Crazy Bandana

Fw: The 2012 Winter Beast of Burden - "The Battle of The Beasts!"

2012-01-12T08:02:00.001-05:00

I guess some things never change...

Or

I'm a "beast" now...

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From: Sam Pasceri <resurrectionracing@gmail.com>

Date: Wed, 11 Jan 2012 16:53:46 -0500

Subject: The 2012 Winter Beast of Burden - "The Battle of The Beasts!"

The 2012 Winter Beast of Burden

"The Battle of the Beasts"

The Calf...an area usually reserved for a triathlete who has completed an official Ironman. The "M-Dot" is a badge of honor for any triathlete and completing an Ironman isn't an easy task but then again, neither is running 100 miles alongside of the Erie Canal in the middle of winter. Endurance athletes continue their quest to push their bodies to the limit. They seek the most extreme events such as the famous Badwater 135 mile Ultra Marathon which takes place in Death Valley- the Winter Beast of Burden 100 Mile Ultra Marathon is now bringing to debate, who actually has the hardest ultra marathon? Just ask accomplished Ultra Runner, Mark "Doc" Ott who has chosen to permanently brand his body with our logo after completing what he called, "The most challenging race of my life." Even the current record holder of the famous Badwater 135, Valmir Nunes has been quoted saying, "This race is by far the hardest race I've ever run."

Valmir and "Doc" Ott went head to head at The 2011 Winter BoB. Valmir went on to break the course record by 8 minutes which was previously set by former Lockport resident, Richard Cook. Rumor has it that pending a work related trip, David Ploskonka might be in attendance at the 2012 Winter B-o-B. Another very accomplished ultra-runner, Ploskonka, has multiple Badwater finishes and is the winner of the 2010 Summer 100 Mile Beast of Burden.

The 2012 Winter Beast of Burden is now just over a week away and boy is it going to be action packed! Valmir Nunes is flying in from Brazil (for the 3rd straight BoB event in a row). "Doc" Ott is also returning giving him another chance to go head to head with our Brazilian buddy, Nunes. Although "Doc" vowed never to run the Winter Beast again, he stated that the real reason for his return is to try and snatch up our "Double Beast Buckle" (A special buckle given to those who complete both 100 Mile BoB's in the same year). We also have former Lockport resident and previous course record holder, Richard Cook. Cook will be running his own race to hopefully regain the status of "course recorder holder" which he lost in battle last year to Nunes as he struggled to finish. Another accomplished ultra runner participating again this winter is Ryan O'Dell. Ryan's ultra race resume is just as long as my email. When you look at race results, Ryan's name can always be found at the top of the list. He's won a 24hr ultra and placed 2nd in two 100's. Could this be the 100 miler that Ryan has been waiting for? He's got the experience and strength needed to pull it off so, it'll be interesting. Now, throw in our wild card and Badwater veteran David Ploskonka. David has proven to be more than a worthy competitor as he's won The 2010 Summer BoB . So, as you can see you have more than just an ultra marathon folks, you have what I'm calling, "The Battle of the Beasts!" But, as we have witnessed in the past, you don't have to have one of the great names in ultrarunning to win, you just have to be a great ultra runner. Just ask Brian "The Beast" Hsia, winner of The 2011 Summer Beast of Burden 100. Brain ran his first 100 mile ultra at the Summer race. Running with a smile on his face all day Brian was about to finish comfortably in 3rd place and he only had 1 mile to go. Brian "The Beast" passed two people before he would cross the finish line, one of which was the leader from the start, Valmir Nunes of Brazil. That day, Brian shocked the ultra running community proving that an ultra is anybody's race and he did it with class.

As I sit here writing to you, the warm sun is shining through my window. Right now it's a beautiful 45 degrees outside but, I can't have this come race day. I used to think Mother Nature and I understood each other. I'd provide the warm bodies and she would blast them with her freezing winds while dropping a mixture of rain, hail and snow just as she's done in the past. So, what's The Winter Beast of Burden without snow? Honesty, I don't know and guess what...neither will any of the participants! It's coming!

