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!

Less than a week?!

Wow. About 2 months since my last update here. Lots of changes since then; although, improved conditioning for the race is not among the highlights!

I have been fortunate enough to endure my recent campaign for (and win election to) the Natick Board of Selectmen; survived a broken finger; and have kept the aforementioned bursitis and Achilles Tendonitis away (not running much made that a lot easier).

While sorely lacking a "routine" this year, I have tried to get in the "long" runs whenever possible. Recently, my long-run mileage included a 17-mile in Shanghai, China, and, what I'd consider a pathetic-but-persistent effort on a 23-turned-20 mile run out-and-back to BC from Natick a couple weeks ago. Hills will be, well, um, my 'Achilles heel' this year.

With 6 days to go, I can't turn-back-the-clock and get into much better shape, so will be out for a gradual run today, and phase in 4 more workouts before Marathon Monday on April 19th. Sleep, water, some music, and a whole lot of moral support along the route will get me through #11! I hope to see many faces out there.

9 Weeks 'til Boston

As I get ready for bed tonight, I am grateful that (1) my 2 weeks off, nursing Achilles and bursitis seems to have paid off and (2) my broken finger won't (supposedly) be at risk during training.

I feel like I had been getting away with something, and my body has reminded me many times over that I'm just a guest in its house, and I better not run wrecklessly!

I'll be heading out in the early a.m. for a brief run; get the body moving again after too long off, and need to take care as I increase my mileage each week ahead.

Sleep. Run. Work. Campaign...repeat. My 'to do' list for the next several weeks is as clear as the night sky! :-)

Against the wind...and my better judgment

After taking about 3 weeks off from running (not intentioanl, but circumstances of work and holidays taking their toll), I was pleased to get out for a 7.3 mile run with my friend and fellow Boston Marathoner, John. Weather was cooperative, and cool.

But today's story is quite different. I am about to embark on a 5k - 5 miler, running solo in a -1 windchill, 17 degrees with 20-40 mph gusts...not a walk in the park. But as I digest my (too) many holiday meals and (too) many holiday snacks, and think about what the heck I've signed up for, yet again, I can't help but think how grateful I am to not be homeless today, or any day for that matter.

I hope that these acts of questionable sanity are understood by my family, friends, and passers/driversby who might be looking at me with that "why the HECK are you running today?!" look. If you're reading this, take a moment to be glad that you're not homeless, and please remember that not everyone has that privilege.

Came up short, but the race to end homelessness is endless

Wow - here it is September 15th and I'm less than 7 weeks away from my next marathon (NYC Marathon November 1st). It will be the 40th anniversary of the NYC Marathon. Not lost on me is the fact that I'm 40 y.o. and running for the Pine Street Inn this year on its 40th anniversary.

I'm not sure what that all adds up to (besides 120!), but a cool coincidence - and my 10th full marathon, as well! I hope to remain healthy for the next several weeks; most of my post-CO marathon "running" time has been spent nursing bursitis (inflammation) in my right heel ...thought it was a stress fracture or tendinitis, though, so I'm happy to say that after a relatively low-running summer, I feel pretty good this fall. Also, a cortisone shot in my arthritic right shoulder has me able to move that arm in full circles again, so I'm grateful for the quick fixes available to my (slowly?) breaking down chassis.

Results of my 2 marathons in 2 weeks were very good - just missing personal records in Boston and overall (ran the CO marathon in 3:42:43, missing a PR by 2 seconds!). Missed a Boston PR by less than a minute as well, so overall, I can't complain about the running last spring. It was the heel pain following all the running that made for an iffy summer of running. But between the 2 near-misses and coming up 10% short of my fundraising goal, I feel like 2009 was a series of "almosts." I'd like to finish NYC strong and begin the difficult and perpetual journey toward running a Boston qualifying pace of 3 hours 20 minutes one of these days...perhaps spring of 2010 will be my shot...maybe sooner? :-)

So as the weather has turned cooler, and the days are getting shorter, I recently went out for an 18 mile run and felt good - not great, but from a 14.1 mile long run last week to 18 was a big jump. Am happy to say that the feet are good, and the psyche is getting there...now I just have to get work off the brain and get out of my chair more often...you can't cheat the need for many runs and increasing miles as the big race approaches, and I've been slackin!

I am proud to say that many family and friends (Lena, among the many!) seem to have taken to running a bit more lately and I'd like to think my insanity has played a small, if not significant, role in it...as I type, I'm ready to hit the road, but I'll wait 'til morning...it's bedtime now, and I'm wide awake, thinking about too much work, too few hours in the day, and (hopefully) 10 good miles tomorrow...

Raffle to End Homelessness (has ended!)

Through the kind donations and support of several local business owners and friends, I was pleased to offer the "Raffles to End Homelessness" in support of my 2 marathon runs for the Pine Street Inn.

