Boston Stands as One

I took up running in 1986 to get in shape.  At the time, I didn’t know how important running would be to me and what a huge part of my life it would become.  I started running 5K races for fun.  I wasn’t looking to become a true runner who I thought was someone who signed up and raced numerous times per year.  And I certainly never imagined that I would eventually run a marathon and certainly not seven and counting.  I now realize that running has become an integral part of who I am as a person.  I know that I will wake up six mornings every week at 5:00 am and get in my run. When I do miss a run I don’t fret about it. The truth is I don’t miss many runs over the span of a year.  I am now a lifelong runner who runs for the pure joy of running and have learned to overcome any running obstacle.

But on Monday, April 15th my running world was shattered by hatred and violence.  Someone had placed an obstacle in my fellow runners’ path that could simply not be overcome.  Since the events of September 11, I have often wondered when something like this might happen again in our country perpetrated by an individual or group who hate us simply because of the freedoms we enjoy.  I never imagined that it could happen at a big road racing event like the Boston Marathon.  But if I really had thought about it, worldwide events like the London, New York or Boston Marathons would be an ideal target for this type of incident.  There are huge crowds of unsuspecting people and it is widely followed and televised.  So I should not have been surprised when I heard the news of the bombings along Boylston Street.

I feel saddened by the deaths and injuries caused by these two bombs.  But I am also saddened by the fact that as a runner I will never be able to run in a major race like Boston without that nagging fear that it could happen again.  I can’t speak for every runner but I suspect many of them will have that feeling when they toe the line at the start of a race.  It won’t stop me or anyone else I know from lacing up their shoes and heading out to a great race like the Boston Marathon.  We all know deep down that marathoning teaches us humility because it is difficult.   Many of us have been defeated along the course struggling to persevere and reach that finish line.  Even if we do not reach our goals on any given day, we spring back trying to stay as positive and resilient as we can.  That is what makes us a runner – resiliency.  I know my running community well enough to know that they will bounce back even stronger from this tragedy.

Last night they captured one of the perpetrators in the Boston Marathon bombings and one was killed.  I watched the news that showed the celebrations in Boston and I could see the relief on the faces of those in the streets.  I have seen the posts on Twitter and Facebook thanking all of the first responders who helped those who were injured in the blasts and the law enforcement community who found and apprehended the evil ones who carried out the bombings.  I share their appreciation.  But, I know that as days pass many will feel a need to get revenge for what they did to our running community and our most treasured marathon course.

I will admit my first thoughts after the bombings were the hope that police would catch them and take them out of this world.  But I know that revenge is really never justified.  I have come to realize that revenge isn't about justice, it's about emotions.  If you really think about it the motivation behind wanting revenge is not to bring about justice.  Instead it is to make the other person feel the pain and hurt that you are feeling.  In the end revenge only generates more enmity which begets more hatred and then it becomes a never ending vicious cycle, and ultimately everyone suffers.   I know that forgiveness is hard.  But, I believe that if we can forgive perhaps we can end the cycle of hatred and hopefully bring an end to all evil.

I had the sheer pleasure of running the Boston Marathon twice in 2009 and 2012.  In 2009, I made that right hand turn onto Hereford and then the left hand turn onto Boylston with so much satisfaction and happiness finally crossing the finish line in my best marathon time ever breaking 4 hours.  All I can remember is the crowds cheering me on and the joy I heard in their voices.  In 2012, I made the same turns in a much different state of mind due to the severe heat.  I was just gutting it out to the finish line.  Again the crowds lifted my spirit and helped me get to the finish line feeling better than I should have given the grueling race I had just run.  The crowds who line the route of the Boston Marathon are the best supporters any runner could ask for when participating in a marathon.

Amby Burfoot who writes for Runner’s World in an interview summed up the importance of having people out there to cheer for you:

It is so important to have people you care about out there cheering for you as you run because people have this notion that running is about having long legs or big lungs.  But running is really all emotional and mental.  The people who are supporting you at the course or knowing that your family and friends are going to be waiting for you at the finish line is a huge part of the drive to get there.  Then you can be reunited with them and celebrate what everybody has experienced on the day.