Sincerely,

Sam Pasceri

Race Director

(to be removed from this email list simply reply with the words "remove" in the subject field)

(If you received more than one copy of this email we apologize and ask that you reply with "duplicate x 2 or x 3" in the subject field)

Thank you!

--
Sam Pasceri

Resurrection Racing
531 Walnut Street
Lockport, New York
(716)-609-9000
www.TheBeastofBurden100.com

Unleash the Beast inside of you!

Deplaned...

2012-01-06T12:03:00.001-05:00

Uh! First time for me...deplaned in Atlanta with a crew of kids...

Oh fun stuff...a plane ride from Atlanta, Georgia to Mobile, Alabama is delayed...uh! Seriously?

It only takes like 35 minutes...but is taking a whole while...

Geez! Crazy times!

Anyways...we'll see...
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January 1st - First run of 2012

2012-01-06T08:48:00.000-05:00

Well...I copied a friend who was doing 12 miles to start off in 2012...

After running with D yesterday, she convinced me to rack up my mileage and do 12 miles...why not!

Go to central park - 1 mile.
Do a 5 mile loop...then another 5 mile loop...
Then run back home to complete my 12 mile total...

A nice winter run on Monday, January 1st to start off the New Years!
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First marathon of the year - Mississippi

2012-01-06T08:38:00.000-05:00

The run, rogue as it was, was good for me. I got to hit the reset button on my gratitude meter, and think of all the ways that running has led me on a different path. It doesn't matter what our surroundings and circumstances are, runners can always move through them and get to a better place.

Kristin Armstrong, Make it count, Mile Markers blog, Runner's World.com

So...the first marathon of the year begins...as I wake up at N's apartment and quickly get dressed to meet up with the other crazies to go to Mississippi and Alabama.

First stop, Mobile, Alabama...off the plane and driving off to Mississippi, across the border...to do our first marathon there: Mississippi Blues Marathon and meeting up with a bunch of other crazy runners (mostly marathon maniacs) and doing a double marathon or back to backs...or as I call them...doublers!

This will be my 3rd doubler...the first being: New Hampshire and then Maine marathons a year ago, where I had a goal to complete the double...and an inner goal to get a sub 3:10 in each one...which I had accomplished.

The second being the JFK 50 miler and then the monkey marathon in the fall...which completely knocked me down and probably was my worst weekend (also a finale in my season) and probably the worst "enjoyable" marathon that I have done - due to the cold rain.

This weekend? We'll see...I have no initial plan going this time around. Possibly as I hope to gun for a sub 3:10 in each one, which would be a good determiner for New Orleans to go a sub 3:05 and then later down in the season for me to go sub 3:00 to sub 2:55 in Boston. But we shall see how the Winter proves, as I do hate the cold season, which just began and hasn't even it February yet...the worst month in NYC...

Then after Boston, I am pacing for the 3:20 group for the Kentucky Derby Marathon and then...I was planning on doing the Flying Pig...although that might just fall through as I plan on doing the Rock and Roll Seattle Marathon with my sister in June. Oh brother!

As for after June, that's when training for the nyc marathon begins as I also plan on doing possibly 2-3 100 milers (2 official 100 milers and 1 - 24 hour race). We'll see how that comes around...as I just might end up doing a 24 hour race and one 100 miler race. Then the fall season rolls around...not really sure what is on the radar for fall yet!

But first thing comes first, let's knock this marathon down as we bring in the new year...

Hopefully my let's are up to the test...gave them a good rest to heal up for a great fall season last year...thoroughly beat up!

Here we go again!

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Two stars for Alzheimer's...a hit or miss...

2011-12-06T18:54:00.003-05:00

I have gone high and low for this cause and it feels as though my fortunes is endless. My sorrows go out to the families that hang in the dear vengeance of heroics. I ask for nothing and felt as though I have given everything. it's in my nature of what I have learned in my fraternity days...keep giving and ask for nothing in return as a slogan...

the direct terms is: "Give, expecting nothing thereof"

So I do...if these two e-mails reach the persons we hope to have them in our team next year...or any other part of our team...

