I ran the Boston Marathon ! :)

I did it!!

After all of the great advice Coach Jack Fultz (1976 Boston Marathon winner) gave us, I kept these "Jackisms" in mind the day of the marathon:

1. If you think you think you're running too slow, you're probably running too fast.
2. Think of this as a 17 mile training run, and then a 9 mile race.
3. This is your graduation/celebration, enjoy it!

The marathon started in a few waves... first the wheelchair group, then the elite women, elite men/wave 1 and finally wave 2 (us!). SO, all of the other runners had started, and at 10:30 wave 2 was to begin. Walking to the start line was crowded, but nothing like Chicago or NYC... it felt like i was lining up to run a 5k or 10k. There were probably about 10,000 in wave 2, but that is the typical size for the Cincinnati Thanksgiving day race 10k (2009 is the 100th annual!), or the Reggae Run 5k (also in Cincy). Starting in Hopkinton gave it that smaller race feel... i still didn't feel like i was going to be running the Boston Marathon! At about 10:36 we crossed the start line.... and off we went! The 4 of us started together: Deb, Meg, Beth and myself. It was crowded, but nothing too crazy. We paced ourselves and didn't cut in and out of the runners (which can waste energy), we kept is steady. It felt hilly... lots of down hill.. TONS of downhill, and a bit up hill here and there.. next thing ya know we hit mile 1, mile 2, 3, 5K... we were trucking along nicely through slapping hands of the fans as we ran through Ashland... and into Framingham passing where i had dinner that Thursday before. Framingham to me felt like the biggest crowd thus far. Karen P was possibly going to be there on her lunch break around mile 7, i looked and looked and missed her.... these first 10 miles are a bit blurry for me. not being familiar with these towns and this part of the course, it just felt like alot of up and down and windy roads. Continuing with Deb, we bumped into some other runners i was very happy to see- Steve B, Shifter, Tania (and her two friends) and lots of other fellow DFMCers.

Next, I was looking forward to seeing my parents at mile 10 in Natick (pronounced NATE-ICK unlike my parents pronouncing it NAT- ICK all weekend which is actually how it is spelled- typcial for towns all around Boston to pronounce something easy and make it different/difficult!). Natick was very crowded... just past the waterstop up to the left i saw Mom and Dad! Just after i thought i had missed them somehow, i saw them there cheering! Next, off to Wellesley and the notorious Wellesley girl screaming fans! At this point i'm thinking now i'm familiar with the next 16 miles, i have run these miles before. Wellesley seems like a long stretch. As we made it through the wooded parts Deb says " I thought we're supposed to hear the Wellesley girls a mile away". I said, "yah, why can't we hear them yet?" Steve B says..." you will, you will, don't worry!". Just a few minutes later we could hear it off in the distance. Constant screams, as if you're at a NKOTB concert or something... all girls screaming nonstop. As we approach the college the girls are lined up on the right side on the road, lots of signs that say "Kiss a First Year" or "Kiss me I'm Asian" So funny.... there is alot of history with the male runners running up and kissing the girls... you can read more about it here at this Wellesley College article. After Wellesley College and seeing Deb's parents we continue through Wellesley and Wellesley Hills... this seems like a long stretch! I decided I should start looking for a porta-potty. I this point we had been drinking water and Gatorade at almost every stop, i needed to empty my bladder! i just needed to get it taken care of before Newton and the hills. All of them had lines of runners about 8 deep. i didn't want to wait that long... At mile 16 i saw a runner running out of Starbucks! I ran in there... perfect! I think it added on 4 minutes or so... i had to wait for 1 person, but it was worth it- thanks Deb for waiting! Feeling much better, we continued into Newton, passing the Newton Wellesley Hospital and Woodland T stop- where we had many times taken the T on our training runs of last 9 miles back into Boston... WOW, we were almost at Comm Ave!! 9 to go! The 9 i was most familiar with.

