Running for a Cause

Though I haven't been running any marathon distances with teammates of old, this year I am particularly thankful for their efforts, and I am lucky, and happy, to know that of the miles I've run this spring, the majority of them have been joyful ones--ones that I've been lucky enough to count my blessings as opposed to chasing any demons. Its been a hectic spring, but a wonderful run, as RunBoston has picked up for Jared and I, the wedding is next week, and we've put an offer in on a house.

But with the Boston Marathon tomorrow, runners have been pouring into town by the thousands, reminding me of the many miles I've been privileged to spend with the Dana Farber team. And while I won't be physically there with those runners tomorrow, I'll be there in spirit. Running with them has been a gift in my life, and has changed me for the better--immeasurably so. It is astonishing what people can achieve when united around a common goal--and nowhere has that been more apparent to me than when being around the people of Dana Farber.

I've been involved with the marathon challenge crew through three seasons now, and my respect and affection for that group has grown exponentially. They are a group filled with novices, with experts, with slow and the fast runners, and young and old. But they are, all of them, philanthropists, filled with a hope that is overflowing in its scope.

It is impossible to be around this organization without feeling impassioned by their cause--a cure for cancer--and want to join it. There's is a common cause, one that would touch us all in the best of ways.

Right now, the runners of the Dana Farber marathon challenge will have finished their pasta, will have watched a slideshow of the children lost to cancer in the past year, will have gazed longingly at the cookies they know they probably shouldn't have the night before a marathon, and will likely be on the way home, for a good night's rest and to gear up for their race tomorrow. Together, they will have already raised more than $3 million for cancer research and care, and will be on the way to $4 million.

They are remarkable, and they, the organizers, the trainers, the volunteers, and the runners I know and have yet to meet, will achieve something remarkable tomorrow--they will instill hope in the hearts of thousands through their sacrifice and their efforts.

So to all of you running on Monday, for whatever cause you've chosen, whether it's for cancer research and care, or another worthy cause--remember that you are doing a good thing, a strong and good thing, and that every step you take is one of hope, and one of caring, of doing something greater than yourself.

So enjoy the miles!

RunBoston: 2010 Boston Marathon Charity Runners

Thanks to all you DFMC runners, and to all other runners out there raising money for a cause, be it for cancer research and care, the research and care for another illness, sports equipment for underprivileged youth, boys & girls clubs, shelters, hospitals...whatever your cause, you are doing something important.

Jared and I aren't able to run the marathon this year, but if you are running on behalf of one of the many worthy groups that are out there, let us know at RunBoston, and we'll set you up with a half-price tour.

In the meantime, keep chasing that unicorn.

10.2 Miles of Dialogue

At long last, I've signed up for a race. This means I've got something to train for, and something to make me get those dull weekday miles in. The long runs on yawning Saturdays and Sundays have never been an issue...take last week's 8 miles with Al and Jared (half on trails, half on streets) as a perfect example. During those miles, Al managed to talk me into running the half-marathon option at the Eastern States 20 on March 28. By "talked me into it," Al reminded me this morning of how the conversation, which happened earlier this week, actually went:

Al: Hey, you want to run the Easter States half marathon?
Abby: Sure.

She twisted my arm, in other words. I'm happy, though, to have something to train for. I feel as though my body and soul have been yearning for the extra miles these past few days. I don't know if it's seeing all the hopeful marathoners out there, my upcoming nuptials and a need to ensure the dress fits the same as when I bought it, or the warming spring weather--but whatever it is, I'm loving getting out there a bit more.

Today, I talked Al and her boyfriend, my friend Aaron, into hopping the T out to the Woodland stop, so that we could run the last 9 miles of the marathon course, then finish up another mile or so through the heart of Boston.

My beloved dropped me off before heading off to a wilderness first aid training course, and I waited at the T with jittery anticipation. When Al and Aaron arrived, we were off, and I was happily babbling away along the miles. Luckily both are fairly patient sorts, or at least tactful enough not to tell me to shut my trap as I'm cheerfully rambling while pushing the pace up Heartbreak Hill.

Abby: So the crowds are SO thick here--Aaron, you are going to have so much fun at the marathon! See, guys, this hill isn't so bad! Right, Al?
Al: Ugh.
Abby: Do you want me to just be quiet?
Al: Noooo.....
Aaron: [panting]

All in all, the miles were fantastic--today's spring weather has Beantowners near 50 degrees, and it was a beautiful set of miles (see my happy runner's soul at right). I fought to keep from pushing the pace a little harder, and Aaron was a good sport, despite what I think might have been a challenging speed for him at times (but then again, he did have to run another two miles after Al and I). The end result was a gorgeous, gorgeous run, and that dizzying and delightful runner's high that comes from having achieved a nice long distance (about 10.2 miles), and knowing you still have some left in the tank.

