Directional Signs

When I look back on how I came to this place in my [running] life, it was anything but a straight shot. By no means did I wake up one particularly motivated day and say, "I'm going to train for a marathon." Rather it was a series of twists and turns. The best way to explain is to describe the path which led me here...

I decided to run my first half marathon in Fall 2010, after my roommate had run the year prior and inspired me. Then, 13 miles was a daunting task, just like any new distance. But I was determined to take on the challenge. I googled "1/2 marathon training schedule", found one I liked, and started running.

Thinking ahead to those 10 mile runs and not wanting to go it alone, I set on a mission to find other people in the area to run with. So next, I googled 'Boston running groups' and was presented with a list of 15 or so. Some were outside the city, and others were in Cambridge, Somerville, and of course the prestigious B.A.A. (Boston Athletic Association) running club. Being new to the idea, little did I know most charge dues, have a coach, organize speed workouts once a week on a local track, and offer a environment for competitive running (aka people who have retired from the sport but still do it for fun).

Not ready to jump into a full fledged running club, I read online that a local running store had a run group that met Saturday mornings. This seemed a great alternative to a formal club, and it was right up the street. So I went that next Saturday.

The first time there was another runner my pace and was wanting to run the same distance, so we paired up. The week after, I wasn't so lucky. Everyone was much faster, and they left me in the dust (literally!). No way could I keep up with the other runners that week and their 7:30 pace (or something equally as speedy). They were all training for an upcoming marathon and after about a half mile, I fell behind.

Even though this didn't pan out, it was my first taste of organized group running with people I had never met, and it was fun (minus the leaving me in their dust part). I liked running with a complete stranger just as much as I did a friend, and it made the time fly by.

Still wanting to find other runners in the neighborhood (and my pace) to train with, I looked into two other groups that looked promising. One was TMIRCE (The Most Informal Running Club Ever), and the other was Community Running. I started with Community Running. They looked like a group of friendly runners, and they even volunteered together (I've been meaning to get back into volunteering, this could be a two for one).  And most importantly they welcomed all ability levels. The only disadvantages were that they charged a fee, and their meeting spot for long runs was across the river (meet to run at 7:30am on a Saturday, that means I would have to leave to catch the bus at 6:45am...). Nonetheless, I signed up to receive their daily emails.

Then one day, one of the members had posted a message about a new run group in the Brookline/Brighton/Allston area. Great! I thought, this was my neighborhood and would be very convenient. I was excited and emailed the group organizer to get on their mailing list.

This group was very unlike the first two. Since the group was brand new, there were no set runs, just members emailing out a location and time and asking if anyone wanted to join. I ran a few times with various people during the week and enjoyed the company.

Getting farther into my training, I was still hoping to find someone to run my long Saturday morning runs with. I emailed this group and a handful of people responded that they were interested. I ended up running consistently with a girl named Anita. It was great to have company and I really cherish those training runs. It was my first time exceeding 9 miles, and with the scenic backdrop of the Charles River on beautiful summer mornings... what could be better?

One Saturday, another member of the group came along. He was training for Chicago, and had dabbled in different running groups around town. He was also a member of TMIRCE - The Most Informal Running Club, the other group I had saw online that piqued my interest. Turns out this group was formed because the founder was fed up with pretentious running circles in Boston, so he and a few friends started their own and made it very clear that this was a fun, informal, running group for anyone. No dues and all ability levels welcome. It seemed to spread like wildfire, and in the three years it's been around, hundreds, if not thousands, have joined for a run at one point or another. And the greatest draw, besides the "informal" part, is that everyone sticks around for a pot luck breakfast where people socialize and refuel.

So the three of us continued on our run, and near the end, he pointed across the street at a playground area and said, "Oh, that's where TMIRCE meets for their runs." "That's where they meet?" I said. It was just over the BU bridge, and not hard to get to at all (maybe a 15 minute walk from my apartment). At that moment I felt he was my personal tour guide, guiding me in the direction of where I was meant to go next.

I continued running with Anita each week. I ran my half marathon in October, and for sure my training had paid off. What a great feeling!

Late Fall, I wanted to continue running to stay in shape, so I joined TMIRCE for their weekly runs. Immediately I was welcomed with open arms, and before I knew it I had a new running partner, Elisa. This was definitely more my scene. Just a friendly group of runners getting together each week, as much for the socialization and eating than for the actual running. And they begin each run with a striking of a gong!

