Beginnings

I've decided to run the 2006 Boston Marathon and to write a blog about it. I was inspired to run Boston by several different things. Each spring the Tufts Cross Country/Track team runs out to heartbreak hill to cheer on runners... I've done this 5 times (yes once as a pre-frosh). I was impressed by how many non-runner spectators made it out to cheer on the runners. The race definitely has a community feel to it. I was also inspired by my dad and sister. My dad ran his first marathon maybe 5 or 6 years ago in Ireland, and has run 2.5 marathons since then (Hudson-Mohawk, Boston, and 20 miles of Boston). My sister also just ran the NYC Marathon this fall. Seeing all the atheltes race, jog, or trudge their way to the finish line is pretty cool. Also, now that I'm out of college and don't run for a team anymore, which I've done since I started running in 7th grade, I feel like running Boston is a good running goal.

Since in order to enter Boston you need a qualifying time, and since I don't plan on running a qualifier between now and April, 2006, I've signed up to be part of the Tufts University President's Marathon Challenge (http://marathon.president.tufts.edu/home/index.php). I think this is a really cool thing that Tufts does. Basically students, alums, and friends of the University raise money, which goes to the Nutrition School and research on exercise, obesity, nutrition, etc etc. In exchange for raising money, participants are given entry into the Boston Marathon. Lawrence Bacow, our President, has run the marathon through this program 2 out of the last 3 years. I give him mad props for organizing and participating in this program.

So, I think that's it for now. This blog will cover my training for the marathon, and I guess I'll write about other stuff as well.... people might get bored with just "Ran 10 miles today. Felt good". Enjoy....