To top it off, Al and I swung by a Starbucks for a hot cup 'o' joe, then grabbed a tasty breakfast of bagel and over easy eggs at a local diner en route to the T. I was able to enjoy my delicious hot beverage (Black Gold! Texas T!) on the subway ride home--a ride punctuated by an odd conversation with an elderly stranger...

Man: Did you just go for a run?
Abby: Yes, I did!
Man: Did you run across the bridge? [the train was going over the Longfellow]
Abby: Oh, no. I met some friends at the Woodland T stop, so we actually ran from over there [pointing]. We ended at her house, and now I'm taking the train home; I live that way [pointing again].
Man: I used to run. I need to exercise more, start again.
Abby: It's good. Keeps me from getting stressed, makes me feel alive and alert.
Man: I walk across this bridge. I usually start smoking pot on this end, then when I get over to the other side, I smoke pot on the other end, before I come back.
Abby: [Beginning to think the conversation has taken a turn for the odd] Oh....well, that's not very good for you! [Nervous laugh.]
Man: No, pot's good. I don't smoke, you know. Pot's not so bad.
Abby: Well, to each their own!
Man: I'm going to Central with my art. [Gestures at his satchel, then at his bag] And some laundry.
Abby: Oh, that's really neat that you're an artist. May I see them?
Man: [Takes out art work with a flourish] I do abstracts.
Abby: Oh! Those are very nice. How did you do them?
Man: I did this one with marker. This one I did with pens. [Gestures at the first one, which I suspect had coffee spilled on it at one point] I did this one with markers too.
Abby: Well, they're very nice. Good luck with your art.

The conversation ended when the man, Michael, as he introduced himself, got off the train with his laundry and art satchel, and wished me a wonderful day. I can say that I've certainly had some odd conversations with people before, during, and after running, but this one might be right up there in the top ten. [Remind me sometime to tell you about the man who walked up to me at the end of a run to tell me he was wearing ladies' underwear...]

In any event, I had a fantastic run today, and was able to enjoy some good, albeit odd, conversation, and the company of friends in the sunshine of spring.

10 Miles and A Dog's Life

Today is Monday. After a long day of work and commuting, I arrived home to find my gorgeous man, my gorgeous dog, and...another gorgeous dog, the lovely Frankie (her owner was there, too). A few hours later, full of a delicious spinach and sausage soup, and sitting next to my beloved (and one rather obnoxiously but adorably snoring Dane), yesterday's 10 miles around Boston seems an eternity ago.

Some runs seem so easy to blog about, while others sort of drift away in the ether of the hours between unlacing the shoes and settling in to type. I can't say that yesterday was necessarily either of those, though. I guess this will be a bit of a play-by-play for starters.

Jared and I slept in for a bit, which is always a nice way to start a Sunday. We were bundled up and out the door before we knew it, though, and running casually down Mass Ave toward Harvard Square. In that first mile, we both lamented that we'd opted for fleeces on top of wicking undershirts, though Jared (rightly, as it turned out) pointed out that we'd likely be cold when we crossed over the river into Boston.

Our route was a new one, a sort of modified version of the 12-mile route we plan to do a running tour on later this week. That course is 12 miles, beginning in Brookline. Our modified version had us heading out from our digs in Cambridge, running down Mass Ave across the Charles. From there we'd hop on Comm Ave, before taking a marathon right onto Hereford, then a left, and the last corner of the marathon, onto Boylston. After crossing the finish line by the BPL, we headed left on Dartmouth, but made a quick right to jog a few blocks of Newbury Street to the Public Garden and Common.

From the Garden, we planned to head by the State House...and we did, but only after stopping to meet a SOLID blue mass of Danish love named Maximus. The Golden he was with was in for it, I'm sure...

After the State House, we hit a few main and side roads through Boston and into the North End, where, though my teeth were chatting, and fingers numb, I couldn't help but think of canolis and cappuccinos. Jared and I traded comments on this and that Italian joint, and tried to think of points of interest along the narrow streets. Before long, we found ourselves back by the Garden, then the Museum of Science (I marvel anew that I still haven't managed to get there for the Harry Potter exhibit).

As we headed back home along Cambridge street, we both began to realize just how tired--and cold (thank you, fleece)--we both were. With a few miles to go, we (or at least I) had begun fantasizing about the coffee at the end of the (frigid wind) tunnel.

In the end, of course, we made it, as we always do. It's funny how much you see of the city when you think to look deeper at it. While Jared and I logged our miles, we both took another look at what's become our city.

It's hard not to take for granted the marvels that we see everyday--the ancient brick, the crumbling graveyards of America's founders, the 16th-century pasture. So, too, do we sometimes take for granted our lives and our loved ones, how great we have it.

If I learned anything from yesterday's run, and I think that I did, it's to take a second look at those wonderful, wonderful things, places, and people around you. Be thankful for your job, even when you have a bad day. Be happy for your car, when you get stuck in traffic. Be grateful for a home and someone (not just someone, but the right someone) to love you while eating soup and waiting for your sweatpants to get out of the dryer. Take a look at the things that are always around you, and just plain marvel.