At the bottom of Comm ave & the firehouse there were TONS of people! D eb was expecting Matt here to jump in, but before that we saw Ronde with Michelle (Deb's dog and neighbor!). As Matt jumped in to run with us and i said.. "i'm going to get started up this first hill".... and started on up hill #1 (of 3). This was probably the longest hill and most gradual of the 3. I turned back to look and i didn't see them, so i decided to look for Bette and Kelly in the crowd on the left - and there they were, right where they said they would be! A quick hello to them, and another turn looking back and no Deb and Matt... i was hoping all was OK, and figured i just needed to push through these hills/last 9 miles. I had my name on my shirt, so lots of fans were yelling "Go Anne" and "Thank you Dana Farber!" I always looked over and waived and said thank you! At this point it was getting tough to do that... i had to focus on getting up the hill. But all of these words helped tremendously! The nice thing about these hills is that there is always a downhill that is equal. Thank goodness! I can coast on downhills... just then on the first downhill i saw Stephanie, another DFMC runner. We chatted for a bit and talked about our possible finish times... at this point i realized i was right on target to finish about the same as my PR of 4:27. So that became my goal at around mile 18, to run it at 4:27 or as close to it as possible. Up hill #2 and down again...i began to think about seeing my parents at mile 20- the bottom of heartbreak hill. This is where my Dad planned to jump in and run up the hill with me. Again, just after a waterstop,there they were on the left. I saw my dad take off his jacket and he jumped in! We ran up the hill together. I don't know if it's because my dad distracted me or all of the training on this hill, but heartbreak hill was NOT bad for me! I passed runners and weaved in and out of walkers, i wanted to get up that hill and feel good, and i did it! Even with a bit of talking to my dad... although i preferred not to talk and just listen, i got some words out as i cranked up the hill. Up at the top we coasted down, and just before the Boston College T stop he stopped to meet back with Mom, and he left me to finish the last 6 on my own. However, it wasn't really on my own, i had these fantastic people helping me get there... the cheering spectators! From the bottom of heartbreak hill until the end the course was lined with screaming fans yelling MY name on my shirt... and yelling Go Dana Farber! Plus, I was looking forward to mile 23 and mile 25 where i was to see some friends. Finishing off Comm ave i started to really feel these headwinds they were talking about... the wind whipped through my as I made my turn through Cleveland Circle and onto Beacon St. This is where i was last year cheering on my cousin and friends... which is when i decided i needed to run the Boston Marathon. I came upon the CVS and scanned the crowd the right side... there was Kat, Steve and Ashley screaming my name. it really gives me a burst of energy and excitement... puts a big smile on my face when i see friends! I kept on trucking.... and next Mile 25 is when i needed to see more familiar faces. I started to feel a blister on my right big toe... and thought forget the blister, this is it, i can still make my goal. I pushed and pushed... looking for the address 921 Beacon... and saw Jen, Danielle, Dave and Tom!! They cheered for me too :) giving me the push to get through!! Next thing i know, i'm in Kenmore Square. It felt so OPEN in the middle of this 5 way intersection running through... this was it. I hardly even paid any attention to that darn Citgo sign that apparently haunts you those last 2 miles into Kenmore Sq. I was already there! 1.2 miles to go! Finishing Comm Ave, going under that bridge all i could hear was myself and the other runners breathing and our tired feet hitting the pavement. I looked down at my watch. I knew i had about a half mile to go and the final .2 ... i had been running for 4:20 something minutes. This was it, just a few minutes and i would be finished! Running up that little hill and down to the turn onto Hereford... the crowd screaming... it was an amazing experience. Then the final turn onto Boylston... and there it is.. the finish line .2 miles away. I pushed it in there, I surprised myself at how i pushed it.. trying to keep /beat my PR. Finishing at 4:28:11. :) I was a happy girl!!

I completed the 2009 Boston Marathon!

Marathon weekend has arrived!!