To Pat Summitt's son:

Dear Tyler Summitt,
I recently found out about your mother’s illness when an alumnus/Olympian of the Tennessee women’s basketball player named Kara Lawson and her husband Damien Barling wanted to run in this years NYC marathon. Damien actually ran the NYC marathon with our team, while Kara ran in the 5K the day before.
I wanted to reach out to you to first Congratulate your mother for her infamous achievement in being named Sports Illustrated Sportsman of the Year, as well as reach out to you to ask you if you would ever want to run in the New York City marathon to honor your mother, you will always have a place on our team for next year or any other following year thereafter. Your mother is a true inspiration with her continuation to adhere to the utmost difficulties ahead, although together we can fight and help find a cure for the future of this disease.

Good luck with your upcoming season and hope to talk to you soon

To Lauren Miller (Seth Rogen's Wife)

Dear Lauren Miller,

I recently found out about your families crisis with Alzheimer's through the interview with Larry King Live that you and Seth pronounced a fighting battle against this disease. You both should be well commended for your large strife against this cause and dedication to help fight this disease.

I wanted to reach out to you to first wish you well in your event and how fitting it is of a great actor husband like Seth Rogan to upstage this great event for a great cause in your Hilarity for Charity. I applaud both of you for taking a huge stand and together we hope to fight another day to make this cause renowned.

We hope that together we can fight and help find a cure for the future of this disease.

To my dearest Grandmother...I keep fighting for a cause that i wish i was able to speak with you candidly for 8 years. I wish I had those 8 years back and at least wish that I could share my accomplishments with. thank you for allowing me to rise up and be a better person and the person that I am today. To that I am grateful for.

the feeling

2011-11-18T23:24:00.001-05:00

There is always this feeling you get whenever you do one of these crazy races. Sometimes you can go off to bed fine, while other times you feel this anxious queasy feeling of awkwardness...it's a crazy feeling.

Anyways, going to start off this week with what I'll be doing is probably one of the hardest things I have done in my running career!

Hmm...back to back races. One ultra, one marathon race...It is what it is...

Tired now...take sleep over anything! We'll see how we do tomorrow!
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It's a wrap!

2011-11-16T08:05:00.001-05:00

So...marathon season is over and that means my busy season is done. My three jobs are terminated as I still hold onto one.

Still looking around the nyrr job listings, so if anything comes about on the full time scale, I hope to snag it, but it would be interesting to see the entire crew all in one room as we are getting ready for a move come after Thanksgiving.

Both of my teams did well on Marathon Sunday as many were able to get around their ailments and move to grasp their witts and move past what their bodies were telling them...it's interesting the marathon as most found it very difficult of a race. It is a hard race to swallow, but in the end everyone is slightly happy.

I have realized how much experience some coaches have compared to newbie runners, how we make it look so easy in the end, but it's a very difficult race...and it's understandably so...it never occurred to me though, but times move on...life moves on...and yet another chapter closes...a new one begins next year.

Till then...
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A better place...

2011-10-23T23:47:00.001-04:00

I can honestly say that looking back at the past year, what a year it has been...a year of choices and a year of screams and tears. Hardship is somewhat compensated in many ways to better one self. To say the least, I have overcome many strifes and understand the life cycles of society...

One's life happens in many manners of a cycle. I believe that man will never be completely happy where your job, money, family and love is separated where two of the three or one link is missing.

To me now...all I can say today is that I feel lucky. I can say that I am better as a person as I realize so much more...I can say that I have a loving family...life...job is now good and better understandings and well...

Love...love is a tough one...love is never complete, although I believe that you first need to love oneself before you actually love another. I can say that I am true and honest with myself that I am ok, stable and understand oneself. I can say that I am trying to understand love more...but understand to live life...live the moments and take every last bit and live the moment.

Stop to take the moment and understand how and where you are today...say that you are lucky and understand how far you have come...what you life for and what you live with...what your roots are and what you have become. Understand how lucky you are to be you...how right now, everything seems great and perfect...and know that you live life...to live life.

Know this...happiness is...what you tend to pursue...know that right at this moment...

You...are happy.
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Take the time...

2011-10-23T23:37:00.000-04:00

There are some things that are funny in life where you just have to take the time to just stop.

