Support Boston Strong, Support a Franklin Park Runner

She runs this park, she bikes this park...now she's raising money for this park. Meet Laura

Laura Smeaton is a resident of the Roslindale neighborhood of Boston.  She works at Harvard School of Public Health as a biostatistician for medical research in infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis, with a focus on women's health.  She is also a League of American Bicyclists Cycling Instructor and teaches bicycle safety through the Massachusetts Bicycle Coalition.  Laura enjoys Franklin Park during all four seasons -- biking, running, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.  She is thrilled to be a part of the 2014 FPC Boston Marathon team! To support Laura’s fundraising efforts, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Fpcmarathoncharityteamlaura2014

RunDisney weekend for FPC runners.

Good luck to our team runners who are trekking to Florida for the Walt Disney World Marathon weekend. While Julie and Jared are kicking off their Boston Marathon training with the half marathon on Saturday, Derly will be taking on the Goofy Challenge. On Sunday, she'll run 13.1 miles, followed up by a full marathon on Sunday. 

Have runs and an enjoy the sun, runners!

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

We want you on our team!

The 2013 Boston Marathon was a life altering event for so many. In the days following the tragic events, many sought solace in the peace that is Franklin Park.

The post-marathon events are not the only time that Franklin Park provides peace, comfort, tranquility, and beauty in life. This fabulous urban greenspace does this daily for thousands of visitors.

5624 runners were unable to cross the finish line at the 2013 Boston Marathon. The Boston Athletic Association has kindly offered them entry into the 2014 event. The Franklin Park Coalition also wants to extend an offer to be a part of a team atmosphere. For a $500.00 fundraising minimum, those runners who were unable to cross the finish line and who have secured entry via the special registration can apply to be a part of the Franklin Park Coalition Marathon team.

The team offers supportive and customized marathon coaching, indoor track clinics, team gear, fundraising events, and more. For the past two years, it has been the support of the team that has provided an atmosphere of cheer, goodwill, and a "get-it-done" attitude for all things related to training.

For an application, please email Julie Arrison (julie@franklinparkcoalition.org).

Are you running in 2014?

The Franklin Park Coalition is currently accepting applications for runners who did not cross the finish line on Boylston Street on April 15, 2013. We are asking runners who would like to be part of a team atmosphere to consider running for the Franklin Park Coalition. We offer USATF certified coaching, great marathon team gear, supported training runs, a fun-filled team fundraiser kickoff party, and more!

To learn more, check out our application or contact Marathon Charity Team Leader, Julie Arrison, at julie@franklinparkcoalition.org.

Information for runners who have not secured entry through qualificiation or elsewhere will be available in late summer, 2013. 

2013 Boston Marathon Starters Who Did Not Cross Boylston Street Finish Line Entry Runner Application

Con-grad-ulations to Elizabeth Belcher

Congratulations to team member Elizabeth Belcher on her graduation last week! We're proud to have such a creative person and hard worker on our Franklin Park Coaltion Boston Marathon Team!

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.

Community Volunteer Day; Long Run with the Heartbreak Hill Running Company

It's a big day in Franklin Park Coalition land. If you're not a runner, but want to help out with around the park, check out the Community Volunteer Day, which will be taking place from 10:00-noon on Saturday. Projects include removing catbrier from baby trees and trash pick-up now that the snow is just about gone! 

While the cleanup is going on, our runners will be taking on a double round of Heartbreak Hill with a double session of training with the Heartbreak Hill Running Company and Playworks Boston. 

Three Numbers Still Available to Run the Boston Marathon with the Franklin Park Coalition

Are you still on the fence about running the 2013 Boston Marathon? Hop off and join our team for the last month of training and fundraising fun and earn your spot for 26.2 mile jaunt on April 15, 2013. The organization is willing to be flexible with fundraising deadlines and will help any runners come up with a plan to reach the $4000 minimum required by the Boston Athletic Association to secure an entry.

For the application and more information, please visit: http://www.fpcmarathoncharityteam.blogspot.com/p/team-application.html

On the (Boston Marathon) Run with the FPC and Playworks Marathon Team: Ashland to Heartbreak: “The trick, it appears, is to get out the door. The rest follows.”

