OOOORAH!

Did it. Not without some challenges, but did it.


The day started at 4.30 am after a terrible night's sleep. Got up and got ready, and everything went perfectly. Our pace group met at the Rosslyn Metro Station and we proceeded by Metro to the Pentagon Stop where we walked for what seemed a good mile until we hit the drop off area. There must have been at least 50 UPS trucks lined up side by side. They took your bag of stuff and put it away for pick up later.

We made our way over to the starting area (fairly far from the starting line) and that is when we had our first challenge. We were supposed to start at 8.40. Crossing the starting line even at 8:45 would have put us at the bridge in plenty of time given our pace. The announcer came on and said there was a medical emergency ahead with the first wave of runners that departed at 8.20. We waited, and waited some more, and some more thereafter. Finally, after a 28 minute delay, we were off. I was worried already. This would give us a very short window to make the bridge (20 miles).

The first 5 to 10 miles were awesome. THE MARINES ARE AWESOME!! They cheer you on by name the entire time, they hand out water and they give you several OOOHRAHS along the way.

The Aids Marathon Coaching Staff: Awesome!!! In particular: Kristen, Pam and John----you all are something special!

We made our way through Arlington, down the George Washington Parkway, across the Key Bridge, and through Rock Creek Park. We emerged from the park at mile 9 treated to cheers from several CEA friends, and continued down the Mall to the Capitol and back down the Mall again. I saw the Rachel and the kids around mile 14. They were adorable!

At around mile 16, I hit the wall. I hit it early this time because our pace was very quick. My heart rate, normally 130-140 during training hovered over 150 most of the first 20 miles. Thankfully, God pulled me through and I kept on going.

We hit Haines Point at about mile 17. 3 miles to go until the bridge. I lagged behind my pace group, hitting another wall at 18. God took over until the bridge at mile 20. I walked, I ran, I felt dizzy, I recovered.

John Beach, one of our coaches appeared like an Angel at about mile 19.75. "Will I make it John?" "I think you will!" he said. And he proceeded to run with me. As I approached the bridge, Rachel and all 4 kids were waiving me on. I was home...

As we passed mile marker 20, I realized I had made the bridge! It was 1:54 pm. We had made it by 6 minutes! If we had not had a delay, we would have amade it with at least a half hour.

I caught up with my pace group and we walked for a good mile (I saw no one running at this point). We spent the next 6 miles waiving to my unbelievable CEA family that seemed to appearing everywhere! At mile 2, it was Tara and Family, then Karen C right after. At mile 19.75, I look up and its Tira, Tara and Sarah. At mile 22.5, it's Laurie, Sylvia and Moon. There were others throughout the entire race including Christine, Allison Tara and Jenny, and still others I am sure I am leaving out, so please forgive my delirium. THANK YOU THANK YOU. Thanks to you and my family, I made it.

Miles 25-26.2 were awesome. Lots of cheers, and well-wishes from CEA Angels and my family. I crossed the finish line and they put a medal around my neck.

....And suddenly, it was over. 6 months of training. 6 months of new friends, individual runs and raising almost $22,000 for a worthwhile cause. I accomplished my goal, but thanks to my sponsors, there are many at the Whitman Walker Clinic who are better off today.

Congratulations to my fellow pacers. Thanks to 0ur wonderful coaching staff: Kristen, John, Pam, Brett and Karen. Thanks to all my sponsors. Thanks to the greatest Association in the world: The Consumer Electronics Association. Lastly, thank you my love and supporter, Rachel and my wonderful children for helping make this dream come true.

I am taking a couple of days off from training, and then I pick it up again to prepare for a half marathon in Las Vegas in December.

OOORAH!!!

Semper Fi!

Dan

Total Training Weeks: 6 months, 1 week
Total Marathon Miles: 26.2

The Deer and The Fear

3 days and counting...

Finished my LAST individual training run of the prescribed 30 minutes at 6am this morning. It was cold and brisk and wonderful.

A few other joggers, a dog walker and a lonely deer who let me jog right up to his position along the sidewalk before he scampered into the woods. Looking back, he carefully crept right back out and took up his position right back on the sidewalk.

