Barefoot Running is Cool

I love barefoot running but always under 5 miles for me.

Check out this great articled here. My good friend Keith Ma is thinking about joining the barefoot club and I think you should too!!

Keep Running!!

PB

Tell Us Your Story

I need your source of inspiration today!!

Please go to the comment section and tell us your story of the person who inspired you growing up. It could be a teacher, coach, stranger, a loved one who has passed, a priest, a parent, a sister, a brother, a best friend, a teammate, extended family members, etc.

Please tell us who and why?

Keep Running!!
PB

Inspiration!!!

Please visit my donation page here and include in the comment section the name of the person who inspired you growing up. Please post your story in the comment section.

Thank you so much for supporting Boston Partners in Education and myself as I train and blog for the 2010 Boston Marathon.

Keep Running!!

PB

Training & Clinics

Thought I would share this link here with information about some upcoming clinics for marathon runners and really all runners.

Here are the dates and they are free and open to all registered Boston Marathon runners.

Monday, January 25
Establishing and customizing your own training program

Monday, February 22
Injury Prevention and Proper footwear for marathon training

Monday, March 22
Diet, Nutrition, and Course Preview

Keep Running!!
PB

BPE Video

Great video on Boston Partners in Education!!



Please consider sponsoring me as I train and run the 2010 Boston Marathon by donating to Boston Partner in Education here.

Thanks!!
Keep Running
PB

Crazy Train

Over Thanksgiving break I visited my high school to watch the alumni basketball game.

Some of my fondest memories growing up took place on a basketball court; it is where I learned how to dream, how to practice and how to succeed.

It has been 10 years since I played high school basketball and there is one thing that remains unchanged, Crazy Train. Glad to see the boys starting it off with Crazy Train, it still brings chills up my spine.




This song will always get me fired up and ready to play ball and work harder.

Keep Running!!
PB

Boston Partners in Education

This year I am fortunate to be running the Boston Marathon with Boston Partners in Education ("BPE") for the second time.

If you are not familiar with BPE please check out there website here. BPE provides in-school volunteer support to Boston Public Schools. Here are some quick facts on BPE:

• Founded in 1966
• 2008-2009 academic year reached 5,899 students in 69 schools throughout Boston
• BPE has recruited, trained, placed and supported 914 volunteer mentors
• Mentors gave a combined 37,399 hours to K-12 students equivalent to approx. $1,589,000
• Overa 80% students who received help improved their GPAs
• To learn more about BPE click here.

Those are the quick facts of the amazing things Boston Partners in Education does on a daily basis to help Boston Public Schools.

I am asking you to help me raise money for Boston Partners in Education in support of my marathon run. All funds received go directly to Boston Partners in Education to support their mission.

Please contribute today by clicking here.

Keep Running!!

PB

The Marathon

To some it seems mundane having to train day after day to run 26.2 miles. To others the thought of waking up early or running late at night seems tortuous. Maybe you are in the group that can't give up that weekly binge of food or alcohol.

For me it is the discipline of training everyday, focusing on conditioning, technique, diet, attitude, health, wellness and that mind/body connection. I love the training!! I love the discipline!! I love the test of my mind!!

This all started as an experiment and a way to honor a loved one but has turned into a passion. I am no longer training for a marathon I am training to live the rest of my life on my terms. Yes, to live life on my terms.

Keep Running!!
PB

"I swear, by my life and my love of it, that I will never live for the sake of another man, nor ask another man to live for mine." - Ayn Rand

Back to Work

Hi Folks -

Sorry for the delay in recent blog posts. I've been sick and distracted. No more excuses.

I took last week off from running in hopes of getting better and time off is unfortunately spilling into this week as I'm just starting to feel better.

Time to get back in the saddle!!!

Thanks for your continued support and looking forward to getting out on the road again soon.

Keep Running!!
PB

Foam Roller

Here is a quick video on how to use the Foam Roller to treat your IT Band







Keep Running!!
PB

Iceman

Now this guys brings a whole new meaning to barefoot running.




No complaining that those January & February runs are cold as we train for the Boston Marathon.

Keep Running!!
PB

More Running Groups

Looking for a running club?

Trust me running with a group can help you significantly improve your time and hold yourself accountable.


Here is a quick list of resources to find local running clubs

Boston / Massachusetts - click here

New Hampshire - click here

Maine - click here

Cool Running - Great resource for running clubs across the country, click here.


Find a Club and Keep Running!!
PB

The Stick

Here is a quick video on how to use the "Stick"







Keep Running!!
PB

L Street Running Club

I recently joined the L Street Running Club.

Last year I trained for the Boston Marathon running almost completely by myself. I had to work every Saturday during busy season and it just so happened that busy season runs from January 1st - April 15th and yes this is core of conditioning if you plan to run in the Boston Marathon.

My marathon team's long runs are on Saturday mornings. This year I decided to join L Street in order to have the option of running with a group on Saturday or Sunday mornings depending on my schedule.

I think running with a group will bring more joy to those long training runs.

Need to get over the L Street for a few runs soon.

Keep Running!!
PB

Amazing Humans

I love great stories about humans trying to accomplish what seems like the impossible.

Have a look at this 59 year old retired marshal trying to crew across the Atlantic Ocean. Read the article here.

Amazing.
PB

Marathon Monks

Humans are capable of some pretty amazing feats. Check out this article here describing the Marathon Monks of Mount Hiei.

Or for those that prefer a video feed




Do you think you can complete a 100-day term Kaihogyo?

Wait, imagine after completing the 100-day term petitioning to complete a 1000-day term, a seven year task.

Failure to successfully to complete the kaihogyo is death by oneself.



Simply amazing, please do not tell me you can not run a marathon or for that matter achieve anything you dream.


Keep Running!!
PB

Can you run the Boston Marathon?

Of course you can!!





All I can say is as you turn onto Boylston Street all the pain from training and the last 26 miles is replaced with joy.

Keep Running!!
PB

Spirit of the Marathon

If you love to run marathons or even the idea of a marathon you need to watch the "Spirit of the Marathon".

The movie tracks 5 people training for the Chicago Marathon. Below is a tailer of the movie



Please find the link for the entire movie here.

Still feeling sick so no running again today. Starting to feel like I am getting behind in my training.

Keep Running!!
PB

Running Tools

I wrote about these tools last year but at the end of my training for the Boston Marathon. This time around I want to reintroduce them at the beginning of my 2010 Boston Marathon training:

"The Stick" - click here for more information.




"Foam Roller" - Can find at most sport equipment stores


I highly recommend using the stick before, during and after runs. As for the foam roller it is great to roll out the IT Band after runs. Stay toned as I'll post some videos on how to use these tools.


Keep Running!!
PB


No, I am not paid for my promotion of using these tools they just helped me properly treat my legs last year and I will be using again in 2010.

Happy New Year!!!

It's late but no time like the present to stay focused on those New Year's Resolutions.

Start and stay focused on the next 20 days. If you can do it for 20 days you can do it for life. Stay committed!!

Happy New Year & Keep Running

PB