Check out what the Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Team is up to this week!

We finally made it out onto the course with our friends from Playworks (www.playworks.org) for a phenomenal run from Ashland to Heartbreak. It was a great chance to combine resources and get 11 of our runners out there and getting acclimated to the highs and lows of the Boston course while being supported by Jonathan Gay from Playworks and our team leader, Julie Arrison.

Snow seems to be the new theme this February and it was no different this weekend. While just a dusting accumulated on the run, it was certainly February in New England for our runners. We think Craig from Oregon has the biggest “treat” of all as much of his running on the West Coast has been cool and dry—not snowy and blustery! Besides some complaints about soggy feet and chilly cheeks, the run was great and included high fives from Franklin and some faux excitement for the beers in Julie’s Jeep—meant for lunch, but stared longingly at by the runners on the course.

Jason and Shari enjoyed their snowy run through Beverly and Manchester-by-the-Sea (not to be confused with Michelle’s ManchVegas, NH!) and both enjoyed a good, long run.

Owen, our crazed third year med student/superstar runner/team doctor, had a rough long run. While setting out for 17, he fell approximately 5K short, but threw up three times. Once per mile missed equates, right? He equated this issue to carb loading with beer and decided this is best done two days before a long run at a 6:00/mile pace and wished that he learned that key life skill in undergrad. On his second attempt at 17 he decided to combine pain with pain and listen to an audiobook on abdominal surgery—which caused a scowling expression for all of the miles.

While we all recognize that not every run is a good run, our biggest wakeup call this week was Elizabeth. With all good intentions, she set out for the 17 on course but realized her under-training was problematic. Elizabeth dropped around the 10K mark, but is ready to “hit the reset” on training and take on the next 10 weeks with a vengeance—using Owen’s quote--“The trick, it appears, is to get out the door. The rest follows.”

To stay up-to-date on all of our team's training efforts, please visit our On the Run Page. If you are impressed with our efforts and would like to donate to the team, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/2013teamkickoffparty

Meet Pete: The Newest Runner on the Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Team

Peter Marr has moved, shaked, surfed, ran and contemplated on six of the seven continents.  Traveling deep into the Ecuadorian rain forest to visit a Shaman, trekking for days on a camels back through the Northern African Sahara desert finding distant nomadic Berber villages and free diving off the coast of Australia on the great barrier reef swimming with sea turtles. In 2010 he finished climbing every mountain in New Hampshire with at least a 4000 foot peak and has started hiking them again with his dog.  For years before growing light roots in Boston he threw himself into a van for months on stretch and would travel the world playing in a punk/metal band that went to almost every state in the U.S, Scotland, England, Whales, Canada, Australia and Puerto Rico. Peter Marr has taken a great interest in running the Boston Marathon, watching family and friends run in the last few years.  To support Pete's fundraising efforts, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Running-The-Boston-Marathon-2013.

Do you want to run the 2013 Boston Marathon? We still have 3 spaces available! Our team applications are available for runners who have not secured a number and for those who have an would love to run for a great cause.

Welcome to the Team, fellow Olmsted Fan!

On December 5, 2008 Craig Kiest at the age of 53 ran his first mile since PE class in high school. As of December 28, 2012, Craig has run 44 marathons in 34 states and 6 continents.

As a native Oregonian with three grown children and a 30 year career as a landscape architect, running has become a rewarding avocation. With interests in gardens and architecture, running a marathon gives a unique opportunity to see the world without traffic - from Big Sur to the bridges of New York City.

Between running marathons there is time for family, hiking, biking, snowboarding and a glass of wine.

Editorial Note: We think The Screaming Pumpkin Marathon. is one of the coolest marathons Craig has completed so far!

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!  

An Update for the 2012 FPC Boston Marathon Team from the FPC Staff

April 16, 2012 did not mark the end of the journey for the 2012 Boston Marathon Team. The staff at the Franklin Park Coalition took time out of their incredibly busy and hectic summer of managing park projects, the Summer Youth Conservation Crew, Playhouse in the Park, and Youth Drop-In Sports Nights to keep everyone up to date on how our fundraising efforts were being used. Christine Poff, the amazing executive director, sent us the blog update that you can find a link to in an article below as well as this thank you.