Funny how I say that now, but little did I really know how I always said that to others, especially first time marathoners...to stop, look around and take in that moment that exists in your life...look around you and take a deep breathe...stop to think...stop to imagine and really realize what you are doing.

I take the moment now, literally on Park Avenue after taking the time to wander my way across town to take a picture of the Empire State Building of it being Purple and symbolizing the brute of the Alzheimer's Disease and the memory walk it is preserved in today. Today...what is that...

Today only people observe the essence of what this disease stands for...but little do they know how each and every day we stand for it...we stand for the right that we exist, we speak forth for this disease and we speak in numbers...

I am glad that this day is observed, although I feel that every day should be observed...why?

Why is it hard that people suclude themselves in manners where they are shameful to say that this disease exists...why is it the fact of nature that we don't care for this as we think this is an elderly disease...

Why...
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Pace Day

2011-10-14T23:23:00.000-04:00

So...
2 marathons in 4 weeks...

let's go back even more...
2 marathons and 1 ultra marathon in 6 weeks

So after this...
3 marathons in 6 weeks...
Or
3 marathons and 1 ultra marathon in 8 weeks...

Crazy?

Yes, and to be sure of it, I am really nervous about this one even though I am not going by time...well really not the case because I am going for TIME, but really not my own time perse!

I have been really busy with my nyrr job and newly being "promoted" to the Cross Country Director, which really doesn't mean much...but same job and more responsibility...working everyday, which is good! But I have remained with my other jobs for coaching and other responsibilities in getting things out...

It's just been crazy and this is my first time in which I actually get to write.

I recently had gone to the pacer's dinner, which was very interesting. Me being from out of town was pretty much new as well to this marathon team of "family" pacers and group...it was very weird, but interestingly cool at the same time. Very well set up, very cool and honored to be with these people and with all in the room, combined we have completed more than 1,000 marathons...and I bet that is even more! One guy alone is at 200!

Anyways, it was honoring...and pretty neat! I had to find a hot spot though to send in my work for my tfk job for this 20 miler this weekend as well...but venturing around Baltimore is well...grim.

Anyways, I should really be heading to bed now! Wish me luck, I'll need it. Hopefully my legs will allow me to finish tomorrow...and the next day!

My clothes all set up, ready to go!
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Brooks - PURE PROJECT!

2011-10-07T14:20:00.001-04:00

Costume

2011-10-07T08:28:00.000-04:00

Ok. So the big news today and yesterday that I had been trying to write is that I bit the bullet and bought my costume that I will be wearing for the nyc marathon.

Yes, it may be a bit expensive and might cost a pair of shoes, but why do I do this stuff? I have no idea?

I think it's fun to torcher myself...not just by running a marathon, but by running in a costume as well! Uh! What am I thinking?

Well...that's the news of the day...
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3 TFK Coaches

2011-09-11T16:02:00.001-04:00

QThis morning I woke up super early to go to Team for Kids practice. I wasn't scheduled, although I had asked because I needed the money so they put me on. I ran with group 2, and had a good time, we ran pretty fast though as our group got really spread out, but group 2 always has the ladies in it. So I don't mind at all...it was a regular day and I did 2 laps of 5.5 miles each. Then I waited till the bag watcher came back from the bathroom and then we quickly ran out of water.

We then refilled all of the water jugs...twice and by that time, I needed to go!

I raced back to my apartment, showered and then put all of my items into my bag.
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Time to tell

2011-09-10T17:47:00.001-04:00

So this weekend is another race...not for myself, although you would say why not?

This race has more pressure than any of my marathons put together. It's funny...I'm racing this race for a friend, a teammate, a collegue and a person who wants it more than anything else in the world.

VC is a Team for Kids Coach who has served many in running marathons. He was also in my pace group during the New Jersey marathon the year before I had even met him...so this is kind of weird that I will be pacing him again. Year after year, he picks a marathon and always writes: Going to Boston...I think he puts a whole lot of pressure on himself after writing that and showcases that to the world.

I don't know...it's interesting though as he is always in great shape. His half marathon time is absolutely amazing as sometimes he even beats me with his time (although, he loves the half marathon opposed to the full marathon, which is my forte')

Anyways, we are geared up towards the Lehigh Valley Marathon where we are gunning for a time of a 3:04:59.

