EXPO

April 19, 2009 --

Marathon weekend is finally here! Team Donahue headed down to the Expo to pick up our numbers and swag after work on Friday night. Before we went in the leader of Team Donahue, Christine, surprised the rest of us with these killer Team Donahue running jackets! Here we are sporting them proudly as we head into the Expo.


As usual, the Expo didn't disappoint and we all ended up with some form of gear to commemorate this fantastic experience. Thanks to all of you for supporting us and Dana Farber! We'll check in after the race and let you know how it all plays out.

Cambridge City Run

Sunday, April 5

The final race in the series leading up to the Marathon is the annual Marathon Sports Cambridge City Run around Fresh Pond. We assembled for the run and post race brunch at Sharon’s.

The weather was fantastic, and the turnout was one of the largest we’ve seen. Our crew included Team Donahue and a large group of Team Donahue supporters including some special out of town guests. On the top below are Eric and Mike and on the bottom are Shuhao and Mike Schwartz. These 4 led the pack during the race.

Ina and Jackson (co-hosts of the brunch) were overwhelmed by all the excitement and took refuge under the buffet table….

Thanks to everyone who came out for the race and brunch!!

The Last Long Run

March 28, 2009

The week of the last long run had finally arrived and Team Donahue was ready to go. We planned to run along the Marathon course on Sunday, but as the week progressed, it became clear that the weather on Saturday was going to be optimal. As you may have gleaned from previous posts, Mike is significantly faster than the rest of Team Donahue, so he made plans to run with his crew. Heidi, Christine, and Sharon planned to run together. For this significant and special run they were joined by Christine’s sister Maria, a former DFMC member (3 years!) who agreed to act as road crew during the run. In order to simulate the impact of the race on the runner’s quads as much as possible, we initiated the run in Hopkinton, at the official starting line. It was so exciting to see all the other runners out in Hopkinton kicking off their runs as well.

All along the course we were cheered on by folks manning various water stops, sponsored by the charity teams – “Joints in Motion”, “Team in Training”, "Run for Research", "The MGH Team" and "Miles for Miracles" – running clubs and sporting goods folks. It was inspiring to see so many people out there cheering for us when it wasn’t even marathon day!

Every three miles we were treated to Maria’s special road crew trunk which was stocked with water, Gatorade, Gu, and just about anything else we could have needed. As the miles wore on, Maria started greeting us with exactly what we wanted – we felt like elite runners! Here we were stocking up at Mile 12. Sharon and Christine were sporting the fabulous DFMC shirts available through Laura, another DFMC team member (http://www.twentysixpointtoomanymiles.blogspot.com/).

We all survived Heartbreak Hill and ended the run in Cleveland Circle – 22 miles. Following tradition, we shared a post run lunch at 21 Nickels in Watertown.

Later that evening, the entire team Donahue, including Mike who had also rocked his run, were treated to “timball” a fantastic pasta and pastry dish that had been prepared and decorated just for us (can you see the 26?).

Race day? Bring it on!

Saturday Guy

The team had a group run with the DFMC this past weekend in Waltham. The run started at the Boston Sports Club. This club is located at the same facility where the Celtics practice! They were on the road so we didn't get a glimpse of them. Good thing because I am sure Mike would have schooled them with his mad basketball skills! As usual Coach Jack Fulz had us running on a challenging course to prepare us for the rigors of running the Boston Marathon. This was an out and back course through some country roads in Waltham and Lincoln. And boy was it hilly! For just about the entire run we were either going up hill or down! DFMCer Laurie was also at the run and the Team picked up their awesome new DFMC 2009 running shirts!

After the run the Team headed over to 21 Nickels in Watertown, our favorite post run location! There is nothing better after a long run than a cheeseburger club and a beer at the Nickel. Check them out on the web at http://www.buckfive.com/site/index.html. Our favorite bartender, Mike (a.k.a "Saturday Guy"), made sure we had plenty of food and beverage to refuel and took the great picture of us above. We'd also like to give a shout out to the "Sunday Gal" at the Nickel, Steph, who makes a mean Hot Toddy. These lovely hot beverages have been key to warming us up after long runs in below freezing temperatures!

New Bedford Half Marathon

This past weekend we all went down to New Bedford for the 32nd running of the New Bedford Half Marathon. This was Heidi’s first New Bedford experience but for Sharon, Mike and Christine this was their second time running. Encouraged by Sharon, last year’s New Bedford Half was Mike’s first half marathon ever and the half marathon that got Christine off her butt and running again. We were joined by a group of friends, including some first time half marathoners! There was also a pretty good turn out of DFMCers running and many were sporting a DFMC running shirt that fellow runner Laurie is selling as a fund raiser. We are anxious to get our hands on one of those snazzy looking shirts!

