GETTING CLOSER!

Yesterday I did my 20-mile training session – the longest distance I will go prior to the Marathon. For the next three weeks, I am in my pre-race taper, with mileages reducing noticeably each week and giving the body a chance to recover from 15 weeks of pounding the pavement and to heal any minor problems I may have. Training has gone well, and, although I was pretty tired after yesterday’s workout, I feel very good about where I am now. My times are still staying just a little under a 12 minute/mile pace for shorter to mid-range distances, and my 20 mile pace was 12:17. The first 15 miles were under 12, but it caught up with me in the last five – which also were (deliberately) more challenging topographically to approximate hitting several hills between miles 16 and 20 on the course.

In just three weeks, all this work and preparation will be put to the test. I would be dishonest if I said I am not getting just a little excited! Over the next ten days, I will be pulling together all of the logistical details for our travel, being sure that I have gear for any contingency we may face from weather, and trying to eliminate as many questions as possible so I reach the starting line relaxed and confident. Being a member of the Dana-Farber team takes a whole lot of local planning off the table – especially helpful for one who doesn’t know Boston or the area. We will be bussed to the start in Hopkinton, and will have a ‘retreat’ where we can relax (and stay warm or dry if the day isn’t quite what we would like!) until just before we head to the start. Sunday there is a pasta buffet for the team; at the finish line there will be volunteers to take team members to a recovery room at the Marriott, and once changed and (modestly) cleaned up we will be able to join family and friends in another room at the Marriott. Sounds as though they make it as stressless as they can. For someone who is not a morning person, the only problem is that we meet at 5:45 a.m. to walk to the busses!

Our pastor asked me to give the ‘Mission Moment’ at church a week ago – a chance for the congregation to hear how individuals or groups are active in outreach activities of all kinds. I very much appreciate his view that being a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team falls within the framework of reaching out and helping others. I have been pleased with the response, both verbal and in the form of contributions. And on that subject, when cheques that I have just recently sent in are added to my total, I will be a little over $7,240 – almost ¾ of the way there. The team, at last report, was barely shy of $2 million – not quite half way to the team goal. I will have to make another push to get over my personal hump. And I will repeat the way you can support my efforts: you can make an on-line donation by going to http://www.runDFMC.org/2010/alanc. Do this in honor or in memory of a family member or friend, or simply to support me. It all adds up, and provides much needed funds for innovative basic research efforts.

Over the last few weeks we have had everything from temperatures into the low 70’s to yesterday’s 22o at the start of my session. We may even have snow a day or two this week, but they are now predicting up to 80o by next Sunday! At least I am being exposed to all kinds of weather! So far I have been able to do almost all of my training out of doors, and haven’t had to resort to a treadmill.

Again, my thanks to all who have supported me. Not only is it important to Dana-Farber, but it certainly buoys the spirits especially on the longer runs.