Team Meeting

This weekend kicked off a summer of busy weekends with lots to do. I wasn't sure if I would be able to get a run in between graduations, wedding showers, and overall driving back and forth to various places. My friend and fellow teammate Jameson flew into Boston late last night. Jameson ran the Chicago marathon in 2006 and jumped at the chance to run in this year's marathon as a member of Team McGraw. Although Jameson currently lives in Chicago, he spent a good amount of time in Boston before that. Jameson is a great guy who is very calm and level headed. However, I know that Boston sports is that one thing I can count on that I can get him all fired up about. When he called me to pick him up at Logan Airport, Dice-K had almost thrown a no hitter in Philadelphia and the Celtics were up by 20 something points in game 3 of the Garden. After I picked him up, we drove past the TD Bank Garden and the green lights were flashing outside. The Celtics were in control and Boston was electric. This was going to be a fun night!

We decided that a Harpoon Summer Vacation 12 pack and my 27 inch TV in my apartment was a better way to go than go out to the local bar. Tufts University was graduating this morning and the bars would be packed with college kids and their parents. We turned on the C's game and eventually the conversation turned to marathon talk after I told him about my half marathon experience in Nashville. Jameson gave me some great advice from his 2006 Chicago experience and I got a new sense of excitement and determination about running in the marathon!

This morning Carmen and I drove down to RI for various events and I found myself alone at my mom's house while everyone else went to their respective places. I brought running clothes and shoes just in case I could run but I forgot my Ipod. In my "previous life", no Ipod means no running. I couldn't possibly complete a work out with out music. Not today. Today I couldn't resist, I realized I had several hours to myself and I could go run for as long as I wanted to. I would take in natural noise and enjoy this summer like weather!

I got out there and started to glide. I had no idea how many miles I wanted to do and I didn't care what my time was. It was a great day and I never missed the music. All said and done I ran 5.2 miles in 49 minutes, 20 seconds. I feel great this afternoon. Our "team meeting" last night gave me a new sense of purpose and determination. Wouldn't it be great if I could glide along like today during all of my long runs?!

I'm Back!!!

After a three week break, I started my "unofficial" training for the Chicago marathon today. During the three week break since Nashville, I successfully finished a prolonged tax season due to the floods in the Northeast. I also got engaged last week! I figure that planning for a wedding while I train for a marathon this summer makes things way more exciting!

So today it was sunny and 77 for most of the day and I had the idea of running when I got out of work in my head since I woke up. Then I got to work and I received an email from Genvieve with the Chicago Marathon registration paper attached to it. Ah ha, its a sign, now I must start training this afternoon. I've been missing those endorphins and have been trying to get off my butt and start continuously running again. If I do not run for more than three days my body starts to betray me. I feel like I have to go for a run or my level of stress increases...

That leads me to my next sign now is the perfect time to start training! This afternoon, Coach Kevin posts a blog post about "feeding your endurance monster". A direct quote from Coach's blog:

"If the monster is denied his daily miles he releases feelings of guilt and shame into my system. This ugly process only adds more stress to life’s daily dose."

Spot on! Although I have not run more than a couple of times over the last three weeks, I have been thinking about it all the time. I found myself one morning a week or so ago getting ready to go out for a run during the normal time I am getting ready for work. I went out on a beautiful morning and ran five miles. It felt great! I showed up to work a half hour later than I normally do but had so much more energy than most mornings. I know this sounds crazy, but I am think I am officially addicted to running!

So today I went out and ran 4 miles - in 40 minutes! That is a faster pace than I liked but it felt great to be out there. I am going to build on this and the good vibes that I am feeling and hopefully start to get back in a routine.

Not only has the training process started, but so has the fundraising. We are in the process of planning our main event - the golf tournament in August. I'm really excited about a possible wine tasting event that could be happening in the near future. And of course there are lots of different ideas everyone can be a part of to raise money for the quality of life of brain tumor patients. Interested in having a car wash? Selling candy bars at your work? Got another great idea? Whatever idea you may have, let me know, I am up for anything, and I could use all the help I can get!