A decade in review

As a friend says, another year around the sun. Not only that, but another decade has ended. No one knows what to call it though. I am going with the Aughts. Why not? Seems like it would fit pretty well. It is at this time of year that many of us reflect on the past year and look for things that we can improve on personally, professionally, and perhaps even spiritually. I thought about writing about the year just past. But upon reflection, I decided to look back at the last 10 years because so much happened in my running life that was unique and special.

As the 20th century was slowing nearing its end and we were facing the Y2K crisis, I had just begun to amp up my running life. My brother had challenged me to run a ½ marathon with him in 1998. Not to be outdone by my baby brother, I accepted the challenge and we ran the America’s Finest City Half Marathon together. After our race, I suggested that if we could complete a ½ marathon we could definitely run an entire marathon. Obviously, he couldn’t say no. So, at the very start of the new decade and 21st century, I completed my first marathon.

I have created so many special memories around my running in the last ten years that I thought I would share them with you here. Unlike most people who try to rank them into a top ten list, I am just going to put them down in no particular order and let you be the judge of what was the most unique running event in the Aughts.

Completing my first marathon

On January 16, 2000, I ran my first marathon in my hometown of Carlsbad. It was a drizzly morning and I knew my brother, his friend Greg and I had done all the training necessary to run a full marathon and that we would complete the race. We just had no idea what it would be like or what our time would be. I did hit the wall that all marathon runners fear and was worried that I wouldn’t make it to the end. But, I only had a little over 2.5 miles to the finish. If figured if I had to crawl to reach the finish line that is exactly what I would do. The most memorable thing about the finish is when I was at my lowest point physically and was coming down the final hill to make the turn to head in for the last 0.3 miles, I saw my Dad walking up the hill. I was so dazed at the time that I almost didn’t recognize him. But, his voice and shouts of encouragement snapped me out of my haze and the next thing I remember is turning into chutes of the finish line and seeing my wife and kids waving and cheering me on. What a great feeling it was to have so much love and support from them.

Marine Corps Marathon

For those who don’t know, I was born at 29 Palms, CA a US Marine Corps base in the Mojave Desert. Yes, I am a Marine Corps brat. Once I had run a couple of marathons (including a PR in the Inaugural Phoenix Rock & Roll Marathon), I had the marathon bug. I read about the Marine Corp Marathon in Runner’s World and decided if I ever had the chance, I would run that race. With my move to Boston in 2004, traveling to Washington D.C. became much more affordable. So on Oct. 29, 2006, I found myself standing at the starting line. It was very cold that morning. I was looking forward to running through our nation’s capitol. Although it was by far my worst performance in a marathon, I thoroughly enjoyed the race. I can remember every step of each mile and being able to race past all of the monuments, the Capitol, and finally Arlington National Cemetery. I will admit I was tearing up as I ran past all of those white crosses realizing as Lincoln said, “that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain - that this nation, under God, shall have a new birth of freedom - and that government of the people, by the people, for the people, shall not perish from the earth.” How could you not be emotional as you finished the race.

Boston Marathon

When I moved to Boston, some of my friends said they expected me to run the most famous marathon in the running world. Trouble is they didn’t know you had to qualify for it. In my age group (45-49), I would have to be able to run a 3 hour 30 minute marathon. Since my best time to that point had been 4:25:03, I certainly had no thoughts of being able to qualify. It was when my friend, Jim Fobert, passed way due to cancer that I decided to run for a charity. I chose Dana Farber and was lucky enough to be chosen to be part of their team in 2009. You can read about my experience here on my blog. While I am so proud of breaking the 4:00:00 mark finishing in 3:59:21, I am more proud of the fact that I raised $15,128 for Dana Farber and was part of the team raising an amazing $4,025,688 for cancer research.

Boston Run to Remember

It is said that sharing your passion with others is a gift that cannot be adequately measured. My passion for running is contagious, and I really enjoy having people around me who share it so that they can share it with others. On May 27, 2007, I ran this ½ marathon with 2 friends from work. One who had never run any further than 6 miles. I had given her a training program and coached her through it up to race day. I was so proud to see her cross the finish line and loved how excited she was with her accomplishment. It was a really special day.

Westborough High School Cross Country Team

Finally, I had the pleasure of watching my son’s cross country team do something they had never done in the history of the school – win their District Title and compete in the State Finals as a team. I can remember when Nathan ran the Carlsbad 5000 with me when he was 8. I didn’t realize at the time that my passion for running had transferred to the next generation. I will enjoy seeing him complete is first marathon and I am sure in a time much faster than his old man. But, it won’t matter. I will be so proud of his achievement and hope he will share his passion with his children some day.

It was an amazing decade of change for my family and me. We moved from California to Massachusetts. My wife and I are not that far away from being empty nesters. I am not sure what the next ten years will bring. But, I welcome it and hope that more people begin to follow this blog. I will keep posting as long as I have something to say. Run because you want to. Finish because you can.

Here are my training totals:
Dec. 27 – 10.40 miles (1:31:08, 8:45 pace)
Dec. 28 – 6.00 miles (51:43, 9:36 pace)
Dec. 29 – 5.00 miles (40:45, 8:09 pace) – Tempo run
Dec. 31 – 4.10 miles (32:30, 7:55 pace) – Tempo Run
Jan. 1 – 6.00 miles (50:54, 8:29 pace)
Jan. 2 – 9.10 miles (1:19:48, 8:46 pace)
Jan. 3 – 10.00 miles (1:26:21, 8:38 pace)
Jan. 6 – 5.00 miles (40:44, 8:09 pace) – Mile Repeats @ 7:19 pace
Jan. 7 – 6.10 miles (54:55, 9:00 pace)
Jan. 8 – 6.20 miles (55:39, 8:58 pace)
Jan. 9 – 10.10 miles (1:31:11, 9:01 pace) – 16o, Wind Chill -9o

Total Miles: 78.00 miles
2009 YTD Miles: 1,918.00 miles
2010 YTD Miles: 52.50 miles