Enter My Boston Marathon Finish Time Prediction Contest

As of today, I’m 8 days away from attempting the Boston Marathon. This 26.2-mile road running event is the oldest marathon in the United States, and the only one that requires participants to run a qualifying time in a previous marathon to be allowed entry.

The race course is challenging, so I’m asking you for a little boost up the famous hills. Don’t worry, you don’t have to do any running (unless that’s your thing).

Instead, I’d like you to submit your best prediction of my finishing time, and learn a little more about two fellow athletes/heroines in the process. The blog reader who submits the guess closest to my real finish time on April 21 will win a fabulous prize!

A little background to help with guessing: I have completed 4 marathons between 2003 - 2007. My finish times, from oldest to most recent, are (in hours and minutes) 5:07, 4:27, 3:49, and 3:44. Boston is a more challenging and hilly course than any of these courses. I believe I am in better condition than I was in all but the 3:44 marathon.

How to get in on this fun? Read about and contribute a small amount to the Boomer Esiason Foundation, an organization that funds scholarships that help people living with cystic fibrosis improve their health through daily exercise. In my own training, I have been inspired by Ana Stenzel and Isabel Stenzel Byrnes, two athletes and authors who are also living with cystic fibrosis. Squaring off against a chronic illness like CF makes running a “tiny little marathon” seem like next to nothing to me. After qualifying for Boston I decided to make running about more than just myself, so have been fund-raising all year. I’m about 75% to my goal of generating $1,000 in contributions.

To play, simply visit my Firstgiving page, read and learn a bit more about cystic fibrosis, and pledge an amount of your choice.  Even a pocket-change type contribution helps and is appreciated. Then come back to this blog entry and post a Comment with your finish time prediction.

Those of you who have already contributed, thank you again. You are automatically eligible to enter right now, so get guessing!

Back on the Path

I’ve found my way back to the trail!

A household move, peak marathon training, a work-related trip, a cold, and a weekend in the woods cheering on old and new friends participating in the Umstead 100 Mile Endurance Run sent me into blogging withdrawal these past two weeks. There’s definitely been too much distance between the Blogkeeper and In The Distance.

Much more on all of that to come. Thanks so much for being here to share it.

– A

It’s Official!

I am a registered entrant in the 112th Boston Marathon.  The e-mail arrived on Sunday.

Coincidentally, I had been wondering about my application and was searching the Boston Athletic Association web site for my name earlier in the day. Once in a while we do get those answers we seek serendipitously.

Here’s my invitation to this year’s Patriot’s Day Party:

This is to notify you that your entry into the 112th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 21, 2008 has been accepted, provided that the information you submitted is accurate.You can verify your acceptance into the field by searching the 112th Boston Marathon “Entrants” database on the B.A.A. web site, www.baa.org/2008/cf/Public/EntryLists.cfm. Additionally, an acceptance postcard will be mailed to you via US Postal Service mail.In early April 2008, an official Number Pick-up Card and extensive information regarding the B.A.A. Boston Marathon and related race week activities will be mailed to you via US Postal Service first class mail. If you do not receive your Number Pick-up Card (required to claim number) and brochure by April 11, please contact our Registration Office at

registration@baa.org. Registration related inquiries may also be directed to 508-435-6905.Note that bib numbers will not be distributed on Race Day. Your travel arrangements should take into account picking up your number at the Hynes Convention Center in Boston on Friday, April 18 from 10:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., or Saturday, April 19 or Sunday, April 20 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

We look forward to seeing you in April! Best of luck in your training!

Sincerely,

Boston Athletic Association

Welcome to In The Distance

… and welcome to 2008! I did not make any New Year’s resolutions this year, but Jan. 1 seems appropriate for plugging in this new outlet. Over the past months I’ve been inspired to return to more regular writing, and blogging has been humming around a nook in my mind for a while.

I am excited to wonder about the distances that will be covered and can be bridged here.

As a new blogkeeper and WordPress user, I welcome tips, advice, and feedback from anyone who stops by.