Kiawah Island, South Carolina - December 10, 2011

Kiawah Island was a bit of redemption for me. If you read my previous blog, NYC did not go the way I wanted it too but I finished nonetheless. I went to South Carolina not knowing what to expect. I had trained for NYC #3 very hard with a great plan. Although that race did not go to plan, I nonetheless felt like I had trained well. Kiawah was a different story. The race was five (5) weeks later and I had suffered with a cold as Beth described would never go away! About the week of the race, I could feel it slowly leaving my body.


I flew down the Friday before the race and spent time at my company, Edens, home office, visiting fellow co-workers. Had an interesting lunch at a Mexican / sushi place with Julie, Amanda and Ashley. Only in Columbia, SC. It was actually a great time catching up with a lot of folks. After a very fun afternoon, I drove down to Kiawah Island. Simply a gorgeous place. No other words can describe this pristine island. The one thing I could not get over, even in the dark, was how dark it was . No street lights whatsoever leading up to the gate by the island.


It was now about 7pm and I had been up for quite a while.I realized I need to get some food and sleep. I stayed with my friends, Trevor and Danielle. The only downside to the trip was that they were not there. They were nice enough to lend me their home but they had a family trip that they re-scheduled that weekend.


Race Day: I got up early so I would not get lost going down to the island. I also gave myself lots of time to do the essentials -- you know -- and I will leave it at that. I woke up feeling still congested. I was starting to think this was going to be a repeat of New York. This is where I learned something that I already knew - a lot of running was mental. I was feeling like I had no idea what my body was going to allow me to do. One of many mantras in life is to take an issue and break it down into smaller components. Rather than getting flustered, I started telling myself break the race into smaller parts.


The first six miles I did at a slow and steady pace doing my run/walk method. About the six mile mark, which is at the halfway point of the first loop (you do two loops on this magnificent course - more on this in a second), I started to feel like I was hitting a groove. From mile 6-20, I just found a rhythm that I had not experienced since my marathon in Maine in 2009. I just felt that the training for NYC was kicking in. The course was very flat but the majestic nature of being on this island made the race extremely nice to run and I certainly did not mind running the same loop a second time. Once I hit 20, I told myself - a simple 10k to go. Well 20-23 went relatively smooth, I was starting to feel fatigued at 23! Mile 23 seems to always be my hardest mile of the race. It was not that I was not in shape but I think the cold for the last five weeks had zapped some of the 26.2 out of me. Nonetheless, I finished the race with a very good 4:25. I was very satisfied by the result.


One last thing about Kiawah. Do the race! Even if it is the half (which I will go back to do one day), it is worth the trip. One of the best after race parties too!

New York City #3

I realized it has been a very long time since I have blogged about running or anything else.

This fall saw a bunch of mixed results for me. Overall I felt my training for NYC was pretty good. In fact, I felt ran more quality miles training for NYC #3. Most of mid-range, mid week runs were strong and felt there was a lot of quality in my new plan: more miles but less speed. I felt by building endurance. Even though my race did not turn out the way I wanted it too, I still whole heartedly believe that more miles at less speed equal a better overall result!

Back to the training, most of my long runs were met by struggle at the end of the long run. I believe there were two things that contributed to the struggles on the long runs. First, I was running them too fast from the start - rather than focusing in on the distance. The other was that every time I ran - it was very humid. I also did not plan my hydration as well as usually do. Thus some really poor long runs. That being said there were some good experiences along the way - a reach the Beach relay that saw me run four quality legs and I had a very good 21 miler with a new friend, Danielle.

So going into NYC #3, I thought I had a good shot at a good race. I thought it would at least equal Providence at 4:26 and maybe even closer to my 2008 Philly time or my 2009 Boston PR of 4:17. The week going into NY was pretty routine and the night before I had a wonderful pre-race dinner in midtown NY with Beth and two of my closest friends, John and Dina. I went back to the hotel and did not sleep very well. I got maybe 4 hours of sleep -- not the best thing before a marathon.

I get up for the race and it is perfect conditions - the weather could not have been any better. However I was already bugged out about not having slept that well. So the one thing that anyone will tell you about the NYC marathon is that it is always cold waiting on Staten Island. This year was no different - however, I bundled up with the appropriate clothing to discard before the race. The only issue was that we were on 20 minute bus ride from Staten Island Ferry to the start line on a bus that was way too hot. I was perspiring on the bus.