What the runners and the crowd at this year’s Boston Marathon experienced will never be forgotten.  They shared an experience that I pray will never be repeated.  Let us all remember that races are run to promote health and well-being.  Runners like me run races for those who can't and to raise money to help others.  Races are no place for cowardice and hatred.  I pray for those who died and for those injured that they may recover fully.   I also pray for a day that we can all learn to just live together and truly give peace a chance.  And I want us all to remember the words of Amby Burfoot when he said, “Every mile out there is a gift and every finish line is a gift.”  Let’s hope that we all get to experience those gifts for many years to come.

Apr. 15 – 5.20 miles (46:14, 8:57 pace)

Apr. 16 – 3.20 miles (24:05, 7:30 pace) – Speed Work
Apr. 18 – 6.20 miles (52:29, 8:27 pace) – Tempo Run
Apr. 19 – 6.20 miles (55:15, 8:55 pace)
Apr. 20 – 10.20 miles (1:31:37, 8:57 pace)
Apr. 21 – 10.10 miles (1:11:30, 8:42 pace)

 

Total Miles:  41.1 miles
2013 Total Miles:  591.4 miles

Running Doesn't Have to be a Solo Sport

I took up running a long time ago for the simple reason that I didn’t have to join a gym to do it and all the equipment I needed was a pair of running shoes.  The other aspect I enjoyed at the time was that I didn’t have to be part of a team to participate.  Running as far as I was concerned was a solo sport.  Today it seems like a truism that all people believe.  I agree that training to run is a solo sport.  Most races I have participated over the years from the 5K all the way up to the marathon were solo efforts. But anyone who’s tried out the sport with a fellow runner knows the numerous benefits associated with hitting the pavement as part of a group.

My first experience running with others was when I was training for my first marathon back in 2000.  I did all of my long runs with my brother Boyd and his friend Greg.  I found that knowing that others were counting on me to help push them to complete the training run made me more accountable.  It also pushed me to new levels in return.  The other major benefit was the social aspect of the group run which helped take our minds off of the physical exertion, allowing us to push harder than we might have if we were running on our own.  Long runs are easier when you are running with others period!  I enjoyed training with my brother but I still had not found a team environment as a runner. 

I did run as part of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge Team in 2009 and 2012.  My training for both of those marathons was all done on my own.  What I found running as part of the DFMC was that on race day I had a lot of support out on the course.  If one of the other DFMC runners saw my singlet, they always shouted words of encouragement.  I am convinced that I never could have set my marathon PR or finished the race in the heat of 2012 without the crowd and my fellow teammates out there to cheer me on. It’s amazing what happens when you see someone you know.  When I recognize someone on the course, I completely forget about my pain and I pick up the pace.  I also catch myself grinning as I approach them.   No matter the pain seeing them helps push me onward.

Finally I found the ideal mix of solo effort and true team effort in road racing when I found adventure racing or long distance relay races.  These races allow weekend warriors like me to participate in a team sport that involves running.  I am not talking about track teams.  The days of participating as part of my school’s track team are long gone.  Since I don’t consider myself a senior citizen, I am not planning to join any master’s track team.  Instead I have become a huge fan of adventure racing.

If you aren’t familiar with what I am talking about, let me explain.  These races are 200 mile +/- distances run over a 30 hour period.  In my opinion they are the greatest and most exhilarating road race ever invented.   It combines team camaraderie with an insane challenge.  You have the chance to run in beautiful areas all while you are exhausted from the effort and lack of sleep.  You have to run 3 legs of varying distances all during a 30 hour period.   When I talk about these races, my non-running friends question my sanity.  But I tell them that these are my favorite races even when I am out there and wonder if I will be able to run one more step.

