The Firehouse Loop

It was great to be out Saturday with a big group of FPC marathon team members doing the 20 mile double Firehouse Loop that leaves from Heartbreak Hill Running Company. I didn't get photos of everyone (Derly, Vicma, whoever else - I am so sorry!) But here's a bunch of our team members. Some running, some posing, one getting a rock out of his shoe, and a few just on a break. And there was a weird gorilla guy named Heartbreak Hill Bill dying to get his photo taken. We'll be out on the course again this coming Saturday!

2014 Security & Final Team Hoyt Run

Thought all of you focused on the marathon would be interested in this news:

http://boston.cbslocal.com/2014/03/11/dick-and-rick-hoyt-prepare-for-final-boston-marathon/

We are trying to learn details about the security plan to be sure we can set up our usual FPC stop in Wellesley that runners can access. It sounds as though it may be difficult to bring gear - like water jugs and bags of snacks. Some kind of barrier will be lining the route. Our favorite thing is to run out and hug our FPC runners as they come cruising through Wellesley!

If you've read any more specifics or heard anything helpful, let us know!

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.

Wanna run a 5K?

Derly Ortiz is organizing a virtual 5K this weekend. You don't need to stress about where to meet or a time to run or walk--just get out and do a 5K in a show of support for Derly's hard work and her training and fundraising efforts. You'll get a cool virtual medal and a sense of Sunday satisfaction for a job well done!

Registration is $21.00 and available at: at https://www.racemenu.com/events/35291-March-Madness-Virtual-5K. All proceeds support the youth and athletic programs with the Franklin Park Coalition.

Marc's Push for the Fundraising Finish Line!

Looking for a fun way to support a member of the Franklin Park Coalition Boston Marathon Team? Head over to James Gate in JP this Saturday from 1:00-4:00 p.m. for an afternoon of fun and friends and Franklin Park. $20.00 gets you an afternoon of snacks, a raffle ticket for some great prizes (listed below), a cash bar, and the company of great folks.

You can support Marc here: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/marcs-push-for-the-fundraising-finish-line-tickets-10710803301.

Hope to see you Saturday!

• Gift cards to J.P. Licks, City Feed, and Kitchenwitch.
• 2 passes to Yoga For Runners at JP Yoga (right above City Feed on Centre!)
• A gift bag of dog treats and fun from our friends at Polka Dog Bakery
• Some *excellent* cellared beers courtesy of one of one of FHR's finest (I would buy tickets for these if I could)
• And, I'll be putting together a gift pack of the specific fuels that the B.A.A will be providing on Marathon Monday so you can get yourself acclimated.  

Marathon love still strong in Boston!

I love these flash mob things and keep wondering if we can do something like this in Franklin Park at one of the festivals when there are a lot of people out.

http://www.universalhub.com/2014/valentine-boston

I think this one is a pre-cursor to all the love you are gonna feel along the marathon route!

Think of this when training in cold, snowy, slushy weather.

--Christine

Some business, some politics, and some fun in the snow with the FPC

Here at FPC we've been worried about runners training in the cold, on icy roads. Glad to see all of our Super Heroes doing fine and making light of it all!

Lots of city park political activities last week. We organized a thank you party for outgoing Parks Commissioner, Toni Pollak. With an 11-year tenure she was the longest running commissioner in Boston's history, kind of amazing. The Copley Plaza donated a party room and more than 200 people came! It was more of a downtown crowd than we are used to out here in Roxbury-Dorchester-JP.

L to R: Julie Crockford, Emerald Necklace Conservancy; Liz Vizza, Friends of the Public Garden; Toni Pollak, Commissioner; yours truly from FPC; and Valerie Burns, Boston Natural Areas Network.

The next day the Environment, Energy & Open Space transition team presented its recommendations to the new Mayor and his policy staff. He responded at first with the comment, Everywhere I went on the campaign trail last summer and fall, the environment and the arts were the two most frequently raised issues." Mayor Walsh has asked every department to cut 1% of their budget to balance city finances in the coming year, but Parks will not be cut - this is a HUGE win. For the first time in my tenure at FPC parks are a priority!

Two transition team members with our new Mayor

After all the downtown activity, I was back in the park on Friday with my favorite Trotter elementary school class. We looked at winter trees, found places where animals might hibernate, hunted for food that winter birds might eat, and learned how some birds are able to withstand the cold and don't migrate. The excitement and learning that takes place with these 2nd graders is contagious. They are a treat to be with in the outdoors. They love it!