24 Hours From Right Now...

...I will be starting the Boston Marathon. Pretty cool!!!

Overall besides a few nerves I cannot wait to run. As I stated in my previous post I ended up getting a HUGE blood blister on my foot but luckily it is feeling okay to run on for tomorrow.

To explain the story of the blister it all started the week before my 21 mile training run. The week prior to that run I ended up getting new sneakers and started to get a small "normal" looking clear blister on my foot. Not thinking much of it I started to run 21 miles.

At about the 2 mile mark I started feeling it. Once again still thinking it was the small "normal" looking blister. Little did I know what it had turned into. When I took off my sneaker and sock I could not believe the size of it. It was gross. Which is why I share the below photo with all of you so I'm not the only one grossed out. I put a penny next to it so you get a good idea of the size.

I ended up going to the doctor's office to get his thoughts on whether I should pop it or not. Before seeing it he said I definitely should not pop it. After I showed it to him we said..."Wow...that is the largest blood blister I've ever seen". He then proceeded to measure it with measuring tape. That is never a good sign.

He then told me that I could never tell anyone he told me this (oh well...I guess I'm doing this now) but due to the size of it he said I should go home and pop it and he gave me an antibiotic to prevent any possible infection. Since the race was only 3 weeks away at the time he said it wouldn't heal fast enough if left alone.

I preceded to go home and take care of business and now the rest is history. It is still there but definitely not even close to what it was. I'm ready for tomorrow and I can't wait. The next time I post I will officially be a Boston Marathoner!!!

Thank you for every one's support!!!

30,000 Runners On Your Street

Last weekend I finished my last long run of my training. All the charities got together and did a 21 mile charity run along the Boston Marathon Route. Buses dropped everyone off at the beginning of the Marathon in Hopkinton, MA and we ran 21 miles to the top of Heartbreak Hill. Besides getting one of the largest blood blisters that anyone has ever seen on my foot (I'll post on that soon) I was able to finish.

This was the first time I had seen where the start of the race will take place. The craziest part is that the road is extremely small and narrow. It is basically the width of the street that most of you probably live on. Imagine close to 30,000 runners trying to get down your street. Pretty crazy.

Here is a video that shows the entire start of the Marathon within 3 minutes. Within 2 weeks I'll be one of those many runners crossing the starting line for the first time and heading my way to Boston.

I can't wait!!!

Bib Number #23131

It is official. My number for the marathon is #23131.

I'm only 26 days away from running 26.2 miles. I can't believe it's almost here. I've been so busy with work and running that I haven't had a chance to post in awhile.

Two weeks ago I was able to run 19 miles in 3 hours. Last weekend was a low mileage long run of only 12 miles but this weekend is the big weekend...21 miles. This will be the very last long run before the marathon. After my long run on Saturday the mileage drops off dramatically for your body to be rested and ready for the marathon.

I finally got some new shoes this week so I'm hoping this helps my right foot a bit which has been acting up lately. So far so good besides some aches and pains.

In terms of fundraising I'm doing great. I'm already over my goal of $6,000 and hoping to get close to $7,000. I'm pumped up!!!

I don't have anything really witty or funny to include but all I can say is that I'm getting very excited at this point. See the below trailer of a documentary movie that I thought was great. If you don't care for the trailer then you probably won't like the movie. But if you enjoy it then it's worth watching.

It documents 5 completely different runners and their reasons for running the marathon. It gets me pumped up every time I watch it. The movie is called "The Spirit of The Marathon" which you can rent and get off of Netflix as well.

The Day After The Marathon

I found this video on line that sums up how I've been feeling the day after my 17-18 mile runs. I can only imagine how sore I'll be the day after the actual marathon.

"Sick" Of Running? NO WAY!!!

It has been a few weeks since I've posted anything and I think I've been sick since the last post but that has not stopped me from running!!!

It is definitely not fun trying to run when you can't breathe but at least you have a valid excuse to shoot snot rockets...very gross but it was crucial to my past few runs so I could breathe.

On Saturday 2/13 all the charities got together and did a charity run. They bused us to mile 9 of the Boston Marathon and we ran 17 miles all the way to the finish on Boylston St. Although I wasn't feeling well I did it. It was the first time that I experienced "Heartbreak Hill".

I didn't know what to expect once I got to "Heartbreak Hill" so I just put my head down and kept running. The funniest part was once I got to the top their was an older couple cheering everyone on. They were the best sight to see and I thanked them so much for cheering everyone on as we made it past the toughest part of the marathon route. I can only imagine all the people that will be cheering all the runners on in about 8 weeks...it will definitely help keep me going.

I haven't been a runner for that long but I'm beginning to understand the different quirks that runners do from snot rockets, to bloody nipples, to going the bathroom wherever you can, etc. Throughout this post are some funny adds that Adidas put out showing how "different" runners are. It's sad that I'm starting to become one...

Are You Crazy?

When I tell people that I'm training for a marathon I get a lot of mixed responses. It varies from everything like...

• Wow, that is such a great goal to shoot for.
• I actually ran one a few years ago...good luck.
• That is great. What is the training like?

While the above list is some of the common responses by far the most popular is...

• Are you crazy? Why would anyone want to run that far?

