Fri., 4/28

Afterthoughts:

The battle of the Boston Marathon is waged on a field of vast unknowns. At mile 17, for example, as the Newton hills loom, you ask yourself, If I hoof it now, will I have nothing left at the top, with over 5 miles to go? Every choice seems like a tactic with possibly dire consequences, and as a second-timer, I don't yet have the confidence, bred of hard-learned lessons, to venture into the void.

Six days after the race, I told Jayne and Jake that somewhere along the line, I might have to taste the bitter disappointment of dropping out before the finish -- it's happened to the best of 'em -- if only to explore the limits of what my body and mind can take.

Until then, of course, I bask in the glow of the 110th Boston Marathon and my achievement, which by many measures was successful and satisfying. I shaved more than 23 mins. off last year's time of 4:35:18, to finish at 4:11:41 (all those 4s and 1s -- a binary code of cheers and sweat and pain).

Last year, I set out to raise $5,000 for Pine Street Inn and I ended up raising over $6,000. So this year, I set my goal $1,000 higher, and topped last year's tally -- I'm less than a hundred bucks away from raising $7,000 for New England's great resource for the homeless. Thanks to so many generous contributors.

And so, you may ask, how was the race? It was, without exaggeration, one of the greatest thrills I've every experienced. Last year I had only my dreams and expectations to compare to, and the result was the dream was fractured and fuzzy, and the act itself couldn't scale the heights of my expectations. This year was different. The better weather helped, but probably the biggest difference was so simple: I WROTE MY NAME ON MY SHIRT. You can imagine how hundreds upon hundreds of total strangers screaming your name can lift your feet when you're past the point of exhaustion. Well, it's true -- they're an amazing motivation. (I even got a word of encouragement from a fellow runner, a woman from Team in Training, who recognized my name and Pine Street logo because she had enjoyed this blog!)

And these were people I DIDN'T know. I was really moved, as well, by friends, family, and co-workers were out in force along the course. Anne, Omar, Melaina, and Matthew -- you set the stage in Framingham. Megan, thanks again for the ride -- and for the words of encouragement at the corner of Comm. Ave. -- you too, Rob, from across the street! Kelly in Wellesley -- hurray. Jayne & Jake, loved seeing you at Woodland and AGAIN on Boylston. Mom, Marg, Carla, Michael, Erin -- you all got me through those toughest of tough stretches near Coolidge Corner, and Cheryl and Ariana, you were there for the big finish and after the big finish. Conor and David, thanks for the calls. You too, Dave and Todd. And Jamie, your note was like a light in the sky in the final miles. What amazing supporters you all are.

Tues., 4/19

The day after. I did it. 4:11:41 (a darn sight better than last year's 4:35:18). Thanks to all, so very very much, for their incredible support. To my Mom and my sister Margot for coming all the way from N.C. and Atlanta to cheer me on, and to great friends for lining the course and willing me on, and to tremendously generous contributors all -- I'm way over my goal for Pine Street, and I couldn't have done it without your help. Oh, and a huge shout right back to the countless -- a thousand, at least -- people who cheered me on by name from mile 0.1 to 26.2. Writing "Matt" on my shirt was infinitely more valuable than all the miles of training put together.

Thanks to Jayne and Jake for all their patience and endless, cheerful support -- it ain't easy living with a marathoner. Jayne, you're the best running partner a guy could dream of, and Jake, you bring a spring to my step every day.

Love love love.

Fri., 4/14

If you check the thermometer above, it doesn't say anything about the very favorable weather forecast for the Marathon monday. What it does say is that the goal I set forth in December -- to raise $6,000 -- was reachable. In fact, I couldn't have reached it without the generous help of so many people. I thank you all for your outpouring of support for the Pine Street Inn, a great and enduring cause.

All the best,

Matt

Thurs., 4/13

The only music I plan to hear on Monday is that of the crowd's roar and my own pulse. HOWEVER, were I to run to a playlist, it might sound something like this:

Track 1  (waiting in Hopkinton): "Chariots of Fire" score, and no, I don't mean the theme we all know and can hum everafter, but rather the haunting, butterfly-stomach electro-tones that played on the soundtrack during the locker room scene, when all the runners were silently alone in their own anxiety, hope, and suspense.

