Worst Blog Ever

If there was an award for the worst blog ever, I'd probably win. Not a single update last week? That's shameful. I extend a really heartfelt apology to my three, somewhat loyal readers!

While I haven't been writing much over the last several days, I have been running! Since you last heard from me, I've logged two long runs and three shorter ones for a total of 22 miles! In only two short weeks, I can already see my fitness level improving. When I wrapped up my most recent long run of 7 miles on Christmas Eve, I felt great. I was lip syncing along with my new iPod until the very end. My breathing was under control, my legs didn't feel tired and I didn't look like I was about to pass out. Success!

I finished the 7 miles in just over an hour and my average pace was an 8:56 minute mile (mm). I started out much slower at around a 10:00mm, but ran negative splits the entire time. That's my game plan for race day as it stands right now, so I'm trying to practice as much as I can. I've also started to play around with fueling as I run. My distances haven't been long enough to test any GU's yet, but I've been sipping water and Gatorade every couple of miles or so to get my body used to that. It's amazing the impact that staying hydrated can have on you and your ability to keep trucking along. Even a little liquid goes a long way.

As the training days roll on, I find myself looking forward to the challenging runs I have ahead. So many blogs I read say that you'll never regret a work out and I'm relating to that now more than ever. I feel SO accomplished when I have another few miles under my belt. I can only imagine how great I'll feel in March when I tackle the daunting 20 mile run or on Marathon Monday when I cross that finish line. The endrophines will be flowing for sure!

While I don't have any running pictures to share with you, I'll leave you with the annual picture of my cousins, their spouses and their children that we take each year on Christmas Eve. And for those of you that are just dying for photographs of my training adventures -- don't worry. Santa listened and got me a new digital camera, so there will plenty of that to come!


I have so many cheerleaders!

 I PROMISE to check in again sooner rather than later and in the meantime, I hope you all had a happy holiday with your family and friends!

Ask the Experts: Fundraising

I had a somewhat unoriginal idea yesterday to begin a mini-series on my blog! As you may have already guessed, I've titled the series "Ask the Experts" and I'll be creating a new post everytime I speak with someone who knows more than I do about running a marathon and doing it for a cause. I'm pretty clueless at this point, so chances are there will be plenty of entries like this over the next few months!

Thursday afternoon, I headed over to the MGH Development Office to meet with two employees about fundraising. Amy and Jordan organize this team each year and both have been participants as well. This is actually Jordan's third year in a row running with the MGH team and the stories she told were so encouraging. It almost made me wish I was a superhuman and had the ability to run this race tomorrow. I just can't wait!

I was so appreciate that they both took the time out of their busy schedules to listen to my ideas and offer suggestions. They've made a career out of fundraising, so there was no way I could pass on their advice. Some of the things we talked about were:

• Using the Internet to my advantage (e-mail; Facebook)
• Creating propaganda: flyers, business cards, postcards, etc.
• Sending some snail mail as follow-up
• Personalizing the cause: tell a story
• Forgoing personal presents (for Christmas or my birthday)
• Hosting an event (already in the works for Feb. 25th, 2012 - mark your calendars!)

Also, throughout our conversation, they stressed the importance of being motivated, proactive and AGGRESSIVE with my fundraising efforts. I know I'll need to ask more than once and I have to be okay with that. Persistence will be the key to my success! 


I've already raised $500 - 10% of my overall goal - so I am off to a good start! My plan is to kick things up a notch after the holidays and my hope is that I'm more than halfway there by the time I host my event at the end of February. If you'd like to help me achieve that, don't hesitate to DONATE! You can easily do so by clicking the link placed in the top right corner of this screen. Remember that every little bit counts! THANK YOU in advance for your support!

And So It Begins

One of the materials that was given to runners at last week's team meeting was a training schedule. According to Dr. Weinstein, this particular schedule is great for 1st time marathoners and he assured us that if we follow it closely, we won't feel like we're going to die on Marathon Monday. Considering he's done this dance over 20 times and seems like the nicest man on the planet, I'm going to trust him.

This training schedule has me running 4x per week, cross training 1x per week and resting 2x per week. A more specific breakdown is below. 

