Meet Marc! JP local, run enthusiast, FHR guru, and FPC board member extraordinare!

Marc Almanzan (pictured in the middle of this great Forest Hills Runners gang!) is an avid runner who has found his home in Jamaica Plain, right next to Franklin Park.  He believes that running and nature are two of the best things that we can experience for ourselves, especially amid the ultra-connected city lives we lead. He is certain that running leads to sanity, health, and self-improvement that can translate to all aspects of one's life.  Marc believes that with nature, running becomes an even deeper adventure into the self and the world, as one can truly connect while being disconnected in the woods. He is thankful to live in a community such as Jamaica Plain that has such an abundance of green space, and he is grateful to the Franklin Park Coalition for their mission to keep the park healthy and utilized by everyone who wishes to enjoy it. To support Marc’s fundraising efforts, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Marc-Is-Raising-For-The-Franklin-Park-Coalition

Sign up for the Franklin Park Mile today! Community Running for all!

From the Forest Hills Runners Website:

The goal of the Franklin Park Mile is bigger than you can imagine.  The aim is to transform the world, changing the essence of how people experience their lives.  The world today is a global one; it is a multiracial, multiethnic, multilinguistic, multigender mosaic with more connectivity than anyone ever imagined possible.  And though community is sometimes forgotten with the possibility of faraway connections, it is essential for everyone.  A strong community can produce wellness in a way that almost nothing else can and yet many people are becoming less and less connected to those around them.  Community running supports the natural development of communities that revolve around common activities, which creates a population that is both empowered and capable of empowering those they interact with.

Though Boston has many diverse communities within its boundaries, Boston is a unique community in and of itself – one that is exceptionally diverse and yet segregated and separated, not able to take advantage of all it has to offer.  To truly empower Boston and bring out its strengths, the Boston community must find common ground – something simple and unifying.  The Boston Marathon bombing brought Bostonians together in a way few have experienced, but that unification was short-lived because it occurred due to a single event people hope will never again occur.  The Franklin Park Mile, on the other hand, will bring people together from both the running community and from the diverse neighborhoods surrounding Franklin Park.  By bringing people together though an activity that is positive and that supports the development of free community running groups, the Franklin Park Mile will ideally help to spark the further development of Boston community and unification just as FHR believes Community Running for All will be able to do nationwide.

To register for this great community run, please visit: https://www.racemenu.com/events/33391-The-Franklin-Park-Mile

The Franklin Park Mile, Presented by the Forest Hills Runners

From the Forest Hills Runners Website:

The goal of the Franklin Park Mile is bigger than you can imagine.  The aim is to transform the world, changing the essence of how people experience their lives.  The world today is a global one; it is a multiracial, multiethnic, multilinguistic, multigender mosaic with more connectivity than anyone ever imagined possible.  And though community is sometimes forgotten with the possibility of faraway connections, it is essential for everyone.  A strong community can produce wellness in a way that almost nothing else can and yet many people are becoming less and less connected to those around them.  Community running supports the natural development of communities that revolve around common activities, which creates a population that is both empowered and capable of empowering those they interact with.

Though Boston has many diverse communities within its boundaries, Boston is a unique community in and of itself – one that is exceptionally diverse and yet segregated and separated, not able to take advantage of all it has to offer.  To truly empower Boston and bring out its strengths, the Boston community must find common ground – something simple and unifying.  The Boston Marathon bombing brought Bostonians together in a way few have experienced, but that unification was short-lived because it occurred due to a single event people hope will never again occur.  The Franklin Park Mile, on the other hand, will bring people together from both the running community and from the diverse neighborhoods surrounding Franklin Park.  By bringing people together though an activity that is positive and that supports the development of free community running groups, the Franklin Park Mile will ideally help to spark the further development of Boston community and unification just as FHR believes Community Running for All will be able to do nationwide.

To register for this great community run, please visit: https://www.racemenu.com/events/33391-The-Franklin-Park-Mile

September 9!

Save the Date!

Official applications for the 2014 Boston Marathon will be posted on September 9. If you'd like to learn a bit more about our application process, please visit our Team Application page.

At this point, we do have a special application for 2013 runners who did not cross the Boston Marathon finish line. and would like to be a part of a great team atmosphere while training for the 2014 Boston Marathon. 

Please contact our Marathon Charity Team Leader, Julie Arrison, with any questions you might have.

Start Training for 2014

Our very wise runner Owen Kendall, and one of the co-founders of the Forest Hills Runners, pointed out that it's not too early to start training for 2014. Small improvements on every run, every day, will make a snowy training season easier to bear.

