The Mayans were wrong, so I'm lacing them up!

Sitting here, watching the 12-12-12 concert and reflecting on how wonderful people can be when we are forced to confront our vulnerability and embrace our humanity. The performances tonight are a reflection of entertainers giving of their talents to raise awareness and funds for the worthy cause of rebuilding lives that were devastated by Sandy earlier this year.

As I type this, I am extremely proud to reflect on my now 7 years of running marathons. I wouldn't say that running is a "talent" of mine, but the oddity of an erratically trained, not-so-svelte guy committing to these races and raising more than $25,000 over the years for a variety of charities and causes - hunger and homelessness (e.g., Natick Services Council, Pine Street Inn, Greater Boston Food Bank), cancer research (Dana Farber), and the very worthy, Justin Bailey scholarship fund in Natick - makes me smile. I am that guy. The one that runs past a crowd and who might hopefully inspire non-runners and weekend warriors alike to think "...well, if THAT guy can run a marathon, then so can I!"

As I look forward to 'lacing them up" for 2013, I want to thank everyone who has supported me during this wonderful journey.

Oh, and I've got some interesting ideas for "training" this time around, so stay tuned!!

2012 Boston Marathon - Hot! Hot! Hot!

So I'm finally trying to wrap my head around the idea of running on Monday and I just recently became aware of this terrible twist in the forecast - HEAT. Hot heat. Like fry-an-egg-on-the sidewalk kinda heat. (OK, maybe not THAT bad, but 80s in April will certainly present an interesting new challenge for me!)

While I haven't "trained properly" (not since Colorado in '09), my recent 4:06 finish in Austin and my 50 mile training week last week has me feeling "ready" if not confident about a strong showing on Monday April 16th.

For those watching the Boston Marathon locally, please watch for me wearing the Natick HS hockey jersey (#17) in honor of Justin Bailey, a 17 year old who passed away unexpectedly this past winter. The Bailey family has worked with the Natick High Hockey Alliance to create the "Justin Bailey Memorial Scholarship to honor their son's memory and to support "the underdog" high school athlete(s) whose quite, dedicated, and selfless approach to sport and team reflect the values that Justin brought to his hockey teams throughout the years.

If you would like to learn more about the scholarship and the story of the scholarship, go to: http://www.metrowestdailynews.com/top_stories/x1082436406/Marathon-to-raise-money-for-memorial-scholarship-in-Natick

To help me with my fundraising effort, please go to the Town's website (link below) and click on the PayPal link to use a credit/debit card (please add "Paul Joseph - Marathon" to the field labelled "Purpose" on the PayPal form) OR you may pay by check (made out to "Town of Natick" with "Paul Joseph - Marathon" in the memo section). Checks can be mailed to Natick Town Hall at 13 East Central St, Natick, MA 01760 (c/o Martha White) OR to me at 66 School Street Extension, Natick, MA 01760 and I'll take them to the Town Hall.
http://natickma.gov/Public_Documents/NatickMA_Admin/marathon/index

#13 is in the books!

Well, it may be an unlucky number, but I was fortunate to have a strong, steady tailwind for pretty much the entire Boston Marathon yesterday. I finished in 4 hours, 17 minutes, and 30 seconds....not my best performance by a far cry, but respectable, given the late start and minimal mileage logged training this past winter and early spring.

Many runners achieved personal bests in Boston this year. I wish I had been better prepared to do the same; but, I'm healthy and walking well today (well, except for the sore quads, a blister and a majorly painful planters wart that I can finally get taken care of!) so I'm holding my head high.

I look back at my "MapMyRun.com" stats (where I log my training info), and the log is kinda pathetic, actually. I did make time for the "long runs" and I think that's what (again) paid off, in light of truly building up my stamina with a more regular training program.

Final run tally looks like this:
Month - # of runs - Total Mileage - Longest run
FEBRUARY - 7 - 41 miles - 10.3 miles
MARCH - 6 - 65 mi. - 19.3 mi. (excludes a coupe mile of walking!)
APRIL - 7 - 65 mi. - 14.2 mi.

So a TOTAL of only 20 runs, 171 miles and long of 19.3....no wonder I was pooped at Heartbreak Hill!

Anyway, I'm feeling good and am getting closer to my fundraising goal for two worthy, local charities, so I'll file that 4:17 as a "success" and keep moving on.