It was a quite a busy marathon weekend. Thursday night i spent several hours driving the course, overall it took 4 hours (dinner included)! After work we hopped in the car and set out on Comm Ave going backwards on the course towards Hopkinton, MA. With Thursday night traffic, it took a bit of time to get there. However, i wanted to do it being unfamiliar with the first 10 miles of the course. I have never been to Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham center or Natick center. We made it to Hopkinton and saw the start line (pic below), and drove back all the way in 26.2 into Boston. Getting home after 10pm i felt exhausted afterwards, and i was only driving!

With a very busy work week completed, I took it easy on Friday night eating a homemade meal at home with my parents. Saturday was dedicated for the Expo. Picked up the DFMC materials, my race number, chip and other goodies, we headed into the expo to look around. it was extremely crowded on Saturday morning. I had my heart set on the marathon jacket, and possibly another item if it caught my eye. We left an hour later with a new running pouch (to carry my shot blocks and ipod), and headband. I decided to hit up Marathon Sports on Boylston for my jacket, the expo Adidas area was way too overwhelming and crowded to wait in line and try things on... Another long day of driving around, etc i was at home ready for more rest, good food and more hydration. Sunday was another big day, first off to Paige's Baptism in S. Dartmouth, MA where i was asked to be her Godmother. After the mass and baptism, sadly i was unable to stay very long in order to be back in Boston for the DFMC Pasta Party. Back in Boston i experienced my first DFMC marathon pasta party. The program included speakers from Dana Farber, Bill Rogers, Uta Pipping, Delores Barr Weaver, Jan Ross and of course the one and only Jack Fultz. The dinner was quite inspirational hearing words from previous marathon winners, DFMC 5, 10, 15 and 20 year runners, families with cancer patients fighting for their lives, and those that have lost loved ones to cancer. Thank you DFMC for hosting a great event! That night, i organized my bag for the race, my clothes for the run, showered and got to bed early.

Marathon Monday finally arrived!! Meg, David (her bandit runner fiance), Beth and I met a Deb's for a ride out to Hopkinton. Matt and Ronde (Deb's husband their westie doggie) were very generous to drive us at 6:30am to the start. Arriving at the church where the DFMC runners await start we snapped a quick few pics.

Waiting for the start of wave 2, we decorated or running singlets, assembled for a DFMC team photo, listened to a last few words from Jack, used the restroom many times, ate bagels, bananas, power bars, as we awaited our start time of 10:30am.

Finally it was time for us to line up! Lining up at the start, i couldn't believe the time had arrived, it was time to run the Boston Marathon!!

More to follow..........

Just 5 more days!!

5 days to go until we will be lining up in Hopkington. lots to do between now and then..... a few runs, the parents arriving, the expo, Paige's baptism, the DFMC pasta party... finalizing logistics, and where everyone will be on the course!

I want to know where to see friends and family so i can look forward to seeing you along the way!

As of now there is NO rain predicted, but it was in the forcast yesterday.... please please no rain!

