I ran 2006 Baystate Marathon, or, as Jim Pitts, my coach, says, I survived it. I thought it would never end, but it did — 5h36min.
The best part was to commit to running and to train every day or almost every day. To allocate an hour or two a day for running was a challenge. Work, meetings, conferences — all ask for attention. I was cutting my business trips to make sure I could keep training every day. I am glad I did it.
Here is my log and my sneackers after 250 miles of running. Sneakers were very comfortable.
If you ever thought of running a marathon, just do it. It is an awesome experience. Or, drop me a line and we may run as a relay team together.
Some useful links:
Marathon Guide — gives interesting statistics about marathons, as well as lists races in all states
The 50 States & D.C. Marathon Group — All in this group share a goal of completing a marathon in all 50 States & D.C.
50 states marathon club – I doubt I will join this club, but maybe you will?
I ran the 30th Tufts All Women Race in Boston. It was beautiful — a river of women bodies flowing, flowing, and flowing, endless.
There were women running with their kids in strollers, even with two kids in one stroller. They were beautiful. Some were getting ahead of me as I was running and observing all this beauty of healthy approach to life.
I devoted this race to my mom — it was an anniversary of my birthday as well. She would have been happy and proud of me.
The weather was in our camp — warm and sunny — rare case for a late fall in New England.
Join us next year — link is above. 
Yes, it was exactly what it looks like. The upside down experience.
… An acquaintance of mine from the gym mentioned he participated in triathlons. Of course, at night I go to Google and search for “triathlon”. Trifind gives me an option in 10 days in Chicopee State Forrest Park, a few miles from where I live. What do I do? I participate. Yahooo!!!!
… Swam the distance (.5 miles) in the gym two times, rode a digital bike five times. Jim Pitts gave me a racing bike, one of a kind in the world (I may write up a story of this bike at some point). And, here I am — participating in triathlon.
7am — and Jim takes me to the fight field/lake. I am still not in the mood as mornings are not my time. Lots of people, all wound up and ready to compete. The energy is exhilarating. By 8am, after a couple of upside down stands I am all ready to go
My swimming is not the best; in fact, it is the worst. The wonder bike then saves it all. – After coming out from the lake, I was way behind. Jumped on the bike and flew like a bird. 17 miles. Awesome. Exciting to compete with ‘alikes’. Arrived ahead of a number of people. Then running. 3.5 miles. Women were cheering each other up. Great experience of courage and support.
My mussels cried for two days after, but I was happy. My first triathlon ever. They say once participated, hooked for ever. I doubt it is that straight, but anybody for a relay team? Let me know at Natasha@goncharova.com – we will ‘tri’ it together.
This was my first race. Road race in Falmouth.
Jim Pitts motivated me to start running. One day he suggested to try training with him. I was breathless after 1.5 miles, but kept training. In six weeks, in spite of an operation, I ran seven miles in Falmouth.
Beautiful experience. Celebration of health, youth, and life worth living. Thank you, Jim for bringing me to run.
Anybody to join next year? Drop me a line at natasha@goncharova.com and we will ruin together.
