The 12 Days of Christmas Training (for Boston)

Here’s what happens when you give me way too much time on a plane and a marathon blog to write. Merry Christmas!!

On the 1st day of Christmas Training, my true love gave to me:
A donation to my marathon fund (Tax Free!)
On the 2nd day of Christmas Training, my true love gave to me:
2 running gloves and
A donation to my marathon fund Tax Free!
On the 3rd day of Christmas Training, my true love gave to me:
3 weeks of taper,
2 running gloves,
And a donation to my marathon fund Tax Free!
(ok, you know how the song goes..here’s the shortened version)
On the 12th day of Christmas Training, my true love gave to me:
12 Kenyans winning!
11 Legs a leaping!
10 spandex ripping!
9 fans a dancing!
8 ankles icing!
7 racers swimming (on off days)!
6 laces fraying!
5 Golden Gu Packs!!
4 heartbreak miles!
3 weeks of taper!
2 running gloves!
An a donation to my marathon fund TAX FREE!

How could you NOT donate after that holiday insanity?!

Who are YOU running for?

This week in my BURN class, one of my clients came in in a sad mood. (For those of you don't know what BURN is, it is my running interval class at the gym where I work). Anyway, she mentioned her brother in law Dennis, had just been diagnosed with severe thyroid cancer. As we continued to run, we decided to dedicate the run that night to Dennis, and in our own way pay tribute to his life and celebrate our health.

An old running coach of mine told me once that he used to dedicate each run to someone he loved, who had been through or was going through a hard time. That is why I am running Boston for Brad, and why we ran for Dennis on Monday.

I am reading a book now called Born to Run, and it's about the best runners in the world, the Tarahumara, a hidden tribe who can run hundreds of miles without stopping, without fatigue, with a smile on their faces. These runners don't run for time, or medals or money, they run for the pure love of it. They run out of love and kindess an compassion for others (Seriously, read the book). It may be the only way they can run for 100s of miles and not die. They are pretty inspiring to us as Americans, who mostly run to shed a few pounds in vain or to gain some sort of recognition or sponsorship.

We can certainly learn from my old running coach, and from the Tarahumara. Next time you go out on your run, dedicate it to someone special. Run for that person selflessly. It will absolutely make that run seem a lot easier and a heck of a lot more worthwhile.

Until tomorrow,
Nat

A Lasting Legacy...

I had been dating Shaun Pinney for a few months after he decided to introduce me to his father, Brad. All I remember thinking was,"This is a big deal, I'm meeting the parents!" We met at Fenway Beer Works and in walked Mr. Pinney, a towering man of 6'5". But as soon as he smiled, my intimidation dissapeared. When we finished dinner, I remember going to shake his hand. Instead he gave me a huge hug and we both chuckled, because we were on a "hugging status now." I will never forget that hug.

Although Brad had recently been diagnosed with cancer, his strengh and giving spirit was immediately evident. I soon learned Brad Pinney spent his life going above and beyond for others - whether it be in the line of fire as Captain of the Wilbraham Fire Department, volunteering his time on countless community boards or simply by being a good father, husband, coach and neighbor - he was an example of what it truly means to give 100% to others. When Mr. Pinney passed away, there was a line for hours outside the door, hundreds of people from the community coming to pay respects and thank him for his generosity.

Although I never got to know Brad like his friends and famlly did, I consider myself closer to him than ever before. The Pinney family has welcomed me into their home and I am so grateful for that. Their strength and generosity is clearly a legacy of the love and closeness Mr. Pinney built within his family.

When Nicole Pinney (his daughter) told me they were ready to celebrate her dad's life, we began brainstorming. She is a true reflection of her father in so many ways...always thinking of ways to get involved and genuinely help others. That is what led us to the Melanoma Foundation's Running for Cover Team.

Please donate to our cause by making a donation in honor of Brad. All proceeds will benefit the Melanoma Foundation's programs for early detection and skin cancer prevention.

And please keep following this blog! I'll be posting lots and lots of marathon training pics in the months to come!