Last Half Boston Marathon Training Run

Some of our runners took on the Boston Marathon course on Saturday--well--the last 13.1 miles of it. We have to say, our team is looking fantastic out there. Despite some creeky joints and messy ankles, it was a great day on the Newton Hills. Enjoy some pictures of our fabulous team and we'll have more details from the rest of the team later this week!

Can't wait to cross this on April 21.

We're trying to get our runners on the course--all of the course--so there are no surprises on Marathon Monday.

Hammah starts on the Newton Hills.

Jeanette and Mike looking strong on the first of the hills.

One of the more important turns on course.

Jeanette and Mike about mile 9 of the training run.

Jared is stylin' around training mile 9.

Javier and Debbie ready to plow through training mile 9.

Debbie looks radiant at training mile 9.

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

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

Toomey is Full of Tips

Here on the Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Team, we've got a coach who is not only USATF certified, but loves to help us out in anyway he can. Last year, he attended many of our fundraisers and was even a guest bartender for one of them.

That being said, he also knows how to torture us as well. If you've been on the hunt for a great core workout, look no further than this set of core torture:

Core Circuit

25 x Jump Ups - from the crouching/squatting position, spring upward and extend your arms fully over your head then return to the crouching position and repeat as quick as possible in one fluid motion.

10 X Decline Push-ups Like regular push-ups but with your feet at least 2 feet elevated over your head.

15 X Superman Lie on your stomach, flex your arms and legs upward until you form a half circle, relax and repeat.

10 X Yoga Push-ups - Place your hands and feet roughly 3 feet apart-{you should form an upside down V), but directly lined up with each other-this is called the downward dog position in yoga. Now scoop your head/face forward along the ground until you are in a sloped holding position with your arms and shoulders locked. This be should a position that has your whole body in it's forward most position. You knees should never touch the ground. Now return to the original position in the same manner that you arrived at the locked forward position.

5 X 30 Count In-n-Out Abdominal Holds Lie with your legs and back flat and your hands at your sides. Raise your feet 3 inches off the ground and hold for five seconds, then move your legs out to the fully spread position, keeping them 3 inches off the ground, and locked for another five count. Continue until the total time is a 30 count, then rest for a 5 count and repeat.

15 X Regular Push-Ups

30 X Alternate Leg Chinnies- Lie with your back flat on the ground, with your legs bent in the 90-degree position. Now alternate bringing your elbow to the opposite knee. These are also known as bicycle crunches.

10 X Triangle Push-Ups - From the standard push-up position; place your hands directly below your chest and form a triangle with them using your thumb and index finger. Your legs should also be as far apart as possible, forming a big V. Now do a push-up.

40 X Weighted Crunches - Use a heavy book or a weight {5-15Ibs) to do a standard crunch.

25 x Chair Dips – using the tallest chair you can find, place your hands on the front edge. With your legs out in front of you resting on a surface as tall as the chair, lower yourself until your butt touches and then raise yourself.

15 X Morning Glories - Lie on your back fully extended with your arms stretched above your head. Now bend upward until you form a U with your hands meeting your feet directly above your waistline. You should be perfectly balanced on your butt. Relax back to the starting position and repeat.

25 X Leg Lunges_(each leg) -Standing with your hands on your waist for balance, take a giant exaggerated step forward so that you end up with your forward leg in the 90- degree position and your other leg fully extended and straight. Your back should be straight the whole time.