruso, Melvin Chernick, Carolyn Ansley Cline, Larry Cooper, Lena Cook, Leigh Crawford, Grace Curran, Paula Fader , Eric Fearnside, Tim Fleron, Jim Fobert, Dorothy Francks, Adam Friedman, Roslyn Graber Frumkin, Ted Frumkin, Theresa A. Girard, Shirley Goldstein, Fred Herman, Edward Hofeller, Agnes Hughes, Bernadette Kaspar, Kevin Keating, David Kenney, Kasey Kirby, Helene Koelsch, Marvin Koenigsberg, Leonore Koenigsberg, Joe Lada, The Mangus Family, Doc Marriott, Hugh Matthews, David McGoldrick, Brent Moore, Kaj Nielsen, Josh Phillips, Virginia Ralls, Kay Roche, Vicki Sayers, Greg Seaver, L. A. Seiler, John Smith, Leanne Smith, Beverly Stanfill, Shirley S. Strich, Susan Devora Tamir, Konley Thomas, Anne Vaughn, Andy Walkover ,Kathryn Walsh, Joan Walsh, Genie Weitzman, Robert Wesley, Maxine Westfall, Margaret Whitmor

In Support of:

David Broadhurst, Jeff Burnett, King Cole, Angela Rodell, Sandy Tise, Susan Vogel

I am ready. I am strong. I am invincible. I will finish strong. I look forward to seeing my fellow teammates in Hopkinton. I am humbled by the support I received in my efforts to help Dana-Farber. Thank you and I will see you at the finish line in Boston!

Here are my training totals for this week. :

Apr. 5 – 10.10 miles (1:28:55, 8:48 pace)
Apr. 6 – 8.00 miles (1:12:27, 8:48 pace)
Apr. 8– 9.50 miles (1:28:04, 9:16 pace) – 6 x 1 Mile Repeats w/1/2 mi recovery between
Apr. 9 – 10.10 miles (1:31:29, 9:04 pace) – Tempo

Apr. 10 – 7.20 miles (1:02:35, 8:41 pace)
Apr. 11 – 8.10 miles (1:11:15, 8:41 pace)

Total Miles: 53.10 miles

2009 YTD Miles: 688.40 miles