Once again I find myself just two weeks away from the starting line of the Boston Marathon. Having been humbled in 2003 by the course (heartbreak hill), and in 2004 by the weather (85 degrees), I am back again to give it a 3rd try. Although my time last year was the "least memorable" of my 15 marathons to date, I did not walk a single foot of the race and was greatly motivated to finish due to the generous contributions from so many of you.

Along with others from Deloitte, I am raising money for Brigham and Women's Hospital on behalf of Ellen Gabriel. Thanks to the generosity of many of you, I have been able to raise nearly $11,000 in the last two years. This year I hope to have even better success in fundraising, and a better race time wouldn't hurt either. Please consider donating to this worthy cause. In the spirit of the race distance, a donation of $2/mile equals $52, $5/mile equals $131, and so on. Quite frankly, that last mile deserves a lot more! To donate, click on the attached link; it is simple, fast and secure.

My training has been going well, 30 to 40 miles per week, with lots of extra hill work to get ready for that special form of pain. The picture to the left is my most recent marathon last October, the St. George marathon in Southern Utah.

Many thanks for your support. Doug Barton