Ok - I get off the bus and I am going to set up my watch (which had been tempermental for weeks). The band broke and then on top of that the battery did not hold its charge. So I decided I am going to use Adam's iTouch stop watch for my timing. However, I turn it on at the start and it says low battery - 20% left. For some runners, not having a watch is not the biggest thing. To me, it is huge part of my strategy and rhythm out there. Doing the run / walk - you need a time piece.

I think no problem - I will use the iTouch and then have Adam give me his watch when I get to mile 14 - the first place I was supposed to see Adam and Beth. So I get to the start and I am in the third wave at the front of the Bridge - so much for a slow first mile. I will tell you the view was breath taking and spectacular. I will always remember that start like no other I have experienced. However, I still was not in the right place for a marathon I truly love.

Well the iTouch lasted to mile 9. So I started estimating what 60 seconds was like to walk. I get to the halfway point and I see the overall clock for me at 2:04 - I knew there that I was going to have a tough race. 2:04 was about 4 minutes ahead of pace. For some they would say, oh that is great Glen is going to have a spectacular race. Knowing that the best times are made when you run a negative split - I knew that I had run too hard. I get to mile 14 and there is no Adam or Beth. I am thinking I will get the watch at mile 18 - the next spot that I was supposed to see them.

The four miles from 14 to 18 were not good. Usually my favorite part of NYC is coming off the Queensboro bridge and going up first Avenue. I found out after the race that Beth and Adam saw me at 16 but I did not realize it. I get to 18 - there are my parents and it was one of the best moments of the race for me - but somehow I knew the race was not what I thought I had trained for 19 weeks. Again, no Beth or Adam or a watch. The run/walk had all but disappeared I would walk a 1/2 block every 10 but it was not working. I got to mile 19 and I started to feel my calf muscles starting to cramp.

I am starting to think how am I going to finish. I had severe leg cramps in Arizona but that was mile 23 - not mile 19. I basically found the spirit that my legacy of this race was that I was going to persevere with the true spirit of a marathoner. I started to think of my friends Kevin, Paul, Sue and Dave who have endured Cancer and the endless hours of treatments. I said to myself if they could do those chemo treatments for weeks on end - I had to "suck it up" and persevere through the last 7 miles - even if it meant walking and being last in the race. I walked for about 1/2 mile and then tried to start running again. Every time I started to run - the cramp would return in 200 - 300 yards - so I decided I would just try to walk as fast I could. I got to mile 23 by the Guggenheim and my left leg totally seized up. I am standing on the railing in agony and just hoping that my leg would finally be pain free so I could at least move forward. A guy finally leaned over and handed me a banana and some gatorade. It helped.

Now I am finally in the park! I am saying just try to keep going forward. I had walked so much by this time that I felt refreshed. I got to mile 24 and there was a welcome site- BETH and ADAM. They were concerned knowing that I had such a good start and they had seen me at mile 16. What was taking him so long? Anyway, they were relieved and I got a shot of energy to run the last two miles (about 10:30 minute pace). I got to the finish line in 4:44.

Considering everything that went on the last 7 miles, I will take the 4:44 and say I am proud of my effort. Others would have DNF. It is easy to quit - it is far harder to work through it and said I did it! I did it and I am glad that I made it.

Next up is my 14th state - Kiawah Island, South Carolina. I know I will have a watch as well as a strategy that will not be a repeat of NYC. I also know that 2012 will be a spectacular year filled with helping DFMC runners as well knocking off a few more states.

Boston Marathon Monday - April 18, 2011

This past Monday was the 115th marathon running of the Boston Marathon. Previously, I have run the Boston Marathon in 2005, 2006, 2007 and 2009. If you have been following my blog, then you know that I presently trying to run a marathon in all 50 states in my lifetime. On the one hand being a Hopkinton resident for the last 10 years and avid runner, there is a certain part of me that would like to run from Hopkinton to Boyleston Street. However, it is very counterproductive to the overall goal of running every state. I would be lying if I told you that there was not a certain part of me that wanted to be with my fellow 550 teamates on the course this past Monday. With that being said, I still had a wonderful day with my daughter, Rachel and my son, Adam volunteering and cheering for the DFMC marathon team.

Our day started bright and early at 5:30 am at the St. Johns church where we helped the DFMC team at their refuge before the race. When we arrived, it was about 40 degrees with a 25 mph westerly wind. It was outright cold and the runners were lucky to be inside until the race started.

Having been an assistant coach as well as a mentor to the DFMC team, I knew plenty of runners this year. At the church, I was just trying to let everyone be in their pre-race zone and be comfortable. A few asked me for advice, but mostly I just wanted to re-assure people before they headed out.

