The 30 Mile Day

The 127 Mile Week

As I close in on what looks to be a very productive running week, I
can't help but break this thing down. My running log for the current
week, which is a Sunday to Saturday time frame, is starting to look
like a temperature chart in January. 26, 12, 18, 13, 30*, 13 (Assuming
I hold back to 7 tonite with Todd). This is a running total of 112
miles. It would be nice to knock out an 8 miler tomorrow for a smooth
120 mile week, but I like the ring of a buck twenty five. So, do I go
for 11 tonite of a half tomorrow, Hmm.
Considering I drove to Boston yesterday, and the distance was 122, I
could make this the equivalent of a Pittsfield to Boston week.
Perhaps with the right amount of training, and nutrition, I could
continue this for 1 year. 6,500 miles. To the Pacific and back, a
lofty goal, but rewarding I'm sure.
One thing that I have found, is that marathons are a great way to kick
start the week. I prefer the Sunday to Saturday fiscal week to front
end load my mileage.
The plan right now is to take November 19th off this year. Last year,
I believe it was a day in October which was much to soon and I snuck
out and did a loop around Kirvin Park.
This is all normal, right?

* Denotes a PR

Not only did I run with Todd for 7, but I was coaxed into running to his house for a nice evening total of 8 1/2. I'll leave out the details of the Stag I attended an hour later. Suffice to say, I killed a boat load of liquor, and crashed about 2AM. Ah Sunday Morning, with 113 1/2 under my belt, I stumbled out of bed at 11:30AM. Sun blaring and head throbbing, I hit the pavement with 6 1/2 to go for a smooth 120 weekly tally. Needless to say, running off a stinging hangover has become childs play. 12 and one half for a sweet 127.

Let's put this bad boy into perspective

So Who is This Dangerous Dan?

In a word, or two, or three, I don't Know. This blog is about the now, not the past. Unless of course you want to search older posts. At this point in my life, I don't have many rituals, other than drinking and running.

So, How'd It Go?

Here's a little taste, more to follow!

Walter Childs Memorial Race of Champions Marathon - May 4 - West Springfield, MA 2007 runner-up Robert Landry, 39 of Ludlow MA, won the 2008 Race of Champions Marathon in 2:48:02. Jay Seney, 48 of Vernon CT, finished second in 3:13:10. Daniel Damasca, 46 of Pittsfield MA, was third in 3:14:47. Gina Marie Ciampa, 31 of Boston MA, who was third in 2007, was the first female finisher in 3:44:22. Martha Berrouard, 41 of Granby MA, finished second in 3:48:49. 2001 Champion Annie Ryan, 51 of Florence MA, who was fourth in 2007, finished third in 3:55:01.

It's Official

http://www.harriers.org/marathon/results2008.htm

I'll save you the suspense.

Place Name Age Age Group Time Pace
1 Robert Landry 39 1 M 30-39 2:48:02 6:25/M
2 Jay Seney SCS 48 1 M 40-49 3:13:10 7:22/M
3 Daniel Damasca 46 2 M 40-49 3:14:47 7:26/M

Run For Drew

Run For Drew

5/4/2008: On Sunday I will be running the Holyoke marathon in memory of my dear friend and brother in law Drew Guinan. Drew passed away two years ago, at the age of 49, after losing a courageous battle with a terrible illness. I have not formally trained for this race, as was the case two years ago, when I decided to run my first marathon in an attempt to raise money for Drews grieving wife and 5 beautiful children. This isn't about splits, or PR's, or pacing, it's about dedicating 3 hours of my life to a friend who was taken from us much too soon.I had no idea what running a marathon would require of me physically, however, what I did know was that it could not possibly require the courage, and heroic struggle for life that Drew was enduring on a daily basis.When I went to see Drew the night before the race, as he lay in a deep comma, I held his hand and was sure that he knew I was there. I tried so desperately to reach out to his soul, to provide warmth and comfort, and to deliver any strength I could find. I told him I was running for him, and that I would return the next night to tell him how we did. Drew was a tremendous three sport athlete in high school, and somehow I knew he was reaching out to me and saying, kick ass Dan. I looked back at a young man who in his day, could take a hand off and run the football over anything in his way. Illness had done to him what no other athlete could. Bring him down.I ran with a heavy heart, but I also ran with the inspiration that in some small way, I was helping Drew. When I felt that I couldn't run anymore, I would think of Drew, and the fatigue became trivial. When I crossed the finish line, I looked down at the letters marked across my arm, 4 U DREW, and quietly walked back to my car. There was a message on my phone from my wife Ann, in a broken voice, She said: Dan, Drew just died.I will run again Sunday with the same letters scribed across my arm, and the same mental determination that I had then. Finishing the race will not be an option this time either.Why am I telling you this and posting this? Not because I can run a marathon, but because I loved Drew, and although he will always be missed, he can't and won't ever be forgotten. He made a difference in this world, not just in his unconditional love for his family, but in that same love for everyone he knew.This race will be my way of preserving that unique foot print Drew etched into this world.

Drew E. Guinan

Oct. 21, 1956 - May 7, 2006

The Sub 3 Marathon