A great analogy as I approach Sunday morning: That deer could have easily represented my fears, negativity and unknowns that await me on race day. There it was, creeping out of the darkness, taking up its position, seemingly cold, steely and confident.

Fear can do the same. It can creep out nowhere, from some strange darkness, and show its silhouette under the moonlight. But, if one approaches it with disciplined confidence, and even a degree of curiosity, it suddenly shows itself for what it really is----a scared and lonely and trembling little creature.

All of sudden the fear, like that deer shrinks in its own terror having been discovered and retreats back into the darkness from which it came. And I go running right by...

But that deer crept right back out after I left. And like every present dormant fear, it proved that it is resilient. The question then becomes......next time will I approach it with confidence or shrink and run the other way? I know the answer. A hunter I am not. I wont blow it away with a shotgun, but I will run right by in confidence.

Well, this is it. Sunday is the big day. We meet at 6.45 am to begin our trek to the marathon site and are scheduled to begin at 8:40 am.

THANK YOU TO EVERY SINGLE ONE OF YOU FOR YOUR KIND SUPPORT, FINANCIAL DONATIONS TO THE FIGHT AGAINST AIDS AND YOUR INTEREST IN THIS MILESTONE!

Total Training Months: 6 months, 5 days
Total Training Miles: 403

The end of my playlist:

"Speed of Sound" Coldplay
"Big Yellow Taxi" Counting Crows
"In Between Days" The Cure
"Groovy Train" The Farm
"Primitive Man" Ivan Neville
"Sky High" Jigsaw
"Precious Time" Journey
"Out of the Frying Pan" Meat Loaf
"I Melt With You" Modern English
"You're My Best Friend" Queen
"Roll with the Changes" REO Speedwagon
"Light Up" Styx
"Good Times" Tommy Lee
"You Shook Me All Night Long" AC/DC
"Dont Let Me Down" The Farm
"I Knew You Were Waiting" George Michael, Aretha Franklin
"Closer to Fine" Indigo Girls
"Sweet Caroline" Neil Diamond
"For You" The Outfield
"Add It Up" Violent Femmes

A Milestone in any language

This morning, I passed 400 miles in total training miles. This means that over the past 6 months I have averaged over 15 miles per week in training. That mightnot sound like much to many, but if I compare it to last year, there's quite a difference.

May-October 25, 2006 Total Training Miles, Total funds raised: 401, $21,700
May-October, 25, 2005 Total Training Miles: 0, Total Funds raised: 0

In Spanish:

Millas totales del entrenamiento de mayo el 25 de octubre de 2006, fondos del total levantados: 401, $21.700 pueden
25 de octubre de 2005 sumar millas del entrenamiento: 0, fondos del total levantados: 0

German:
Mai 25. Oktober 2006 Gesamttraining Meilen, Gesamtkapital aufgebracht: 401, $21.700 mögen 25. Oktober 2005 Training Meilen zusammenzählen: 0, Gesamtkapital aufgebracht: 0

Italian
Miglia totali di addestramento maggio il di 25 ottobre 2006, fondi monetari di totale alzati: 401, $21.700 possono
25 ottobre 2005 ammontare alle miglia di addestramento: 0, fondi monetari di totale alzati: 0

French:
Milles totaux de formation de mai le 25 octobre 2006, fonds de total augmentés : 401, $21.700 peuvent
25 octobre 2005 se monter à des milles de formation : 0, fonds de total augmentés : 0

Chinese:
五月至2006年10月25日,培训总英里,共筹得:401,$217005月至10月,25,2005年共培训英里:0集资总额:0

Arabic:

ايار / مايو - تشرين الاول / اكتوبر 25 ، 2006 تدريب مجموعة ميل اجمالي الأموال : 401 ، مبلغ 21،700 مايو و 25 تشرين الاول / اكتوبر 2005 مجموعة التدريب ميل : 0 ،مجموع الاموال : 0

Today was another soft easy 30 minutes, and tomorrow will be my last individual training run before Sunday's Marathon.