Her words really put into perspective what the 2012 Boston Marathon Team was able to provide for teens around the park as well as everyday park users.

"..Attached is a photo of the crew playing a game on one of the park's old stone walls. They had to arrange themselves by birthdate without talking, it was pretty funny. Today at lunch they had a huge game of camoflauge ... some love this kind of thing, but the big tough guys act like they are too cool for anything that isn't HARD work, but they join in and get goofy.

Because of all your efforts we did a 2-night camping trip this year, the first time we've done that. Through a great partnership with the Appalachian Mountain Club the crew borrows tents and gear. They hiked, splashed in waterfalls, did a night walk, told stories by the campfire, and all came home thrilled with themselves - for most it was the first time in a tent and for about five of them it was the first time away from home. (I talked to parents a lot ... a few were really anxious)

Last week at Sports Night we had members of two rival gangs, but they played ball and ate burgers together with no problems - it's exactly what we hope will happen. We have a really cool coach who is coming out, used to play with the Houston Rockets."

Notes like this are just one of many reasons why someone should consider joining the Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Team. You truly make a difference.

How the 2012 FPC Boston Marathon Team Got Youth Moving

This blog article came out a bit earlier in the summer, but as of July 30, 2012, 1175 kids were "moving" in Franklin Park as part of the Youth Drop In Sports Night Programs. Equipment and barbecues featuring turkey burgers and dogs for the sports nights in 2012 were funded by the hard work of the 2012 FPC Boston Marathon Team--continuing to prove that $60,000+ in fundraising has wide reaching impact.

Look for adult and family programs in the park this fall to get people moving. Next summer, the Playhouse in the Park series will be one of the program beneficiaries of the 2013 FPC Boston Marathon Team Fundraising. One of the goals of the family programs is to bring in performers to get the audience moving.

Please check out the blog for pictures and details: http://www.bostonbeyond.org/blog/boston-youth-are-moving-health .

Team Member Highlight: Kristen Day

Leading up to the Boston Marathon, we'll be spotlighting our team members as they train and raise money for the Franklin Park Coalition.

Kristen Day will be running her first road race on April 16. This is certainly no ordinary road race, as Kristen has chosen to run the Boston Marathon for the Franklin Park Coalition to make her debut. Kristen loves Franklin Park and has fond memories growing up there and hopes to pass along the same nostalgia to her three kids, Josie, Noah, and Violet. "The park has become a very special place for me. I remember it from when I was a small child visiting my grandparents that lived alongside the park. When they got just big enough, we started sledding behind the golf course clubhouse. The first day we did this, my daughter was 6 and my son was 4. We stayed at the hill for 4 ½ hours! The sun was setting and the moon was rising. It was so quiet and beautiful, it felt like the city was a million miles away. The park inspires children’s imagination and offers places for kids to run, climb, sled and pretend. And it does the same for adults."

Kristen lives in Jamaica Plain with her family. Besides enjoying running for the sheer sake of enjoying running, she is an active volunteer in the park and has also just established a Boy Scout Troop. She believes that if her kids are involved now, they'll also recognize the work that goes into preserving such an important place in Boston.
This weekend, Kristen and her husband will be sponsoring a Neighborhood Night at their home on 25 Cromwell Street. The night will feature light hors d'ouvers, cocktails, music by Ulysses, and short talk on the history of Franklin Park by author Julie Arrison. The suggested donation is $1.00/mile, or $26.00 to support not only Kristen's fundraising efforts, but the great work of the Franklin Park Coalition. You can RSVP to kdaymatt@aol.com.

If you can't attend, but wish to support Kristen's fundraising efforts, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/Kristen-Day-S-Boston-Marathon-Fund-Raising-For-The-Fpc 

Long Run Antics

From our "On the Run" section from last weekend. This weekend many of our runners will be gearing up for distances between 13-18 miles on the course. It's a lot of work for a great cause!

