Week 23

With 4 weeks left until the marathon the training has been going well. I had training runs of 8, 5, 5 and 18 miles this week. The 18 miler was with the DFMC team out on the course. I had run this same 18 miler last year and as I checked my logs from last year remembered that it was not one of my favorite training runs. I went to the Wellesley BSC prepared for a long day on the roads and was pleasantly surprised at how well the run went. Even with the temperature hovering around 70 degrees I was able to maintain a good pace for the full 18 miles the first 9 of which were run with DFMC teammate Mike McDonough. It definitely helps to have a partner when you are out on the road for 2 plus hours even though there may not be much talking going on the miles seem to go past quicker with someone traveling the same road at the same pace. As this route is an out and back to the Wellesley BSC on my way back down the hills I ran into another DFMC teammate Tom Fitzpatrick. This is Tom's first year with DFMC and his first marathon. It hasn't been the easiest of training seasons for Tom but he has stuck it out and will no doubt have a great day from start to finish on April 19th. So for the week I had a total of 36 miles.

Donations this week came from Mrs. Deb Barret (My son Colin's 4th grade teacher that is due any day now with her first child. Good Luck Mrs. Barrett), Billerica Little League, Billerica Pop Warner, Tom Lavery, and the Arthur Family. I believe that with these donations we have gone over the $5,000.00 for this year. Thank you to all that have donated.

The fundraiser tickets are going strong. The prizes for the raffles are starting to come in and we will have a couple of pairs of Red Sox Tickets, a wheel barrow full of stuff, a hand made blanket, a hair care basket, a pair of Patriots tickets with more items to come. There will also be a silent auction of Boston teams sports memorabilia and music provided by DJ Captain Dave McCourt. If you need tickets contact me at beebrad@comcast.net.

Weeks 21 and 22

Training for the the past two weeks has been going well. The weather for the outdoors runs has been very accomodating. I had runs of 8, 8, 5, 20, 8, and 5 miles. The 20 mile training run was very gratifying as I had been having some issues with the longer runs and didn't feel really good going into the 20 miler. I finished in just under 3 hours and felt good and healthy after. That will be the only 20 miles I run before April 19th as the long runs I have left are 18 and 13 miles along with my daily 6 - 8 mile runs I am hopeful that it will be enough to carry me throught the to the end on April 19th. So total training totals are:
Total Distance 584.32 miles, Total Running Time 81:57:04.

Donations have come from the following: The Spurrell Family, The Roberts Family, Beth Hennessey, Chris Martorana and The G.E. Foundation. Thanks to all that have donated.

Fundraiser tickets are moving briskly. There are tables and single tickets still available, if you need tickets please contact me at beebrad@comcast.net. Don't miss out on a great night.

Week 20

Training runs last week were quite interesting due to the weather that we encountered. I spent two days on the treadmill for runs of 6 and 9 miles and then went outside for runs of 6 and 16 miles. The 16 mile run on Saturday was with the DFMC team on the bikepath in Lexington, during the 2 1/2 hours spent outside that morning we ran through just about every type of weather you can imagine. It started out a little overcast with some sun, then started snowing, then a little sleet, back to a snow squall, with some rain thrown in for good measure. It finally let up just as I was finishing. So for the week it was 37 miles logged.

Donation this week came from Everett Firefighters Local 143, The Kelley Family, Former DFMC Teammate Maria Baker, and The Perrier Family. Thank You to all that have donated so far.

Tickets are still selling briskly for the April 10th fundraiser. If you need tickets please contact me at beebrad@comcast.net and I will get them out to you. $20.00 per person and $200.00 per table. Just like last year it promises to be a great time don't miss out.

Week 19

After taking the week off from running, I went out with the DFMC team on Sunday for the
18 - 20 mile run on the marathon course. The weather was great and as I have stated in the past it is always nice to get to train on the marathon course it let's you know what you are in for come marathon day almost. I only went 18 miles so for the week I trained 18 miles. Now comes the push for the next few weeks to get the miles in and hopefully be ready for the marathon.

Donations this week have come from, The Finestone Family, Gerry Celano, Malden Firefighters Local 902, Frank McDonough, Kevin McCarthy and Fred and Debba Andree. Thank You very much.

Fundraiser tickets are selling fast. Don't be left out. Last year was a virtual sellout.
The fundraiser is going to be held Saturday April 10th at the Billerica Elks.

Week 18

The weather for running has been surprisingly good the last few weeks other than the cold temps, we have had no snow to speak of which has made running outdoors easier that I remember from last years training. I had runs of 6, 9, 7 and 12 miles this week for a total of 34 miles for the week. The last 12 miles were with the DFMC team on the bike path that runs through Lexington, Arlington and Bedford. Again it is nice to get out and run with the group and talk to the different members and see how their training and fundraising is coming along.
I am going to take some advice from one of the DFMC teammates Froggie Ted and will be taking the school vaction week off to get in some much needed rest. So far for the training period begining in September I have logged: 534 miles, total running time of 74:30, with an average pace of 8:30, running 76 of 167 days. So I feel one week off can help the body, mind and soul recuperate for the home stretch.

Donation sthis week came from: Worcester Firefighters Local 1009, Cambrige Firefighters Local 30, the Zvonar Family, Tracy Talbot, Jeanette Karolides, the Luongo Family. Thank You to all that have donated.

The fundraiser is picking up steam tickets are on sale. Mark your calendar April 10th.

I want to pass along get well wishes to Jonathan Roberts one of my 4th grade basketball players who broke his wrist yesterday while making an incredible drive to the basket.

Happy Valentines Day to all especially my wonderful wife Karen.

Week 17

Again not much happening on the training front other than I am getting my miles in. I had runs of 5, 8, 8, 7, and 12 miles for a total of 40 miles for the week. I think it's the first time I have hit 40 miles for the week. I have been injury free luckily as a few of the DFMC teammates are struggling with injuries, so lets just hope that it stays that way.

Donations this week came from, the Costa family, the Maietta family, Mike and Colleen Rosa, Scott Martell and Pattye Murray. The money and the miles are piling up and I thank everyone that has donated.

The fundraiser is scheduled for April 10th and tickets are starting to sell. Don't be left out as it will be another great time.

Week 16

As training weeks go last week was pretty uneventful. I am still just trying to put miles behind me while also working on running up and down as many hills as possible while training. I had training runs of 5, 8.5, 7 and 6 miles for a total of 26.5 miles for the week. For the training season I have total of: Total Distance: 403.53 mi., Total time Running: 56:06:27,
Avg. Pace: 8:20 min./mi., and Total Days Running 58 of 125 days from October 1, 2009 throught February 2, 2010.

Fundraising has picked up and donations have been made by the following people, The Nardone Family, Brian Stefaniak, Steve and Debbie Blute, Arthur Weeks, Dominic Ho, Laurie Gallotto, Eric Johnson, Eric Miller, Kelly and Bernie McGovern, Tim Brennan and The Andrew and Quinn Insurance Agency. Thank You very much.

The Karen's Team Fundraiser is scheduled for Saturday April 10th and tickets are available. $20.00 per person and $200.00 per table. For those of on FaceBook that received the event and then it was quickly cancelled, well that was just a computing mistake on my part and another invite will be sent out shortly, for those of you not on Facebook I can be reached at beebrad@comcast.net for tickets or more information.