Playlist Cont'd

"I'll be Around" The Spinners
"Bring Me to Life" Evanescence
"Deacon Blues" Steely Dan
"Beautiful Day" U2
"Second Hand News" Fleetwood Mac
"Stay" Lisa Loeb
"Sunday Bloody Sunday" U2
"Its Not Unusual" Tom Jones
"Babylon" David Gray
"No Sugar Tonight" The Guess Who
"Fly" Sugar Ray
"True" Spandau Ballet
"Tuesday's Gone" Lynyrd Skynyrd
"Taxi" Harry Chapin
"Tunnel Of Love" Bruce Springsteen
"Hells Bells" AC/DC
"Push It" Salt -N-Pepa
"Hollywood Nights" Bob Segar
"Could it be I'm Falling in Love" The Spinners
"Freedom '90" George Michael
"Not Just Another Girl" Ivan Neville
"Crumblin' Down" John Cougar Mellencamp
"Forever Young" Rod Stewart
"Lorelei" Styx
"Runaway" Linkin Park
"Calling All Angels" Train
"Lonely 'ol Night" John Cougar Mellencamp
"Badlands" Bruce Springsteen

Thank you for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Total Training Months: 6.2
Total Training Miles: 401

Following Directions

Coaches told us only 3 SHORT EASY runs this week so that is what I did this morning. 30 minutes total on a very cold morning. Felt good. I pick it up again tomorrow morning....

Playlist cont'd (other entries on previous posts)

"Beginnings" Chicago
"Magic Power" Triumph
"Lean on Me" Club Nouveau
"Acroyal, Standing in Motion" Yanni
"Then Came You" Dionne Warwick"
"Saturday Night's Alright for Fighting" Elton John and Anastacia
"Falling Out of Love" Ivan Neville
"God Only Knows" The Beach Boys
"Here Comes the Feeling" Asia
"Strangers in a Car" Marc Cohn
"When It's Over" Sugar Ray
"Arena" VNV Nation
"You're Only Human" Billy Joel
"Up-Up and Away" The Fifth Dimension
"Taking it All Too Hard" Genesis

Thank you for your moral suport and donations in the ffight against AIDS!

Total Training Months: 6.2
Total Training Miles: 399

One Last Pace Group Run, Pictures and Playlists

Post 8 miles: Our Pace Group, Coaches and Furry Friends

Today was a bitterweet day as we completed our final recovery run together as a pace team. Another beautiful day, as we marched 8 miles up the Capital Crescent Trail. On some reps, we ran more than usual, and on one particular mile, we ran the entire time without any walking intervals. Pace was strong. Next week, we'll meet up at 6.30 am and head over together to The Marine Corps Marathon. There are over 34,000 runners registred, including one Daniel R. Cole, from Sterling VA.

We also said goodbye to our coaches who were the very best---Coach John Beach and Coach Kristen Lynwood. Also special thank yous to Karen, Pam and Brent for their motivation as well.

This experience has been remarkable. Over $21,000 raised for the Whitman Walker Clinic and a life-changing program.

I will be doing 3 short 30 minute training runs from home this week, and then on Sunday October 30, please think of the thousands of people you have helped by your generosity, as I participate in my first marathon.

Below are pictures of my pace group, followed by more songs from my Marathon Playlist.

Thank you for Your Moral Support and Donations in the fight against AIDS!

Total Training Period: 6 months

Total Trainig Miles: 397 miles

Elizabeth--One Tough Cookie

Michelle--Never has a frown on her face

Jennifer--Disciplined, Steady Eddie

Trish--The warmest heart out there

Lynn--Our Veteran Inspiration!

Jeri and Ken-Honorary Pace Group members. To married one week after the marathon!!

Coach John---Never an unkind thing to say. Salt of the earth

Coach Kristen- A SWEETHEART AND WONDERFUL MOTIVATOR!