http://www.boston.com/sports/marathon/course/map/ a new interactive map

Recap of Saturday's Run

I got up extra early on Saturday so that I would be sure to get to Boston College on time for the run! We were asked to arrive at 7:30AM at the Flynn Field House. With a bit of stretching, socializing and a few Dana Farber team announcements we were off on our run. From BC (approx mile 22) we took a left onto Comm Ave. running the course backwards. Running on the hills of Comm Ave were not a problem at all on Saturday morning as we all chatted about the warm weather, celebrity gossip and the logistics of marathon Monday. After running about 4 miles on Comm Ave, we took a sharp left at "the firehouse" onto Route 16/Washington St. going past the Woodland Golf Course, Wellesley Hospital, across I95 (128) through Newton and Wellesley.... Continuing up "Grossman's Hill", and past Wellesley College, and into Natick. This is my first time running past Woodland to Natick. My legs were feeling good as i was running with Deb, and running into fellow DFMC team member and old school Cincinnati neighbor Steve Boschert, and also running with other team member Susan. Most charities were training and running on the course Saturday which made for crowded sidewalks and lots of set up waterstops along the way. There was some cheering from the volunteers which was nice to see! Unfortunately Deb's leg was not cooperating from a nagging fibula situation. So around mile 10.25 we decided to turn back towards Boston and look for help/make a decision for what she should do. We ran for another mile or so when she decided she needed to walk and find Coach Jack. I wished her well and continued on back in running with Stephanie, a DFMC teammate i had just met, and then more with Susan. While running with Susan I learned what "Grossman's Hill" is, well, what is was named after... a hardware store at the bottom of the hill. Which I found sort of odd. There has got to be some more significance to that... but maybe not... as we pondered that running back through Wellesley and over I95, i caught up with Paul and Kevin at a waterstop. I decided to run back in with the two of them tackling the hills on Comm Ave. back to Boston College. These hills were different this time. Normally i categorize the "hills" into 3 hills. 2 medium sized hills and 1 last big hill- heartbreak hill. However, today after running 15/16 or whatever it was at that point, my mind was thinking I had already run 3 hills before we had even arrived to the final Heartbreak hill! One last waterstop at the bottom of the hill and as Kevin put it "Here goes nothing" we ran up the hill. I looked at my watch. it took us 4 minutes to run up it. Not to bad really. 4 minutes out of your full 4: XX marathon time, is nothing when you think about it! There were a few spectators giving out encouraging words at the top of the hill. i was thinking to myself how during marathon day, that crowd is going to carry me up that hill. no doubt about that. Once we hit the top, i noticed another bit of an incline that i had never even noticed before. I thought is this hill #5?!? Then i took it back, it wasn't even big enough to really be a hill... but I think i did officially change my count of these hills from 3- 4. I will go back and count again this weekend... :)

From BC to Natick and back

Tomorrow is the 22 mile run from Boston College (mile 21 on the Boston Marathon course) to Natick (mile 10)and back to Boston College. 22 Miles on the course tomorrow. It will be my first time on the earlier part of the course.

Preparing for a training run is almost like prepping for the marathon day. Stomach full of pasta, lots of water, rest & carefully choosing my running clothes for the day based on weather and distance.

pasta:
Today at lunch myself and two coworkers had planned to hit the Lexington Greater Boston Running Company for some shopping. I needed to buy some shot blocks for the 22 mile run, and also picked up some running socks, and my coworker Colleen needed new shoes badly. We picked up lunch across the street where the eggplant parm penne was on special, so i decided to carbo load at lunch time today. I also made some whole wheat spaghetti for dinner tonight.

Water:
I needed extra caffeine today at work, so i got started on the water later than i wanted to, but have been drinking a decent amount tonight. Between now and tomorrow before i leave i will drink at least a liter. I tend to drink water throughout the night (always have a bottle of water next to my bed).

Rest:
Fridays have become traditionally very busy at my job... trying to squeeze as much as possible in by the end of the week. Today was a bit overwhelming and stressful trying to meet deadlines multi tasting dozens of projects at once; with several fires to put out today. Did not make for a very restful day. however when i got home from work, i took Murray on a 2 mile walk; talked to a friend and my brother Tim on the phone for a bit; just before winding down with my pasta and Grey's Anatomy (it's so good right now!).

Carefully choosing my running clothes:
I picked my long sleeved dry knit 2006 NYC Marathon shirt and either my mid calf tights or a running skirt. Yes, i said running skirt! They have become a new popular running item, check the Runners World article here from the July 2008 issue by Kristin Armstrong (Lance's ex wife).

I have not worn it yet, which makes me not sure i want to wear it tomorrow for a 22 miler. i want to wear something i know will not rub the wrong way (the tights I wore during the NYC 06 Marathon & on many other runs). Although this skirt has very good reviews online. I bought it last fall, and i have been wanting to test it out! Check it out here.

