Off to Dedham this morning for the Four on the Fourth: Rally for Sally. This four mile race was put on by the Thirsty Irish Runners and was a fundraiser for Dana-Farber Cancer Research. This was the first year the TIR’s put on the race and over 250 runners came out in support of raising funds to battle cancer.

The four mile course took runners through residential neighborhoods of Dedham and consisted of a pretty rolling terrain. A nice downhill finish ended the race which was great since race time temperature was 90 degrees. Plenty of water on the course with water stations available at miles 1, 2 and 3. Residents supported the race along the course and there were plenty of people cheering and a few with garden hoses spraying down the runners if so desired.

Post-race reception was amazing with food provided by Tutto Italiano and the Chuck Wagon out of Dedham. Blue Hills Brewery provided two kegs of their IPA and Wampatuck Wheat which provided many a runner with a fresh, local and refreshing post-race beer.

Finished the 4 mile race with a time of 31:23 for a pace of 7:50/miles. Felt pretty good out there, especially given the warm conditions, and I was pleased to be back under the 8:00/mile pace this race!

About Rally for Sally

The Rally for Sally is the collective work of family, friends, school and community to support Sally as she faces a very difficult childhood cancer. The Rally for Sally is not about one event; it is a multi-faceted effort that has taken on many dimensions since she has been diagnosed. Some of the efforts to the Rally for Sally have focused on immediate, direct support to Sally in the form of care-giving, gifts and prayers. Other events like blood drives and fund raisers have a broader emphasis with longer term goals of helping Sally (and other children with this disease) in the months and years ahead. Each event in its own way contributes something to help ease the burden she bears daily and every person that participates in the Rally for Sally can know that they have, in a very special way, helped give a sweet young girl the strength and courage to carry on.

Sally has a form of cancer called osteosarcoma, a bone cancer. It is also sometimes referred to as osteogenic sarcoma. Osteosarcoma afflicts only 600 children each year in the US, less than 5% of all pediatric cancers. She was diagnosed in early May 2010 two weeks after her 10th birthday. Before seeing a doctor, Sally complained of knee pain that was initially attributed simply to a banged-up knee from soccer. However, the pain persisted and Sally was taken her to her primary care pediatrician. Thankfully, her doctor did not dismiss the symptom as “growing pains” (which too often happens with this cancer) and ordered an x-ray of her knee. He immediately referred us to an orthopedic oncologist at the Dana Farber Cancer Institute in Boston where she underwent a series of tests including MRI, CT scan, Bone Scan and x-ray to evaluate the extent of the cancer. A pathological review of the biopsied tumor confirmed her diagnosis as non-metastatic, high grade osteosarcoma.

The treatment plan prescribed by her medical team consists of a combination of chemotherapy and surgery. The surgery necessitated removal of a portion of her femur and the surrounding tissue. During the 8 hour operation, surgeons also performed reconstructive leg surgery using a prosthetic implant to replace the portion of her femur that was removed. After several setbacks, including permanent hearing loss as a result of the chemotherapy, Sally has completed the active phase of her treatment and is now in a monitoring period with periodic imaging and tests to look for recurrence or metastasis. While not certain, her outlook is as favorable as one could hope for given the diagnosis. Although she has missed all school since May 2010, Sally has recently returned to her classes full time and is determined to stay on track with her 5th grade classmates. Her determination also carries over in her physical therapy sessions as she continues to make progress towards walking without the use of aids or crutches. Sally has been a source of great pride and inspiration for her family and friends. She has faced this daunting childhood disease with incredible composure and grace.

 

After running either a race or a normal training run there is nothing better than grabbing a cold drink and cooling down with something that is both rehydrating and refreshing. Though water is often a great option every now and again you can’t help but crave wanting to mix it up a bit. Sugary sports drinks tend not to be the thing for me so when I came across Vita Coco I was immediately hooked. Vita Coco is 100% coconut water and is an ideal way to replenish spent liquids after going for a run.

Vita Coco has 15 times the amount of electrolytes than an average sports drink and will help you get over the post run need for something that both tastes good and re-energizes you quickly and effectively. Since it is all natural, you won’t need to worry about forcing sugary water through your veins and then setting yourself up for the crash that so many sports drinks tend to do.

The original Vita Coco is a great option, but my personal favorite are the Tangerine or the Acai & Pom Vita Coco drinks which infuse a great natural fruit flavor into the coconut water. The Tangerine option is packed with Vitamin C and the Acai & Pom is rich in antioxidants and both are  a great option!

Next time you are in need of a post race refreshment that is all natural and tastes great, grab yourself a Vita Coco!