Dan and Kristen, post run

Dan and Coach John, post run

My Playlist continued (previous songs on previous blog entries)

"Ironic" Alanis Morissette

"I will Follow" U2

"Only Want to be with You" Hootie and the Blowfish

"Tucker's Town" Hootie and the Blowfish

"Im a believer" Smash Mouth

"Separate Ways" Journey

"Goodnight Saigon" Billy Joel

"Philadelphia Freedom" Elton John

"Walking In Memphis" Marc Cohen

"Get Low" Lil Jon

"Original Prankster" The Offspring

"Pinch Me" Barenaked Ladies

Thank you for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Total Training Months: 6

Total Training Miles: 397

Last 45 minuter, More Playlist Entries, and Previous Posts

Today was the last time I will do a 45 individual run before the Marathon on October 29. After Sunday's recovery run of 8 miles, I will do 3 individual runs of 30 minutes a piece and they are supposed to be very light.

I made it count today. Ran farther than I have ever have for the first 22.30 minutes. The way back was a bit slower, but I am sure that I was close to 3.6 miles today. Loved it. The only issue that I am having is a sinusitis problem for which the doctor gave me a spray for today. I have never enjoyed running more. The Big day now looms only 9 days from today!

Donations continue. Thank you to Roger Lanctot!

I have reached just shy of $22,000! Your support has been nothing short of remarkable.

More from what I will be listening to while running the marathon from my iPod Playlist (continued from previous post)

13 "Ceceila"--Simon and Garfunkel
14. "Doing the Things that We Want to"---Lou Reed
15. "The Ghost in You" Psychedelic Furs
16. "The Ballad of Billy the Kid" Billy Joel
17. "Be Near Me" ABC
18. "Feels like the First Time" Foreigner
19. "Cracklin' Rosie" Neil Diamond
20. "Picture Book" Young Fresh Fellows
21. "The Rising" Bruce Springsteen
2. "Honky Tonk Woman" The Rolling Stones
23. "No Mistakes" Patty Smyth
24. "Clocks" Coldplay

Looking back on June Blog Entries:

June 1: 42 Total Training Miles:

"...Today was not a good day. Time was fine. Distance was fine, but I huffed and puffed a lot and, yes, my feet hurt more than usual. "

June 4, 49 Total Training Miles:
"...Today we went for 7 miles at 7am on a beautiful morning along the C & O canal. For me, this might have been the most enjoyable run yet. "


June 15, 69 Total Training Miles:
" ....So da procetes, they go to help victims of Aids?"---My conversation with Tony Soprano in New Jersey


June 19th, 79 Total Training Miles
"....10 hot miles. 7 of it took it on. 7 of us did it! 5 miles up and 5 miles back. With the exception of one "Walk for Mankind" about 25 years ago, that is farther than I have I ever gone...."


June 25th, 97 Total Training Miles
"...For about 85% of our run, it rained torentially. We were completely soaked by the end mile 2 and stayed that way for another 10. The skies just opened up and except for a couple of brief moments, the rain was ceaseless....."

June 30th: 100 Total Training Miles
"...Today's session marked 100 training miles so far. ..."

Rain, Playlist and Quotes

Perfect running weather this morning. Dark, cool, rainy and awesome. Best pace ever. I ran too much and better start slowing down, but the endorphins are really kicking in.

I have put together my marathon iPod playlist and will be sharing 10 songs per post. After that, I am going to post some quotes from my past blogs. They are pretty interesting looking back.

First 13 songs on my Marathon Playlist:

1. "I can only Imanagine": Mercy Me
2. "We just Disagree": Dave Mason
3. "Takin' it to the Streets": Taylor Hicks
4. "When Smoky Sings": ABC
5. "Everytime I Think of You": The Babys
6. "Loves me like a Rock": Paul Simon
7. "Tubthumping": Chumbawamba
8. "Upside Down": Jack Johnson
9. "Thank U": Alanis Morissette
10. "Somebody for Somone": The Corrs
11. "Pictures of You": The Cure
12. "My Cup Runneth Over": Ed Ames
13. "Squeeze Box": The Who

Past Blog Entry Quotes:

From May 9th, my first Blog entry, 3 total training miles:

"Chicago in the Springtime....45 minutes along Lake Michigan this morning. Beautiful Spring day, and about 65 degrees outside. This is the first official workout on my own after the first day of training this past Sunday."