Thanks to the following for their kind donations of tickets and services:

Frozen Ropes - Natick
Fitness Together - Natick/Sudbury
Donelan's Supermarkets - Wayland
Josh Ostroff

Please note: Raffle #1: Homerun to End Homelessness was drawn on Saturday, April 25, 12 noon

Congratulations to prize winners:

Dori Ross - (2) Bleacher tickets to Red Sox vs. New York Yankees, Sunday, 4/26
Anna Uliano - (2) RF Grandstand Tickets to Red Sox vs. New York Mets, Sunday, 5/24
Dave Pfahler - (3) Free Personal Training Sessions at FT Natick ($255 value) (http://www.ftnatick.net/)

Raffle #2: Marathon Maynia was drawn on Friday, May 15, 3 p.m.

Congratulations to prize winners:

Joel Haskell- (4) Bleacher Tickets to Red Sox vs. New York Mets, Sunday, May 24th 

AND (2) Infield Grandstand Tickets to Red Sox vs. KC Royals, Thursday, July 9th (donated by Donelan's Supermarkets (http://www.donelans.com/)

Dave Margil - (2) U2: 360 Tour. General Admission (on the Floor/Field) tickets to see U2 at Gillette Stadium, Monday, September 21st. 

Anne Porter- $100 Gift certificate and T-shirt from Frozen Ropes Natick  (http://www.frozenropes.com/home/locations/natick-ma.aspx)

Halfway Home...

With the Boston Marathon completed in 3 hours and 53+ minutes, I am pleased to feel like I might actually run the second marathon even faster! (OK, thruth be told, my feet are still tender from blister/calluses and my quads feel like they've been beaten with a hammer, but hey, I've got a whopping 11 days for that to fade!).

In fact, I was thrilled to see that with my time, I actually placed ahead of running legend Bill Rodgers (who, BTW, is 61 years old...I should be so lucky to finish under 4 hrs by the time I'm 61!).

The weather was fabulous on Marathon Monday in Boston -- a bit windy (15 mph headwind!) but between my sub-4 hour finish, the Sox trouncing the Orioles for a 4-game sweep and the Bruins and Celtics playing like teams possessed, all-in-all a great way to start the week!

Thanks to my family and friends for donating so generously so far to this cause, and for those that came out on Monday to watch. Clearly, it puts a little more fuel in my tank knowing that you're all out there with me.

Will update this blog as I test these tender feet and sore legs ahead of Colorado!

Almost there

With a day and a half or so to go, I'm in that "anxious but not quite ready" state. With the amount of work that I have to do this weekend, coupled with our Albanian Orthodox Easter celebration (pasta for me, lamb for everyone else!) on Sunday, I feel like the Boston Marathon is becoming something on my "to do" list.

However, as I rode into Boston on the train today (going to the Marathon Number Pick Up and event at Hynes Convention Ctr), I sat next to a gentleman named David from Canada. He was also 40, and as we got to talking, it turns out he recently qualified for the Boston Marathon by running a 3 hour, 11 minute "Boston qualifying" race.

Talking to David was a great reminder for this local, "charity" runner that the Boston Marathon is a big deal and should be savored. The energy at the convention hall was high, and as I came home for my last "warm up/taper down" jog, I felt pretty calm about the inevitable 26.2 looming on the next cool, potentially wet, and head-windy Monday.

I am pleased to have passed the half-way point for my targeted fundraising, and I hope that the upcoming raffles of tickets will put me over the $5,240 goal. I am grateful to all of my donors and to those who have reached out with words of kindness and good luck. I am truly amazed and humbled once again...now if I can get some sleep over the next couple of days, I'll be firing on all cylinders on Monday!

One week (and a trip to Atlanta) until Boston Marathon

With a week to go, I'm feeling pretty good, although a bit paranoid about anticipated lack of sleep in the days ahead. Ironically, I have "miles to go before I sleep".

Also, with the reality of logistics/bureaucracy settling in, turns out I will not be able to host the Home Run Derby as hoped, but will still move forward with raffles. Between permitting process and hang-ups securing commercial insurance for the event, I simply ran out of time to allow for a responsible level of promotion for my kind prize donors.

That said, details for the raffle will be released on Tuesday, April 14, and I'm looking forward to a couple of warm runs while in Atlanta on business this week.

Coming off of a great Easter weekend run in CT (10+ miles in sunny, but frigid, Southern CT), I'm feeling in about as good shape as I've ever been ahead of one of these races...hope the body steps up to it!

You win some, you lose some

So I'm not sure where it ended up, but apparently, my latest entry (following a 23 mile run on Sunday) didn't post. Oh Well. Bottom line is this: 2 weeks to go for Boston and my legs are feeling (mercifully) pretty good. The key for me now is to get enough sleep, which is always a challenge. Teaching three classes, business travel, and my soon to be announced fundraiser - Home Run Derby to End Homelessness - will each take their toll on my energy in the upcoming weeks.