Now i should really get more rest and go to bed. More to come tomorrow!

26.2 Days until the Boston Marathon!

It's officially 26.2 days until the Boston Marathon! Wow, it's coming fast!

I am feeling good about training! On March 15 I did a long run of 20 miles out in Wayland, MA. It was a very rural run through winding roads, various wildlife reserves, all the way to route 2, where we turned around at mile 10 to head back. I have been running steadily with Deb, Meg and Beth during team runs, and we were quite excited to run back at that point. However, around mile 12 we didn't realize how much uphill we had going back, and we all got very quiet. with the cars going by on the street we had to run single file, we didn't have much conversation going. so... we tried to come up with some new topics of conversations to keep our minds off how many miles we had to go. once we hit the next water stop i think we all felt much better. we finished strong at 3 hours and 5 minutes (not counting our chatty time at the waterstops w/ the volunteers)!! so we ran a steady 9:25 pace. I felt good about it. Thanks to these girls who helped me keep going, and of course the volunteers at the water stops!

Last weekend we locked in a 13 mile run. It seemed to go pretty quick for me. i felt better than i thought i would, considering i didn't sleep well. I didn't want to get up for the run, but knowing that i would have my running girls to run with.. it made me get up and go. we did a out an back from BSC Waltham. Chatting it up through winding roads of Lincoln to who knows where.... and back (not familiar with this area!), past horses and some beautiful homes, we logged our long run for the week!

This saturday is the last LONG run. it's a 20-22 mile run starting at Boston College out to Wellseley and back to Boston College. we will run the course backwards to Wellseley and back again... it will be tough, but definetly do-able. you may even say i'm looking forward to it!! :)

I attended Deb's Wine Tasting Fundraiser at Gordon's on Saturday. I have included a pictures of myself, Beth, Meg and Deb!


26.2 days and counting!


PS. we got our bib numbers. I am # 22472!!

THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you so much for coming my Dana Farber Marathon Challenge fundraiser event last Thursday at Vlora.

I really appreciate your attendance at the event and for your very generous donations to the Dana Farber Cancer Institute. The Dana Farber Marathon Challenge directs 100% of funds raised to the Barr Program, which enables gifted young scientists at the leading edge of discovery to achieve better cure rates and to enhance patients' quality of life. Through your donation, you have personally been able to help these scientists find a cure.

The past few months have been a real eye opener for me. When i took on this challenge, i looked at is as an equal two part project: fundraising $6,500 & training to run 26.2 miles. I knew both would be tough, and i wasn't sure which would be more challenging than the other. Initially i started to focus on my fundraising plan and once i got that underway i started to focus on the running. On the fundraising front, I am almost at 75% of my goal! Just the other night at the fundraising event, i received over $1000 in donations! It really amazes me that each each one of you is willing to reach into your wallet/bank account and give money. I want you to know how much I appreciate your donation to cancer research through my fundraising program. I am truly touched by what you have given.

It's 6 weeks to Marathon Monday, and I wouldn't be here if it wasn't for your help!

The best of luck to each of you who bought a square on my "Guess Anne's Marathon Time" Board. I will be in touch with the winner the day after the race. I will look for your on the course!

Thank you once again for your continued support!

Fundraiser - TONIGHT!

I am keeping my fingers crossed for a very successful fundraising event tonight at Vlora. See you there!