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Summer Streets

2011-09-09T16:36:00.004-04:00

So waking up really early to get to Team for Kids at 6am...I decided to one up on the fact that I had to wake up early anyways and woke up at 3:30 am to do some mileage before my run. B. Tr
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Asian Car trip

2011-09-09T16:36:00.003-04:00

1) Eating Ramen
2) Asian Supermarket
3) Red Bean
4) Camera - documentary of the trip
5) Lightning and hard rain
6) Ping pong paddle
7) Scranton drive by (wrong turn - damn technology)
8) Karaoke (sing along)
9) Talking about China (a race and entrance exam)
10) Math (in a conversation)
11) Violins
12) Crazy asian girls (Korean)
13) House Husband
14) Lovely Potato Buns
15) Bird/squirrel killer
16) Wake up call - clerk, we need our room!
17) Marco likes carpets
18) Big Daddy
19) Marco combing his hair - marco you don't have any hair.
20) Jac likes to go all night long
21) Buffalo wings
22) Kino's balls of meat
23) I'm so hungry - MC
24) Marco talking to Iris Cooper (badwater champion) in jacousi

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Over the river, and through the woods...

2011-09-09T16:36:00.001-04:00

Ok, so I told my cousin that I was going to visit him and I didn't want to break my promise...It would have been either Friday or Sunday that I was going to visit, but with little preparations...I chose Sunday instead.

I looked up directions on how to actually walk to New Jersey and then placed my directions on an e-mail form (sending it to my cousin...not even thinking about it). My cousin wrote back to me asking if I was kidding that I was actually going to "run" to his house. I totally was suppose to not e-mail him, but to myself! Opps! It was suppose to be a surprise that I was suppose to run there.

In all of my life, I never really ran to my cousins/uncle's/grandma's place. I always took the bus which took 15 minutes from the Port Authority...this was a real challenge! I love challenges!

Really though, since I needed a long run, I mapped it out to being about 15 miles and that I could do.

I started late on Sunday at about 10:55 am, really late, where the sun was shining and it was pretty hot for a September morning, it was Labor Day, but still it was pretty warm.

I headed on up, past Central Park and up towards the West side on St. Nicholas. I rode my butt up towards the Washington Bridge. I quickly bought my juice drink of mango puree that I have been using in my linger runs and it digests well...

I HATE THE WASHINGTON BRIDGE! Really I do because of the height issue...not good with vertigo on bridges!

Anyways, so I got through that and treked on. This is where the tricky parts begin. I followed bikers along the palisades parkway and ran up to East Clinton Road...whereever that is as I saw that my cousin left me an e-mail asking where I was or if I was going to make it in time for lunch...

I had to quickly call him back and I told him that I was in Jersey and on my way. Wrong mistake! He quickly said, "YOU REALLY RAN HERE?"

Like that was a surprise? I think I can run anywhere now that I did 100 miles! Seriously!

Anyways, so I got lost a little and tried to find my way, but really wasn't sure if I was going the right way or not and I was already at 14 miles...when map quest said that it would only take 15 miles to get to my destination (which I found that it's probably another 5 totalling out 20 miles all together)

So...I called my cousin, he wanted me to
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Late night, early morning

2011-09-04T19:00:00.000-04:00

After watching the movie Up in the air, with George Clooney, I was emersed by the fact of just the plot and how the main characters had lay off people...uh! And I guess the whole fact of nature of being alone in the world...it's a lifestyle.

Anyways, I went to bed at 2am and had to get up at 6:30 am for my Alzheimer's R2R team. I had to take them on a mini 3 bridges run, where we had a wide variety of runners. This year's team is diverse in time and expectations, when you have only one coach out there it makes it extremely difficult to keep an eye on the slower runners and the way faster runners.

I needed to keep an eye on the slower runners since they were the ones that needed me the most. I had told the faster crew to go ahead and later we would meet up...but we never did met up, once by one the slower folk dropped (kidding!) They stuck with it, they were great troupers and they completed the farthest they have ever gone! I'm so proud of them and it was a hot day...