Tracks 3-6 (and we're off): "Away," the Feelies. It starts slow and quiet, then builds to an all-out revved-up rave; "Baby Got Going," Liz Phair. "I Did it Just the Same," Eurythmics, an obscure, chanting track with a controlled beat -- remember, don't go out too fast; "Only the Future," Joe Jackson, and I'm into my pace.

Tracks 7-10 (and the going gets tough): Two by Garbage, "Push It," for obvious reasons, and "Hammering in My Head," for reasons I'll choose not to print here. Then, the "Run Lola Run" soundtrack, particularly "Running Three" ("I wish I was a hunter/in search of different food ... I wish I was a heartbeat/that never comes to rest") and "Running Two" ("Never, Never, Never, Never, letting go Never giving up, Never saying no Just go, go, I never stop I never think To do, do, do, the right thing").

Tracks 11-12 (getting there): "It Ain't Over Til It's Over," Lenny Kravitz, and the beat gets, um, slower, but still, we go on. "Ray O Light," Madonna, for sheer inspiration and overcoming the wall and experiencing the joy of finishing.

There you have it, off the top of my head. I'm sure when I read this later, I'll think of 12 different songs.

Wed., 4/12

All I can say is wow. Donations have been pouring in for Pine Street, and I really appreciate the support. I'm getting closer and closer to my $6,000 goal, and knowing the homeless community is getting such a big lift really motivates me.

Meanwhile, I'm going a little crazy with anticipation for the race on Monday. I've got one more workout, a 3-miler, planned, and then it's all over but the sweating, panting, and pacing -- 26.2 or bust.

Tues., 4/4

With the race but two weeks away, thoughts turn to that Watergate-era curiosity, Gordon Liddy. As the legend goes, Liddy held his hand over a candle flame until his skin began to blister, and was asked, "What's the trick?" His answer: "The trick is not minding."

And that's what I'll keep in mind at mile 23 or 24, along with the variation: The trick is not stopping.

Other mantras for fun and profit: Relax the face; Keep going; Don't stop now; You can do this; Easy breezy; C'mon!

And, last year's favorite (though a lotta good it did me on Heartbreak): I was made for hills and hills were made for me.

Oh, and I just turned 45 yesterday. What's the name of that old horror movie? Happy birthday to me.

Thurs., 3/30

April is two days away, and I am in taper mode, having run my longest training run last Saturday. I was among hundreds of charity team members -- shouts to the Pine Street crew I ran with and saw along the way -- who werre bused from Boston College at 8:30 a.m. to Hopkinton, and from there I ran 21.4 miles back to BC. Afterward, I was tired but not too sore, and as I write this, I'm feeling strong, confident (but not overconfident), and absolutely psyched. Yesterday the packet from the BAA came in the mail with information about race day. Now the trick is to do what I can to stay healthy, focused, uninjured, and sane.

Tues., 3/21

I just learned today that the BAA has awarded bib numbers for the Marathon. Mine is 19353. Back o' the pack, and rarin' to go!

Mon., 3/20

These weekend long runs have been great adventures. Yesterday I had set out for a 15-miler and had planned to fall back on my ol' combo of Milton loops (6-miler, 7-miler, 2-miler), but when I got onto Blue Hills Parkway, I encountered a stream of runners from the L Street club and decided to hatch my feet to their wagon, as it were. Ran with them for a few miles (great vibe), then parted ways because I had a craving to run up Blue Hill Ave. toward Boston. I ran all the way to Franklin Park Zoo and back, and, most satisfying, I did the whole thing in 2 hrs., 15 mins., for a 9-min. mile pace, faster than I'd hoped. Feeling good, feeling great.

As for fund-raising, steady. I'm still getting donations in the mail and electronically, and I'm closing in on the $4,000 mark ($3,745, to be exact).

And the Marathon is 4 weeks away!

Sun., 3/12

Wow, what a weekend. Much to report. First, Team Pine Street met on Saturday morning for breakfast and welcomed our Arizona teammate Rob Gilmore (3 marathons in 4 months!) and his wife. Then we toured Pine Street. Whenever I'm there, it just raises my awareness several more levels as I train and raise money to support Pine Street.