Hyannis Half Marathon

Back on Feb 22 I ran the Hyannis Half Marathon! Hyannis is about an hour and a half south on the Cape. I drove down with fellow DFMC team member Paul that morning. The weather was warmer than predicted... there was snow/rain in the forcast. Setting out to run the half marathon i was nervous! i get nervous of the unknown. Not knowing what the weather will be, if i will have a cramp, or a tight muscle, anything can throw off the race. My goal is to feel good, finish strong and hopefully beat my PR. The last half i ran was in Oct. 2007, the Boston Half Marathon that I hardly trained for. I finished in 2:10. I know i have finished one of the Cincinnati Flying Pig Half marathons in 2:05, so close to 2 hours was going to be my goal, even better if it was under 2hours. I ran the course, sort of bored, i had no running pals with me! Paul ran ahead, and Beth, another DFMCer, was going to be there, but i didn't end up seeing her until mile 12 when she tapped me on the shoulder to say hi (and then she sped up the hill- Beth is good at uphill!). I ran by my lonesome... and actually listened to my iPod, which i don't think i have EVER done during a race. I don't prefer it, but it gave me some good distraction over the 13.1 miles. My preference is to take in the race and talk with fellow running friends.

I finised at 1:58, just in time to miss the oncoming rain!

The map of the course is below. The full marathon runners had to run the same 13.1 route twice! I think that would be tough!

Running snacks are YUMMY

As a mentioned previous, my favorite running treat is the Cliff Shot Blok- Strawberry flavor, actually all flavors are delicious. I need to stop and buy a few more on my way home from work today, actually, i should look into buying in bulk! The ingredients sound sort of gross, but they give you what you need to keep running, and they taste good!

Ingredients:
CLIF Shot Bloks
Clif® SHOT® BLOKS™ are organic energy chews that naturally enhance your performance. Because they're chewable, they're easier to grab, store, handle, and consume than many energy options.

Features/Benefits
- Serving size: 3 pieces
- 2 servings per bag
- Consumer 3 - 6 SHOT BLOKS every hour during activity; always follow consumption with water
- Each serving contains 20 mg potassium, 24 g carb, 20 mg sodium
- Ingredients include organic brown rice syrup, organic evaporated cane juice, organic brown rice syrup solids
- Each bag weighs 2.1 ounces
- Multiple flavors available

Regarding GU, Chocolate was the only flavor I will buy. I have issues trying to eat them, so I try imagine that it's chocolate icing, and I can deal with it. For some reason I still buy them because I feel like I should mix GU and Shot Bloks throughout my runs. However, I could probably give up GU completely! I remember the first time I tried it when i was training for Chicago in 2000, I thought it was pretty gross. I avoided it as long as possible, but finally had to start eating them! I am so glad that now there are so many options that are also delicious! WOW- I am getting hungry!

Map My Run

I was checking out this website, pretty cool!! Maybe i'll run this soon:

Interactive Boston Marathon Map

I found this map: http://www.boston.com/sports/marathon/map_interactive/

There are tabs on the top of the map that show you miles, communities, stages, start and finish... and discribes each of them. Click on the markers on the map to read the discription, and of course you can zoom into the map to view it larger.

I think this will help me as I become more familiar with the course, and also can help spectators, like my parents who will be here watching.

I like maps, if anyone knows of any other good ones, let me know!

DFMC Runs!

Just got home from running 14 miles this morning with the Dana Farber team. When i woke up i checked the weather, it said 20 degrees, feels like 6 degrees, so i put on all of my layers, hat, neck warmer, gloves, etc. It's a sunny day, so once we got started it felt ok, i felt a little warm actually. However, stopping for water and snacks (strawberry shot blocks are yummy!!) makes you feel the cold air. On a few hills i could feel the wind more than others. We did the marathon route backwards out to mile 17 marker and then back in to watertown, 7 each way. the hills are rough in spots, but do-able. however after 17 miles of running i don't know how i will feel about getting through those hills. the crowd will be a big help i think. I ran w/ Deb the entire way, and caught up w/ Meg and Beth. The 4 of us were together the second half. Going back over bridge above the Mass Pike was tough. we had about a half mile, and gusts of cold wind go right through you running over the bridge. there are times i want to take my hat off b/c it's feeling warm, but when you feel those winds you're glad you have a hat on for sure! we fininshed around 2 hours and 10 minutes or so, none of us had the exact timing on our watch. I felt good the whole time until that last 1/2 mile, it really did me in.. plus the cars/snow banks/traffic right at the Brighton/Watertown intersections were a bit scary. Of course we had a few angry drivers honking and gesturing. but, we were running single file, just on the white line on the side of the road, there is no where else to go when the sidewalks are covered i snow and ice.. i have to admit, i was glad for this run to be over and to be back in the warm Mt. Auburn Club for the post race buffet!!

