Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Final Post- Thank You

Yesterday we spent the day meeting with government officials from Piraeus.  Piraeus is a large port city just south of Athens and a sister city to Baltimore.  We met with the Vice Mayor, Council President, representatives from the National Police Force and several other government officials.  They were all very gracious and accommodating, taking time out of their busy schedules to spend their day with us.   The Council President took us for a tour of the city and for a seafood lunch at a restaurant overlooking the beautiful Aegean Sea.   

We will spend today visiting some of Vayia's family in a township north of Athens called Marousi.  Tomorrow we begin the long trip back home.

This past year I turned 40 years old and thought to myself that this was a good time to challenge myself and to run a marathon.  I had no idea how far that decision would take me.  I would like to take this opportunity to  thank all the people that made this experience possible:

To Diane Homberg and the entire Baltimore-Piraeus Sister City Committee for giving me this amazing gift.  Representing Baltimore in this historic event has been a tremendous honor for me.

To the Mayor of Baltimore, Stephanie Rawlings-Blake and Police Commissioner Frederick Bealefeld for all their support.  To Renee Samuels and Sheryl Goldstein for encouraging me to get involved...and for really making it all happen. And to Anthony Guglielmi and Jeremy Silbert who worked extremely hard bringing so much positive media attention to this experience.

To our parents and families for taking care of our children while we have been gone. Giving us the peace of mind that everyone was safe and happy.

And to all of our friends for all the support and positive encouragement.  The outpouring of phone calls, emails and messages was overwhelming.  I found it truly amazing how many people regularly  followed my journey through this blog.


Thank you all.

John

Monday, November 1, 2010

Photos from the Marathon


View of the Panatheneikon Stadium where the runners completed a lap around the stadium to finish the marathon!





P

Sunday, October 31, 2010

Race Day

As we assembled at the starting line this morning the sun was rising over the Penteli mountains.  The start went off without a problem and I was able to maintain my targeted pace of about a 10 minute mile for the first 14 miles.   But as we began the ascent up the mountains my time began to slow.  The 12 mile up hill climb  became oppressively steep and it became a mental and physical challenge just to continue moving forward.  I saw scores of runners just quit...unable to move forward they gave up and sat down at the curb side waiting for a shuttle.   As I slowly moved up the mountain one step at a time,  I began to reach inside of myself to try to find some strength to continue.

I thought of the men and women of the great Baltimore Police Department and the sacrifices they make every day.  And the too many of them, all great officers, that are no longer with us.

I thought of my young children Evan, Reilly, Jack and Sophie.  I hoped that my experience  may some day teach them a little about life and encourage them to pursue their own goals.

And in the end when I was completely exhausted,  I thought of my wife Vayia.   Knowing that she was waiting for me at the finish line I began to run to her...the same woman I have run to since I was 18 years old.  As I rounded the last bend I saw her and was overcome with emotion.

I crossed the finish line in about 5:15 (unofficial time).  Maybe a little slower then I had hoped but the devastating nature of the course reminded me that the true goal of any marathon is to overcome all challenges and finish.  In the words of Pheidippides, the Greek messenger that ran the same route 2,500 years ago and died at the finish after declaring the Persian defeat:  Victory!

Saturday, October 30, 2010

Last Day

Yesterday we drove the marathon course and it was it was definitely intimidating. Our guide joked that there was only 1 "hill"....1 "hill" that starts at about mile 7 and ends about mile 18. For most of the way the hill stays at a steady 4% grade, but there are a couple of sections were the grade increases to a pretty steep 7% grade. The race organizers continued to stress the importance of conserving energy and pacing slower then normal to avoid exhaustion on the hill. The good news is that the last 6 miles are a nice gradual downhill and the finish is inside the Olympic Stadium...the only sports stadium in the world that is constructed entirely out of marble.

Today, we spent the day visiting the breath taking Acropolis and shopping in the outside Plaka markets.
Tomorrow morning we leave for the race at 6:30 am, with the start expected to be at 9:00 am. I can't help but feeling a nervous excitement, and I hope I will be able to sleep tonight.


Wish me luck.

Friday, October 29, 2010

Touchdown in Athens

After 17 hours of traveling we finally arrived in Athens...exhausted.  Athens is 7 hours ahead, so we are now trying to get our bodies to adjust to the time change.  I woke up at 4:30 am this morning wide awake.  At 6:30 am, I ran with a group of runners from the hotel.  The training run was lead by Jeff Galloway,  an elite marathoner who has won both New York and Boston in the past.  Surprisingly, I felt good.

Today, we travel to the City of Marathon.  The site of the famous battle were Greece defeated the Persian army in 490 BC. Along the way we will drive the marathon route, so I will get my first look at Sunday's course.

Wednesday, October 27, 2010

Next Stop Athens

All the waiting is finally over. Today we leave for Athens, but I am leaving with a heavy heart.  After losing three Baltimore Police Officers in less then a month, my thoughts and prayers remain with the families of James Fowler, Brian Stevenson and Thomas Portz.  All good men, who dedicated their lives to serving the citizens of Baltimore.

As we were getting ready to leave, I took a few minutes to review my training logs.  I realized that since June, I have ran over 700 miles, averaging over 30 miles per week and peaking about 3 weeks ago with a weekly total of 45 miles.  Through all the miles, I have come to understand that committing to run a marathon is more about the journey and less about the final destination.   The race is now 4 days away and come Sunday, I plan to do my very best.

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Baltimore Running Festival

I finished the Baltimore 1/2 marathon in 2 hours and 6 minutes.  Despite all the excitement, I was able to hold myself back a little and kept within my training pace of about a 9 min 40 second mile.  I finished strong and felt great at the end.  My wife Vayia and my oldest kids Jack and Sophie, met me at the finish line.  It was an awesome experience that I will remember forever.

