2010 Boston Marathon Training Blog
Just click on the link above to check out my fundraising letter and to get a little bit of a better idea as to why I’m running for such a great cause this year. And of course, you can follow the links to donate! Had a great workout this morning that I’ll certainly post later on. Tempo’d it up before school. PUMPED with the results.
I fnally figured out through the tangled mess of all of my secret identities and double cover spy doppelganger projects what the password on this site is! Now to overhaul everything and bring it up to speed! I will be doing my best to update everything asap, most notably the headers, etc. But until then, enjoy this clip of how I feel:
I was trying to find the footage of when GOB swallows the key and laughs maniacally, but this will have to do. It’s like the magic show of my life. Run strong, everyone!
-Justin
Softball tournament was wet. But it was a blast. Just came back from the carb-loading at the Dana-Farber Pasta Party where I met with Stanley and his family again, and gave him his medal and a few other little surprises. Finally met Tony Brake after months of online chatting and motivation!
We raised $1351 at the tournament yesterday, and an EXTREMELY GENEROUS Joe and Chris Aloe donated $1,000 to the cause. I am absolutely taken aback by their generosity… it is almost inhuman…
The change drive raised over $1100. The AHS students are competitive and incredibly generous. I’m still amazed at how well that went.
As Jack Fultz says, “The Hay’s In the Barn.” Not much we can do to better prepare than to stay calm, try to get some sleep, go out and run our race tomorrow. I’m SO excited. The Pasta Party had me in tears at a few points. It’s so unfair that these kids have to face cancer. It’s unfair that ANYONE has to face cancer. With luck. we’ll continue fighting it and wipe it out completely. If you haven’t donated yet, please do consider doing so, as it’s really just something else… The impact the donations have on cancer research at DFCI is really inexplicable, and downright amazing…
Tomorrow’s the big run. It’ll be my first DFMC run. I can already tell that it won’t be my last. It will be my third Boston Marathon. I know it won’t be my last.
Thanks in advance to everyone who has supported me in this journey… it’s been an amazing one that isn’t over just yet.
If you’d like to track me tomorrow, please text “RUNNER” to 31901, and when they text you back, reply with a text of my bib number: 22556.
We’ll have a race report as soon as possible, but probably not tomorrow night. Tomorrow night is for partying. And by partying, I mean sleeping.
Can’t wait. Tomorrow’s gonna rock.
April 18, 2010
mrbourassa
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So. The Boston Marathon is only 3 and a half days away, and everything is lining up swimmingly!
Things are finally pretending to settle down at work/school, so we’re just now starting to REALLY look forward to the Softball tournament on Saturday, Pasta party on Sunday, and the Big Dance on Monday!
SOOO Excited. Just can’t wait. This Marathon is Going to Rule!
Sorry again for the drop-off in postings… as I get closer to the marathon, and as term 3 wound down, things got crazy. They still are. BUT, we’re just a week away from the Big Show, and I couldn’t be more excited!!! Knocked out a quick 6 tonight, got my last hill training in today (Summit Ave), and am looking forward to having a nice, relaxing, but awesome week of rest and running.
SOFTBALL THIS WEEKEND!
We still have room for teams and singles for the Second Annual Home Stretch Charity Softball Tournament. All proceeds from this 3-inning slow pitch softball tourney go directly towards our Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge goals! Contact Caitie or I if you want to register, or just stop by for a burger or hot dog! We’ve got some pretty sweet opportunity drawing prizes to give away, (Red Sox tickets anyone? Autographed John Smoltz baseball anybody? Signs that hung in Fenway Park anybody?) so don’t forget to get your tickets for that as well!
MY BEARD.
I know that I’ve been posting my beard every week, and I guess it’s not that exciting anymore, right? Take a look:
Standard Issue Beard. 17 weeks of Growth. Start date: December 21, 2009. End date: This Sunday, April 18th, 2010. What will I do with it? Only you have the power to choose - Just donate online!!!
So yeah. I shampoo and condition that thing daily, to keep Caitie from dumping me, and to keep myself from looking like I just fell off a boxcar. The Forrest Gump references and so forth have been encouraging, but nothing compares to the recent discovery I made last night…. Brace yourselves, people.
This is what my beard looks like when uncombed/combed backwards. Seriously, people, there is a lot of hair on my face and head, and I would love to do something ridiculous to it in front of the whole Marathon crowd (500,000+ people live). The vote's in your hands, though! Tell me what I should do with it by donating it online.
Yeah. That’s me. And my beard. Holy cow, right?