One week, two of Elisa's friends joined. The four of us ran the usual loop around the Charles - up to the Museum of Science and back down the Cambridge side to the BU bridge - all in all about 6.5 miles. Me and one of the friends starting talking, and I learned they had both run two marathons and were training for their third. They don't strike me as marathoners, I thought. That was back when I thought someone who ran a marathon looked like an Olympian, with not an ounce of fat and a frame supporting well defined muscles. These girls looked just like any other girl in her 20s, but wow, they were not only one time marathoners, but were working on their third.

They had done their first two through Team in Training. At that point I had only briefly heard of TNT, but wasn't very familiar. She described the support they were given throughout, the fundraising component, and overall what a great experience it was. I tucked that conversation into the back of my mind, still no where close to signing up myself. Then I decided to make it a point to learn more, since the conversation did inspire me in some small way, or maybe a big way without even realizing it at the time. I came home and went to the TNT website, and watched the intro video, and was truly moved. What a great way to help a worthy cause, while fulfilling a life long dream!

Some weeks later, I saw ads on the subway for TNT - "We train to beat cancer" was their slogan. At that point I said fine, I'll call and attend an information session. The rest is history. I threw caution to the wind and signed up for the my first marathon!

Some may say it was just a matter of time before I signed up for my first marathon. This could not be any farther from the truth. Had I not been guided here, I am sure I would not have arrived of my own accord. I truly believe I was directed to where I am today. If I had never signed up for the Community Running list serve, I never would have learned about the Brookline/Brighton/Allston run group, and I never would have run with that guy who told me where TMIRCE met, and I never would have gone to TMIRCE to meet Elisa and her friends who told me about their experience with TNT. And without them telling me about it, I wouldn't have been inclined to look more into it and attend an informational session, and ultimately join the Boston TNT team and train for San Diego.

Sometimes life gives us directional signs as to where we are meant to be!

Aidan

Grab a tissue. This is a very touching story but exactly why I'm doing this.  When I am tired and worn out from training, I will remember Aidan!

The following correspondence is between a Team In Training participant and a donor. The TNT runner came home one night to the following note (and $100 donation) in his fundraising email. He has never met the Garveys. 

Note from Regina Garvey to TNT Participant Justin: 

In 1998, I ran 26.2 with TNT in Alaska. Never would I have guessed that 11 yrs. later, my own son would get A.L.L. (Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia). On Father's Day, I took my 5 1/2 y/o son, Aidan, to the ER w/ a reoccurring cough. He was diagnosed w/ A.L.L. & put in the ICU. He responded quickly to the chemo & was in remission w/in a wk. & given a 85% chance for a full recovery. A few days later he got the Swine Flu IN THE ICU & due to his low immune system, he passed away on July 17th, just 3 1/2 weeks after the nightmare began. We've started a non-profit to fight hospital-born illnesses, but need people like you to keep raising money to find a cure for cancer so other parents don't have to feel our pain. If you could remember Aidan when you are running, we'd really appreciate it.

THANK YOU, JUSTIN!

 Love, Regina Garvey

Justin's Response:

Dear Regina,

I make my living as a writer yet it took me days to compose an adequate response to your generous donation, and more importantly, to your story. I'm still not sure this does it justice.

When I look at my two daughters, ages 3 1/2 and 15 months, I can not comprehend the pain that you and your family have endured, nor can I understand the weight of the unanswered questions that remain.

A mentor and friend once told me "of whom much is given, much is expected". That expression popped into my head a few weeks ago and I had the realization, perhaps "epiphany" is a better word, that I've lived thus far a fortunate, maybe even insulated, life. It was time for me to do something to help others. I chose TNT because it would help me fulfill two goals: First, I wanted to give back, to help out my community in some way (LLS seemed to me a most worthwhile cause), and second, I've always wanted to run a marathon.

When I received your email Saturday evening, I read and reread and read it again. It brought tears to my eyes and a tangible purpose to my efforts now, next January in Phoenix, and hopefully, next April in Boston. One of my goals - perhaps a pipe dream I know - is to qualify in Phoenix for Boston. If my body holds up and I do earn a spot at Boston, I'd like to help you raise money for your non-profit by running Boston for Aidan. It will be my way of saying thank you and helping your cause. 

You poignantly asked that I remember Aidan during my run and on race day. Of course I will. Part of my plan is to dedicate certain miles to certain people. Mile One is for me. Miles Two and Three are for my daughters. Mile 18, supposedly one of the toughest to get through, is for my Aunt Kathy, who lost a leg to cancer some 30 years ago and has been on crutches ever since.

Others I'm sure will sponsor other miles. But Mile 26 is now taken.

It will be just Aidan and me. 

Yours,

Justin