The Significance Of The Marathon 

by Boston Marathon Coach

“As an athlete, when you least expect it, you may find yourself standing on the threshold of an accomplishment so monumental that it strikes fear into your soul.  You must stand ready, at any moment, to face the unknown.  You must be ready to walk boldly through the wall of uncertainty.”  John “The Penguin” Bingham, The Courage To Start Running a marathon is a life-altering experience.  When you cross the finish line of a marathon you may never in your life have a closer glimpse into who you truly are and what you’re capable of achieving.  Facing your fears and doubts prepares you to experience breakthrough accomplishments beyond your imagination. Overcoming doubt and the inevitable pain of the closing miles of a marathon prepares you for far greater challenges that await beyond the finish line of the marathon.  Becoming a marathoner is one of the most empowering experiences in life.  Once you prove that you can prepare for and complete the 26.2 mille distance, there’s little doubt you can accomplish practically anything. So many of the runners that I’ve coached have expressed an incredible void in their lives after completing Boston.  Those seismic gaps need to be filled with even more significant challenges.  It might be running another marathon, attempting at a Boston Qualifier or it might be something far removed from the finish line on Boylston Street in Boston.  It might be an effort to be a better person, a parent that instills confidence in a child, a spouse that is truly committed to a lifelong partnership.  Mahatma Gandhi once said, “Learn like you will live forever.  Live like you will die tomorrow!”  My appetite for learning increases as I age and the challenges of life are equal to or greater than running a marathon.  Appreciating the simple things in life, living in the moment as well as in the spirit of continuous improvement are traits that have resulted from being a runner for the past 35 years. I hope that you dream of taking on huge challenges and have the discipline and determination to see them through.  More importantly, I hope the inspiration and confidence garnered from these journeys of achievement will fuel a commitment to greater service to others within you!

Training Schedule...FYI

Curious what my training plan looks like???

I have kept a solid base following my half marathon in October...and running a consistent 6-8 mile long run on Sundays...so I decided to forgo the novice training schedule and jump up to intermediate..It looks challenging, but on par with what I have been preparing for...

I am excited to start up next week with this 18 week program leading right up to Marathon Monday!!!

Week 13 and 15 look to be the biggest challenge when I total 43 miles...That's just about when the snow really starts to accumulate and I will need all of your SUPPORT!!!!

In other news:
-Thanks to all those who have donated thus far, I am up to almost $800!!!...keep spreading the word about the BLC and providing me with the support I need to keep at it!
-World Aids Day is December 1st...donate to support those living with the disease all over the world...and help the Boston Living Center provide the support system for those here in Boston trying to cope with the challenges of living with HIV/AIDS....
-We have a date set for our Boston Fundraising Party: January 9th... Save the date!!
-We have a venue set up for our HUGE FUNDRAISING PARTY!!! It will be at the Luxury Box in Seekonk with live music, free appetizers, a raffle and silent auction...get excited because it is going to be a AWESOME!!! Stay tuned for the date........

That's all the news I have for now...keep following and keep going strong out there in whatever you are reaching for!

~Keli

Gobble Gobble

I did it...and ran my best 10k pace yet in doing so...1:01:03...slightly over a 10 minute pace...It was a tough race...The majority of the 10k field was FAST...it was good and bad...I certainly pushed myself...but I know I started out too fast...I was really really hurting by mile 4...but pushed through and finished strong... I felt a little discouraged....I have been training for a bit now...my times are slowly increasing... but I have always been sooo competitive and have excelled in every sport...its really tough being in the back of the field of runners...something I am not used to at all...but I have to remember WHY I am running...and in April it wont be about my time...it will be about finishing...accomplishing a goal...and supporting an organization and community...


Lots to be thankful for....like my sister and niece who cheered me on....my bro in law who ran with me even after a night out...the health and strength to be able to train for my first marathon...and family and friends who support me in anything I decide to do...no matter how crazy...

~Keli

I cant walk!!