River Travels with B

Last night I was happy to log a few miles along the Charles with this year's favorite marathoner, the always charming and lovely B.

I've been trying to keep myself in the running habit, despite passing on this year's Boston Marathon with the DFMC crew. Though I'm not running with Dana-Farber this year, it's important to me (and to my beloved) to remain involved with this wonderful charity. It was to that end that we found ourselves standing outside for a few hours last weekend, bundled to the nines, pouring water and gatorade and trying to keep it from freezing before the runners got there. Let me tell you, though, that standing outside for a few measly hours in freezing temperatures is nothing compared to what the runners themselves are doing--both running a marathon, and raising necessary funds for cancer research and care. It's not easy, but they are doing it. And trust me--I know!

The course was an out-and-back, as usual, so Jared and I were lucky enough to see familiar and friendly faces twice. On the way back, B mentioned she was looking for some company for a 4-5 mile recovery run on Friday night--and I was only to happy to oblige.

Since I was hoping to log some longer miles this weekend, I decided to just tweak my running plan a bit--so I ran a mile and a half to meet B at the Mass Ave bridge first. Then the two of us enjoyed 5 chatty miles along the river and its bridges, filled with talk of running, training, weddings, dogs, and crockpot cookin'. It was lovely:)

After, I headed back toward the gym near the Longfellow, looping past it to the Museum of Science and back, logging a relatively comfortable 8.34 miles. I admit my course was a bit...er...shambling...but it was a well-enjoyed one, filled with good thoughts, good company, and later, followed by good Mexican food with my better half.

Next up--a review of what might have been the greatest trail "race" I've ever been to...the Fast Ass 50(k).

Treadmill Travels

The last week and a half have been filled with those runs indicative of cold weather--the ones that travel miles and miles, while actually traveling nowhere at all. I've spent these days running exclusively on what I'd previously referred to as the "dreadmill," but now I see more in the light of a benevolent and understanding compadre, a partner in arms, a willing companion to the hijinx of my running effervescence.

Well, maybe not effervescence, exactly...I fully admit to having been a bit lackluster in my running efforts lately, as the seasonal hubbub wears on, and contract work, the care of Copley, and the kickoff of RunBoston have eroded the small amounts of free time I've typically carved out for running into a thin sliver of a nub--leaving me no option but to squeeze in runs in the early morning hours before work, something I've never been great at actually achieving, despite my pre-slumber plans.

This weekend, however, I not only managed to get a long run in, I enjoyed an entire day free of guilty feelings, and of work. I slept in, lazed over coffee and cheerios, and knocked out a comfortable 8.5 miles at the gym (thank you iPod, for allowing me to resist the temptation to throw myself over the small balcony onto the free weights below), topped off with a few planks and pushups for dessert. I shambled sweatily through a packed Whole Foods, lingered over pasta, cleaned the apartment, and played with Copley, all before even contemplating a shower to rid myself of the workout stink. When my beloved arrived home from an Adventure Club ski trip, I regaled him with the joy of my slow-paced day, one he agreed was much needed.

Today, on his birthday (32, you handsome stud!), we enjoyed all the perks of being cozily snowed in together. We shared a leisurely breakfast of Christmas bagels, fresh grapefruit, and lattés, cuddled on the couch over a morning showing of Turner and Hooch, and meandered our way to the liquor store in boots, to pick up the necessary ingredients for Tom & Jerry's. And though we spent several hours on our laptops to finish up the last of our weekend work, we'll be able to leave for North Dakota on Wednesday, with clear consciences and empty inboxes.

And with nearly two weeks of blogging checked off my list, I'm on to the next to-do--cuddling up with a book on the couch.

Got Rice?

Another week, a few more miles, and too much in the way of eventful things.

Tuesday my beloved and I hauled our sorry selves to the gym, where we logged a couple easy miles on some brand-spankin' new treadmills at the CAC--one of many fabulous renovations/upgrades done recently. And I don't mean just new treadmills--I mean new treadmills that can calculate pace per mile, mile per hour, calories burned, and whip up a mean latté, all while also calculating the square root of pi and the fastest route to world peace.

There was a decided lack of miles for the entire rest of the week while both us ran back and forth from the vet's office (Jared even more so than I) with one very sick Great Dane. A stomach bug laid our normally rambunctious Copley low for a few days, and was followed immediately by the return of what we'd thought was a cured UTI. By Saturday, though, after two days of eating nothing but Pepcid AC, rice, and chicken, she was back to her vivacious self. After another trip to the vet, some last Christmas shopping, and several hours of RunBoston-related tasks, we were too zonked to even considering heading into the icy rain for any miles, let along long ones.

By Sunday, we were rested up and ready to rock. And rock we did, with 5.3 miles back to the CAC for a quick lift, then another almost 4 miles home. The icing of the cake was, as always, a hot steaming dark roast for me, and a latté for my better half.

Now for cookies and Tom & Jerry's...