The entire Baltimore Police Team finished.  Deputy Major Eric Russell, Lieutenant Scott Mezan, and Detective Thomas Bender all finished the full marathon and a team of officers from the Police Academy won the Commissioner's Cup Relay.

Close to 500 Baltimore police officers worked the event, directing traffic and controlling intersections.  All the officers did an outstanding job.  The officers along with all the volunteers and event staff were incredible ambassadors for the City of Baltimore.

In less then a week, I leave for Athens. I will be updating my blog daily once I arrive in Athens, so check back often.

Friday, October 15, 2010

Its getting closer

Most of the hard training is now behind me.  Last Wednesday was my final training day with the Baltimore Police Marathon Team and we ended it with a 21 mile run.  Keeping at a slow and steady pace, we finished in about 3 hours and 30 minutes.  The distance was a huge confidence lift for me and I feel ready.  Our final training run was covered by a local news network and the story can be found at:  

http://www.wbaltv.com/r-video/25359517/detail.html.

Tomorrow is the Baltimore Running Festival.  The Baltimore Police Marathon Team (comprised of 60 officers) has raised over $10,000 for the Signal 13 Foundation, a charitable organizations that provides financial support to police families during times of crisis.  A special thanks to Corrigan Sports and Under Armour for supporting the Baltimore Police Department and for designing awesome team racing shirts. I am looking forward to running the 1/2 marathon tomorrow and will be using the day as a dress rehearsal for Athens.   

Good luck to all the runners participating in the Baltimore Running Festival!

Friday, October 8, 2010

4 weeks to go

With only 4 weeks left before the Athens Marathon, the pressure is really on.  I am working on my endurance by extending my long runs and running on steep hilly terrain.  The Athens Marathon Course is considered one of the most challenging marathon races.  From mile 6 to mile 18 the course runs all uphill with some very steep sections.  It is often recognized as one of the toughest uphill climbs of any major marathon. 

Last Friday, I started out at 4:00 am and after 3 hours 20 minutes of continuous running, I finished 19 miles.   I am finding that these long runs challenge you mentally as well as physically.  Earlier this week, I was out running with the Police Team in our final training run before the Baltimore Running Festival. 

Wednesday, September 29, 2010

Sports Illustrated

Yesterday morning, I was interviewed by Sport's Illustrated.  Never in my wildest dreams did I ever imagine that the worlds most popular sports magazine would want to interview an every day guy like me.  They are writing an article on the historical significance of the Athens Marathon and are interviewing a number of people who will be participating in the race.  They saw my press release and were interested in learning the background story that is taking me to Athens.  The article is scheduled to publish shortly after the race. 

The interview reinforced to me what an incredible honor it is to be given the opportunity to represent the City of Baltimore, the Baltimore Police Department, and my family in this historic event.  I am extremely grateful to Diane Homberg and the entire Baltimore-Piraeus Sister City Committee for this amazing opportunity. 

With 4 weeks left, I am training hard. I was out at 4 am this past Sunday running 15 miles and then back out again yesterday for 5 more miles. I have a few more moderate distance runs this week and my next long run coming up this weekend for 20 miles.  

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

I continue to run

Last week I met up with a group of police officers who are also training for the Baltimore Marathon for our weekly training run. 

We ran down the Gywnns Falls Trail, with half of the team finishing 13 miles.  I continued around Fort McHenry and ran a total of 17 miles.  It was a great day to run and everyone did exceptionally well.  The last 2 miles for me were tough, but I was able to gut it out. 

I am really pushing myself to build my physical endurance and after 1 day of rest, I went back out and ran a 5 mile interval / hill course.  The next morning, I was back out again starting at 5 am for 5 more miles at a steady 10 min mile pace.  

Monday, September 20, 2010

Training Update

I have about 6 weeks left to train before the marathon.  I am currently training 5 days a week (running 4 and cross training 1 day.)  I am averaging about 30 to 35 miles per week...with 3 moderate distance runs and one long run.  Last week my long run was 16 miles. I usually train in the early morning, starting at about 5 am because of family and work obligations.

Tuesday, September 14, 2010

Some history

In 2009, The Baltimore Police Department partnered with Corrigan Sports in the Baltimore Marathon. Twenty members from the Baltimore Police Department participated in the Marathon. Five relay teams competed against one another for the Commissioners Cup prize.

In October of 2010, we have recruited sixty members from the Baltimore Police Department to participate in the Baltimore Marathon. Corrigan Sports agreed to waive the entry fee and in return, every member will donate $50 to the Frank J. Battaglia Signal 13 Foundation. The purpose of the Signal 13 Foundation is to provide financial assistance to Baltimore Police Department personnel, both civilian and sworn, who unexpectedly suffer extreme personal emergencies.

Participation in the Baltimore Marathon promotes physical fitness and camaraderie amongst officers within the Baltimore Police Department.

Friday, September 3, 2010

My Family

This trip to Greece holds a tremendous amount of personal significance for me. My wife, Vayia, is a first generation Greek- American. We were married in the Greek Orthodox Church 15 years ago, and have four beautiful children.  Vayia's parents both emigrated to the United States in the mid 1950s, and are from Karpathos, one of the most beautiful islands of the Dodecanese. Our family is actively involved in the Cathedral of the Annunciation Church located in midtown Baltimore.

Monday, August 23, 2010

First Post

Thank you for taking the time to follow my progress as I continue to train for the 2010 Athens Marathon. This year's 26 mile run marks the 2500th anniversary of the Greek Battle of Marathon, which took place during the first Persian invasion of Greece. The marathon will commemorate the legendary journey of the Greek messenger "Pheidippides" in 490 BC from the Marathon Battlefield to the city of Athens, Greece.

Please check back as I continue to update my blog!

John