Funny, though, no one really gives a homeless person a break for being poorly rested, so who am I to complain?

I am grateful for the generosity of local businesses, friends, and even complete strangers that have stepped up to support me in countless ways.

With the Derby now in sight, and a likely raffle or auction to be held in parallel, I'd like to start by thanking the following contributors for making the event possible:

- Frozen Ropes (Natick)
- Fitness Together (Natick/Sudbury)
- Donelan's Supermarkets (Wayland)
- Josh Ostoff
- Natick Little League
- Natick Parks and Recreation and Natick High School for their help with securing the field

The list is growing, and the spirit of giving is empowering and humbling. Thank you!

Heartbreak, No More!

After a 2-week excursion to/from China, it was great to get out and run for a serious distance - 22.1 miles - this a.m. Thanks to my loyal, long-run training partner John (who continues to out pace me! :-) - great inspiration. It's so great to live near the actual Boston Marathon route - going for an "out and back" to Heartbreak Hill in Newton from Natick gives us practice on what is considered by many to be the toughest part of the course.

I'm very pleased that my legs didn't feel like the consistency of all the noodles and dumplings I consumed while in China...perhaps the 1-hour foot massages there paid off. I'm not likely to get those again anytime soon so I'll just drop it altogether.

I got my BAA bib # today as well: 27144, for those watching me online that day. I can't believe we're just about 3 weeks away...time is flying faster than I am, but I'm please with my pace, and hoping to stay healthy as we get closer to "go" time.

Marathon Training in China

So far, best workout has been at the buffets...school where I'm helping to facilitate has a great lunch buffet, which, of course, follows the hotel breakfast buffet-- you can't eat enough dumplings and other dim sum after a course of bran cereal, yogurt and fruit!

So today I treadmilled about 5-6 km...too close to my classtime to get outside; but will try to go for an outdoors long run on Sunday before heading home. Been doing some push-ups, situps, core stuff, but mostly just teaching, eating, and sleeping sporadically.

The weather's been cool in dawn/dusk hours, but very warm and a bit humid during midday. It was very nice to see the green grass and sunshine today between sessions; groups of students outside picnicking for lunch made me eager to get home to Springtime weather.

I am hoping that my sleep schedule can be shocked back to normal fairly quickly after my return home...the fatigue comes in waves, between the travel and the intensity of teaching to the group. So much fun, though. I am lucky to have this opportunity to see how business and education is so similar and yet so different between US and China.

I can't believe the Boston Marathon is just over 4 weeks away. Overall, am feeling pretty strong and very confident that the 2 weekswill go well. Hopefully will demonstrate some speed at at least one of the two races!

Coming up short

So I left the house this a.m. at 6:15, ready to meet my friend, John, and to go for a 21+ mile run to the top of Heartbreak Hill and back.

John finished with no trouble, but we parted ways with about 5 miles to go...my stamina just didn't compare...and, I called in the cavalry at with about 3 miles to go. My net run was still a decent 18.8 miler, but it bugs me to not finish at my goal distance, especially with my trip to China next week and uncertain sleep/training time in next week or so...

John and I talk a lot about the mental aspects of running when we're out, and today was just one of those days; distraction and the threat of missing a 10:00 town meeting forced my head out of the tranquil rhythm of my shuffling feet and the musical sloshing of water in my "camel back" hydration backpack.

Oh well, overall, I'm feeling strong and no major aches and pains other than a few small blisters -- time to lose the thicker "cold weather" socks permanently! I can't believe the marathon is coming up so fast. 5 weeks and 2 days...I need a nap!

5 and 1/2 weeks...and 2 Olympic sites to go!!

So I'm looking out a dreary grey sky, getting ready to log (hopefully) a double digit (12-13 mi.?) afternoon training run. As I plan my next "long" run (18-22 miles range) for Saturday, I'm looking even farther ahead...the Boston Marathon is in 5.5 weeks; CO Marathon in 7.5 weeks.

Between now and then, I'll have flown to China (specifically, Shanghai)and back; and to Atlanta and back...all the while tyring to eat, sleep, and train well...yikes. This is where I should insert a Tom Hanks-esque running version of "There's no crying in baseball"!

And as I look ahead to the next 1.5-2 months of running, fundraising, business building, teaching (oh yeah, and parenting, spousing, doing taxes, cleaning my office, etc!!), it's easy to get overwhelmed by it all.

One of the most valuable lessons I've learned from all of this running has been the need to get something done...Even if it's not at the pace I had intended...as usual, I have too much on my plate, but like the miles of all these training runs, step-by-step, task-by-task, dollar-by-dollar, the big, hairy, audacious goals seem manageable...just don't ask Lena about that office mess...it seems like there are some races I'm doomed to repeat :-)