After we finished at the church, Rachel, Adam and Iheaded out to our typical spot on Commonwealth Ave at mile 18 (just beyond the firehouse and up the hill). We got their in record time and we were able to see some of the faster DFMC runners (Colleen, Brian, Gordon, Alexa and Sarah). On top of that I saw my fellow running partner, Betty (she ran Flying Pig with me last year). Betty teased me last year that we didn't see her but she saw us. Well, we saw her this time with her big grin and fast feet. After, some of these faster runners flew by us - we were treated to see a lot of the DFMC team stream by us. At this point I was glad I was watching rather than running. Since I had been a supporting role for most of the year, I felt the day belong to the people I mentored rather than me. Seeing Lindsey W pass me (pictured) was particularly heartwarming to me; a few weeks earlier she had not had the best run. One by one, so many of them came running by us - Lindsey B, Kim C, Kerry, Kristie, Shifter, Angela, Christy as well as Lynda and Hilary (simply put Living Proof).

Subsequently, we got in the car and drove to mile 25 - Kenmore Square to the DFMC cheering area. We were lucky to fly down there and get a parking spot - right by Fenway. When we arrived, we saw Big Mike and Kristan cheering people so we hung with them. Again, we saw many of the runners I mentioned earlier. The only difference was that they knew they only had 1.2 miles to go and were starting to realize that their dream had come true. What was the satisfying moment of the day was to see so many people that I had helped have consistent marathon marked by some great times. Knowing that I had made a difference by sharing my knowledge and experience was even more satisfying than crossing the finishing line. I felt that I was a part of each of these persons races.

In closing, to know that I was part of something much bigger - the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge was more than one could ask for. The night before, Beth, Adam, Rachel and I had gone to the pasta dinner. It is an uplifting moment to know that - we can truly make a difference in our friends lives Kevin and Tina as well as be part of something much larger - raising $4.5 million dollars for Cancer Research.

Please support my run in Providence on May 1 - http://www.rundfmc.org/2011/gleng

Reminded Why I Run, Raise and Coach

Each week before our long run, we are presented with the Barr Impact Statement. One of the Barr Program Impact Statements this year was the following: Controlling Cancer Growth: William Seller, MD and his colleagues identified genetic abnormalities in proteins that controll cell growth in cangers. These major discoveries led directly to the development of targeted drugs used by patients worldwide for the treatment of multiple cancers, including lung cancer, leukemia, and melanoma. This work has become the model for personalized medicine in cancer treatment and is widely credited for helping transform the approach that pharmaceutical companies use for drug development. Key impact areas: colon, leukemia, melanoma and prostate cancers: new drug development, personalize medicine Well, as I have discussed in other blogs this year - I am running this race in honor of Kevin, who has colon cancer. Like many people, Kevin was enjoying life playing golf and going to Italy with his wife, Tina - and one day he wakes up and he has to battle cancer. Life totally changes from paying bills, worrying what movie to go see to dealing with this dreaded disease. Similarly, one of the people I have been helping with training this year is Hilary. Hilary is 15 years cancer free after fighting off childhood leukemia. As you will see in the attached video, http://boston.cbslocal.com/2011/04/05/cancer-survivor-running-marathon-for-dana-farber/ Hilary has fought a successful bout with the disease and is going to run in the Boston Marathon next Monday. Both Kevin and Hilary are winning their battles in large part to the funds that we have raised as well as the Doctors and Researchers that have made this possible. Like my friends before (prior years I have ran for these people -Paul, Dave and Sue), Kevin and Hilary are going to hopefully long, successful happy lives. Please take a moment to support them as well as me (If you haven't read I am doing my 13th state - Rhode Island on May 1, 2011) by going to my sight : http://www.rundfmc.org/2011/gleng

A Cold Crossroads Run - March 31, 2011

As some of you know, I am pretty regular runner at Crossroads on Thursday nights. For those of you who do not know what Crossroads is - it is a bar in Boston (Beacon and Mass Ave) where the charity teams meet on Thursday night and run the last 9 miles of the Boston Marathon Course. We come back to the bar and they treat us to pizza as we partake in beer and wine.

Well, last night we were greeted with some frozen precipitation for the run. As I entered the bar, I noticed some of my friends wearing shorts for this run - most notably Bob and Eric. This season I have been running with three charming women - Lindsey, Kristie and Kerry (see pictures). Most Thursdays, they have been very talkative and cheery on the runs. I will tell you they were pretty quiet for most of the run. I for one am not very chipper to run in the rain, the snow or the cold. Give me an 80 degree sunny day over the crappola! I knew I had to get them through this experience as this will hopefully lead to some success on marathon day. On the one hand, they did not complain, but I knew very well they just wanted the run to be over. Through a combination of trying to show them that they would not be running some of the hills that are on the carriage road in Brookline and reminding them that this is the worst that it could be compared to Marathon Monday - we made it back to Crossroads. Another key component we discussed was where we were with fundraising and why we were doing it for Dana Farber.

