A Fantastic Marathon in Scenic Maine!

Start of the Maine Marathon, 10/6/2013.  I'm in the top center - blue hat, purple singlet over a white shirt!

Start of the Maine Marathon, 10/6/2013.  I'm in the top right with my head turned - blue hat, purple singlet over a white shirt!

I completed the Maine Marathon this weekend and enjoyed every minute of it!  Here are some highlights:

• So many inspirational runners raising money for many good causes!  The MA Team-In-Training team was only 10 runners out of thousands who ran this weekend.
• Ran with KC Fitch of Portland, ME, who was also part of the MA team.  She was a great running partner!  We helped each other stay on pace and execute a sound race strategy.  Thanks KC!
• The coaches from Team-In-Training kept our spirits up, and made sure we were running strong!  It was great to have such support.  
• The views along the route were spectacular.  Downtown Portland, Casco Bay, Yarmouth, foliage, beautiful historic homes, and rolling hills.
• The music was great.  Live music at many of the water stops.  Really helped in the last few miles!
• Wonderful volunteers.  My family, Stacie, Mia and Michael, volunteered at the 4.6 mile water stop.  They were great volunteers and had fun doing it!
• I ran a personal best by more that 2 minutes (see below).

Finishing strong at the Maine Marathon, 10/6/2013.  Go Team!

I placed 252nd out of 923 runners; 183rd out of 519 male runners, and 24th out of 55 men in my age group.  My half marathon time was 1:52:22, my marathon time was 3:46:41, and my pace was 8:41 minutes/mile.  Best race of my life!  I couldn't have asked for a better day, a better group of people to run with, or a better cause to support!

Thank you to everyone who supported me!  Thank you to my family for enjoying the weekend with me and for volunteering at the 4.6 mile water stop You did a great job!

For those of you aspiring to run a marathon...do it, and let me know!  I'll be happy to run with you!

Until then, run happy, and run strong!

Peace!

Gearing up for the Maine Marathon!

I'm getting ready to run the Maine Marathon this Sunday.  I'm very excited.  I've trained long and hard for this and I feel more ready for this race than I expected to be.  Every time I head out to run I feel comfortable and relaxed.  I've pushed my workouts hard so that when it comes to race day, I won't feel the need to do more than I am capable of.  I can't wait to hit the road and complete 26.2 miles.

This is my second marathon.  My first marathon went well, but it was hard!  Here is what I wrote after my first:

I finished the Baystate Marathon today.  3:47:58.  I placed 508th out of 1144 runners, and 120th in my age group!  I was hoping to run faster, but as the saying goes, even the best laid plans go awry sometimes.  Let's just say, I should have fueled better.  Oh well, there's always next time!

Anyway, right now I'm too exhausted to write more!  I'm just proud to have raised more than $1,300 for the North Shore Medical Center's Cancer Center, and to have finished the marathon in a decent time, considering the circumstances.

Wow, I tough race, but a good time and a good feeling overall.  Well, this is "next time" and what I have I done so far?  I've raised more than $1,800 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and I am ready to fuel better, run stronger, and run faster! 

So, in two years I have raised more than $3,000 to help those struggling with cancer.  What a privilege it has been to serve and support those who can use a helping hand!  I won't let them down, nor will I let any of my sponsors down.  For those of you who donated, thank you.  For those of you who have not yet done so, it's not too late!

Thanks, everyone!  Look for an update on Monday!