Check out the Forest Hills Runners for group runs and weekly workouts--many taking place around the beautiful Emerald Necklace.

Short shorts are optional.

Emerald Necklace Fun Run with Playworks; Pounding the Pavement in Florida; Ocean Breezes

Our runners have been busy the past couple of weeks as training for the 2013 Boston Marathon has kicked off. Coach Toomey has some members running circles at the Reggie Lewis Center in Roxbury on Tuesday nights, but the real fun has been in the long run...or what seems like a long run at this point!

Julie and Goofy pal Andrew cooling down after 39.3 miles .

On January 12-13, Marathon Charity Team Leader Julie Arrison participated in the Walt Disney World Goofy Challenge in Orlando, FL. "There is nothing like 39.3 miles of running to kick off marathon training," is what she says, followed by a "never again." While the run was well supported and blast, it was also hovered between 80-85 degrees for much of the runs. Needless to say there were some 2012 Boston Marathon flashbacks!



True to her 2012 form, Shari will continue to entertain us with her stories and fun from her runs. Shari followed Route 127 on the North Shore from Beverly to Manchester-By-The-Sea...which makes for a lovely summer run, but a challenge in the winter months! Reports of head wind on the loop back along with a nasty uphill added to the challenge, but we're sure a post-run red wine warmed Shari up quick!

Franklin hanging out in Tampa Bay.

Team member Michelle Collier has been away on business in Tampa, but that hasn't stopped her from taking in 13.5 miles with sightings of loons flying, and fish, ducks, and even a dolphin in the Bay. Plus, our NH runner just thought that running in shorts in January was a perk! Plus, she found some shoutouts to our fair city along the way.

"I went a long way to find a taste of Boston."

The highlight of the week was the our first joint run with the Playworks team. In order to consolidate resources and bring groups of charity runners together, great minds collided and great runners practiced for around 12 miles on the Emerald Necklace. The plan was to start in Franklin Park, travel along the Arborway, loop around Jamaica Pond, and head back...but one knows what they say about best laid plans! Team leaders Julie and Jon tried to keep up with the loops and wrong turns of our teams and eventually everyone got their needed miles and needed hydration along the way...plus they were treated to some great sites along the EN!

Babbling Winter Brook in Franklin Park...while waiting...waiting...waiting for lost runners!

Teammates flying around Jamaica Pond

Almost done...through the Forest Hills Underpass

Fanciest water stop on the Emerald Necklace this weekend!

Next week, the team tackles the North Shore, some increased mileage, and continued fun in preparing for the Boston Marathon!

Team Kickoff Run!

Want to stay up-to-date with our training? Visit our "On the Run" page each week with stories, photos, and more that highlight the good, bad, and ugly of marathon training.

http://fpcmarathoncharityteam.blogspot.com/p/on-run-with-fpc-marathon-charity-team.html

Spots Are Filling Quick!

If you're considering running the Boston Marathon and want to do it for a great cause with a great training program, please consider the Franklin Park Coalition! See our team application for all details or feel free to contact our Marathon Charity Team Leader Julie Arrison with any questions at julie@franklinparkcoalition.org.

 

Fantastic Fundraising Events in Store!

 

Winter Fun Runs!

 

A dedicated coach...who really will do it all!

 

A huge network of support!

 

A plan to get you to the finish!

 

Indoor track.

 

Team Bonding at its best.

 

Crazy fast runners (as well as crazy average and slow runners!)

 

Atlantic Ocean Ice Baths.

 

Marathon Training Coping.

 

Supported Group Runs.

 

Supporting local music and culture.

 

Supporting youth and athletics in Franklin Park.

 

A race day experience like no other!

 

26.2 Miles of Amazing!

Team Spirit in the Brighton Bangers Running Club

Laura Derderian was a member of the 2012 Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon team (pictured to the left with returning team member Shari Hewson). She and her husband Arra were so inspired by the camaraderie from the team and from members of the Forest Hills Runners in JP and the Wicked Running Club in Salem that they set out to form their own club in their nook of Brighton--the Brighton Bangers.

Group runs go on Wednesday nights and Saturday mornings with an optional rehydration stop at the infamous Last Drop. The group has been growing over the summer months and Laura and Arra hope to keep the momentum up. Both have felt extremely rewarded in working with both experienced and inexperienced runners and helping all to meet their goals while getting fit and having fun.

Arra and 2012 team member Owen Kendall hitting
the Atlantic in February for a post Hyannis
Half Marathon Ice Bath.

If you want to be a part of the 2013 Boston Marathon team, those are certainly our goals, too--be fit and have fun. We offer an incredible amount of support both on the run and for your fundraising and encourage you to contact our Marathon Charity Team Leader, Julie Arrison, at julie@franklinparkcoalition.org to learn more.