As far as the fundraising front goes, I’ve officially received $2,634 in donations, which is AWESOME, but I’m still a long way away from my goal. Every dollar really does help, so please donate if you can!
Once these grades are all in and posted for school, I’ll definitely send some more updates this week as the day gets closer. I really can’t wait!!! Can’t believe I’m only two or three training runs away from the 2010 Boston Marathon!!!!! PUMPED!!!
To make a donation to my secure online fundraising site, please click here.
Talk soon, all!
Sorry I didn’t get a chance to post last week everyone, it’s been super busy, and last week was very much recovery mode from our longest training run. Needless to say, that went GREAT! Last year, Caitie and I took 5:12 to complete our 22.58 mile training run. We completed the 2009 Boston Marathon in 5:00:27. THIS YEAR, we completed the same run in 4:10 minutes. It. Was. Awesome. We’re feeling really good about this year’s marathon for sure, and we’re very much enjoying taper.
Yesterday I went out for a run with my brother. Three miles, idealistic goal of 8:00 flats, or 24 minutes. He jumped out to about a 6:40 pace for the first mile. I kept up with him, then I hit the brakes knowing I’d catch him on the middle third of the run. I did. Ended up posting a sub-22 for the 3 miles, which felt good. It was really hot, though.
Tonight, I lit it up from my house to the finish line downtown (3.99 miles). It was an awesome run. I averaged 6:59s. First time ever for that. It ruled.
On to more important things…
The Second Annual Home Stretch Charity Softball Tournament will be held on Saturday, April 17th, 2010. Check out the website for info. REGISTRATION PRICES JUMP AFTER THIS SATURDAY. So get your friends together and come on out for one of the most fun times you’ll have in a long time – guaranteed. Three inning tournament, Stop & Shop is donating $400 worth of food to grill/cook out. It will be awesome!!! Last year was a blast. Please note that the first game time is determined by the order in which you register. Register early, and roll in to play your first game at 1230 pm! Wait too long, and we’ll be calling you to the fields at 8:30 a.m. LET US KNOW IF YOU WANT TO PLAY!!!
Like My Beard? (Check it Out Below) Want me to do something TOTALLY SWEET to it as I run the 2010 Boston Marathon for the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge? Just donate to my secure online fundraising website. Every single dollar you donate goes directly towards basic innovative cancer research at the Claudia Adams Barr program at DFCI. Every dollar donated directly online ALSO gets you one vote as to what I do with my facial hair. There are some pretty sweet options listed at the site. Check it out! Even if you only donate a dollar, that’s one vote. Soooo Yeah!
Not to mention the elephant in the room, but…
I HAVE A GIANT BEARD. 4/5/10 - Week 16 (15 weeks of growth.) This thing is DYING to have something awesome done to it. So donate and vote!!!
Seriously, give my students, family members, and the 500,000 people scheduled to watch the Boston Marathon live (plus countless people on tv) something to look, laugh at, or love for Marathon Monday. NO ONLINE DONATION IS TOO SMALL!
Yeah. Running’s going really well. Beard growing is going great (obviously). Things are going well. Need to keep up on that fundraising, but I need your help!
Talk to everyone soon!
Sooooo I passed the 500 mile marker tonight! It was a sweet run around the Charles – just over 10 miles! Our biggest run is on Saturday, a whopping 22 miles!!!
Harpoon last night was a HUGE success! Caitie and I made over $1600!!!! That’s at least 1/4th of the minimum fundraising obligation EACH right there!!! It was a great time! We have SO many thank yous to pass along, so here they go!
Matt and Dylan for tending an AWESOME bar and making sure everything ran smoothly last night at the Harpoon Brewery! They RULED!
David Littlefield of Salsa‘s for catering this fantastic event! The food was AMAZING!
Heather Walker and Shawn Sullivan of the Boston Celtics
Dave Dragoni of Pizzeria Dante (Coolidge Corner)
Folklorica of Newton Centre
The Pear Tree of Coolidge Corner
Roggie’s of Cleveland Circle
White Mountain Creamery (Chestnut Hill)
Please check these businesses out, as they REALLY helped us put together a fantastic, and REALLY FUN event! Everyone seemed to have a great time – I sure did!
Check out some of the pics! Special thanks to Abby Peterson for taking time out of her busy schedule to take these sweet photos!
Some AHS Staff Admiring the Brewery
Pizzeria Dante Winner - Joanna Begin
The Lovely Ladies of Teak Media
Patiently Awaiting Their Free Samples
Matt an Dylan Servin' It Up
Fresh Beer To Go! Sean's Life Motto!
