Franklin Park Coalition Runners Beat the Heat on Marathon Monday

If there was ever a day for a tough Boston Marathon, Monday, April 16, 2012, will go down in the record books as one of the toughest on record. Temperatures hovering around 90, asphalt temperature of 103-105 degrees, and cloudless, sunny skies created a recipe for dangerous running.
Fourteen of our sixteen team members donned their FPC singlets for an estimated 600,000 spectators and made the decision to "enjoy" the experience of completing 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston. Besides friends and family on the course, we also had an amazing rest stop at Mile 13 thanks to staff and volunteers from the Franklin Park Coalition. That pampering resulted in the below time and the completion of the marathon for all of our runners who decided to go for it:

Scott Powell 3:19:37 (http://www.thedailycortlandt.com/sports/westchester-runners-beat-boston-marathon-heat)
Nichole Bukowski 3:42:50
Jesus Fuerte 4:07:25
Kristen Day 4:19:54
Piotr Krupa 5:06:30
Laura Derderian 5:08:49
Jason Gerrol 5:11:41
Jason Carraro 5:15:32
Jared Egan 5:17:46
Shari Hewson 5:25:21
Carleen Tucker 5:56:15
Julie Arrison 6:04:42
Paula Renzi Gibbs 7:09:28
Dale Libkin 7:10:45

Almost everyone's times were proportionately off from the planned goal times, but a testament to the coaching that Mike Toomey provided for the team as well. Without his advice and support, we may not be able to say that all of our runners completed the race upright.

The team will have more pictures and posts coming soon, highlighting our overall experience on both Marathon Monday and working with the Franklin Park Coalition over the past few months.

FPC Runner Nichole Bukowski Featured in Today's Boston Globe Article on Boston Marathon Fundrasing

Nichole Bukowski, one of the runners on the Franklin Park Coalition's Boston Marathon Charity Team, was featured in this great article on fundraising for the Boston Marathon and beyond.

So many supporters have joined us for events, have donated to our runner's fundraising pages, and have sent well wishes to the team for the big day--now just six days away.

Please check out the link below to get the story behind the story of how hard our 16 runners have worked to raise over $60,000 to support youth and athletic programming in the crown jewel of the Boston Park System.

http://www.boston.com/sports/marathon/articles/2012/04/10/boston_marathon_charity_runners_race_to_meet_fund_raising_goal/?page=2


If you haven't had the opportunity to donate yet, please visit our Razoo page and check our Jesus and Elizabeth who are working hard to reach their $4000.00 goal by Marathon Monday. www.razoo.com/story/fpcmarathoncharityteam.

FPC Boston Marathon Team Member Featured in Sunday's Boston Globe Magazine

Congratulations to FPC Boston Marathon Charity Team Member Carleen Tucker for being featured as "the newbie" in Sunday's Boston Globe Magazine. We have been so proud to have her on our team.

Also featured was Franklin Park Coalition supporter, Michelle Audet. Michelle works for John Hancock and will be completing her fifth Boston Marathon on April 16. She has been a wonderful supporter of the work of our team and we want to wish her the best!

To check out the article, please visit: http://articles.boston.com/2012-03-18/magazine/31199683_1_boston-marathon-first-time-marathoner-heartbreak-hill

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/

From "On the Run:" Whatever Gets You Through: Pizza, Peanut Butter on Wonder Bread, Cheeseburgers, and Gu

Weekend of March 10: Whatever Gets You Through: Pizza, Peanut Butter on Wonder Bread, Cheeseburgers, and Gu

Elizabeth spent her Saturday at the pool trying out some workouts and kicking butt regardless of a painful knee issue—still not fully diagnosed! Oh, the frustration! Keep the positive flow coming for Elizabeth.

Kristen, Carleen, Jared, Dale, Shari, Jason C., Nichole, and Laura all took on the course for anywhere from 17-21 miles on Saturday. Julie and Nichole’s brother, Greg, played support and Christine from the FPC provided a transport run for the JP crew out to Hopkinton. While the day started cold and windy, the team settled into the course well. Dale was concerned about getting lost, but successfully found her way, while Shari and Laura got to a crossroads and made a panicked phone call…but also found their way!

Nichole, Jared, and Jason C. led the pack and kept great pace the entire time.  For Jason and Nichole, having completed marathons, they took the distance a bit more in stride, but for Jared, this was a huge accomplishment. Jared Egan: “Saturday was crazy for me. I was supposed to do 18-20, but I didn't have it in me to stop at the base of Heartbreak Hill and not do it, so I ended up doing 21 miles. This is the most I've ever ran in one go, by 4 miles. I'm very happy with these results. This was a game changing distance for me. I now know for sure how crazy you all are. I could feel the effect of everything I ate along the way, and for the first time, it felt like a truly absurd distance. For the rest of the day I was sort of in shock at what I had just done, and my mind was pretty well gone.” Welcome to the club, Jared! We’re all so proud!

Carleen had one of those days on the course. She tripped over a branch around mile 9 and hurt her ankle a bit. It slowed her down a bit, but also added to the mental trickiness for the day. Then the Garmin died. Then the iPod died. Then the limping started. Then the effects of a tough strength workout from earlier in the week kicked in. EVERYONE has had one (or more) of those runs and the good news for Carleen is that the breakdown actually is part of the build-up. Not only was the FPC team incredibly supportive, but runners along the course stopped to check on Carleen’s state—which was surely made better with a big glass of wine that night!

The 10:30 pack of Shari, Carleen, and Kristen want to thank Laura for her incredible tour of Natick along the way. Quite the hometown girl, Mrs. Derderian!

Dale, per usual, just ran and ran and ran and ran—and looked strong and fabulous doing it!

Renzi had my long run on Sunday and enjoyed almost perfect weather, sans wind, around Marblehead Neck. The good news is that the wind really tested the mental and physical strength…the bad news is that marathon runners don’t really need extra testing!

Jason G. is getting killed with a work schedule right now, so keep some good vibes flowing his way, too. His training runs are very early in the morning and after 13+ hour days at the law office. There’s only so much solace a run around JP and the Charles can bring, so show some love!

Finally, Julie spent 4 hours in Lynn Woods on Sunday, covering about 17 miles. The cardio was pretty intense from the uphills, the rock climbing, and the rock dodging. Julie had a little fall while heading out to the parking lot to meet a friend, somehow rolling her bad ankle on a rock, and sliding down the last slope of Lynn Woods.  When Julie’s friend showed up to find half of her dirt covered and limping, it was more humorous for both of us and after some stretching and resting, she was ready to go for another two hours. Renzi suggested wrapping Julie in bubble wrap…at all times.

Much discussion revolved around food, as it does for marathoners as they get into the last month of training. The tapeworm just won’t go away. For the on course run, Julie provided only the finest Skippy Peanut Butter and Wonder Bread sandwiches that Dale proclaimed were the best in the world (delirious). Shari and Laura talked about cheeseburgers for 13 miles. Julie’s run ended with a trip to the North Shore Pizza Wars at Swampscott High and she will never disclose the amount of pizza that was consumed...

Sidewalk Driver Plays the Brighton Music Hall

Our very own renaissance man and runner, Jared Egan, will be rocking out with his band, Sidewalk Driver this Friday night at the Brighton Music Hall. The band's set starts at 10:00 sharp.

If you liked Sidewalk Driver at Doyle's fro the Team Kickoff Party, you should come Friday for the real, electric experience. The bill also includes Black Thai, a very heavy metal band; Planetoid, a classic rock inspired 3 piece who dress up as aliens; andWalter Sickert & the Army of Broken Toys, who "defy description."

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.