Training Log Archive: PG

So, an update from Robin. So far the following has come in --

For the junior team: $7,933.79
For the ski-O team: $257.00
For the senior team: $337.00
Total: $8,527.79

This includes donations from several folks who I don't think pledged anything but just sent money in -- Sandy Fillebrown, Ed Despard, Niels Lyng-Olsen, Rudy Schwarz, Edward Niemann, Jeff Saeger and Judy Karpinski. Which is totally cool.

Also several others who gave more than they pledged. Which is also totally cool.

And there are still a few outstanding, winding their way to OUSA via the Pony Express.

It's not to late to pitch in. There is still the match, which makes it a great time to donate as everything gets doubled. As long as OUSA/Robin gets the money by Tuesday (April 28).

Thanks again to everyone who has been part of this. It has been totally cool.

And, yes, I sent my pledge in. With great pleasure.

A few random thoughts from Monday...

-- Was breaking 4 hours there for the taking, just had to go a little faster at the end? Nope, no way, wasn't going to happen. I think when I passed 24 I was at 3:42, 2.2 miles to go. Easy, just 8-minute pace. Hah. Forget about it almost immediately.

-- Demographics of the runners sure has changed in 20 years. So many more women, young ones too, though I guess from my perspective they're almost all young. Also, the demographics of the student body at Wellesley College, out in force as usual to cheer despite the rain, was much more multi-cultural than it used to be.

-- Lots of security, as expected. But all seemed to be done in both a professional and friendly way.

-- Unbelievable number of cheerful volunteers on a day when it was more miserable to be standing than running.

-- Just passed 30 km, a couple of unexpected cheers, there were Jeff and Judy. Had me smiling for quite a while.

-- Every time I passed another 5K point (plus the halfway point), where there was the electronic stuff on the road to record your time, I thought about how it was flashing up on computer screens, trying to imagine the reactions of anyone watching. Very surreal. Also very cool knowing that, in effect, I wasn't alone.

-- Bill Rogers, winner many decades ago, had someone comment on how hard it must be to run to the marathon, out there for a little over 2 hours. No, he said, the ones who have it hard are the ones out there for 4 hours. I have a better understanding of what he meant.

-- Overall, it is just a great experience. This was my fourth time. It is a rite of passage for New England runners. I didn't run it more often just because there were so many other adventures out there -- orienteering, trail running, ultras -- and you have to choose. But deciding to go back after all these years, it unleashed a flow of memories, all good. It is a wonderful experience -- the course, the history, the crowds, the challenge, and finally the finish. Along the way a lot of sweat. Also, toward the end, a tear or two.

-- The only downside was missing the Billygoat, first time. But life is about making choices. I had my moments of doubt as to whether I was doing the right thing. But then how everything transpired with the support for the juniors, well, there was no doubt at all. But I still missed the Billygoat.

Now, Wednesday morning, the quads are still sore as can be, but the rest of me seems fine. And they will be better in a couple of days.

And then I will have to start thinking about what the next adventure might be.... :-)