Thanks again for your interest and support!

Countdown to Marathon Day -- this weekend!!

OK. So I've been teased mercilessly that my "blog" hasn't been update in about a month.

Well, given how insanely busy I've been with local politics, work, and prepping for an upcoming business trip to Brazil, I haven't exactly been lighting up the open roads with training runs. I've managed to drop a couple (literally a couple) of pounds, and have felt pretty good when I have gone out to run.

I've done my share of moderate distances (3 14-milers a couple of weeks back, and another 10 miles over hills in Natick and Wellesley last Tuesday, but it's fair to say that this year's training has not been one for the record book - too erratic, not enough 'build up' - so am a bit nervous about my stamina this year. Legs feel good and will be fine until Newton...those hills and the 'final 5 miles' through the canyons of Beacon/Comm Ave and onto Boylston will be as challenging as ever.

The good news as of now is that they're calling for a tailwind for much of the day and partly sunny, upper 40s-low 60s -- good for most, but it will be a bit warm for me come 1:30-2is when I'm in Boston. Better than 90 degrees, though, so I'll take it!

I've been "light" on the fundraising so far, but hope to finish strong. Please consider a small donation if you haven't yet done so.

Thanks for checkin in!

35 days left

Wow...just got back from a 19.3 mile run after being off for a week (yes. a week!) This "training" regimen isn't the healthiest way to go, but it seems to have worked for the last 5 years, so who am I to judge? I am clearly in worse shape than I've been for the past couple of years - nutrition and regular runs are way off this time around. But am hopeful that my commitment to a few more long runs and tempo runs will kick me into quick shape for another ~4 hour showing...no time records will be falling this spring, to be sure!

Heartbreak ahead of Valentine's Day

So the weekend was a marginal training success - my friend, John, and I drove out to Boston College and ran the Newton Hills and some of Boston roads. The beauty of the Route 30 (Commonwealth Ave.) run is that there is a "carriage road" which parallels the main road, so there was little traffic to contend with (among the huge piles of snow). 9.6 miles of hilly terrain - not my finest hour and a sobering reminder about how many miles I have to go before I feel back in reasonable shape. Still, it was nice to be back out on the course, if only for a short while.

Will #13 be lucky??

After about a year off from blogging about running (and, after a woeful decline in running overall since clocking just over 4:09 at the Baystate Marathon in Lowell last October), and about a month or so removed from any sense of 'regular' running, I'm at it again.

I was lucky enough to squeeze in a rain-soaked, 5k training run in Ithaca, NY last week, but I really need to step it up.

So, the GREAT news is that I've secured an official number for the 2011 Boston Marathon, now less than 10 weeks away. This will be my 6th Boston Marathon in a row, and my 13th overall marathon in just over 5 years. I'll be running for two, VERY worthy and local charities:

1) The Healthy Pantry Initiative at the Natick Service Council - this represents some of what I love best about Natick - a cooperation between our local Community Organic Farm and our local food pantry to bring farm fresh and locally grown produce to the food pantry for our neighbors most in need. This cause is consistent with my now 5-year mission to use my running to help end homelessness and hunger. I am thrilled to participate in this vital community partnership to help draw attention to the needs for healthy eating, community-based agriculture, and supporting those in the greatest need for healthy food options.

2) Natick will be the only New England stop for the Vietnam Moving Wall Memorial this summer (June 9-12); I will be raising funds in support of this important initiative focused on healing and education. I am proud of our local Veterans Servcie Council and my fellow Selectman, John Connolly for their hard work and dedication to bring this moving tribute to our community.

Two great causes! I hope you'll consider supporting my effort this year.

First major move - build an aggressive training plan. With all of the snow this winter, it's been very challenging to find space to run outside. I'll likely do more on the "dreadmill" and perhaps some inside laps on the track at Babson College.

Will update this site from time-to-time and welcome your feedback and support as I try to get back in the groove. I'm about 10 lbs heavier than I was last fall (and about 20 lbs heavier since my 2 marathons in 2 weeks shape of the Spring 2009!), so this will be an all out war on lethargy (and snacks).

I'm also pleased to announce that I'll be "biking for it" later this summer, as I join Lena in her "come back" cycling event - the 2011 Pan Mass Challenge... for me it's all about heels AND wheels this year!

Be well!