A Belated New Year's Day Update

Happy New Year and here's the latest and greatest on my marathon training and fundraising efforts as part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Team.

Photo by Ted Tyler from Cool Running

Lowell 1st Run 10K
On New Years Day, I ran in the 2013 Lowell 1st Run 5K/10K.  I ran in the 10K which was the same course as the 5K but a double loop.  There were about 1600 total runners in the two races despite it being a really cold morning with temperatures right around freezing.  I set a personal record for a 10K finishing in 46:51.

My race review for those that care about these kinds of things:  The race registration was easy and there was plenty of communication from the race directors leading up to the race.  Race day bib number pickup was a little hectic with 1600 people trying to get into and out of the Lowell Elks through one small double door.  Might be worth considering having packet pickups in advance of the race.  Course itself was well marked with mile markers and timers at each mile.  Post race included a beer, a bowl of some ziti/broccoli and a cup of chicken noodle soup.  Not quite the gourmet meal that was advertised but that's just minor details.  The finisher's medals on the other hand were exactly as advertised.  The medals are easily one of the nicest finisher's medals I've received from any race.  The medallion is actually a wine stopper, not that I would actually use it as one.  This is definitely a race that I would run in future years.

Next Race
The next road race on my calendar is the Boston Prep 16 Miler in Derry, NH on Sunday, January 27th.  This is a pretty challenging race due to major hills throughout much of the course.  Here is a nice video of the course.  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ESNumRR-RxQ

Training Update
So now that 2012 is officially in the books, I logged 642 miles last year either on the pavement or the treadmill since September.  Not bad for someone as out of shape as I was!  This Sunday is the 2nd DFMC group run of the season and we'll be hitting the Newton Hills (in both directions).  With just over 100 days until Marathon Monday, this will be my first time running the Newton Hills and the infamous Heartbreak Hill.  The hills can't be much worse than the hills near my house, but we'll see on Sunday.

Heart Health Study
This Saturday is my first visit to Mass General Hospital where I'll be doing my first of two rounds of tests to see the effects of marathon training on the heart.

Partner Program Update
I will post more about this later this month or early next month.  I have been paired up with five year old Patrick from Newburyport as part of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge Partner Program which matches DFMC runners with pediatric patients of the Jimmy Fund Clinic.  I'm looking forward to meeting and getting to know Patrick and his family!  I will be running in Patrick's honor this April!

Fundraising Update
To date we have now raised $1,374.80 for the Claudia Adams Barr Program in Innovative Cancer Research.  Thank you from the bottom of my heart to each and everyone of you who donated to this cause!  If you would like to donate to support my run, please visit http://www.rundfmc.org/2013/andrews.

That's all for now.  Go Pats!