So one of the perks of being a store manager at City Sports is the people you meet and the connections you make with customers....our store is located on the BU campus...so I have met many of the athletic coaches and created great working relationships with many of them...so long story short...I got connected with a BU conditioning coach and was put through a workout geared towards endurance athletes....OUCH...

I have not felt this sore since college basketball preseason...and that was not fun!! It was good to feel this sore again, but at the same time I am in some serious pain...when going to the bathroom is painful you know something is wrong! What is even scarier is I thought I was getting to the point where I was in solid shape...I mean I did complete a half marathon!!

Anyway...I am going to continue with a program on a weekly basis and help supplement my running workouts...I have been reading marathoning for mortals (great book for anybody new to running and marathon training) and the best thing you can do to step up your performance is cross train....it gives your running muscles a break...and works out your non running muscles...sounds good huh!?

So it has been a few weeks since I have posted...not much new other than my killer workout...I am staying steady with my mileage..about 20-25 a week...may run a few less this week with the sore legs...but all in all I am on track....

I did set my official marathon training plan start date: December 1st!!!

Stay tuned for more!

~Keli

I

Re-Inspired!!!

Sooo...This past week since the half marathon I have had a hard time getting back on my training schedule...lots of procrastination and too many days off...I have a tough time without an immediate goal...The last few months I had the half to work towards...now with Boston so far out I am having a tough time searching for the motivation I need to keep my training fresh and exciting...

What to do?? I headed to the bookstore and grabbed a running book: "What I talk about when I talk about running" and I think I found my inspiration...The book is a memoir about an everyday runner and writer...but he considers himself a "serious" runner when he logs 36 plus miles a week...144 a month....so after a good break this week after my 13.1 I am going for it...attempting to be a serious runner...6 miles, 6 days a week...that's a 10k everyday!!!

I justified another day off today....heck why not, I met my goal last week and ran a half marathon and then followed that up with a 10k...so I deserved a break after a long few months of training...but I am back at it tomorrow... with a new goal in sight...

I am trying to come up with a way to get some other runners at city sports excited about it as well and join me in the fun.....We could have a store level vs. corporate mileage contest...with some incentive for the winners...trying to make it fun and exciting..so we will see....

But I am certainly excited again....and so glad I picked up a book!!

If you are interested in joining part of the fun let me know!

~Keli

Training continues: Nike Human Race 10k

The day the world runs....I laced them up and ran too!! City Sports hosted a run with Nike that started at our City Sports Boylston location and headed out along the river finishing up at Nike Town for a nice 6 miles....

Wasn't so nice for me however...I think my legs were feeling the effects of the half last weekend...yikes!! Today's run felt tougher than the half; if that's possible! I took 3 days off after the half last Sunday; the first 2 days my legs were just shot; real sore to even walk...Wednesday I started feeling better but didn't want to push it so I started back up with a 3 mile run on Thursday...It felt great; actually posted my best 3 mile time yet...Friday I was TIRED so I decided to take another day off and then went back at it this am for the 10k! As tough as it was I still posted my best 10k time to date, clocking in at: 1:02:22!!

So as I continue to put the miles on my pace is slowly getting better, and I am getting stronger...This week I am meeting with a conditioning coach at BU who I got connected with at work...I think adding in some strength training will help me out as well...so I am excited for that this week as well...I will keep you updated!

I am finding it tough to stay on track with no race in sight other than Boston...I do better with goals along the way! But a few things are lined up down the road...with a 16 mile Boston Prep Run in January and another half on the Cape in February...So looks like it is just time to focus and work on running a solid 5 days a week to keep my endurance strong so I can jump into a marathon training schedule in the next month or so....I am sure I will need some motivation on those cold wet mornings....so please keep it coming!

Thanks to all those early donations coming in...Certainly is GREAT motivation!

~Keli

Pics and Official Time!!!

Okay...so just like I promised the race picture has arrived...It's not the best picture ever thats for sure...But considering the conditions I look pretty good! This was actually taken at the home stretch just before the finish...where I clocked in at an official time of: 2:22!!