In the meantime, if you find yourself in Brighton on some Wednesday night with the need for a run, find the Bangers for a good time. (http://www.brightonbangers.com/).

You Know You Want to be a Part of the 2013 FPC Boston Marathon Team

Monday, September 10 is the big day! Applications open up for all of the official Boston Athletic Association charities along with regular registration for the 2013 2013 Boston Marathon. Applications will be available here and on the Franklin Park Coalition website. We encourage you to peruse the website and blog to learn more about the organization and our team. If there are any questions, be in touch with our Marathon Charity Team Leader, Julie Arrison.

Check out some pictures here from the 2012 Boston Marathon. It was a hot day, but the Franklin Park Coalition put on the perfect cheering section for the team.

We look forward to your inquiries and applications!  

Community Running with Team Member Owen Kendall and the Forest Hills Runners

A few months ago, FPC Boston Marathon Team Member Owen Kendall was interviewed about his involvement with the Forest Hills Runners and the importance of community running groups.

The FPC is pleased that the Forest Hills Runners and Owen have been such great promoters of the park and its assests through sport.

To see the video, please check out the FHR website: http://foresthillsrunners.org/

Team Member Highlight: Dale Libkin

We'll be highlighting our team members as they complete their fundraising and training goals over the next month. 

Dale on the far left after killing it at Reggie Lewis

Dale setting a PR at the Hyannis Half Marathon in February

A person's character often shines through their ability to tough something out. When Dale Libkin was making the decision to join the Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Charity Team, there were moments of doubt and fear, but in just about a month, this woman, who still considers herself a running newbie, will not only be a marathoner--she'll be a Boston Marathoner.

Running with Dale has been a privilege. She is so determined, focused, and hard-working in all workouts. Whether she's toughing out her "longest run ever" or doing an interval workout on the track at the Reggie Lewis Center, she's just unstoppable--and that's just her character.

Dale is a proud member of the Franklin Park Coalition board and volunteers her time to the because she believes so strongly in the mission. She lives near the park in Jamaica Plain and visits nearly twice daily with her dogs Charlie and Marbles. All three can be seen running around White Stadium most mornings at sunrise.  She considers herself so lucky to be able to enjoy this gem of a park on a daily basis.

Dale will also be hosting a very festive Saint Paddy's Day style Zumba fundraiser this Saturday at the Franklin Park Golf Clubhouse. For a $10.00 donation, you'll get a great workout and support a great cause...and take away the guilt of imbibing in a Guiness and some corned beef this weekend.

Event Alert: Saint Paddy's Day Themed Zumba in the Park!

Join Boston Marathon team member Dale Libkin for her Zumba fundraiser in the Franklin Park Golf Clubhouse this Saturday at 10:30. While there might not be Whiskey in the Jar and Wild Rovers, there will be an hour of a great workout that will make up for all of that soda bread and corned beef consumption throughout the weekend.

Tickets are only $10.00 and you are sure not to forget this Zumba experience!

(yes, this is Riverdance...but you get the idea!)

Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Charity Team Member Places at the Hyannis Half Marathon

Owen Kendall, one of the founders of the Forest Hills Runners of Jamaica Plain, and member of the FPC Boston Marathon Charity Team, took second overall at the Hyannis Half Marathon on Sunday, February 26.

The Hyannis Half Marathon is considered a great race to test race paces for the Boston Marathon and was part of the suggested training plan for the Franklin Park team. When asking for pace advice for the race Marathon Team Coach, Mike Toomey, told Owen, "Stay with the lead pack. Win." For Owen, it was a brutal 13.1 miles and the first 800 meters of the race went out below 5:00 miles.

The winner of the Hyannis Half Marathon was Kevin Jillson, a Cape Cod local, who, according to a Cape Cod Times articles, "comfortably" beat Owen by 20 seconds. I'm sure both athletes would agree there was nothing comfortable about the hard work that went into a truly competitive road race.

After the run, Owen enjoyed a Atlantic Ocean ice bath with team member Laura Derderian's husband to soothe his overworked legs. 

The FPC Boston Marathon team is very proud to have such a star athlete gracing us with his presence, good running advice, and great humor along the way. To show your congratulations to Owen, you can donate to his fundraising page: http://www.razoo.com/story/Owenfpc.

FPC Boston Marathon Team members strike a pose before heading out for 13.1 miles of "fun" on Cape Cod.

To see the results from the Hyannis Half Marathon, please visit: http://www.coolrunning.com/results/12/ma/Feb26_Hyanni_set7.shtml