So...it was good...but my legs hurt after. All this running has taken a toll on my legs, we'll see...

Took the rest of the day off and went to the US Open with my friend NH and LS...and SC!
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Friday night workout

2011-09-03T17:04:00.001-04:00

So...usually I don't run on a Friday night, especially right before a holiday weekend? Impossible! Seriously now!

Actually I was going to put on my running shoes and head out for a run really earlier in the day to visit my cousin and see the new "house" or shall I say his new house, but really in actuality, it was my grandma's old house, just renovated and all...

Scary to say...

I still have yet set my foot into those doors with the new renovation, maybe I am too scared to? Maybe it's too nostalgic...I know, move on...but there is always a little part of me that sets myself from saying...why?

Anyways, we'll get back to those moments when I actually do go running to my cousin's home on Sunday morning for my long run. But today was just a regular 6 mile run...usually 8 miles home to Central Park and then back.

I went later in the day because I had been busy with a bunch of work and had to get everything done in time. Set everything up before the holiday hits. I strolled into Central Park also wanting to try out some new shoes that are suppose to be "faster" and boy did I need to go faster today.

Seriously, it's next weekend where I will be pacing my buddy from Team for Kids in his 4th or 5th attempt in trying to qualify for Boston. He at the same time wants to qualify with a 3:05 time, which is about my average time, although with this new recent 100 ultra marathon that I have recently done, getting back into marathon shape is not coming back too quickly, let alone getting my leg strength back...

Every day when I tried to run last week was a very difficult task in trying to regain my speed portion and mileage...everything felt so long!

I needed to quicken up my step and needed to get my speed...it was quite embarrassing, although reasonably understandable! But it's me and I am sort of freaking out where I need to pace my friend (for the last 6 miles) in his marathon.

Anyways, I get into Central Park and really am going at a moderate pace where I am unsure if I could sustain for 6 miles...it was a moderately cool day, but if you are working hard, you could feel the heat just itching and biting at you.

I ramp up the hill and low and behold, I see one of my old High School track/running buddies, JT.

JT was a great runner back in High School, where he did the mile? Or shall I say distance races and I was a sprinter, so I didn't exactly know him too well. We knew who he was because he was one of the standouts in the county that ran really well both cross country and track, but we got to really know him because he went to Senior prom with one of my high school friends and they dated.

JT and I would always find each other randomly anywhere in nyc...it was funny that way, but like today, we would randomly see each other, chat and catch up and then go on our merry ways.

So, I haven't seen him in a while and we talked about running, jobs and family, also some old times that we had shared...it was good! I didn't really expect him to run along side of me the entire way around and thought he would cut off at Engineers gate at 90th street, but it was good. At first I was going to continue to go fast, but he actually pushed me (with a backpack on his back) and I was relieved in the end to find that we were pushing a good 7:30 pace. I asked him why had he not yet been in the running scenes yet in nyc as he would be amazing, although he take competition to the next level. Either way, it was really great to see JT as I dropped him off at the next pass at Engineers Gate.

I quickly got water and went back the other way to find EG, one of my Alzheimer's R2R teammates and wanted to check in on her. I like to do that as a coach. Then soon after, quickly made my way back home to see what else I had left in my legs.

Fun times with JT though, really fun times when we run together. He looked as though nothing really phased him as he just strolled along (always having a really nice running stride!)

Good run in the end...awesome conversation that I would have never expected!
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A real change of plans...

2011-08-31T00:40:00.001-04:00

Yes...the hurricane of Irene came and gone and I was stuck in a mess.

Come Friday night, I was left with a decision to make, which was to go or not go to Boston. When things finally cleared and a path was pushed aside...my decision was clear...I was to go of course!

This was TJL here we were talking about and a lifetime friend who I have grown up with...for 23 years (which puts us way back when we were say 7 - sounds about right...that we have grown up together)

Scary but true...I have played soccer together, we have grown up together and we ran track and field together...we were friends when we went off to college and now that she resides in Boston, when I did some races...she was there for me.

So I should be there for her on her special day.