The weather this year, in contrast to last, was perfect for running. Heidi took advantage of the warm temperatures to demo her new running Skort she is planning on wearing on the Big Day!

Not only was Sunday the anniversary of Mike's first Half Marathon, but it was also this time last year that Mike debuted his favorite post running outfit! The now famous Spidey Pants!!


The course is famous for a couple of notorious features including a monster hill around mile 4 and another big climb just before the finish around mile 12. At the top of the hill there is a McDonalds that Mike took advantage of, taking several minutes off his finish time to purchase a Big Mac. Look for pictures of Mike finishing with his Big Mac in hand when the photos are made available. For the rest of us, the run was topped off by a lunch at Freestone's in New Bedford. They have a room in the back that was perfect for the entire group.

Overall everyone had a great day and it was a nice change of pace from the long runs up and over heartbreak hill in Newton. Mike finished well ahead of the group (even with the stop at the golden arches) and Heidi and Sharon out kicked Christine at the end. Sharon ran her second fastest half marathon ever and Christine bested her personal best by 14 seconds!! Next week we hit the pinnacle of our marathon training as we head out for the big 22 mile run. This will be the longest training run we will do before the marathon! Then it is time to taper and rest for the big day.

Hyannis Half Marathon!!

Team Donahue took time off last weekend from the DFMC group runs and headed to Hyannis to run the Half Marathon. Sharon had run the Hyannis Half for the past 2 years and always had a great time, which inspired all of to sign up to run this year. Mike was originally going to participate as part of a relay team for the full marathon but things didn't work out and he ran the half as well. The weather forecast during the week suggested it might not be that great for a run but it turned out perfectly, overcast and cool. The rain held off until after we finished! Before the race we picked up our numbers and race t-shirts at the Hyannis Resort and Conference center.

The course is scenic running through Hyannis along the coast to Craigville beach. Passing by the summer home of Christine's college roommate, where she had spent many adventurous weekends, details of which she is reluctant to share....Everyone had a great time and run with Christine & Mike running personal bests for a half marathon!!

This weekend we were back running with the DFMC team. Mike ran 20 miles for the first time ever!! Sharon, Heidi and Christine ran 18.5 miles. The DFMC coach told them it was an 18 mile course but we all know that he adds just a little extra to make sure we get our miles in. Luckily, the run was on Saturday so we were able to avoid yet another weekend run in the SNOW!!! Spring can't come soon enough for marathon training!

The Singlets Arrive!!

On Marathon Monday the Dana Farber Team will head out of Hopkinton along with more than 20,000 other runners to run to Boston. If you go to watch the race you will be able to easily pick DFMC team members out of the crowd because we will all be wearing the same singlet (an Australian term for sleeveless shirt)!! Every year the DFMC designs a new team shirt and everyone looks forward to seeing them. This past week our singlets came in the mail. All of us were super excited to see them and try them on!

First time marathoners Mike and Heidi are shown here enthusiastically modeling their new singlets!!

Sunday February 8, 2009

The weather for the long run reached the 40s on the 8th. It was so hot that Mike was missing the below freezing runs in January (something he will surely regret later) and Christine, Heidi, and Sharon were shedding their jackets. Still taking it easy after Miami; Christine, Sharon, and Heidi did not take part in the group run, but ran 10 miles along the carriage road on the Newton Hills. Mike ran 18 miles (his furthest thus far in the training) and was helped along by a few timely gusts of wind. Even though they didn’t run together, Christine, Heidi, Sharon, and Mike crossed paths around the base of Heartbreak hill. Unfortunately, after the race, the team didn't have the usually provided breakfast spread. In order to eliminate the massive hunger formed from an 18 mile run, Mike went to Spike’s Junkyard Dogs and ate 8 delicious hot dogs in under ninety minutes. Doing this earned him a place of honor (along with countless others) on the Wall of fame, and also a free t-shirt!

Every Thursday, Crossroads Pub on the corner of Mass Ave and Beacon street hosts a training run. Runners will show up and drop off their belongings upstairs, take the train to Woodland station and run back along the last nine miles of the marathon route, starting with the Newton Hills. Afterwards all the runners training for the marathon are encouraged to hang out, drink beer, and eat tons of free pizza. Which Christine, Heidi and Mike have enjoyed immensely the last two weeks!!

Miami Marathon Weekend!!