I have had the chance to run several adventure races over the past few years.  I have run the Reach the Beach in New Hampshire, MassDash in Massachusetts and last year I ran the Green Mountain Relay in Vermont.  The Green Mountain was by far my favorite course.  The scenery was unbelievable and actually distracted us enough that we didn’t even notice how tired we were out there on our final legs.  The last two races were as part of the MustDash team.  It is made up of friends from Staples and my theater family.  It has reinvigorated my running knowing that I am going to get a chance to go back to Massachusetts to run with this team again in the Cape Cod Relay.

Adventure races are truly a team sport.  There are two vans with six runners in each van.  Each van is responsible for supporting its runners.  This includes providing them water along the route.  But more importantly they are there to encourage the runners.  I can’t tell you how much it helps when you are running down a dark road in the middle of the night to have your teammates pull alongside you to shout words of encouragement.  When you arrive at the transition areas they are there to greet you.  It really makes the race a lot more fun.  I have found that when we reach the finish line and cross it as a team all I can remember is the way our team came together and helped each other get through the pain and effort and that I feel truly alive.

What is really interesting about these races is that you still have your solo runs and you are focused on hitting your paces to help the team reach their overall goal.  But once you complete your leg, you become one of the supporters.  I find that the race is the perfect mix of individual achievement and team success.  There is no other type of road race that provides you this mix.  I think this is why there are so many adventure races across the country.  It is challenging but fun at the same time.

I have been training hard for the Cape Cod Relay.  Our team finished the Green Mountain Relay in 30 hours.  I would really like to see us break the 30 hour mark.  We have some new runners joining our team for this race.  It will be us veteran racers responsibility to help them along the way.  For the first time in my adventure race career will be running the final leg.  I cannot wait to get to the finish line area where I will be joined by all of my teammates to run across the finish line together.  I will be taxed on my legs but I know that my team will be there to support me.  I plan to do the same for the other five runners.  If we all pull together I am sure that we can break the 30 hour goal. 

Mar. 18 – 6.20 miles (57:21, 9:14 pace)

Mar. 19 – 3.20 miles (24:22, 7:37 pace) – Speed Work
Mar. 20 – 5.10 miles (41:33, 8:09 pace) – Tempo Run
Mar. 22 – 5.10 miles (48:57, 9:41 pace)
Mar. 23 – 7.20 miles (1:02:17, 8:42 pace)
Mar. 24 – 6.20 miles (55:22, 8:57 pace)
Mar. 25 – 6.50 miles (58:40, 9:02 pace)
Mar. 26 – 3.20 miles (25:28, 7:58 pace) – Speed Work
Mar. 28 – 6.30 miles (54:13, 8:36 pace)
Mar. 29 – 5.20 miles (41:31, 7:59 pace) – Tempo Run
Mar. 30 – 6.20 miles (53:45, 8:42 pace)
Mar. 31 – 7.20 miles (1:03:39, 8:49 pace)
Apr. 1 – 5.20 miles (46:26, 8:57 pace)
Apr. 2 – 4.20 miles (30:52, 7:21 pace) – Speed Work
Apr. 4 – 5.20 miles (41:36, 8:00 pace) – Tempo Run
Apr. 5 – 6.20 miles (55:15, 8:55 pace)
Apr. 6 – 7.50 miles (1:06:08, 8:49 pace)
Apr. 7 – 8.20 miles (1:11:30, 8:42 pace)
Apr. 8 – 6.20 miles (56:59, 9:14 pace)
Apr. 9 – 3.20 miles (25:05, 7:50 pace) – Speed Work
Apr. 11 – 5.10 miles (46:18, 9:05 pace)
Apr. 12 – 5.60 miles (50:20, 9:00 pace)
Apr. 13 – 10.40 miles (1:35:13, 9:09 pace)
Apr. 14 – 8.20 miles (1:11:47, 8:45 pace)

Total Miles: 142.8 miles

2013 Total Miles: 550.3 miles