Dylan and Kitt Hitting It Off Swimmingly
A Fantastic Selection of Fresh Beers!
Me and Caitie
Bottoms Up!
Everyone at the Bar
Caitie & I with Posters
Everyone Waiting Their Turn
Delicious Salsa's Food
They Come In Growlers?! I'm Getting One!
There are so many more, just let us know if you’d like to check them out!
As for what’s next… Softball. April 17th (Marathon Weekend). Be there, or be square. And this time, without offending the irreverent Huey Lewis and The News, It’s NOT Hip to Be Square.
Click the link to find out more about the Second Annual Home Stretch Charity Softball Tournament!
Talk to everyone soon!
March 25, 2010
mrbourassa
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Was that it was basically awesome. Tough to get a crowd on a Wednesday night, but all in all, Caitie and I did fairly well, I’d say! Everyone who went seemed to have a great time, too, which is great. Pictures and a more detailed breakdown to come soon! Crossroads tonight, which I’m looking forward to. We’ll probably run the Charles, as we’ve run the hills already twice this week, and will do so again on Saturday for our 22-miler! Why am I so excited about this?! Maybe because I can taste taper right around the corner… Or maybe because I’m just crazy… Thoughts?
Hello again,
Following a great week of running outside, the temperature has dropped a bit again, which is typical of a New England Winter. This is our toughest week of training. All the hard work we’ve put into training and working and eating right and exercising, and everything pays off on Saturday hopefully. We started the week off right with a very quick 5-miler on Heartbreak Hill. Eight tomorrow night. Fundraiser at the Harpoon Brewery on Wednesday (get in touch with me if you want tickets or want to buy opportunity drawing tickets!). Crossroads 9 on Thursday. End of the Fitness Challenge on Friday. Starting line in Hopkinton all the way home on Saturday (just over 22 miles).In the process, I’ll pass 500 miles of training. Last year, I didn’t do that until Mile 7 of the Marathon. Booyah.
It’s gonna be an awesome week.
Harpoon Event
Like I mentioned above, it’s Wednesday. We still have plenty of tickets! There’s going to be tons of food, free beer tasting, and opportunity drawings galore! Get your tickets ASAP, even if you can’t make it! Winners need not be present to win!!!!
Softball Tournament
Registration is open for the 2nd Annual Home Stretch Charity Softball Tournament. The field is limited to 16 teams, so act fast!
Beard-A-Thon 2010
Only four more weeks of growth somehow… Seems like an awful lot of time, though!
Week #13 - 12 weeks of growth. Lookin' pretty scraggly.
That’s about it! I’ll be posting my second fundraising letter very soon, so be sure to check it out! Don’t forget, anyone who donates online can vote as to what I do with my facial hair (and regular hair) on Marathon Monday! Stanley is a pretty cool dude, and I wanna make him proud!!!
Okay, folks, talk to you soon! Check out our event at Harpoon!
Hey everyone!
I just wanted to touch base really quickly about the Harpoon event next week. We’re trying to get a head count for catering. We’ve got the event on Wednesday from 530-7 at the harpoon brewery, and tix are $20. With that, you get a free opportunity drawing (raffle) ticket. We’re selling extra tickets: 1 for $5, 3 for $10, and 10 for $25.
Here is the info once again:
Private (Unlimited!!!) Tasting at the Harpoon Brewery
Wednesday, March 24th, 2010
5:30-7pm
Tickets $20 (includes a complimentary raffle ticket, and catering by Salsa’s Mexican food)
All proceeds go to the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute
Even if you can’t make it, can you please invite your friends/ spread the word? We have some incredible prizes including, but not limited to the following:
4 Red Sox tickets (upper bleacher seats) vs. the Rays – April 18th, 2010
4 Loge Celtics Tickets ($155 face value EACH) for April 2nd, 2010
a Free pair of Running Shoes from Marathon Sports (up to $200)
A Free team entry for the 2010 Home Stretch Charity Softball Tournament ($200 value)
A free oil change
Free Pizza
Roggie’s Gift Card
White Mountain Gift Card
And so much more!
Even if you can’t make it, please do spread the word about snapping up some opportunity drawing tickets, cause this is a boatload of stuff to give away, but if nobody buys tickets, one person’s walking away with it all!
Please don’t hesitate to contact me, I can get tickets to anyone most any day!
Thanks a lot everyone!
-Justin
Click to Donate!
Cassie and Me.
Feel No Pain. Allow No Regrets. Know No Limits. ... Leave Fear in Your Dust. 