Then, today, I ran Boston's Run to Remember -- my second half marathon. Beautiful day for a race. Things I saw: a guy with the BAA Boston Marathon logo tattooed on his left calf; a runner with a prosthesis from the knee down (he started, as I and team members Rob Gilmore and Paul Joseph did, with the folks who planned to run an 8:30 pace). I finished with a net time of 1:49:00, more than 4 minutes faster than last year's New Bedford Half Marathon time. And I was done by 10:15. Shoot, I remember days when Jayne and I would still be sleeping in on a Sunday at 10:15. (Jayne and Jake spent the day at Ragged Mt., for Jake's ski graduation day to culminate his first session of ski classes.)

Mon., 3/6

With rage and sadness I read today about Scott Capella, a 30-year-old homeless man who was beaten and then set on fire in a park in the North End over the weekend. Homeless people have enough of a struggle just making it through each day without having to contend with this violent inhumanity and the fear it spreads through the community. My thoughts are with this man, who is recovering from the attack, and my hopes are that the people responsible are found and brought to justice.

Fri., 3/3

March marches on. I just want to say a word or two about my 20-mile run last week. What a beauty. Knowing a modest snowstorm was forecast, I ran with one eye on the path, the other on the metallic grey sky. The bike path to Pope John Paul Park was quiet and peaceful, and the path around the park offered a great little detour by the water's edge. Onward I went, with my goal of Castle Island, and as I entered South Boston, the wind picked up and the snow started to fall. There was just enough accumulation to make a soft path for my feet.

Earlier, by Tenean Beach in the shadow of the Expressway, I passed a guy, red-faced from who knows how many days of battling the elements, wheeling his possessions in a grocery store cart. We exchanged hellos, and I ran on, knowing my efforts and your contributions were going to a good place.

Fri., 2/24

I realize it's been a little while since i updated the site. Contributions continue to come in, bringing the tally to $2,900 as I write this. Very encouraging. Again, I ask that if you are reading this and know someone who might be interested in giving to Pine Street, please forward a link to the site to them. I'd appreciate it. And as always, thanks so much for your support.

Training continues apace, with a planned 20-miler this weekend -- yipes. Look for me along the bike path to South Boston; I intend to run, with my two-fisted Gatorade grip, from my front door to Castle Island and back again. Wish me luck.

Tues., 2/14

Happy Valentine's Day to you all.

Quick update: I sent out about 25 more fund-raising letters this week, and I hope to hear back soon from contributors. I'm $80 away from hitting $2,000 -- just knocking at that door.

Saturday brought out Pine St. team members in full force on the Boston Marathon course, as we got bused (thanks to the Children's Hospital team) to Natick and ran to the finish line from there. I calculated the distance at 17.1 miles. Then Sunday, a foot of snow. That's called racing the weather -- and winning.

Mon., 2/6

Went for a wild 15-miler on Sunday, from our house in Milton to the JFK Library in Dorchester and back, stopping at the Globe to use the facilities. Very exciting to run beneath the rumbling expressway and along the Neponset River and Boston Harbor. Of course, I’m paying dearly for it today, as the iliotibial band of my right knee is acting up. Hopefully nothing a few days of rest won’t cure.

As for fund-raising, I am $80 away from the $2,000 mark. Thanks to everyone for their support.

 

 

Wed., 1/25

OK, so I just want to check in to say 1) I got fund-raising letters out last week and got my first response today. Very exciting. And 2) I set a personal best last week for weekly miles, with a grand total of 45.1 (had to add the 0.1). Two long runs of 17 and 18 miles, speed workout (4.5 miles) and tempo workout (5.6 miles). In the words of Outkast: Feeling good, feeling great.

Sunday, 1/15/06

Met with Team Pine Street last Thursday, and was blown away by the director of the Women’s Inn. She does incredible work, often under trying circumstances, and after 9 years on the job, she’s reached a place where she can overcome the urge to just cry at work and instead be lifted by all the positive impact she and the staff can have at Pine Street for so many homeless women. She was very inspiring.

On the miles front, a couple weeks ago I clocked in at 36.9 for the week – not bad – and last week I managed 10 miles (would’ve been 27, but the 17-miler I had planned to run on Sunday – today -- I’ll do tomorrow, marking the first day of a new week; ‘dyou get all that?) So this week’s mileage goal: about 46 miles. We’ll see.

