I am happy to be running the Boston Marathon for Team Reeve in support of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation.
Please see my fund raising page here
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This LinkHow did I get here?It is a pretty long story, but here goes. Over the holidays, I had a chance to meet with my friend Greg. Greg has been paralyzed due to a spinal injury that occurred as a result of a car accident more than 25 years ago. I have known him since about 1984 when we attended the University of Connecticut together. Greg has many friends from college, and we still keep in touch on a regular basis. He is an inspiration to all of us, because he has not let his disability get in the way of many successes and adventures in life (his busy schedule would be too much for most of us). He is also very optimistic that scientific research will lead to a cure for paralysis, and improve the therapy and quality of life for those with similar disabilities.
Greg and his family have been
extremely active in the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Knowing of my recent history of frequent running, Greg asked me if I would like to make my running count, and participate in the Boston Marathon on April 20, 2009 to raise funds for and awareness of the important work of the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation. Please consider a
donation toward my funding goal.
My Story--In 2002, I realized that I had packed on quite a few extra pounds (35-40) during my first 8 years of married life. My cholesterol and other health indicators were not what they should have been. During the winter of early 2002, I began a regular running program that I have maintained to this day. My fitness and health have improved dramatically as a result of this major change in habits.
Since 2002,
I have run in over 40 races, including 10 half marathons, and 3 marathons. On October 11, I made my first attempt to qualify for the 2010 Boston Marathon by running in the Hartford Marathon. The Boston Athletic Association requires a
qualifying time from a certified marathon for entry into the race. This makes the Boston Marathon one of the most difficult races to enter and has created a mystique around the race and its
history.
I missed the qualifying time by 11 minutes, but was determined to make a couple more attempts to qualify in 2009. I now have an entry in the race as a result of entering with the Christopher and Dana Reeve Foundation under the BAA charity program.
TrainingWhat kind of training does it take to run a marathon?
It requires that a person build up a base of regular running. (
See a beginners marathon training program by Hal Higdon).
It then requires that you follow a training plan that lasts anywhere from 12-26 weeks leading up to the marathon. I am currently trying to follow
Hal Higdon's Advanced II Schedule. This is an 18-week training plan. I am currently completing week 6, which is about 35 miles per week. The training week typically consists of two easy paced runs of 3-5 miles each, two faster workouts (usually one
tempo workout (30-50 min.), and one speed or hill workout), on the weekend, I run a marathon pace run (7-10 miles at my estimated race pace), and a long run (slower pace) on Sundays of 10-20 miles. As you might guess, the mileage increases as you get further into the training program.
I hope to update this frequently with my training progress---
Click here for training log
jrm
