Let It Snow...

Well, the first week of my 18 week training program is in the books and I have dealt with some tough winter weather already and it isn't even January yet :(. This training program has 2 Quality/Speed days which are really a challenge in the wind/cold/ice, but it is so nice to mix up the longer runs with some different types of runs. Yesterday Maine was brushed by the large winter storm that paralyzed the Northeast but as all runners know, even a few inches of snow and ice makes things twice as difficult. It was the first time I got to try out my Icespikes that I bought a few months ago and man are they awesome!!! I know that Keith (the President of Icespike) has been making the rounds at tons of expos over the fall/winter and for good reason. I don't think I would have dared to take on the icy Maine roads during a winter storm without them and I encourage everyone who does any type of winter running/walking to try them - you won't be disappointed. Thanks to Keith and Icespike for supporting me during my training and also contributing to my fundraising efforts. 17 weeks to go!!!

Heading to Disney...

It has been about a month since I posted last so I wanted to give an update on how I am progressing before we leave for Disney on Tues. Thanks to an amazing response from so many people I have reached out to for support I have crossed the $3,300 mark in donations which is absolutely amazing and I would like to thank everyone again who supported me. Over the past month I have been building my mileage up to 45-50 while running 6 days/wk. I am doing back to back 12s on Sat and Sun in preparation for a little slowdown in when we go to Disney but I plan to do daily 5 mile runs early in the AM while we are there. We can't wait - everyone is getting so excited, only 4 more days!!!

When we get back I have a couple weeks left of base building before I start into the 18-wk training plan that I am going to be following for the marathon. It is broken up into 4 phases and the 3rd phase (the most demanding) is going to be during the heart of the Maine winter so I have quite a challenge ahead of me. I went out for a 8 mile run this AM in the cold rain and gusty ocean wind and got a taste of what it will be like training through the long cold winter but I will tough it out for such an awesome goal only a few months away. Thanks again to everyone for supporting me and following my journey...

Great Day For a Race..

Took a break from the Sunday long run routine today to run in the Great Pumpkin 10K in Saco, ME as I do every year. Such a fun race and what a day to run - 50 degrees and not a cloud in the sky. Finished strong and in 68th place with a time of 47:30 (pace 7:39 min/mi).

What a Start!

Thank you to everyone who has contributed to my fundraising effort over the past couple days. Thanks to everyone who has donated so far, I am already over the $1,000 mark. I still have a long way to go but the support I have received so far has been more than I could have ever imagined - thank you so much!!!
As far as my training goes, I am currently maintaining a 35-40 mile/week training base that I have built up over the year going into the Maine Half-Marathon which I will be building on as I ramp up training for the marathon starting in December.

About the MDSC

Brief History:

The Massachusetts Down Syndrome Congress (MDSC), established in 1983, began as a non-profit organization made up of parents, professionals and anyone interested in gaining a better understanding of Down syndrome. Its roots trace back to a group of parents, in a living room in 1983, chatting about their children with Down syndrome and how they could connect and educate families, schools and communities. Twenty-five years later, with over 1,600 members, the MDSC has an energetic Board of Directors, a dynamic management team, and a vision to ensure that every person with Down syndrome has the opportunity to reach their full potential.

Mission Statement

To ensure individuals with Down syndrome in Massachusetts are valued, included, and given the opportunities to pursue fulfilling lives by providing information, networking opportunities, and advocacy for people with Down syndrome and their families, educators, health care professionals, and the community-at-large.

Our Purposes

• To provide new parents with information, resources, and support.
• To promote the inclusion of people with Down syndrome into all aspects of the community, with particular consideration for schools and the workplace.
• To gather and disseminate accurate, up-to-date information about Down syndrome.
• To better educate the public about Down syndrome through the celebration of Down Syndrome Awareness Month and through an annual conference in order to advance the understanding of Down syndrome.
• To encourage research related to Down syndrome and quality human services.
• To address social policy issues with state and local human service agencies.
• To solicit and distribute funding for these accomplishments.

Our Vision

The MDSC wants to be recognized by people with Down syndrome and their families, educators, health care professionals, and the community-at-large as the preeminent organization in Massachusetts for information, networking, and advocacy for and about Down syndrome.