One of the two main reasons why I run for Dana Farber is to be partnered with great people like Lindsey, Kristie and Kerry who are continually raising money for Cancer research. As I have learned through my years of involvement with Dana Farber - the marathons are mentally and physically challenging. But, this effort is nothing compared to what cancer patients and their families go through on a daily basis.

Everything changes with a diagnosis of cancer,: routines are disrupted, schedules revolve around treatment appointments, and the fear of an uncertain future holds a grip on the patient and their entire family. One of the many goals of the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge is to raise monies for research to eradicate Cancer in our lifetime.

The Dana Farber Marathon Challenge is especially meaningful to me this year. My friend, Kevin, has endured countless hours of treatment in his battle against colon cancer. Through the support of his wife, Tina, and his caring family - he is winning this battle against this disease. Without the vital research provided by Dana Farber and other institutions, we would not have progressed to the point where Kevin would even have this fighting chance. It is my sincere hope that the money we raise in support of research assists people like my friends, Kevin and Tina to live long, healthy lives. Please support the Dana Farber Marathon Challenge. Thank you!

http://www.rundfmc.org/2011/gleng

Charity Run - March 26, 2011

Since my last entry, I have run my first race since my accident last year. I ran in the Quincy half marathon put on by my friend, J.J. Larner. I ran a 1:58 on a somewhat fast course. I was happy with the result mostly due to the fact that I had no idea what to expect of myself after such a long layoff from racing.

This past week I did the annual 22 miler with all of the charity groups. Most of the charity groups start off in Hopkinton and finish up at Boston College. You would think I would start in Hopkinton. No, I met my Dana Farber teamates and we did an out and back from BC to Wellesley - including Grossman's hill along with the four hills on the Boston course. The main reason that we do an out and back is to promote safety. As many of you know, the roads in Hopkinton and Ashland are quite narrow. I am living testament to that. As a result, we do not feel it is fair to put 150 runners on top of all the other runners without the course being closed.

Anyway what I love about this run is that the weather is usually the first sign of Spring and you see all of your friends from the other groups. Most notably, I saw Betty (my running buddy who did Flying Pig with me last year) as well as Dawn and Greg. I ran with Hilary with a fairly strong 4:1 run / walk regiment the whole 22 miles. I am so proud of what Hilary has accomplished with her running. Being a former Leukemia patient (15 years Cancer Free), she has grown to the distance and I am confident that she will have a great marathon. Also of note, big kudos to Lindsey H, Kristie and Kerry. This was there first time doing this sort of distance and they all did it with big smiles in the end. These are great new friends of have made through RunDFMC.org. One last person I have to mention is Lindsey W! Although not having her best day, she was a trooper and finished the run like the true veteran marathoner she is!

On the fundraising front, I am up to $2,000 but still need everyones help to support my run for Kevin. Kevin is currently fighting the brave fight against colon cancer. It is with the money that we raise for cancer research that allows and gives brave men like Kevin a fighting chance against the disease. Please support DFMC by going to my site: http://www.rundfmc.org/2011/gleng.

Lexington Long Run

Today was another 16 mile run along the Minute Man Trail in Lexington. We had a decent turnout with about 90 runners today. In this picture you will see some new friends that I have made this year Allison (the DFMC Jacket woman - have to give her the plug for the wonderful jacket and the money that is going to raise for DFMC), Kristi and Lindsey. I love the picture becasue it captures how we feel on these runs - as athletes ready to not only to tackle the feat of a marathon but ready to take on the great cause of eliminating Cancer in our lifetimes.

I am finding the running invigorating this time around. I don't know if it was that I just missed the dynamic of the group runs or Dana Farber as a whole. It will probably be a lot harder to do the three other marathons this year without the group dynamic.

Today was definitely the first sign that Spring was around the corner. With some of our runners showing up in shorts for the first time to the almost 50 degree temp (although it was windy out there so it felt colder) it definitely was not reminiscent of the bad weather that we have had all winter long. This time around in Lexington we actually ran on the bike trail as opposed to the road. I am sure this makes my family and friends happier as I am not trying to take on the steel automobiles (remember I lost the last time around).

One of the great things about running that I keep on reiterating in other blogs are the fantastic people you meet along the way. This year as in others we are blessed with really nice people on the DFMC team.