From May 16th, 16 total training miles:

"...The top of my right foot is numb"

From May 21st, 24 total training miles:

"Our team completed 5 miles today on a sparkling cloudless morning along the C&O Canal."

From May 31st, 39 total training miles:

"Wow. It is a scorcher for a morning run."

Thank you for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Total Training Weeks: 23.2

Total Training Miles: 386

AMAZING

http://youtube.com/watch?v=ryCTIigaloQ

"A glimpse of the remarkable father-son bond of Dick and Rick Hoyt, and their inspirational journey together in a triathlon and life itself. The goal of Team Hoyt is to integrate the physically challenged into everyday life. One way to accomplish this is to educate the able-bodied, making them more aware of the issues that the disabled face every day. Another is by actively helping the disabled to participate in activities that would otherwise be inaccessible to them. Team Hoyt targets both of these areas."


With love to my kids, Dad and Grandpa....

Dew Point

If the weather on Marathon today could only be as picture perfect as it was today. An 8 mile recovery run along the Capital Crescent trail, once again at 8am. The temperature was in the upper '30's as we began our fist of 2 final recovery runs as a team. It was not until mile 5 that my hands thawed, but it did not matter, the weather was spectacular.

At one point looked down at my shoulder and noticed a white powder that had formed all over. I figured I must have bumped into something and it rubbed off on me. It was not until I touched it, that I realized it was actually the dew forming on both shoulders. It was like when you "draw" in the condensation on your window or windshield. And while my head was not on fire, the steam that was rising from it made it look like it was smoking.

And so it went for a beautiful 8 miles. My pace was very, very fast. I ran several times when I should have been brisk walking, but it just felt so invigorating, I could not help it. For the last 10 minutes of the run, I actually ran the entire way. I ended up shaving 12 minutes off my total pace.

It wont be that easy in the marathon, as we are admonished to start extremely slow in order to save energy.

Nonetheless, this morning was what it is all about.

So, this week, 2 individual runs and then our final recovery run together next Sunday. If I remember to bring my camera, I plan on posting some pix.



Thank you to Glenda Brungardt (with a t:) for her generosity and thank you to all of you for your moral and financial support in the fight against AIDS!

Total Training Weeks: 23
Total Training Miles: 383

Fleecing 3.4 miles

Very cold this morning. I believe it was in the upper '30's when I set out on my run this morning. I bundled up with 2 layers of cool max and a fleece on top, a neck warmer and fleece hat on top. My pace started out fine, but waned a bit at about mile 1.7, my lungs were burning a bit, so I slowed things up a bit on the return, walking two extra rep instead of the run. I love the cold weather, but my body obviously needed a bit of a break, and I am not taking any chances with just 2 weeks to go.

Sunday it's 8 miles at 8 again and then recovery from San Francisco and then home.

It's getting very exciting!

Thank you for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS

Total Training Weeks: 22.5
Total Training Miles: 375

45 minutes in Saddlebrook

A quick workout yesterday morning in Saddlebrook NJ at the Marriot pictured above. 45 minutes on the treadmill in a workout room the size of a closet. Had my IPOD, so no worries.

Well only a couple of weeks left. Tommorow I run from home for 45 minutes and then it is on to an 8 mile recovery run on Sunday.


I'll post again tomorrow after my 45 minute run.

Thank you to Glenda Brungardt for her generous donation! Closing in on $22,000!


Thanks for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Total Training Weeks: 22.4
Total Training Miles: 372

My Friend Jack Chalden

in‧spi‧ra‧tion  Pronunciation[in-spuh-rey-shuhn] Pronunciation
–noun : an inspiring or animating action or influence

I have received dozens of well wishes and motivating comments from friends and family over the past 5 months of training. I think about your words of encouragment during every training session and I am sure they will sustain me on Marathon Day.

I wanted to post the note below that I received a few weeks ago from my friend Jack Chalden who is someone I look up to wtih great admiration. I am posting Jack's note not because of the accolades he gives me, but to show his grace, warmth and sincerity. What a gentleman!

