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!