The Long Trail

Well, I did it! 26.2 miles were completed on a gorgeous Sunday morning. I’m just starting to feel better and more coherent, so I’ll attempt to put my feelings into words for my last entry into this blog.

The Saturday night carb load dinner at the Rossi’s was a blast. Many thanks go out to Colleen for hosting this event for the runners and their families. Ira, Rossi, Rob and I traded stories and tactics over a delicious spaghetti dinner. Rob Rossi had to be considered the MVP of the evening for downing a McMillian’s cream doughnut in 4.6 seconds THE NIGHT BEFORE HE WAS TO RUN A MARATHON! Impressive work my friend! Sadly, my wife Patrice & daughter Faith weren’t able to join us as Faith was battling a stomach virus. After dinner, it was a quick exit back to Haddon Township and into bed early.
I awoke Sunday morning to perfect running conditions. The temperature at start time was in the low 40’s and there wasn’t a cloud in the sky. The first several miles went by pleasantly enough, as the four of us took turns trading stories and pointing out some of the freaks running along with us (the guy in his late 60’s in a full tuxedo, the guy juggling while running, barefoot runners, the guy running with his dog ect…) The Philadelphia Marathon made a wise decision to print the first name on the number bibs all the runners wore. This allowed the people along the route to cheer for us by name. This was never more helpful than when we hit University City, and Drexel’s campus. As we ran right though fraternity row, all of the brothers from the frat houses were out on the street, blaring music, tasting us with milk jugs full of beer (at 8:30 in the morning), and cheering us on. Next, came the hills of Fairmont Park. After getting to the top of an incredibly steep hill, we started our descent leading to this exchange between Rob Rossi and a petite female runner:
Rossi: "Boy, I hate going downhill. It kills my knees."
Female runner trying to be helpful: "You just need to relax, and let gravity pull you along."
Rossi: "Yeah, the only problem is my gravity and your gravity are two entirely different things."
After running along the Schuylkill River for several miles, we headed back towards The Philadelphia Art Museum, and our first of a few problems of the day. Rob Haney was feeling ill, and asked that we continue on without him. Ever the good solider, Rob Rossi decided to stay with Rob Haney to see him though this endeavor. It was a good move, as the half-marathon finish line was coming up, and it would have been tempting for Rob Haney to call it a day right then. Ira and I continued on passed the Art Museum, and it was difficult to see people pulling off and finishing their half-marathon. Seeing all the cheering families and well wishers while another 13.1 miles awaited me was a test of my commitment. After topping another incredibly steep hill, Ira and I made our way to Manayunk. I’m proud to say I was able to keep pace with Ira for several miles, before I came to the realization I was holding him back, and I told him to continue on without me. I ran from approximately mile 17 to 23 alone. I thought that running mile 18 (the point during the 2008 Phila Marathon that the Curley family made a surprise cheering section for Rob Rossi) would bring me some measure of relief or self satisfaction, but sadly it just brought more knee, toe and foot pain. Mile 20 was a test of self control as the Haddonfield Running Company had set up a tent, and was handing out Dixie Cups of beer to any runner that wanted it. I shielded my eyes from this Siren Song, but a few moments later, Rob Haney slurped one down and he claimed it helped him make it the last few miles. Shortly after the turn around in Manayunk, and the last turn towards the finish line, I spotted Rob Rossi and Rob Haney. I knew how tough it would be to make the last six miles alone, and decided to slow my pace and wait for them so we could finish together. During my two runs for The Philadelphia Distance Run, I remembered how bleak the last few miles of Kelly Drive can be, and I also knew that I’d need some good friends to kick my sorry and tired butt to the finish line. Rob Rossi put it apply when he said "I feel like I’m running on bloody stumps." The last few miles the three of us carried one another with words of encouragement and the promise that we were "almost there." After spotting the finish line, we stopped briefly to hug and kiss our friends and family. Sadly, but understandably Patrice and Faith weren’t able to make it do to Faith still being sick, but they were absolutely there in spirit. The three of us crossed the finish line in unison, and then collapsed euphorically into each others arms. After catching my breath, and regaining my composure, I was able to call Patrice to tell her I had finished a marathon. My dear friend Mike Goida then thrust the appropriately named Long Trail beers into our hand, and we allowed this magic nectar to release its healing powers.

After downing a couple of beers, we made our way home for what promised to be a relaxing and much needed shower. Upon my return home, I was greeted by my wife Patrice and my daughter Faith as well as signs of congratulation written all over the front window of our house. After hugs and kisses from "my girls" I was able to gingerly make my way to the shower, then over to my parents for a celebratory downing of what my family calls "The Meal." Pork roast, mashed potatoes, gravy, apple sauce, corn, spinach and several more beers were downed with reckless abandon. Afterwards, I received an award platter from my parents for their favorite "Kenyan." I managed to just barely stay awake during dinner before heading home to a much needed bed.

