Before I get into my spiel, let me give you the tour of my new blog. On the left you can read all about the DFMC, how it started and its mission. Below that I have linked to some of my teammates' blogs. If you have some time, please check them out. Each of them has a unique story to tell. On the right, below my smiling face, you can go to my personal fundraising page to make a gift, and below that there's a link to see if your company matches your gift. Please check this out as it's an easy way to double your impact. On to this week's update...
I got back to the gym this week after taking the last few days off. I was eager to get back into my routine to see how my legs would feel and if my past injuries would flare up at all. I must say, working out after taking time to heal makes one very nervous. You have no idea whether or not you're going to be able to finish what you started, and you start thinking about the ways this can all go wrong. Even with this all going through my head, I know what I have to do, and I take solace in the fact that I've heard from many people that they too overcame injury problems during their first marathon.
I spent Monday on the Arc Trainer. This machine is supposedly the best way to keep your fitness when not running, and from my experience, I can see that. However, I think the hardest part is staying focused and not getting incredibly bored and wanting to quit. I don't run into this problem when running outside, but being cooped up in a gym is a totally different feeling. Fortunately, when I went last night, I was able to watch "The Wedding Singer" while doing my workout. And I must say that I gained a whole new appreciation for the movie after watching it with subtitles. I'm not someone who can identify each and every song so being able to see what each song was made the movie that much better. I was also able to get on the treadmill for a few minutes of pain-free light running. I'm a little sore today, specifically my achilles, but all in all, a positive step forward in getting back to longer runs.
On an even more positive note, I'm delighted and amazed to report to you that I have now received gifts totaling more than $1,200! I've been been blown away by the support I've received so far, sometimes from the most unexpected places. One of my friends from Tufts, on his own, forwarded my email to some of his family. Then, last week I received a note and a check from his Aunt whom I have never met nor spoke to. This act, my friend's and his aunt's, has left me speechless and even more dedicated to raise as much money as possible.
Wednesday, December 24, 2008
Saturday, December 20, 2008
The Reason Why
Why? Why am I running the Boston Marathon? Why did I choose to raise money for Dana-Farber?
I've answered these questions in many different ways, and it's taken me some time to figure out the real reason why I felt compelled to do this. I've listened to others speak of their personal connection to cancer. I've read about the stories that some have said inspired their desire to become a part of the team. And as I've taken all of this in, I realized that everyone's reason is different and that's what makes this team so special.
My reason: Cancer does not discriminate. Let me say that again this time in CAPS: CANCER DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE. Young, old, men, women. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters. We will all be affected, if we haven't yet, by cancer in our lifetime. This is why I'm running.
There are other things I could do to have an impact, but to me running the marathon with the hours of training, the ice packs, the advil, and the cold, just seemed like the thing that was meant for me to do.
And so far, I think I made the right choice.
I've answered these questions in many different ways, and it's taken me some time to figure out the real reason why I felt compelled to do this. I've listened to others speak of their personal connection to cancer. I've read about the stories that some have said inspired their desire to become a part of the team. And as I've taken all of this in, I realized that everyone's reason is different and that's what makes this team so special.
My reason: Cancer does not discriminate. Let me say that again this time in CAPS: CANCER DOES NOT DISCRIMINATE. Young, old, men, women. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters. We will all be affected, if we haven't yet, by cancer in our lifetime. This is why I'm running.
There are other things I could do to have an impact, but to me running the marathon with the hours of training, the ice packs, the advil, and the cold, just seemed like the thing that was meant for me to do.
And so far, I think I made the right choice.
Thursday, December 18, 2008
Ready, Set, Blog!
And I'm off. Actually, not really. It's supposed to snow only 6-12 inches in Boston starting tonight and going into tomorrow, so I've decided I think I'll take this weekend off from running. I also have the excuse that I'm still recovering from some injuries, but somehow the prospect of blizzard-like conditions makes my legs start to hurt just like how my grandmother claims she knows when it's going to rain because her knees start to hurt. Yes, I just compared myself, 23, relatively healthy on a good day, to my almost 80-year-old grandma. She's really sprite for her age.
As you may know, I have started training for the 2009 Boston Marathon and have also started my fundraising efforts for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (http://www.runDFMC.org/zacharyd2009. That will be another post, and probably a few more).
Now, before I start blogging about how cold it is outside, the miserableness of running long distances, etc. etc., I want to first talk about why I'm doing this.
Beer!
Well, that's not totally true. While I do seem to go drinking after most runs, it is not my sole motivation. (On a side note, drinking after running is euphoric.)
Truthfully, the amazingness of this experience, and it's only been two months into my training, has been outstanding (I know, how can amazingness, a non-existent word, be described as outstanding? It just can so keep reading). The people I've met and the sense of accomplishment that I've already gained through my few long runs and my first race, has already given me more from this experience than I was expecting to get through the entire process.
This will be a long journey, but I know it will be a worthwhile one, and I hope you'll find a few minutes every week to follow along. I'll try to make it entertaining but for those who may be way too used to my sense of humor, I apologize in advance for all those jokes you don't find funny, but actually are awesome.
As you may know, I have started training for the 2009 Boston Marathon and have also started my fundraising efforts for Dana-Farber Cancer Institute (http://www.runDFMC.org/zacharyd2009. That will be another post, and probably a few more).
Now, before I start blogging about how cold it is outside, the miserableness of running long distances, etc. etc., I want to first talk about why I'm doing this.
Beer!
Well, that's not totally true. While I do seem to go drinking after most runs, it is not my sole motivation. (On a side note, drinking after running is euphoric.)
Truthfully, the amazingness of this experience, and it's only been two months into my training, has been outstanding (I know, how can amazingness, a non-existent word, be described as outstanding? It just can so keep reading). The people I've met and the sense of accomplishment that I've already gained through my few long runs and my first race, has already given me more from this experience than I was expecting to get through the entire process.
This will be a long journey, but I know it will be a worthwhile one, and I hope you'll find a few minutes every week to follow along. I'll try to make it entertaining but for those who may be way too used to my sense of humor, I apologize in advance for all those jokes you don't find funny, but actually are awesome.
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