Mondays: Rest

Tuesdays: Easy, short run

Wednesdays: Difficult short run 

Thursdays: Easy, short run

Fridays: Rest

Saturdays: Long run

Sundays: 1 hour of cross-training 

 

Santa - I'll take a new digital camera too, thanks!



Generally speaking, distances of my mid-week, short runs increase bi-weekly whereas the Saturday long runs increase by a mile or two each week. The program is designed to build endurance and stamina at a slow, steady pace in order to avoid injury. That said, the first few weeks of my training aren't daunting at all, but once I hit mid-February things are going to get tough! We're talking 15+ mile runs during the coldest months in New England. If anyone is still Christmas shopping for me, hats and gloves may be the best way to go. 

My training officially kicked off on Monday, but given that it was a rest day I flexed my shopping muscle at Britt Ryan on Newbury Street after winning a $200 gift certificate there! The next thing I win will probably be the marathon.

The rest of the week has me racking up 15 miles - most of which will probably happen on the dreadmill treadmill. I'm sure I'll check in again along the way. In the meantime, don't forget to donate to support the cause! 

First Team Meeting

Last night, I attended the first 2012 MGH Marathon Team Meeting. I was really looking forward to kicking things off and getting a chance to see who else is participating this year, so my excitement only grew when I walked into a jam packed room of runners!

We were all handed a huge packet as soon as we arrived with TONS of information about the marathon and being a part of the team. Then, we heard from several team leaders who reviewed topics like fundraising, training, nutrition and the patient-partner program. I am so impressed and grateful for all of the resources and events that are offered to members of this team. How many first time marathoners get things like a one-on-one meeting with a nutritionist and medical resident to develop a personalized diet or weekly get togethers to keep you on track with those increasingly difficult long runs? They are really setting us up for success in every way possible!

We also heard from Dr. Howard Weinstein, who founded this team in 1998, and will be running his 24th marathon (23rd for charity) in April. This man is truly inspiring and is clearly passionate about the patient population that he serves. Can you believe he raised over $92,000 for this cause last year? Most would stop at that and pat themselves on the back, but he continues to raise the bar for himself and the group. He's set a team goal of $1 million dollars this year! I'm up for the challenge!

I truly can't wait for the next several weeks to unfold. I know there will be so much to share! Continue checking back when you can and if you haven't done so already, please consider donating. Any amount will put us closer to reaching and (hopefully) exceeding Dr. Weinstein's goal! To make a donation, please click the link to my Fundraising page in the top right corner.

26.2 - Here I Come!

It's official! On April 16th, 2012 I'll be running in the Boston Marathon. Although it's still a little hard to believe, I am so excited for what the next few months have in store! 

As someone who has been a long distance runner since high school, I've always toyed with the idea of training for a marathon. But, if I'm being totally honest, I always worried that I would burn out during my training and wind up paying for it on race day. In this case, that couldn't be less of a concern because as a part of the MassGeneral Hospital (MGH) Marathon Team, I have the best motivation in the world.

The MGH Marathon Team began in 1998 and has since raised over $6.7 million dollars - all of which has been contributed to MassGeneral Hospital forChildren (MGHfC). More specifically, the Child-Life Program within the Division of Pediatric Hematology-Oncology at MGHfC benefits every year from the funds raised by the Marathon Team. The program utilizes therapeutic play — including music and art therapy, massage and acupuncture — to help pediatric cancer patients and their families cope emotionally and developmentally with their illnesses. This year, more patients than ever before utilized Child-Life services, an indication of the growing popularity of the programming, the recognition of its importance and the program’s ability to continue to expand its offerings — thanks in large part to philanthropic dollars.

As a part of this year's team, I have committed to raising a minimum of $5,000 for this program and the hospital's youngest cancer patients. It fills me with great pride to be able to give back to MGH and to this specific patient population in such a meaningful way. 

If you would like to join me on this journey, you can make a donation by visiting my fundraising page. Please remember that any contribution, regardless of how great or small, will make a difference in the lives of these children and their families. Also, don't forget to check back here for updates over the next four months. There is much more to come!