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

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 Party Rescheduled

The Team Kickoff Party originally scheduled for January 23 has been rescheduled to Wednesday, March 13...same bat time, same bat channel.

If you have already purchased tickets to this event and can make it on March 13, there is no need to do a thing! If you cannot make it and would like to dedicate your donation to a specific runner, please contact Team Leader Julie Arrison at julie@franklinparkcoalition.org with the name of the runner the donation should go to. If there are any other issues with your donation, please contact our Team Leader as well.

We'll look forward to seeing you in March as our runners race to the finish of their Boston Marathon training! Tickets are only $15.00/each or $40.00/family and include raffles, pizza, and a night of good cheer!

To learn more, please visit: http://www.razoo.com/story/2013teamkickoffparty

The 2013 Franklin Park Coalition Team is Ready to Rock!

Current members of the 2013 Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Team had the opportunity to meet on Sunday, January 6 at the Franklin Park Coalition office in Roxbury. Members of the team, both returning and brand, spanking new, were welcomed by the staff with bagels and coffee and fruit and covered the essential topics from a lesson on the Franklin Park Coalition to what exactly is a tempo run.

So far this year's team is made up of all sorts--we have a marathoner looking to complete 50 marathons in 50 states and another who will use the Boston Marathon as her first ever road race. We have accomplished fundraisers and those new to the life of development. We have folks with kids, folks with grandkids, and folks with dogs. There are Olmsted geeks, those who work with youth, and those who just love urban parks and want to see them get even better.

If you'd like to join our team, we still have space available and it's not too late to catch up and join the fun! Please visit our "Application" page for full details and contact Marathon Charity Team Leader, Julie Arrison, with any questions.

See you on the run!

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/

Bleeding, Breakdowns, and Buzzes...Just Another Weekend with the FPC Boston Marathon Charity Team

The latest installment from our On the Run page.

Dale, Julie, Owen, Coach Toomey, Jason C., and Paula are smiling after completing their last indoor track workout at the Reggie Lewis Center last Tuesday night.

Weekend of February 18:

The team had some great efforts put in last weekend around the Emerald Necklace, around the hills of Brighton, and in the wilds north of the Tobin Bridge. The common denominator? Perfect February weather! We’ve all been chatting with friends who have run the Boston Marathon in the past—especially last winter—who have shared their jealousy and anger that this is the weather that we have been training in. Then again, last year’s Boston Marathon was 50 degrees, light sunshine, and a tailwind, so if karma means anything…

The miles are definitely creeping up. Julie and Dale set out for a jaunt around the Emerald Necklace and a detour onto both Huntington Avenue and Centre Street in JP. All in all, it was 14 miles of lovely views and good company. It was great coming back into Franklin Park at the end of the run and seeing so many golfers enjoying the nine holes of open turf, again, in February!!!

Jared also enjoyed 14 miles around the J-Way and the Fens (how did we miss him?!). While the knees are healing, he is now realizing the importance of body glides and well placed band-aids on his chest. Bleeding nipples will only toughen up a runner and the team has faith that he’ll recover well. Jared was also looking for more hills on his run. Perhaps he should have joined Laura for her 12 hilly miles with her Dreamfar team?!

Jason C. joined a number of members of the Wicked Running Club and a few thousand others for Half at the Hamptons. He’s been training hard and said he felt great! Shari, on the other hand, had a relaxing Friday night in a hot tub with martini and realized that soaking in water does not mean that a marathon trainer is hydrating…nor do martinis…and as she set out to meet her training buddy for a hybrid road/trail run to get in 16 miles, she realized just how under hydrated she was! There were many comments, akin to Owen of a few weeks ago, about throwing herself into traffic, but the team is happy to see that she recovered nicely and sparked a good discussion about pre-, during, and post- run nutrition habits, which, sadly, does not include martinis!

Speaking of Owen, our speed demon found some company with some speedy guys from the North Shore who planned on on-course run at varying breakneck speeds. Owen and Mike kept a 6:10-6:30 pace for 14 miles when Mike decided that maybe his nutrition was a little off for a run at that pace. Owen swears he tried to bring the pace down, but “it's hard to convince oneself to slow when fast feels so good.” Following leaving a dehydrated Michael Smith on the road in the fetal position, Owen strided out a few sub-6:00 miles for good measure. Mike is fine and recovered with a nine mile run in Lynn Woods the next day. No one worry.

Nichole is excited to get back on track with her training. She has been on the job hunt and in a yoga certification program, leaving little time to focus on the long runs. The good news is that she has accepted a job offer with a group that encourages family fitness and is so excited to have her many loves coming together…and re-focusing on the Marathon!

Kristen took on a 13 this week…not with all the gusto the world had to offer, but everyone in Marathon training has those tough weeks. She took some time to rest and regroup, which in the end is the most therapeutic thing a runner can sometimes do!

We’ve had two flu victims on our injury report this week—Carleen and Paula—who are rumored to be recovering slowly but surely. Elizabeth is also starting PT for her bum knee this week, but has been keeping up her efforts on the bike and elliptical and in the pool.

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!