testing

Races

This is it. For so long I have allowed myself to get so horrendously out of shape, I have forced myself to do the rediculous. I am making an attempt at qualifying for the Boston Marathon.

For those that do not know, Boston is the only World Major Marathon that has a qualifying time, and to make it is an honor (also, I have to register before it fills up).

In the spirit of getting ready, I have a summer series of races scheduled. Starting with very short, to pretty long.

Heartbreak Hill 5K

Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts

12 June 2010

Anyone who knows anything about the Boston Marathon knows about Heartbreak Hill. Part of the Newton Hills that happen between 18 and 21 miles into the race, they are a killer. I can think of no better race to begin on this. It is right around the corner from my house, and a prominent part of my goal for next year.

Running with the Wolves 10k

Marlborough, Massachusetts

28 July 2010

I picked this race because of its location. I grew up in Marlborough. It is my hometown and this is a small 10k on familiar ground. In high school, I have run nearly every inch of this town in 5 years of cross country and track and field, so to have a comfort level this early in my training will be good for morale.

Cigna/Elliot 5K

Manchester, New Hampshire

12 August 2010

My firm runs this race every year, and I have done worse and worse every year. Make no bones about it, I am finishing this race sub-16. The course is fairly flat for about 1 1/4 miles before sinking for 1/2 a mile and ends on 1/4 mile hill.

Moose on the Loose 10 Miler

Nashua, New Hampshire

22 August 2010

This race I knew nothing about. It's in the dead of summer, so the good news its in the woods, out of direct sunlight, and I have an affinity for trail blazing. Apparently its a pretty big race for New Hampshire

Laborers Labor Day 10 Miler

Marlborough, Massachusetts

6 September 2010

Remember when I said I was familiar with the roads of Marlborough. Well turns out this race starts right where I started my first ever 10 mile run in high school. This should be an experience. The roads are mostly covered in trees, so should be good and shady.

Wicked 1/2 Marathon

Salem, Massachusetts

25 September 2010

In the leap toward attaining the status of Marathon Runner, one must first run a 1/2 Marathon. This race is pretty close to the marathon I am going to run in October, but to get a decent time in a race longer than 10 miles is important, and unfortunately, there aren't many half marathons this time of year. Pace and effort to be determined.

Bay State Marathon

Lowell, Massachusetts

17 October 2010

The Bay State Marathon is widely considered one of the best organized races, creates some of the fastest times, and is the best chance at qualifying for Boston, also it's in October, and is plenty of distance away from Boston. I ran this back in 2004 with some pretty dismal results. At mile 18 my knee decided that enough was enough and led me and my face straight to the pavement. Hands bleeding, knee impossible to bend, I hobbled off to the side and waited for the Red Cross van to pick me up. 2 weeks on crutches and some PT after that, walking was a breeze, but I pretty much stopped running there. Now I am back to conquer the race that beat me, and to do it in less than 3 hours.

MHS Alumni Frozen Toe (2.67 Miles)

Marlborough, Massachusetts

25 November 2010

I ran this race every year from 2000 to 2008. I won it in 2000 as a member of the MHS Cross Country team, and every year since then has been worse than the last. I am looking for a great time.

PR 14:44

This race is a combination on road and trails. It features a long daunting half mile up hill exactly 1 mile into the race. Contains another short but very steep hill at right around 2 miles in. 2 loops, cold days (ran in 8 inches of snow once) and ends with beer and clam chowder in the parking lot. THEN ITS THANKSGIVING DINNER! I am looking forward to it. I think the winning time last year was under 14 so it is some good competition.

This is all

January Comes to a Close

This has so far been an eventful year, a new start to a lot of things.

So far this year:

I had a fantastic and quiet New Years in the woods of western New York in a gorgeous stone house with continuous steady snow fall and fire going all of the time.

Made my first ever visit to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Here I saw the 2004 World Series ball to end game 4 and clinched my Red Sox their first World Championship in 86 long agonizing years. (next to it was the infamous and very real bloody sock) Also got to see Jim Rice's plaque, he finally made it into the HoF.

Made it to the Ommegang Brewery. It so happens to be in the same townt as the HoF. They stopped playing Ultimate Frisbee Tournaments there the first year I was going to play, and they have amazing Belgian Style ales. This isn't my first brewery tour, but it was an interesting one and we got to try all of their beers, and I was actually pretty surprised on how small the whole operation was.

I visited the JFK Library for the first time as well. I live in Boston, it isn't even hard to get too, but I just never went. I am glad I did. The history that was made in his short 3 years in office were incredible. Note: The Edward M. Kennedy Senate Institute should break ground right next to it, I cannot wait to see that completed.

Went to my first yoga class ever. Contrary to my original belief, yoga is not just stretching, it is much more difficult than that. It was 90 minutes of exhaustion, and I was not properly hydrated for working out in a 90 degree heated room with 40 other people. After downing 2 nalgenes of water during the class I proceded to drink 2 more immediately after and 3 more throughout the day, and I still had a headache. BUT I WILL GO AGAIN!

Which brings me to my next thing, I started going to the gym again. I set a minimum of 3 times a week, but I would like to go 5 times a week, with yoga on Saturdays. My ultimate goal is to run a marathon in October. I am horrendously out of shape, particularly because I used to be a runner, and I did train and complete a marathon before. I injured myself and basically quit running, but I didn't quit my eating habits. Time to change both of those things.

I also picked up snowboarding this year, infact, I picked it up yesteday. And I am in pain. So when I am not going to Yoga on saturdays, I will find me on a mountain ruining my body to go faster down mountains on a flexible board attached to my feet... we call this fun. I was a skier when I was younger, but then didn't ski for years. So I was happy to pick this up.

That brings me to today. Nothing of note happened. Went to brunch with a friend of mine I don't see often enough, had a burrito for lunch, and if the NFL is lucky, I will tune into their expiremental week before the Super Bowl version of the All Star Game.

Hopefully February is just as good.

My Vote Tomorrow

I vote in every election I can, which is often. Being a resident of Massachusetts, I am often on the side of an overwhelming majority, but I still do not take my vote for granted. It is a vote like the one I am going to cast tomorrow why.

In the past, I got to vote for one of the greatest Senators of all time. Ted Kennedy worked hard for issues I personally care about, that have helped make the lives of ordinary American’s better. Everything from the Civil Rights Act to Maternity Leave, to Americans with Disabilities, Ted Kennedy has had a major hand in all, and we are better for it.

Now, being pushed through Congress is the largest change in health care since Medicare. For too long have health insurers been denying coverage to their customers when they need them the most. For too long have people been outright denied coverage because they are already sick or already disabled. For too long have we allowed insurers to make medical decisions based on profit. For too long have insurance premiums increased at much higher rates than inflation, and for too long the medical industry has continued to waste money on useless tests.

Ted Kennedy once said "Let us resolve that the state of a family's health shall never depend on the size of a family's wealth." That was 30 years ago. Since then we have seen democrats try and try again to make this so, only to face stiff opposition from very talented but overzealous lobbyist who often over distort facts and in many cases flat out lie about healthcare. The truth is people cannot afford healthcare. We spend twice the percentage of our GDP as the next highest country for health insurance.

When I go to the polls tomorrow to cast my vote, it will not be to affirm Ted Kennedy, it will be a vote on the principle of healthcare as a fundamental right, as a basic human dignity, and not a privilege for those that enjoy a decent job or a vast wealth.

This is what I stand for, and this is what Martha Coakley stands for, and this is why I will be casting my vote for her.

Happy Friendsgiving

Happy Friendsgiving! Like Thanksgiving, only without the hassle of going home!

PS... Waldo has a reason for being there