Let it Snow!

It has been a snowy few weeks... and i have been running in it. However, a second sunday now that i have missed my running plans due to snow. I was planning to drive down to Reynam mass for the frostbite 15k this morning. however, the roads were too bad, lots and lots of snow coming down all morning. it finally stopped around 1pm, and i went out to shovel, dig out my car, and take murray on a walk. Finally got my Yak Trax and tried them! I tried them as i walked murray, they were great!! except for when the snow was higher than my heal of my foot... snow then creeped into my shoe/sock area. I came back dropped Murray off and then went back out for a run. Again, i thought they were great, except for in the higher snow areas b/c my ankles got wet and it was hard to run in the deep snow... maybe someday they will come out w/ running boots for snow?? :)

I was very frustrated this morning with the snow situation and not going to the race... but it felt great getting out there to run this afternoon. Not only did i try out my new yak trax, but also a new running jacket, hat and tights. I got all 3 at the Lexington Greater Boston Running Company. they were extremely helpful there! They have alot to choose from as well. I highly recommend going there to buy your running gear or to go on a scheduled group run!

Well, it's almost midnight, and it's been snowing again, another few inches were on my car when i just pulled it in my driveway. Not sure how much snow we got today, I wouldn't be surprised if it was a foot total!

I have attached a few pics from today!

I may reconsider....

Running the Boston Prep 16 miler in Derry NH.

I'm not feeling ready.. and i could run a 14-16 mile group run with DFMC instead here in Boston.

I have heard horror stories about this race and I don't know if i want to get out there in the potentially sub freezing temps, and not run a good race. If i have to walk by myself in this weather in the secluded mountains, I will be quite an UNHAPPY runner.

As a supportive friend said, "there are vulchers and ice picks on the tee shirt/website for crying out loud!! After all you are training for Boston, not Derry." This is true!

I will make a decision soon.

Boston Marathon Count Down Event March 5th ~ 7-9pm ~

You’re Invited!

Please join me in the Boston Marathon count down to benefit the Dana Farber Cancer Institute

Thursday, March 5, 2009

7:00 pm - 9:00 pm

Vlora Restaurant
545 Boylston St.
Boston, MA 02118
(entrance is downstairs)

Featuring…
Authentic Mediterranean hour devours
Cash bar available
Drawing for many fabulous prizes
“Guess Anne’s marathon time game”

$20 donation suggested

I'm about to embark on one of the biggest challenges of my life: completing the 2009 Boston Marathon. But my personal quest, no matter how difficult it will be for me, pales in comparison to the challenge facing cancer patients. By participating in the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge (DFMC), I'm supporting Dana-Farber Cancer Institute’s goal to find better therapies and, ultimately, cures for cancer. While training and logging hundreds of miles between now and April 20, 2009, I ask for your support. I ask for your support through words of encouragement, running expertise, and last but not least your monetary support towards my $6,500 fund raising goal to the Dana-Farber Institute. I have put together a fundraising website in which you could make a dontation online: http://www.runDFMC.org/annew2009

Thank you for helping me help Dana-Farber reach the ultimate finish line:
a world without cancer.

I look forward to seeing you there,
Please bring a guest or five!
awestrich45208@yahoo.com


Parking at Vlora: valet parking available $16; parking lot on Claredon Street right next to Skipjack's $10 dollars after 5pm; minutes away from the Green line (both Arlington and Copley) and Orange line (Backbay station) for those guests who will be taking the T.
http://www.vloraboston.com/

Yak Trax!