Trust me. I understand why people say that response since a part of me has to laugh at running this far without someone chasing me with a knife.

This week I've been traveling for work and running on the treadmill at the hotel. There is nothing very exciting to report on in the running department so I figured the below eCards would be more funny and exciting than a boring treadmill story. They also tie into the general thoughts that most people have thinking running a marathon is crazy...

You Know You're Running In 5 Degree Weather When...

...the sweat on your eyebrows and in your hair freezes and turns into icicles.

I looked like I was going skiing this morning vs. running. I wasn't able to get a picture of myself but I basically looked like this...

Today was my 3rd group run since the last time I posted anything. This was BY FAR the coldest day of any of our runs. When I got out of the car to start running the outside temperature said 3 degrees. It was even too cold to wear my iPod. The second I took it out of the car the wire to my headphones froze up and were so stiff that I couldn't even get them on.

At the end of the run our team coach told us that he almost thought about canceling the run after about a 1/2 mile but we stuck with it and all finished. I ended up running 14 miles today. By far the longest I've ever run.

Besides being very cold I'm am holding up and feeling well. I also received in the mail the Children's Hospital Running Bib that everyone will wear during the race. It looks like what the guy is wearing below. It's obviously very colorful so anyone that comes to watch me run should have no problem picking me out of a crowd.

I'm over the 1/2 way mark to 26 miles and getting pumped up for the Marathon. Thanks for everyone that has supported me throughout all my training...especially my wife and two girls that put up with me and are my biggest supporters.

First Group Run

This picture sums up my run yesterday.

Every Saturday the Miles For Miracles team meets for group runs. I was able to join the team this weekend for our 12 mile run. It was a great experience to meet all the other people running for Children's Hospital.

It was also great since it gave me a chance to run part of the Marathon Course as we ran from Wellesley, MA to Newton, MA. The hills were challenging but I was able to finish the 12 mile run in about 1 hour and 45 minutes.

The toughest part about the run was avoiding the ice and snow as well as all the other people out training and running the marathon course. The cartoon above was literally how it was this Saturday since it was such a nice morning out as well. It was only about 35 degrees but the sun was out so that made everyone come out of their houses for a nice run.

Today I feel really good so I'm happy to be almost 1/2 way there and on track with my schedule. I'll keep everyone posted throughout the week on my training.

Treadmill Scare

This week I've been extremely busy with work and getting home late so it only allows me to run on the treadmill at the gym. Tonight is my night off but the past two days I've been doing 4 miles a day per my schedule.

Normally I wouldn't have much to write about in terms of how my treadmill run went but I did have an interesting scare while running on the treadmill last night.

I jumped on a treadmill like I normally do at the gym and started running. As I continue my run I try to speed up along the way. Around the 3rd mile I was going at around a 7 1/2 minute mile pace when all of a sudden...the treadmill blew a fuse and completely shut down.

I wish someone could have been filming me since it looked very funny as the treadmill came to a complete stop in two seconds as my legs continued to propel me forward running right into the treadmill.

I received some strange looks from the runners beside me on other treadmills since I don't think they saw that my treadmill had suddenly stopped. I preceded to jump on another treadmill and finish my last minute to hit my 4 mile goal.

I found the below clip that I thought was funny. It is a clip of a Muslim guy who has never been on a treadmill. His friend keeps turning up the speed and he tries to keep running as fast as he can while screaming the entire time. Too bad he didn't realize he could just hit a button to stop it instead of fearing for his life...

10 Down...16 to Go

Yesterday I ran my first double digit mile run (10 miles) in 20 degree weather. The windchill didn't help either but I still had a pretty decent run.

I was able to run it in a little less than 1 1/2 hours (approx. 9 minute mile). With the wind blowing like crazy and having to jump into snow to avoid cars, etc. I'm happy with the time.

Below is a video of how ridiculous I look when trying to run in 20 degree weather. The below clip will show me in one of my finest outfits with shorts put over long johns.



The next clip is my water bottle and cliff shots. Cliff Shots are basically Gatorade Gummy Bears to help keep your energy up while running long distances. You'll get to see the ice on my water bottle and my frozen cliff shots. The one good part about running in the cold is that at least I never have to worry about my water getting warms while running like it does in the summer...

2010 Is Here!!!

I can't believe we're already 1 week into the new year. My dream of running the 2010 Boston Marathon is closer than ever.


The past week has been a busy week. It started off last Monday and Tuesday traveling to Philadelphia for work and having to run on a treadmill for those two days. On New Years Day I missed my run for the day but I had a good excuse. I was able to get tickets to the Bruins Game at Fenway Park.

It was an unbelievable experience. It was tough to see the actual game but the experience of being there was well worth it.

Every Saturday there are team runs with the Children's Hospital Team. I wasn't able to make it down to Boston this past Saturday for the group run due to all the snow we got in the morning.

Since Saturday I've mainly been on the treadmill at the gym. I've been sticking with my schedule this week of anywhere from 3-5 miles depending on the day of the week. I'm gearing up for this Saturday which is my first double digit run since I ran my half marathon this past fall.
Our group run on Saturday will be 10 miles. I'll be meeting the rest of the Children's Hospital Team in Wellesley, MA. I'll continue to update everyone along the way.

Happy New Year to Zack and all my family and friends!!!