Off to Milton last night for a 6:30 PM summer evening race. The sun had warmed up the summer air pretty nicely and it was a pretty hot evening for a 5.12 mile road race. The race was the MAD Scramble and took runners through a pretty challenging course that had an uphill course for the first 3 miles or so followed by a pretty nice downhill to flat last 2.12 miles of the race. Right outside of the Curry College campus at the 3 mile mark was a pretty humorous sign that read “Sorry, no more hills.”

The course was predominantly on the asphalt of roadways and the Milton Police Department did a really nice job patrolling the course in conjunction with the Mass. State Police when the race crossed over Blue Hill Avenue. There was plenty of water on the course which was ideal for a hot, summer night and when running through the residential sections of the race there were some people out cheering away. Some off-road terrain was run for sections of the race and that ranged from crushed and packed stone to some trail running. The nice mixture of the course really allowed for some good scenery and mixed things up a bit.

I felt a little tight while running, especially in my right hamstring, but was okay with finishing the 5.12 mile race in 43:55 for 8:35/miles.

The post-race was great with ample amounts of food, water, ice-cream from Turkey Hill and Mix 104.1, raffle prizes and more. I even took home a gift card for local restaurant Abby Park in Milton.

About the Race:

The race is dedicated to Michael A. Devin and raises funds for a scholarship fund.  Michael Devin, a juvenile detective for the Milton Police Department and father of three, died in an automobile accident in December 2006. After living in South Boston as a child, he graduated from Milton High School in 1967. He went on to attend the Police Academy and served in the Vietnam War as a Marine. At the time of his death, in addition to being a juvenile detective in Milton, he served as a deputy sheriff in Norfolk Country and the residency officer for the Milton Public Schools.

 

That’s right, after yesterday’s Jenney Grist Mill 5k in Plymouth today was a jam-packed race day with a 5 miler at 10AM followed by a 5k at Noon. Add a half hour of commuting time between the races and I was running in more ways than one!

Traveled to South Boston today to run in the POW/MIA Run for Freedom 5 Miler. The race started at the Boston Teacher’s Union Hall and ran out along the Boston waterfront down Day Boulevard and past the Carson Beach section of South Boston. Many South Boston races run down the Day Boulevard course and today’s race was a steamy and muggy 5 miler.One note was that the water stops on the course could have been a bit better spaced as they were at about mile marker 2.25 and then at 2.75 after you did a little loop at the 2.5 mile mark.

The race was part of the Thirsty Irish Runners Grand Prix series and it was good to see a nice turnout. There was a sort of strange  feeling running through South Boston the week that Whitey Bulger was captured!

Finished the POW/MIA Run for Freedom 5 Miler in 41:55 or 8:23/miles.

Once I was finished with the 5 miler I drove from South Boston to Whitman, MA and took part in the McGuiggan’s Pub 5k. The race was part of the New England Runner’s Pub Series. The same heat was out there and the half hour ride from one race to the next was just enough to have the muscles tighten up a bit. The goal for the 5k was really to cross the finish line with a somewhat decent time and that was exactly what took place. The course was a nice, pretty flat course through residential neighborhoods of Whitman and the finished up right in front of McGuiggan’s Pub.

Finished up the McGuiggan’s Pub 5k in 27:03 for 8:42/miles. Can’t be disappointed with doing three races in one weekend and logging 11.2 miles of racing this weekend!

 

 

Headed down to Plymouth, MA today for the Jenney Grist Mill 5k. The weather was a bit overcast and there was a light mist but there was a certain muggy nature to the air, as well. The Jenney Grist Mill 5k started at the historic Jenney Grist Mill and ran away from downtown Plymouth. At the starting line the race director announced the good news that there was only one uphill on the course but then informed us that the hill was basically from the start through the first mile.

After making your way up the first mile, a left hand turn led runners through Morton Park which turned the running terrain from asphalt to dirt. The second mile was run on dirt and then when finished with the second mile it was back onto the asphalt for a rather downhill final 1.1 miles. Great course support along the race with water stops at both mile 1 and 2 with water and bagels and bananas at the finish line.

Finished the 5k race in 23:27 for a pace of 7:32/mile. With a solid, uphill first mile I was quite happy with this time.

Here’s information about what the race proceeds support:

Plymouth’s Jenney Grist Mill is a 17^th Century non-profit living history museum. Our educational programs offer a glimpse into the lives of our forefather’s and connect all who visit with the people, places, and ideas of the first settlers who came here searching for a new way of life. We believe that our country’s history is very important and that the children in the United States of America need to know and help preserve their history. We also believe that people learn best by visiting museums and other cultural institutions, especially those that bring us back into time periods like living history museums. In these difficult economic times we are trying to help families afford the cost of experiencing the rich history of this country together. We began our History for Kids program to encourage families to bring their children to the Mill so they can learn about their heritage. This program offers free admission to children age 17 and under when accompanied by a parent or grandparent.

All race proceeds are donated to support the Jenney Grist Mill’s work to keep our history alive.