I was packing my bags at midnight and almost done, when...I received my first e-mail of my departure trip being cancelled. Ok, I can deal with that...I kind of made already alternative plans and if I can get to Boston in the morning that would be fine...

Later on..another buzz...I look at it and uh! Cancelation of my departure...they cancelled my whole entire trip! This is what I was unprepared for...I prepared myself to be stuck in Boston, but not even getting to go was a huge disappointment! Uh...how am I suppose to get out of the city? Seriously! What!

I was purely stuck and really tore up inside...I quickly cancelled all of my plans and uh! Sulked...this was a huge disappointment and really got my mood down! Sucks!

I was really torn apart...
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SONY - 20 sentences or less

2011-08-30T01:32:00.001-04:00

Why do you run in 20 sentences or less...

1) I started running in high school as a sprinter and grown to being an ultra marathon runner.

2) I followed in my sister’s footsteps in running my first marathon, as it was her goal to run all 50 marathons in all 50 states.

3) She has given up, but I have not and one day, I will succeed.

4) My sister and I meet up each year in one state, one city in the country to run a marathon “together” (we have ran thus far: The Marine Corps, Outer Banks, Chicago, Hawaii and Big Sur Marathons – Big Sur was the first time we actually ran together for the entire way.

5) I run to hear the wind blow between my ears, to feel free and find my body relaxing in the environment around me.

6) I run to coach two different charity groups: The Alzheimer’s Associaiton and New York Road Runners: Team for Kids.

7) I coach and inspire teachers to be coaches as they inspire students to run track and field and cross country and inspire our youth to develop running into their lives.

8) My running mantra: As a runner, you learn something new every single day.

9) Every runner is different; every person’s body is unique. From beginner to expert, one learns and matures throughout the long process of training for a marathon.

10) A person goes through a life-changing experience while enduring a marathon, from the extreme highs — to the extreme lows.

11) But, in the end, a runner should enjoy the experience and take great pride in his or her transformation, and how they accomplished the unthinkable.

12) I currently run for 6 different running teams: The New York Flyers (local team) Powered By Dim Sum (A fun NY Team), Team for Kids (NY Charity Team), The Alzheimer’s Association – Run to Remember (NY Charity Team), Brooks Inspired Daily Program (Sponsored Team) and now, SONY (as a sponsor team)

13) I run for a greater meaning in my heart and soul, which is highly connected to my grandmother who recently passed away from the Alzheimer’s Disease.

14) I co-founded an official charity team for the NYC marathon 2 years ago, which raised more than ½ a million dollars for the alzheimer’s disease to coach about 140 runners (both beginners and advanced runners – more so beginners)

15) I recently completed my first 100 mile ultra marathon in 17 hours 51 minutes and 37 seconds to just complete the race, but ended up getting 1^st place thinking I was in 3^rd place overall.

16) What helped in the later stages of the race was the tunes and sing along in the darkness from my Sony Walkman.

Wow...that's you?

2011-08-29T16:37:00.003-04:00

So...giving out various post cards at the Bronx Half last week allowed me to joke around since the race and other races that weekend had been canceled.

One person came up to me and said...wow! That's you huh in the flesh! I guess they saw me in the Long Training. Run photo and they recognized me from my bandanna wearing aspects...

I mean seeing a person in a photo and then seeing them in person is quite shocking I guess...

But I thought that was a kick!

Oh well..
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Wow...that's you?

2011-08-29T16:37:00.001-04:00

So...giving out various post cards at the Bronx Half last week allowed me to joke around since the race and other races that weekend had been canceled.

One person came up to me and said...wow! That's you huh in the flesh! I guess they saw me in the Long Training. Run photo and they recognized me from my bandanna wearing aspects...

I mean seeing a person in a photo and then seeing them in person is quite shocking I guess...

But I thought that was a kick!

Oh well..
Sent from my Verizon Wireless BlackBerry

Split Times

2011-08-25T10:12:00.000-04:00

My split times between first and second place by 10 minutes...pretty amazing for a first timer...