And – drum roll – this week I really really REALLY intend to get fund-raising letters in the mail. So I’m excited about the prospect of that. 

Finally, for TV watchers out there, a belated RIP to John Spencer (Leo McGarry on “West Wing”). Just about every week we watched that show, I’d turn to Jayne (and now Jake) and say, “That guy’s the best actor on television.” OK, he’s no Edie Falco – no one can touch her – and James Gandolfini and Ian MacShane are each brilliant in great outsized roles, but for subtlety, for the multiple meanings he could project in a single glance – he could do more without a line of dialogue than most actors can do with a great script – John Spencer was peerless.

Wednesday, 1/4/06

New Year, new job. I'm now letters editor at The Boston Globe, working days for the first time in 8 years. It's quite bittersweet to leave the Business copy desk -- the best copy desk on earth -- but I'm ready for the adventure.
As you can see, I've crossed the $1,000 mark in fund-raising, which is great. I hope to get fund-raising letters out soon, but in the meantime, feel free to contribute the online way.
Training is going well -- ran 13 miles Monday and my body has strangely few complaints. Had a good speed workout today at work (4.8 miles). If my schedule holds up -- a 7-mile run tempo run Friday and a 15-miler on Sunday -- that'll put me near 40 miles for the week, more than I've ever run in a 7-day period.
That's one of the coolest things about training for a marathon. I keep having firsts.

Monday, 12/26/05 

 

 

HappymerryHanuMasZaa, everyone. Hope your holiday was a pleasure.
Got some good challenging workouts in this week -- a 5-mile speed workout, 5-mile tempo workout, and, today, a 10-mile long run in the rain and mist.
Online fund-raising seems to have hit a wall, but I expect momentum to continue after the busy-ness of holiday time has passed -- and after I get letters out in January.
In the meantime, enjoy the waning days of 2005.

Tuesday, 12/20/05

Fund-raising and training both got off to a bang, as contributions are already approaching the $1,000 mark. I met with Team Pine Street last Tuesday, and wow, what a great group of people. Also met a woman named Shawna, who had been in and out of Pine Street, had struggled with drug abuse, and is now making her way clean and in the Inn's transitional off-site housing. She will inspire us all, no doubt.

I'm using the Furman Institute's 3-workout-a-week model for training this year (read about it in Runner's World). Monday was speed workout, Thursday a tempo workout (not as fast, but pushing the pace), and Saturday - well, every training has got to have runs like these. Took Jake to a birthday party in Leominster, and while he zipped around an indoor roller rink, I was out on the roads of the Pioneer Plastics City, braving ice and cars and the oncoming darkness, and got in a good 7-miler for my weekly long run. Highlight: hoofing it uphill to the aptly named Skyview Middle School. Grand total: 17.2 miles.

And onward.

12/11/05

 

 

Heraclitus said you can't step into the same river twice, but here I go again, tilting at one more ascent up Heartbreak Hill and one more go-round at hitting up my friends, family, neighbors, co-workers, and complete strangers for money for a great cause.
Why do it again? How about:

Because it's December, and it's cold outside, and people are homeless.

Because last April, after I crossed the finish line, I was so spent I could hardly relish the achievement. And I'd like to feel more triumphant this year.

So those are two reasons. And as I start my training this week, and look forward to meeting the other runners on Team Pine Street on Tuesday night, I leave you with one more reason.

Because it's there.

12/5/05 

 

 

Welcome!

If you made it here, you know I'm committed to training for my second marathon. Last year was such a phenomenal experience -- not just the race, but much more than that, the satisfaction of raising so much money for a great cause. With the help of over 115 generous contributors, I topped my goal of raising $5,000 for Pine Street Inn, New England's leading resource for homeless men and women. Final tally: $6,516.

Donating through this site is simple, fast, and totally secure. It is also the most efficient way to make your tax-deductible contribution to my fund-raising efforts. This year I've set a goal of $6,000, and I intend to top that too.

Many thanks for your support, and please feel free to forward this to anyone who you think might also want to donate.

Oh, and be sure to return to this site for frequent updates on my training progress.

Thanks,
Matt