Shoes, shoes, shoes

We all have shoes upon shoes. At home. In the car. Stacked in closet.

Extra pairs, new pairs, racing pairs. You name it.


In looking at the pile of shoes that I've recently amassed and seeing the efforts to Restore The Shore and one man's journey to log 220 miles for that benefit (link), it got me thinking...what can I do do put these shoes and other donations to use?




Among countless locations for Salvation Army, Goodwill Stores and even at special race events, you can donate a pair of NEW or your GENTLY USED running shoes to these organizations:


www.soles4souls.org

donateyouroldshoes.org

Nikereuseashoe.com


Or to just simply make a donation to help Restore the Shore, check out Ed Kloskowski's page at:
Run4NJ.org

Happy running!

Quiet early morning run, post-Sandy

Soft crunch of snow underfoot.
The calm, stillness and quiet of running in empty streets during the early dawn.
And the slight breeze that hits your wind-blown face with a spray of snow and ice from low-lying trees caught unexpectedly with this winter blast.

If you ran outside in the northeast this past week or so, you might have experienced this sensation. Not because you were up earlier than your neighbors running in the pre-dawn light, but because many of us in the area have been without power for days...and in some cases nearly 2 weeks (or longer).

Regardless the circumstances, I would encourage you to take that motivation and spirit that keeps you running and apply it to those who really need the help, who's homes were devastated by Sandy or impacted by the nor'easter that followed on the heels of that storm.

Visit americanredcross.com to learn how you can donate, volunteer and help.

If you haven't run outside yet today ..... Don't

In anticipation of the next few days being shut indoors with kids who are already "bored" and don't know what to do with themselves; going for a run outside (even during hurricane force winds) sounded like a good alternative.

With hurricane Sandy coming up the east coast, I knew there wasn't much time for delay or indecisiveness to get outside this morning. While the Weather Centers are predicting the worst part of the storm to hit my area in NJ closer to 5pm, I know that at any point, the storm surges could easily pick up and come crashing through the area making it extremely dangerous and risky to be outside.

Fortunately, since this a blog - and not a live news feed - I don't feel the need to stand in 8 inches of ocean water down the shore; while getting pelted with rain and wind; as 10 foot waves crash behind me to tell you; "it's bad out there". But let me reiterate it for you again, in case you missed it.

In honor and memory

Every day that you can run -- is a good day.


In April 1996, I lost my father expectedly to a heart attack. As a way to honor his memory I trained the whole next year and ran the NYC Marathon in 1997. When I finished, I felt such pride at my accomplishment - but was saddened by the fact that my father could be there to share in that goal. Nevertheless, I didn't feel like I was 'bitten by the marathon bug" and certainly wasn't compelled to have to repeat that whole marathon experience again.

Well, fast forward a few years later to the fall of 2000 and not only did I run another marathon -- but I had completed 5 marathons on three different continents. But this next marathon in Dublin was different. It was to raise money for charity. I could have joined 'Fred's Team' or one of the many chapter of Leukemia Society that were very common at that time, but instead choose a charity that was 'closer to home' for me and my family, which was the Arthritis Foundation.

My Aunt Theresa had suffered from severe rheumatoid arthritis since she was in her twenties. And now in her 60's it was a small token of something I could do to help her. So I trained with greater purpose and motivation, knowing that I was running for this special purpose. But as fate would have it, my future wife would also be running the same Dublin Marathon and also to raise money for Arthritis Foundation in honor and suport of her own family. Ten years and two kids later - we have the common thread of running this event to thank for bringing us together.

Earlier this year in May, my Aunt Theresa has passed on.

And while I would like to run another marathon in Dublin with my wife, to honor her memory, I know that no matter the distance I run or travel, she will also have a place in my heart knowing that I was able to run in honor of her. 

Stay Fit on the road, thanks to New Balance

Running when you travel gives you a unique opportunity to explore new areas, check out the local landscape and take in new sights.

With business travel however, it can be difficult to fit in a workout. Demanding conference schedules, longer than anticpated meetings or last minute presentation preparation are all common obstacles that divide our attention between what we'd like to do (run) and what we need to do (work). These trips can be so demanding that often times we convince ourselves that we'll never have time to get a run in -- so why bother taking the extra space in suitcase for running shoes.

This week, I learned that New Balance has a great new program in conjunction with Westin hotels. So, I just I had to try out for myself.

The program called "Pack Light Stay Fit" lets Westin guests to order clothes and shoes to your room for a workout, all for a small, nominal fee -- which actually costs about 1/3 of the pay-per-view movies in my room.

So, I called the desk and gave them my sizes for shirt, shorts and shoes....and waited.