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 

Carbs: A Girl's Best Friend

There are many great things about running I've come to appreciate over the years. The high after a great run, the sense of accomplishment after reaching a personal goal, the rewards of hard work and dedication. But one outweighs the rest, and that is carb loading.

Ok, maybe it isn't the greatest part of running, but it sure ranks high on the list.  Training for an endurance event is like a free pass to carb city. Physically, your body needs carbs for energy and to fuel workouts. It only takes one run to realize what it feels like when you haven't eaten enough carbs. When I trained for my half marathon last fall, soon into the training I thought, "This is great! I pretty much have to eat Brueggers Bagels on a regular basis!"

I will leave this post with an image of my week 2 Wednesday morning breakfast - an example of carb loading at it's finest. Coconut cashew chocolate chip pancakes from Friendly Toast in Kendall Square. Absolutely, amazing!

Toe Caps... Who'd have thought?

One thing for sure is that understanding your body as a runner and the experimenting with different type of gear is half the battle. I still remember running a 5K in high school with completely inappropriate trail running shoes which were all wrong. At that point I picked the sneaker that I thought looked the coolest, with no attention to whether it was actually the right shoe for my foot and body. I ended that race in extreme pain from shin splits, with no understanding why. 'I must not have trained hard enough. My body isn't responding! I'm frustrated!'

Little did I know it was the wrong sneaker for me. It didn't take long for me to realize that when you have the wrong fit or support, your body is working double time. Running is hard enough on the body, the key is finding a shoe that works for and not against you!

I have listed some of the gear I could not run without. I have come upon many of these simply through trial and error.

My must haves for winter running:

• Ear band, gloves (they make you look fast, it's a fact), running tights, tissues (stuff them in sleeve).
• Non-cotton socks - My feet have never been happier (and dryer)
• Toe Caps - if you know what black toe it, these are little pieces of heaven
• Brooks Adrenaline, Narrow - 1 whole size bigger than I wear in a dress shoe
• Wicking Base layer
• Wicking Mid-layer (the zipper helps when you inevitably feel over heated)

The strangest thing about winter running is that you need much less than you think. I made the mistake once of heading out for a run in 20 degree weather wearing FIVE layers: a cotton tank top, a thermal top, a base layer, a fleece lined mid layer, and a wind proof shell. I was roasting within 5 minutes. Less really is more!

Toe caps are little silicon coverings that slip over your toe to protect the nail. Black toe (it's as pleasant as it sounds) results from the nail constantly pressing against some part of your shoe - either the front if your sneakers are too short, or the bottom, if your toes have a tendency to grip or claw the bottom with each stride (which is what I was doing) Toe caps are amazing! It's the little finds like this that make me (and any runner) very happy.

That concludes Week 1 of training. Time to eat! Tonight's menu: garlic and pepper marinated pork loin (from Meat House yum!), brussel sprouts and homemade asparagus risotto. And yes, one of the best parts of running is eating! After all, they say your workout is not complete until you've refueled. I've got that part down!

First Team Saturday Run

Laying in bed Friday night, I felt like a kid on the eve of the first day of school. I'll admit it, I was excited for the first team run the next morning! I had all my gear out and ready. I woke up the next morning, ate my trusted bagel, got ready and was out the door by 7:30am to catch the T. There were more people out and about than I would have thought. I guess 7:30 isn't that early.

We all met at 8am in Back Bay at BSC. What a gym! I couldn't believe how big it is! Before our run, we gathered in a room and had our first clinic. Shane from Marathon Sports gave a great talk on proper footwear, apparel and gear.

Some things I thought were interesting:

• Cotton is the runner's worst enemy (it absorbs and holds moisture = makes you feel wet and uncomfortable while running)
• The ideal running form is like that of a marching solider, straight up and down, rather than leaning forward. Leaning puts your weight over your knees in an unnatural way and could lead to pain.
• Your knee should track directly over your ankle with each stride. This prevents injury and knee/leg/foot pain.

The actual run was good, a little icy at some spots which required high, little short steps to get past and avoid falling. When you run in a large group you naturally fall in line with those who are your same pace. I was happy that three others ran a similar pace as I, and so we stuck together.

After some stretching and visiting with my new teammates post-run, everyone slowly started trickling out. I headed to Marathon Sports, to check out their 30% off sale on winter apparel. Shane's 'informational session' clearly had an impact, and hey, I can't resist a sale. I was in need of a running jacket, which I had been thinking about getting to round out my winter/spring running wear. It blocks the wind and rain, and is light weight so you can wear it over a mid layer, or even just a base layer as the weather warms up.

When I arrived at the store, half the team was there! Everyone was stocking up on tops, compression tights, jackets, sneakers. One thing's for sure, we'll all be looking good on our next run!