A simple formula - Run more miles than degrees

Somehow, all my recent posts revolve around the weather, but as I've quickly learned, this is Boston Marathon training in New England.

My past two long runs have been in weather built for for huskies, polar bears and coolers. But they've been my best option for conditions - you can dress for cold, but fresh snow is only good for skiing on.

Both runs have started off at a balmy 6 degrees. The 14 miler last week had a lovely 10-15mph wind for the first half of it, but the sun was shining bright, so that was a plus. (note the frozen bandana around my neck - that had been over my mouth, but the moisture met the cold and it froze solid!)

Saturday's run of 16 miles also started at 6, was sunny, but maxed out at 9. There was actually quite an uplifting moment coming through Coolidge Corner when the external thermometer on the bank flipped from 8 to 9 degrees as I ran by. Why, that's almost bikini weather!

The important thing is I finished and came home to a warm house, with a wonderful breakfast inside (followed by a kick-butt hazlenut donut from the best local donut store Union Square Donuts!) Not everyone is as lucky.

I hope you'll support me through the cold, the snow and support Community Cooks in the pursuit to provide meals that will satisfy the physical hunger of neighbors who have fallen on hard times, and give the gift of comfort, community and connection…and helping to build a community of caring where everyone matters. Please click the button below to donate.

Cross Training in a Blizzard

 Clearly the past few weeks in Boston have been challenging for everyone. And no one wants to talk more about snow.

But for runners, training for Boston has been a very particular challenge. The sidewalks have presented something of an obstacle course - leaping over mounds of snow at corners, gliding/sliding across icy patches and goose stepping through knee high snow to get to better footing.

All of that seemed simple after the "Valentine's Day Blizzard" last weekend. I took Friday off to run 14 miles in 6 degree weather, feeling like this was my best option of weather for the three days available.

By the time the storm cleared out on Sunday, I was feeling itchy to get out and about so I hit the streets with the kids to do some hilly cross training (one of the 'perks' of living where we do - every run finishes with steep hill climb.)

I hope you'll help me continue to climb the hills in support of Community Cooks. Please click below to make a donation.

Note that before we made it to the top, we dumped the extra 20lbs of snow the kids thought would be fun to add into the sled. 

Please support my run for Community Cooks

Thank you in advance for your support! Please click the button below to donate and help me reach my goal of $5,000 raised for Community Cooks.

A moment of thanks...

After a day of trying to work, parent and shovel (none of which I felt like I did extremely well) and being frustrated about another week of sporadic training, I stopped for a moment to be thankful for the roof over my head, the heat in my house, the love of my family and the food on my stove. So many can't say the same. This cozy pot of American Chop Suey -the meal I cooked for St. Patrick's House as part of Community Cooks- reminds me why I'm running Boston...

I'm running so others can have a warm meal, made with love on a cold night. A night after you've tried to do the best you can do and maybe it's enough and maybe not. A meal that gives you the inspiration, the desire, the hope that you can get up in the morning and do it all over again. Or enough to get you to sleep feeling the nourishment inside and out. Running is easy - you can get away from it all, you can think. But you can't run, you can't go on, without nourishment.

Please take a moment to support my run.