It truly has been an incredible life changing journey. When I first started running a few years ago, I would leave my house and return about ten minuets later huffing and puffing. When my wife would ask me how far I got, between gasps for breath I’d spit out "Mary’s house and back." Mary’s house was only three blocks away, and I’d be shocked if the entire run was longer than a quarter of a mile. To think that from those humble beginnings, a marathoner was born is mind boggling.

As I said, this marathon and training involved was a journey (maybe my last…maybe not), and like all journeys required a lot of help from several different people.

I’d like to thank anyone who ever read this blog especially my good friends Mike Goida, Jon Martini and my sisters Molly and Mary Pat who passed this blog on and would brag about my running 26.2 miles to anyone who would listen.

Thank you to my running partners, Rick Haney, Rob Haney, Ira Krassen & Rob Rossi for keeping me motivated with words and e-mails of encouragement. Congratulations to you all! I would never have made the last few miles without the Rob’s pulling me along. It has been a tremendous ride my friends.

I’d like to thank fellow marathoners and friends from York College Lori Dawson and Scott Bergman. Thanks for your training tips, thoughts and words of motivation.

I must mention and give thanks to my dog Guinness who somehow instinctively knew each and every time I was headed out for a run, and would not bug me to take him along.

My thanks and love to my Mom for a lifetime of support in every athletic event I ever participated in. I guess every little boy thinks his mom is the best mom in the world. Well I’ve got some news for you: Unless you’re one of my sisters or one of my kids, you’re wrong! My Mom is the sweetest, most supportive women in heaven or earth, and I wouldn’t listen to anyone who said otherwise.

Thanks to my once, present and forever coach who taught me there is absolute and unending beauty in competition. I think you’re the best coach in the world…and you’re a much better Father than you ever were at coaching.

Lastly and most importantly, love and thanks to my family for being my number one support system. I can’t thank my wife Patrice and my kids Gavin and Faith enough for putting up with my aches, pains and mood swings over the last few months. Thank you so much for literally, being there every step of the way. Your love and understanding has been overwhelming. I couldn’t have done it without you. I love you all with all my heart.
PTC
12/09

Red and Andy

Tomorrow is the Philadelphia Marathon, and I believe I’m ready for it. I’m still nervous, but confident I can do this.
I’m off to the Rossi house tonight for a carb-loading dinner with my family. We’ll be joined by the Haney’s and Krassan’s for good food, joking and last minute tactics.
At the beginning of my training I quoted Red from The Shawshank Redemption. At the end, I’d like to paraphrase from Andy and Red:
Hope is a good thing, maybe the best of things, and no good thing ever dies. I hope I can run with my friends for 26.2 miles tomorrow. I hope to see my family at the finish line, hear their cheering and feel their warm embrace. I hope I can call my Father and tell him his son is a marathoner. I hope….

Championships aren't won on the field; they're only played there

My training is complete and my gear is in order. I have nothing to focus on now except rest, keeping healthy, and eating right.
I’m heading over to the Expo / packet pick up shortly. There is nothing real exciting about that other than there is a sense of finality that comes along with a free t shirt.

I am overwhelmed by the number of people wishing me luck this weekend, from friends, neighbors, coworkers, parents at my kids school, friends from college, most of the staff at Eastern Regional High School, my bowling league, my friends at SI Group, and of course my family.

Thank you all for your love and support.

Pat

Run Fat Boy Run

Gordon: Go on then, run!
Dennis: Isn't there some kind of like... special technique?
Gordon: Well...yeah...you put one leg in front of the other over and over again really really fast.

As the clock continues to dwindle down to zero hour, I think the boys and I are ready for Sunday. Most forecasts call for a mostly dry day with cool temperatures. I finally took Ira’s advice and went out yesterday to pick up a “Dry-Fit” running shirt. I was pleasantly surprised to find out that the XL I’m normally used to buying didn’t come close to fitting me. Upon further review, twenty five pounds have fallen off my frame since training began in July. That’s welcoming news for my ever-fragile right knee.

Tomorrow is the last day of training under the Hal Higdon plan, and I couldn’t be more excited about running a scant two miles in the wee hours tomorrow. I should probably warn my neighbors (especially my friend Judy Rowland who’s house is at the two mile point of the Run For Tony course), that she may hear an emphatic “WAAHOOOO!” tomorrow morning prior to sunup.

Thanks for reading,
Pat

Immaculée Ilibagiza

If you’ve been following this blog, you’ll remember that over the summer I recommended a few books to read. The one I hoped people would read was Left To Tell by Immaculée Ilibagiza. Immaculée’s life was transformed dramatically during the 1994 Rwandan genocide where she and seven other women spent 91 days huddled silently together in the cramped bathroom of a local pastor's house. Immaculée entered the bathroom a vibrant, 115-pound university student with a loving family - she emerged weighing just 65 pounds to find most of her family had been brutally murdered. Immaculée credits her salvage mostly to prayer and to a set of rosary beads given to her by her devout Catholic father prior to going into hiding. Anger and resentment about her situation were literally eating her alive and destroying her faith, but rather than succumbing to the rage that she felt, Immaculée instead turned to prayer. She began to pray the rosary as a way of drowning out the negativity that was building up inside her. Immaculée found solace and peace in prayer and began to pray from the time she opened her eyes in the morning to the time she closed her eyes at night. Through prayer, she eventually found it possible, and in fact imperative, to forgive her tormentors and her family's murderers. Immaculée's strength in her faith empowered her to stare down a man armed with a machete threatening to kill her during her escape. She also later came face to face with the killer of her mother and her brother and said the unthinkable, "I forgive you."