I'm so excited.. YAK TRAX is what i have been looking for... they are the running treads I was searching for online and could not find.

I'm going to buy them tonight at the Greater Boston Running Company in Lexington.. before or after my run with the group there. I hope they really work. here is a link to a site that has some good info. www.beginnertriathlete.com/cms/article-detail.asp?articleid=1080, and here is the original product info link i found: http://www.yaktrax.com

P.S. It's 31 degrees right now... wow that's a heat wave for us lately!

Fundraiser Party! SAVE THE DATE!

I am planning my fundraiser event! Good news, I think I found a great location- Vlora, 545 Boylston St. I have been here for an event before, which led me to call them. They are extremely interested in hosting charity events, so please give them a call if you're looking for a venue. Here is the link: http://www.vloraboston.com/

The dates I am considering are: Thursday Feb 19 and Thursday March 5. Please save these possible dates. I think Thursdays work for several reasons. Runners need to stay in on Friday or Sat. night if they plan to run a Sat. or Sun. AM. I hope everyone can make it into Boston for a night of fun!

There will be a drawing for some prizes, as well as appetizers! More information to follow once it's confirmed!

If you have anything that you would like to donate please contact me. It would be greatly appreciated!

Brrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr!

It is COLD here in Boston, and it's making it tough to train! I knew it would be cold, but didn't think much about how hard it would be to run outside on icy snow covered sidewalks. it's tough to run in the street, dodging cars and snow and ice... it makes for a stressful run. Our group run was cancelled this morning due to the snow storm that came through last night/this morning!

I am realizing i may have to start thinking about going to the gym and running inside more often, which i do not like. i prefer running outside. i think i may invest in a pair of running shoe snow tread attachments. I heard about them at one of our meetings for DFMC, it attaches to your shoe to give you more traction in the snow/ice. I hope they work!

I have signed up for a few upcoming races. The Frostbite 15K is next Sunday in Reynard Ma. I signed up for the Hyannis Half Marathon on Feb 22, and also the Boston Prep 16 miler in Derry NH, which is often referred to just as "Derry". And, i have heard this race is extremely hard! I hope I am prepared for these runs!
Here are the links to the race websites.

http://www.baevents.com/frostbite/
http://www.hyannismarathon.com/schedule.php
http://www.coolrunning.com/major/09/bostonprep/

I am packing my bag to go to the gym tomorrow after work, i am not going to try and run in the ice/snow again in the dark. Tuesday I am thinking of heading to the Greater Boston Running Company run at 6pm at the Lexington Store for the first time.

I am looking for a venue to hold my fundraiser party in Boston. I am thinking it should be in Feburuary or early March. If anyone has ideas please let me know! More info to follow!

It's time to put the running in high gear

Happy New Year 2009!

I have to admit that I did not do a good share of running over the holidays. With travelling and way too many of my Cincinnati holiday favorite foods and homecooked meals, it's time to buckle down and run run run!

Thank you to everyone who was so generous to donate recently to my fundraising for Dana Farber. I am behind at recognizing everyone on this page, but will update it very shortly. Thank you so much!

I am brainstorming some ideas for a fundraiser event in Boston. If anyone has ideas of locations, etc. Please let me know. Otherwise, look for more information on that soon!

Running recently has been challenging in the ice and snow. But once I get out there it isn't bad, sometimes it's a must to run in the street due to the snow covered sidewalks. I have met a few friends that live close to me in Watertown who are also running the marathon, so i look forward to many snowy runs with them.

I am going to be learning even more about disease research, including cancer research due to my new job! I just started my new job this week at a Medical Research/Life Sciences company. Our clients are Research Scientists, including Dana Farber! I have alot to learn, but it is very exciting stuff.

I think i'm going to sign up for a half marathon very soon, and also plan to run 10 or so this weekend! Hopefully no ice for the weekend!