Thank you all so much!

Well, the plan came together yesterday - thanks to all my supporters, weekend and weekday running partners, family, and friends. I mean it when I say - I could not have done it without you!

I was a mess all weekend - literally from Saturday right up to race start - can't quite figure that out - a LOT of wasted energy and stress. It all started at the expo. I was walking around and stumbled upon the booth for 'the stick' - it's a self-massage tool that I had heard of - one of my running friends raves about it. I decided to check it out. Sat down and the guy starts working my calves (sore spot to begin with) and the thing is really hurting. The guy says he was working out a knot. It really hurt and hurt the rest of the weekend. I was so mad - all this training and I do something so stupid 2 days before the race. Could not stop thinking about it.

Race day finally arrives - still obsessing about the calf. It's filling better, but I'm fixated. Start the race - feeling pretty good. I had targeted 23 minute 5Ks. Started a little fast, but was able to reel it in and settle down. Got to the hills feeling pretty good - kept telling myself that I had 4 20+ mile runs plus a lot of hill work. Got thru the hills and just tried to let it roll - and it did ;-) I ended up running pretty even splits: 1:38:28/1:40:58 (which is pretty good for Boston with all the hills in the second half). Never really came close to cramping - now I love 'the stick' ;-)

Ran wide on the last turn to run by Seamus and family. Gave them a quick high-five and ran the last .5 hard to get under my '08 time of 3:20+. After the race grabbed a quick massage at the Children's reception area and hooked up with Jean (she was a trooper!!). Took a quick shower and went back to the fire station to hook up with the Slattery's (Seamus), take some pictures (this one) and watch some of the finishers. There was still a steady stream of runners coming down the street - amazing!

I'd say overall it was an awesome day!! Feeling pretty good right now - probably try a short run on Thursday..

Thanks again for all the help!

Freaking out....

Went to pickup my number yesterday - forgot how overwhelming that is! Lots and lots of people and vendors, very exciting, but stressful at the same time. Went from the expo to the Miles for Miracles kick-off. Was invited on stage to received my 5 year jacket and shared the stage with Jeff Larson (weather guy) who received his 10 year jacket - very cool!

The waiting is making me (and everyone around me crazy)! Can't stop watching the weather and getting nervous about every little ache and pain ;-) I need to get this thing started!!

Jean and I are heading to the Marriott Copley this afternoon. I need to be up around 5 and on the bus by 6:15. Don't expect to get much sleep.

I will try to post/email tomorrow night or Tuesday. My bib number is 9030 - you can follow me at baa.org!!

Think good thoughts!

Michael

Story ran today

The story ran today. Check it out at: Lowell Sun Article

This picture ran with the article.

I am taking orders for wallet size copies to aid the fund raising efforts ;-)

Hey - next week at this time I'll be in the corals!! Exciting!!!

Almost there!

Just over a week to go. I'm getting pretty excited - how about you?

Early forecast are looking good so far.

Ran 10 miles Saturday (thanks guys!) and will probably only run 14 over 3 days this week. Aimee, Seamus, and I met with a Lowell Sun reported on Wednesday. I was hoping to link to the article today. Not sure what happened - I'll post the link as soon as it runs!

Not much to say today.

What am I going to do with myself ?!

Ran for around 2 hours on Saturday. I think from here on out I probably won't run much longer than an hour.

It's kind of funny the last 14 weeks have been so planned out that I'm having a hard time with the flexibility of these last couple weeks - the taper! I'm feeling good and want to run, but know that the next few weeks is all about rest and recovery.

Hope I can get through it without driving myself (and those near me) crazy ;-)

Michael

Last long run is in the books!!

I am so psyched!!

Run the 1st 22 miles of the course today. Drove to BC for 7:00 and got on the bus to Hopkinton. Started running around 8:15. It was cold at the start - glad to have my gloves and long pants. Found a few people to run with along the way and managed to stay out of the 'hunter' (track people down and pass them) mentality.

Overall good run - 7:50 pace, no cramps or other issues. Considering I am getting a cold, I am very pleased with this result. Should translate to a good marathon pace/run.

Training looks like it's going to max out at 5 runs in the 16-19 range and 4 runs in the 19-22 range - that should about do it!

Psyched to be in taper mode - did I say that already ;-)

As always, thanks for your support!!

March Madness - Marathon style :-)

We got back from Florida Saturday evening!

It was great to be warm!! I managed to put together my highest mileage week to date - 50 miles without running more than 10 miles ( 5 runs - 10 miles each)! I finished the week up with a deep tissue massage at the 'spa' - this deserves an entry of it's own - a little awkward ;-)

Ran my long run today with a little help from Brian and Lisa - thanks!! Had no real plan in mind - figure I needed to run around 2:30, but not wanting to go too far as the organized 21 miler is next Saturday. It was a nice day to get off road, so after I dropped Lisa off, I headed to the 'Camp' - problem is there is no short version of the camp run. Ended up running 2:43 - somewhere between 20 and 21 miles (I figure).

Next week is the organized 21 miler on the course. We leave BC at 8:00 and get on the bus for Hopkinton. It really is like a mini-marathon - run the 1st 21 miles from the start. Seems like a lot of charities pick the same day for their organized run - there will be LOTS of people on the course. Makes for good company/distraction.

Trying not to get ahead of myself, but the 21 miler next week is the last 'long' run. After that it's taper and drive yourself crazy wondering if you did 'enough' ;-)

One more to go (OK 2 counting the actual race day) !

Oh yeah - my March Madness title :
- Highest mileage week of training followed by back to back 20+ milers.

Sure seems like madness to me!