"BAA On Course Charity Run, Breakdowns, Build Ups, and Mack Trucks"

Carleen, Dale, and Kristen took advantage of the BAA Official Charity Training Run that departed from Natick Town Common and extended to the FINISH LINE on Boylston Street. This run is organized by one of the BAA legacy charities, the American Liver Foundation, and provides runners who are training for Boston and working hard to raise some serious money with the opportunity to have a fully supported and simulated Boston Marathon training run. All three of our lovely ladies conquered “Heartbreak Hill,” and while the fear may still exist for race day on April 16, all were on “cloud nine” about a wonderful day with the other charity runners. Thanks also to the FPC executive director, Christine Poff, for taking Dale and Carleen to Natick and giving them a great sendoff!

Onto every bit of marathon training, a little injury must fall. Keep the positive vibes out there for Elizabeth who is battling a knee injury and spending a lot of time on the elliptical and in the pool right now. Jesus is also conquering an IT band issue and will be taking it somewhat easy for the next few weeks. On the flip side, Jared’s knee is FINALLY cooperating with his training plan and he is able to add on some miles. He completed half-marathon distance through Forest Hills Cemetery, Franklin Park, and a loop through the Arboretum. The moral of the story? There is hope for the injured!

Owen’s weekend of running was definitely hurt by a post-dental surgery infection, which has put him on two different antibiotics, dexamethasone (med student talk?!), and Percocet, plus lots of ibuprofen for the swelling. After consideration of jaw removal for the pain, Owen instead decided to go out and kill a long run…15.25 miles at race pace…which felt great. He credits the rest and good form, but perhaps the Percocet had something to do with the numbing effects of running 15.25 miles at a 6:00/mile pace?

Our ladies of the North Shore had some rough goings over the weekend. Paula may have still been in recovery from her 40^th birthday extravaganza the weekend before…or her tempo run the night before…but said that she eventually got all of her miles in and done. Shari, on the other hand, had a series of malfunctions including getting lost on back roads (in her hometown), loose pants (no, she didn’t moon anyone), and dehydration…followed by a wine tasting to rehydrate. Celebrating the small victories in training is as important as celebrating the large ones!

Laura ran 15 miles Saturday morning in the snowy/rainy mix from Brookline High down Beacon Street through Kenmore Sq over the Mass Ave Bridge, down Memorial Drive down to the Cambridge St Bridge, turned around and went back to Brookline High where I left my group and ran the last 4 miles home to Oak Square in Brighton. Her map is pictured below.

Julie was up for a ski weekend in NH. Apparently she didn’t follow Jason G.’s advice from a few weekends earlier and certainly had a case of Jello legs when all was said and done. The run also wasn’t well planned on her part. It was much hillier than expected and the traffic on Route 16 was frightening to run towards. The views on her left hand side might have been babbling brooks and wooded glens, but the views on the right were giant 18 wheeler Mack logging trucks going about 50 MPH. Luckily, for every Mack truck that passed, there was a chance to stare up at Mount Washington…certainly a different vantage point than running around MA.

Carleen, are you confident you can finish the Boston Marathon...I think your answer needs to be YES!!!

Sprinting up Boylston!

The lovely NH views the Julie enjoyed on her left side...the right side included dodging Mack Trucks and Apres Skiiers from NY.

Laura's Running Map...if only it captured the glow of snow and ice!

Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Charity Team Member Completes Sunsmart Ironman

Our overseas team member, Piotr Krupa, recently completed the Sunsmart Ironman in Western Australia. Needless to say, he is on track for his Boston Marathon training and is looking forward to coming to the city to meet the team in person. To learn more about the race, and to see some shots of summer in Australia, check out the Sunsmart Ironman homepage.

A marathon is only part of an Ironman challenge. The Ironman began as a challenge between a group of Navy Seals and has turned into one of the largest endurance events in the world. Officially, the Ironman consists of a 2.4 mile swim, a 112 mile bike ride, and a 26.2 mile run. The "season" is capped off with the Ironman championships, which are held each year at Kona, Hawaii.

Na Zdrowie to Piotr for a job well done!

Piotr completeing the 2.4 mile swim.

You need some gorgeous views when you riding for 112 miles.

Marathon man...and then some!

Now, it's time for the Boston Marathon!