After reading all three of Immaculée’s books, I knew I couldn’t pass up the chance to see her tell her story in person when she came to St. Andrews church in Gibbsboro, New Jersey last night. I took my Mom with me and we both shared a truly inspirational evening. How does this tie in with running? While I’m running and it becomes difficult, tiresome or painful, I often think of Immaculée and say to myself: "Immaculee went 91 days without the gift of movement. She would have done just about anything to be able to run down this vast open peaceful road. You think this is hard…this is nothing. Enjoy your gift of God’s peace and movement." It always helps me put things in perspective and gets me through the next few miles. I intend on utilizing the gift of movement to it’s fullest extent on Sunday.
Just five days to go. Thanks for reading,
Pat

8 Miles

We’re really getting down to the wire now. I only have four training days left before the marathon. The eight miler I’m scheduled to run this Saturday will be the longest of my final tune up before the marathon. I was looking forward to running my first three miler in almost two months this morning, but dodging pre-dawn puddles in Haddonleigh made the run a bit less enjoyable. With the exception of two toes the color of a nice Pinot Nior, I’m feeling pretty good and I think I’m ready for November 22nd.
Only ten days left. Thanks for reading,
Pat

The Taper

Less than two weeks left until the marathon and at most times, I believe I’m ready for it. Now and again I’ll log onto the Philadelphia Marathon web site to see the race day countdown. When I see the ever decreasing numbers, I tend to get the same "pit in the stomach" feeling as I would when taking an exam I hadn’t studied for. I got that feeling a lot in the late 80’s by the way. The miles have begun to taper off (21 miles this week compared with 40 just two weeks ago) which has made my life a lot easier. I’m trying to concentrate on getting enough rest, continuing to eat healthy and avoid anybody that seems to be sick.

Congratulations have to go out to my niece (and sometimes running partner) Marie Mignogna on her verbal commitment to attend and play field hockey at Leigh University. Good work and best of luck to The Red Marie. Please assume that Matt, Gavin and I will be your roommates for the duration of Eagles Training Camp at Lehigh, and kindly plan accordingly.

Eleven days to go.

Thanks for reading,
Pat

The Four Horsemen

Outlined against a blue, gray October sky the Four Horsemen rode again.
In dramatic lore they are known as famine, pestilence, destruction and death. These are only aliases. Their real names are: Rossi, Haney, Krassan and Curley.

For several weeks I’ve been dreading the last day in October and the apex of training millage for a marathon….the 20 miler. It’s been hanging over my head like an unpaid bill that I knew I’d have to deal with it at some point. Weeks ago I made incredibly wise decision to trek down to Shamong, New Jersey on Halloween so I wouldn’t have to log the twenty miles alone. After a carb load and an early exit to bed the night before, I was up at 3:30 Saturday morning and out the door by 4:00. I met Rob Rossi, Rob Haney and Ira Krassan at the Rossi house a bit before 5:00, and we were on our way a few minuets later. Rossi had mapped out a 10 mile loop that we were to run around twice. Rossi was certainly right when he pointed out that it would be like running two completely different courses since the first lap would be done in absolute darkness, and the second lap shortly after the sun came up. Rossi also practiced the seven 7 P’s: “Proper Prior Planning Prevents Piss Poor Performance” with cones set at every mile mark, water, Gatorade and oranges slices stashed at strategic spots throughout the loop.

I knew in the back of my mind that that the miles would pass more quickly while running with friends, but since I was used to running alone, I didn’t realize how much the camaraderie would help pass the miles. While the four of us ran, we covered a number of topics: tattoos on runners, Fred “Ogre" Palowakski, Ira excelling at his job, Rob Haney’s patents, the need for more parental supervision in the Shamong area, the Phillies in the World Series, fantasy football and the amount of songs Rossi has on his ipod. Mrs. Colleen Rossi was the MVP of the day though. On the morning of her 41st birthday, Colleen headed out a little after 6:00am to find the four of us and deliver the best tasting oranges I’ve ever had. I think Rob Haney and one of the oranges are technically married now. After a quick photo-op for Colleen, we continued on through Medford Lakes, passing Camp Ockanickon where I had spent some of the most memorable days as a kid.

Beyond the physical training that comes with completing 20 miles, there is also a mental aspect to passing this literal milestone. I feel like another six miles is well within my grasp. Armed with that knowledge, I’m looking forward to November 22nd more and more.


At mile 16 I thought I was dead. At mile 17 I wished I was dead. At mile 18 I knew I was dead. At mile 20 I realized I had become too tough to kill.

Thanks for reading,

Curls