The day after

2011-08-24T03:48:00.000-04:00

I literally went to the bathroom after I finished the race. I was exhausted and tired and couldn't believe that I had gotten 3rd place in my first 100 miler Ultra marathon...seriously in between these 3-5 accomplished elite runners and what I call "gods" of running, it's absolutely amazing!Really, these guys have gone to the race they call Badwater. This is my ultimate goal as a runner, a little insanity, but still it's one of those things you want to do in your life as a "runner". Almost a bucket list for runners...

Anyways, I met up with Sam (the race director) in the bathroom and said to him that I had finished. He couldn't believe it...he asked me which race I was actually doing the 24 hour race of 100 miler? I told him that I was doing the 100 miler and that I completed it. I told him that I was fighting off Iris (the swiss miss) and that I got 3rd place.

He was astonished a bit...even baffled. He told me that I might have won the 100 miler race. I was like...no way...seriously, no way...I got 3rd, because the other two guys were leading the entire way (at least 8 miles ahead of me)...no way I got 1st place...I saw them coming back about 4 miles on the switch back...ON THE LAST 12 MILES!

It was literally impossible!

I then walked over and he was really determined that I had won. He said that the first guy Valdimir, had not come in yet and he confirmed this with his family walking over. I was like...umm...no....seriously...

Then I knew that Iris was about a mile away from me as she came whizzing in. She crossed the finish line...in 2nd place...as then now I was in first place...

No seriously guys...seriously!

Sam then said that he could then "unofficially" officially confirm that I was the first one in and that I had officially won the race...

I couldn't believe it. Really, I couldn't believe it at all. I was in utter shock. It really didn't sink in much. I'm not very ecstatic really because in some sort of way I felt as though I didn't play the game right. See, I did, but not really. I played the smarter game which was let these guys battle it out so hard (supposing ly these two guys were two returning champions - one of them in the Summer and one of them during the winter) that they were trying to go sub 15 hours on this race...and they both were "hungry" for the win against each other. I was just lucky enough to spoil the riches and let both of them inplode on each other and take the "win" from both of them in the end...

See the first two guys in the race led the race for the entire 3 laps (75 miles) of the race.

So...it was the last lap that I had actually beaten them (actually it was the last 12 miles that I had beaten them...one dropped at 7 miles to go and the other...3 miles to go. I never really noticed both of them because it was dark out (3 or 4 am) and I had thought they were other competitors just walking...and I knew these guys would not be walking in the last lap (let alone the final 12 miles! - these guys are more hard core than I am!)

Anyways...

After the "first" place guy (Valdimir) came "in" in 3rd place and then my race buddy Kay came in 4th place and finally, the 2nd guy, came in 5th place overall...It finally hit me that I "won"...

The rain started coming down right after I finished the race, I tried to save everyone's stuff by putting it in more center to the tent. Uh! Then tried to save other people's sneakers from the rain as people had their items out all over...

I donno, I almost killed myself by doing that, but I had a hard time going to the car and actually getting my items to take a shower. Even that was tough!

Think soreness after a marathon times 4! Seriously...

I had to wait for the crew afterwards and kept myself occupied by congratulating other runners as they came in. I even tried to volunteer to go up to the midway station to help out other runners...I needed to keep busy, because they were going to be a while and their estimated time of arrival was 2 pm...that's 10 hours from when I had finished. (Which I had though was going to be faster, but they were not going to go any faster!). But no worries, I was no longer out there as I was pretty much distraught. I really couldn't comprehend anything at that point and kept busy by just lying on the park picnic table, switching the car parking spot a few times, eating and just talking to people...10 hours went by pretty quickly! Take their time...as both jackies hated me for finishing so early and they had to go back out there to finish their 4 and final lap...they couldn't believe I had one and they found out from others that I had one the race as other people saw that I had passed the two front guys!

Uh! Still in awe! Still can not comprehend that I not only just wanted to finish my first 100 miler. But in the end, I just wanted to get 3rd place and fought for it...but in reality, I had won the race! Let alone against such amazing competition from amazing accomplished, "elite" ultra runners!

I am humbled! Lucky and still amazed of their accomplishments...the top 5 people has such amazing running resume's, to be even mentioned in the same sentence is just baffling!

This was truthfully a run to remember!
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