First Run With Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team

It was another beautiful day and the course we ran was very enjoyable.  The run began in Lexington center and then went about a mile and a half towards the Minuteman National Park.  The historic surroundings only added to the experience.  I met many more great people.  There is something about this group that makes you know you are involved with something special.  The temperature was the coldest I have run in this year.  After the run I shopped at the Greater Boston Running Company.  The people there were very knowledgeable and spent time answering alot of questions I asked.  I ended up purchasing a jacket, gloves, socks, neck protector, and a shirt.  DFMC team members received a twenty percent discount for the day.  I hope to make all the runs with the team in January, February and March.  Here are some photos:

Boston Athletic Association 115th Boston Marathon Invitational Entry

Well, it's official.  I submitted the Invitational Entry today and now I am officially entered to run the 115th Boston Marathon!  I feel great and know that this is something that will stay with me forever.  Here are some photos from the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge 1st Timers meeting.  I received a great hat, shirt, and banner to support my fundraising.

Running with the Tufts Team on a 10 Miler

I ran with the Tufts University team today.  I knew a few people there and it was a well organized run.  Even though I am running for Dana-Farber I really admire the Tufts team.  The temperature outside today was approximately 25 degrees, yet I felt warm for the entire ten miles.  The course was rather flat with only a few hills. 

After the run everyone gathered at the presidents house on the Tufts campus.  Bagels and oatmeal were provided with water.  The house is very nice of course.  And there is such a warm welcoming quality displayed by Larry (Tufts President) and Don (Tufts Running Coach).  Such positive energy present. 

I would like to make a request for any readers of this blog to make a donation towards my run for Dana-Farber.  The link below is secure and your donation is tax deductible.  And most important,  the donation goes towards treatments and a cure for cancer!

http://www.runDFMC.org/2011/michaelv

Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge 2011 1st Timers Meeting

I thoroughly enjoyed meeting with other individuals that are involved with the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge.  There was such a positive vibe in the air.  Simply put, everyone seems to be on the same page with this positive energy.  We were split into groups and discussed our personal life stories that led us to getting involved with DFMC.  Very inspiring to say the least.  We were given very practical suggestions about fundraising and training.  Overall, this meeting was informative, inspiring, and well organized.

Accepted to the DFMC 2011 (Dana Farber Marathon Challenge 2011)

Today I received some really great news.  This is the best news I have heard in a long time.  I have been accepted to run the 2011 Boston Marathon for The Dana Farber Marathon Challenge!  I have been having positive thoughts about this for almost three months.  Everyday that passed since I submitted my application, I constantly thought about running to support research a cure for cancer.  The loss many have experienced with this disease has had a huge impact on families around the world.  My personal experience with cancer has given me a gift.  A gift of deeper awareness, humility, and appreciation.  My motivation level is really high.  I am going to put my all into training for this goal.  And if this somehow has a small impact on fighting this disease, all the hard work will be well worth it. Please follow this link to donate to this cause:

http://www.runDFMC.org/2011/michaelv

Pentucket Five West Newbury, MA November 28, 2010

The West Newbury, Newbury, and Newburyport areas of Massachusetts are among my favorites.  Open spaces with farms and then the Merrimac River all make this a very scenic place to run.  The temperature was around 45 degrees and a slight wind made the run feel easy.  The shining sun also did wonders to my outlook.  I recorded my fasted time this far into my training.  I even had someone tell me to slow down because I should conserve energy for the upcoming hill.  This has never happened to me before.  I couldn't help but laugh to myself.  I never thought I would encounter someone telling me to slow down, I am pretty slow to begin with.  The hill I was warned about felt more like a bump compared to some of the hills I have encountered in the last few weeks.  I enjoyed this race because of the location and weather.  The people there were very nice and organized.  I plan on running it next year.  Progress was made with my form and breathing, and I think this is why I improved my time.

Feaster Five

I enjoyed a good run in Andover today.  This race attracts over 10,000 people and was very well organized.  The weather was a bit chilly at 25 degrees, however I enjoy the colder temps when running.  I improved my motion and my time.  There was a decent amount of hills at the beginning and that also felt good.  Overall, I am very happy my friend Chris told me about this race.  It was a great experience.

8K Race Essex, MA

Despite fighting a cold for the last three days, I decided to run this race in Essex, MA.  It was a great decision.  An 8K (4.97 miles) is pretty much a 5 miler.  This race starts near Woodman's restaurant.  My grandparents would take me to this restaurant on a regular basis when I was I child.  Good memories filled my heart while I waited for the race to start.  This really helped me feel positive for this race.  I also warmed up a bit before the start, I just imitated what other runners were doing to warm up.  I usually just start without stretching or warming up.  I want to improve, so I am making changes.  The temperature was 38 degrees, the lowest temperature so far in this training.

First Half Marathon November 17, 2010

I ran my first (unofficial) half marathon today.  It went well.  I did struggle a bit in miles 11 and 12.  I did not bring water and I felt a little dehydrated towards the end.  Overall, I learned alot from this run.  I need some carbs and water when I run longer than 10 miles.  This run was a different route than any I have taken before.  I ran north towards RTE 28 and it was all up hill in the first half.  I spoke with Dana Farber today and they said I am in the the final list of applicants.  So I keep thinking positive.

November 14, 2010 Sunday

Today was the perfect day for a 5 Miler. The temperature was about 47 degrees and the sun was shining. This run benefits the Timothy E. Loughlin Scholarship Fund and again it is impressive to see a family turn their pain into something that honors their lost loved one.

The course itself contained two steep, steep hills. These hills were the steepest I have encountered while training. Leominster, MA is an incredibly beautiful place. Rolling hills, farms, and ponds surround you as the course passes by. The sportsmen club that hosted the event was charming and the people who volunteered were friendly and good cooks.

Today was a busy day. I ran in the morning, went to a movie with my sister in the afternoon, and then went to see Kings of Leon at the Garden in the evening. Once I returned home I watched the Patriots destroy the Steelers. A very good Sunday overall. If you ever have a chance to see Kings of Leon perform live, make sure to take advantage of the opportunity. They sound amazing!