After months of training the Miami Marathon weekend was finally here!!! Three quarters of Team Donahue and road crew got on a flight out of Boston bound for Miami late Friday afternoon. We got in late Friday night, had dinner and went to bed excited about hitting the Marathon Expo to pick up our numbers and do a little shopping. For those of you new to marathon running, going to the expo is an exciting time! The Boston Marathon has by far the most impressive expo with exhibits taking up a large part of the Hynes Convention Center. Let’s just say the Miami Marathon Expo, while well organized and spacious it’s not as big as Boston. The best part of the Miami Expo is that it is held in the center of South Beach Miami. Where you can enjoy the warm sunshine, the beach and see lots of fellow runners carrying their orange bags from the expo around with them as they explore.

The Marathon and Half Marathon start promptly at 6:15 AM. We were all up early and headed down Biscayne Avenue with fellow racers, all pleased to be comfortable in shorts and T-shirts pre-6 am! On the way over we had our picture taken in front of the American Airlines Arena by an ING. Excitement ramped up in the corral – Heidi and Meredith were plotting strategy for the half marathon and Christine and Sharon, who were running the full distance, reviewed their plan to not go out to fast and synchronized their ipods.

The race kicked off right on time and the course did not disappoint! The first 3 miles are across as 3 mile bridge with a few of docked cruise ships all lit up in the dark, then along South Beach as the sun is coming up and the partiers are walking home from the night before. After a tour of South Beach the race turns back across the Venetian Causeway and through the “tube of cheer”, the Wii Rock Band Guys (stage and everything!) and then the course splits where the half marathoners finish (Heidi had a PR!) and the full marathoners head into the loneliest mile 14 ever! After a couple of transitional miles, the marathon route heads into a great residential area with tons of flowers, palm trees and enthusiastic volunteers and spectators.

Sharon and Christine ran together for the first 18 miles and executed the plan we had started with. But as the morning went on the temperatures rose from 63 to 75 degrees, Christine started to fade back. At mile 22 Heidi and Meredith were right underneath the mile marker cheering us on!! Between miles 22 and 24 is a 1 mile out and back where they hand out orange leis! Sharon and Christine passed each other waving wildly during this part of the run. Then it was on to the finish!! A great time was had by all.

Mid January Update

As any one who lives in the northeast knows, this winter has been really snowy and really cold! While the snow makes for a pretty landscape it makes training for a marathon tough. In the month of January we have had 9 days of snow totally 24 inches in Boston. Leaving the sidewalks icy and snow covered. As a result we have been doing a bit of indoor training. On one weekend our DFMC training run was canceled due to snow! Heidi, Mike and Christine headed out on our own the day before the snow came in 15 degree cold and ran 10 miles. Other than the cold it was a beautiful day.

Sharon and Christine’s taper for the Miami marathon was in full swing over Martin Luther King weekend. Christine was in Boston and chose to crank out her final 8 miler indoors. Sharon was fortunate to be visiting friends in San Francisco, so her 8 miler was extremely hilly!

The following day, Sharon was also treated to a hike on the Tennessee Valley trail in Marin County which included a maximum elevation of 860 ft! The hike was capped off perfectly with a visit to “Joe’s Taco Lounge” in Mill Valley (highly recommended).

January 4, 2009

Team Donahue’s training is in full swing. This Saturday morning we had a DFMC team run out of the Mt. Auburn club in Watertown. It was a beautiful morning, and we were treated to a nice view of the sunrise from the meeting room on the top floor of the club. We didn’t realize we’d be zapped with a pretty strong headwind for the first few miles as we headed up to Comm Ave and the marathon course. With so many of us running drafting was possible, at least when we could stick with the pack. Mike shot out ahead – seemed as if he was motivated to run off some of the happy hour cheer he had enjoyed on Friday night. Heidi, Christine and Sharon fell in with Julia, a first year DFMC runner and marathon veteran who is running to support lung cancer research.

The route was a bit clearer than it had been last weekend, although there were definitely still some treacherous patches. The well staffed (and stocked!) DFMC water stops were a welcome sight for all of us.

We battled some serious headwinds on the way back to the club as well (it’s not supposed to work that way!), but the team all made it back in one piece, better off for having done the run (especially Mike!).

On Sunday, Christine and Sharon hit the Minuteman Trail for their last 20-miler in preparation for the Miami marathon at the end of the month. With a starting temperature of 18ºC, we were both bundled up and grateful that conditions on race day are expected to be much better. Even the neoprene sleeve didn’t prevent Sharon’s camelbak hose from freezing! Something to keep in mind for folks running the Minuteman – it’s plowed through Somerville, Arlington and Lexington but not Bedford! Despite frozen water, some last minute route machinations, knee pain and a bit of left over fatigue from the previous day’s run, we ground through the 20 miles and are really looking forward to Miami!