With my thanks for Jack's permission and for his wonderful note, and with continued thanks to all of you who inspire and encourage me!

"Dan, my friend….
Your e-mail box must be overflowing…..and for so many good and noble reasons!!

It is impossible, unless blessed with the words and wisdom reserved for a hallowed few, to adequately send you off on your Saturday journey. I’m in awe…not simply because you have chosen to undertake a marathon. Many do. But because you are doing it (1) at a time in life when family and business responsibilities ramp and fuse at unprecedented levels, (2) by layering a radically different and challenging commitment atop of that schedule; not simply a short term bump in routine athletic or hobby interests, (3) while also executing a remarkable, fascinating and time consuming communication campaign that tracks your journey and allows all of us who predictably choose to sit on the sidelines to learn, laugh, cheer and be inspired and (4) for all the right reasons…a mission with a purpose for a cause with a tangible result.

If or when that infamous “wall” decides to rear its nasty head on Saturday, I hope you will simply whisper “help”. Because that’s when you will instantly feel the collective will of your admirers lift your spirit, your energy and your strength! Count on it. It will feel like a breath of fresh air!

And, ,Dan, I don’t think you will need it, but if your laudable and achievable $20K goal falls a bit short, please let me chip in to help make it happen.

Now…more and then I’m done.

Congratulations on two great achievements in the past couple of weeks. Your IAEM award is a recognition long overdue. You set the standard, Dan. There is not even a close second in our industry.

And, what only a few of us know, your leadership in adopting powerful new event technology tools, training your team in new methodologies and tactics, advancing the definition of constituent service and ROI and, in the process, generating what will soon be seven figure new event revenue streams is remarkable. You set the standard in the “old” days. Now, you have ownership of the next generation of standards and performance. If only the industry judges who properly recognized you with the IAEM award knew the WHOLE story. They would have either have had to change the name of the award…or ordered next year’s award plaque at the same time as this year but with your name already on it.

Great stuff, Dan
With great admiration.
Your friend,

Jack "

8 at 8

8 mile recovery run today with a very solid pace. The weather was perfect, and I finished well under 2 hours. This week, I will run from New Jersey and from home, in preparation for another 8 miler next Sunday.

Shins are fine. Legs are fine. Back is fine. I do have some pain on the left side of my waist, so I am giving it a good 3 days rest until I pick things up again on Wedsneday. So, it's a matter of putting my head down and continuing my training.

Thank you for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Total Training Weeks: 22
Total Training Miles: 369

3.4 miles with Ms. Molly

Molly M. joined me for a 5.30 am early morning run through Vegas. The weather was fairly cool, but the air immensely dry and I was parched before returning. I do hope I did not cramp Molly's style. She was either being very polite (my guess) or she really enjoyed the slower pace of my run/walk combination. We walked for 2 ran for one today and a pretty solid pace.

I leave on the Red Eye tonight, spend the weekend with an 8 mile run on Sunday at home and then leave for New Jersey next week. Maybe I will visit Tony Soprano once again.

I am loving things still. My closes are a bit loser and I do feel much better.

Thank you for your moral and financial support in the fight against AIDS!

Total Training Weeks: 21.4
Total Training Miles: 361

Dan

$21,000 and Counting

Well, thanks to your generosity, I have surpassed $21,000 in donations!

Thank you to Kathy Gornik and Theil Audio as well as Amy and Dave Clemson and an Anonymous Donor who pushed me over the $20,000 mark!

I ran 3.4 miles from home today and it felt great. My pace and time were both solid and I felt fine considering Saturday's run was 26 miles. I am now in Las Vegas where I will probably hit the treadmill on thursday for another 3 miles and then return to our group training with an 8 mile recovery run on Sunday.

As we draw closer to the Marathon, I will be working on lowerning my pace to the 13 minute/mile mark.

Again, thank you thank you thank you to all of you who have graciously donated over the past 5 months. It's still not too late if you know of someone who wants to join the fight against AIDS by making a donation.

Thank you for your moral support and donations in the fight against AIDS!

Dan

Total Training Weeks: 21.2
Total Training Miles: 358