GO TO 'MILL

A New Year has arrived, and for some, getting in shape or improving one’s physical fitness may be on this year’s resolution list.

Recent Arctic cold along with snow and icy conditions make outdoor running both difficult and dangerous.

Whether you are a beginning runner or an experienced one, treadmill training is an excellent alternative to outdoor running.

The newest generation of treadmills allows one to select virtually any type of workout. One can climb mountains or choose a workout that simulates running on the beach. You can run or walk, and you may select a pace that allows you to challenge yourself or a pace that is light and easy.

In order to adequately simulate outdoor conditions, it is advisable to place the treadmill setting on at least a 1 percent grade. A steeper grade, of course, will provide a more challenging workout.

Select a specific amount of time, or a prescribed distance you would like to run. Choose a pace with which you are comfortable, and you are ready to begin.

If you’re brand new to treadmill running, do not hesitate to clutch the side bars as you begin your workout. You may want to begin at a very slow pace, and increase it as you gain your balance. After a few minutes you should be accustomed to the treadmill belt, and you will be able to run safely and comfortably.

Many runners complain about the monotony and boredom of treadmill running, but that problem can be easily addressed. A lot of today’s treadmills synchronize you with television, a movie, or you can use your phone to listen to your own running playlist. Another technique is to use a towel to cover up the display screen, so as not to read the time and distance as frequently.

Some treadmill programs automatically vary your workout, by alternating speeds and elevation. If not, however, you can increase your speed, and create a type of ‘‘interval’’ session, where you run fast for a certain amount of time, followed by a slow period, then back to a fast interval.

Try to run as relaxed and naturally on the treadmill as you do when you run outdoors. Keep in mind that you may experience muscle soreness, aches and pains that you do not normally feel with outdoor running. This is natural, as you are employing different muscle groups for balance on the treadmill.

Running produces an incredible amount of body heat. Most novice runners tend to wear too many layers of clothing when they run outdoors during the winter. You will produce a lot of sweat when you run on the treadmill. The environment should be cool, and a fan of some type is also advisable. At the conclusion of the workout, drink plenty of water in order to avoid dehydration, and always keep a towel handy.

Treadmill running may require a short period of adjustment, but once that has passed, it can be both enjoyable and beneficial. Treacherous outdoor winter conditions may diminish your workout or cause injury. On the treadmill, you can map out your workout so that wind, ice, or even a chase by a stray dog cannot deter you.

Simply, with proper preparation, you can beat Mother Nature and make treadmill running work for you.

GET IN THE MEDZONE

Running is a tough sport.

Every time we lace up our shoes and hit the roads, we encounter external obstacles like hills, extreme weather conditions, motorized vehicles, and unfriendly creatures.

So before we begin our daily workout, we need to prepare our bodies for the road ahead.

Blisters, chafing, pain, and skin inflammation are problems encountered by every runner. Any one of these issues can often negatively impact our workout or race, and sometimes sideline us if the problems persist.

I am constantly searching for products that will make my running life more pleasant.

Of course the products must work, they must be reasonably priced, and the company must be customer-friendly.

Medzone, www.medzonecorp.com, began in 2001, by designing its products based on requests from medical professionals, athletes and in 2002, U.S. Military Special Forces. Over the years their products have been adapted to work for athletes, law enforcement, military and for certain healthcare needs.

ChafeZone®, BurnZone® and PainZone® BlisterZone have proven to help triathletes, cyclists, team sports, dancers, rodeo, hiking, swimming, hockey, basketball, baseball, football, BMX riders, motorcycle riders, industrial athletes, people who suffer from Chub Rub and with any other high intensity activities. Whether you chafe, sunburn, windburn, blister, ache or have arthritis one of Medzone's products can help you.

Over the past few days the temperatures and the humidity have been unbearable. Chafing in one of those high friction areas can be extremely painful and very common on these hot days. Rub some of Medzone's ChafeZone on those problem spots and you will glide through your workout.

BlisterZone will do for your feet what ChafeZone does for other abrasive areas. Blisters can slow you to a stop. They can ruin a race and they can become infected. BlisterZone is an excellent product for your feet.

Mosquito bites and sunburn are relieved by using BurnZone. BurnZone incorporates a natural, local anesthetic in addition to 1% Lidocaine for maximum pain relief. A proprietary blend of essential fatty acids takes the sting and burn out of blisters and minor burns, relieves insect bite itching, and calms skin irritations.

Finally, PainZone addresses muscle, joint and tendon pain with a no-mess, roll-on applicator. PainZone boasts a concentrated no-water formula with the FDA-required 3 anti-inflammatory agents plus two additional anti-inflammatory ingredients to banish your pain. It uses blend of essential fatty acids transports the active ingredients deep into the tissues for long lasting pain relief.

Arm yourself with any or all of these Medzone products, and your running, walking, cycling, and other athletic activities will be much more pleasant and pain-free.

 

A GREAT NEW FITNESS SITE

Thanks to today's information age, it is easier than ever for fitness enthusiasts to acquire information about staying fit and maximizing our fitness level.

Check out a new site that offers training advice in a variety of fitness sports for folks at any level, lists events, finds groups to get you motivated, and allows you to create your own profile and record your fitness journey in the community.

Following is a description of the Linked Fitness mission.

The site is: Linked Fitness. www.linkedfitness.com, and you can register for free.

"Here at Linked Fitness, we believe that keeping fit and healthy doesn’t have to be a chore. Our mission is to inspire you to achieve your goals by providing all the latest fitness information and a wide range of tools to support your progress and keep you on track.

Join the Linked Fitness Community and get creative by designing your own profile and connecting up with other members to share your ideas and keep motivated. Find sporting and fun fitness events to attend in your local area. Nothing interesting happening near you? Why not create your own fitness group and invite others to meetup and get active with you in your neighbourhood.

Linked Fitness will be here for you every step of the way to provide you with the knowledge and inspiration you need to succeed. Whatever your fitness level or lifestyle, we understand that keeping fit and staying healthy can be tough, so let us support you in achieving your goals whilst still having fun."

Join today, at www.linkedfitness.com. This is an exciting and a very informative site.

ARE YOU READY?

Spring is right around the corner, and it's time to implement your running goals for the upcoming season.

Following is an excerpt from my latest book, Personal Best.

 

"Your first step toward a personal best should begin right now.

There are over forty million reasons, in the United States alone, why folks have chosen running as a means of achieving personal bests. Their objectives range from weight loss to a shot at the Olympics.

It is the choice, however, not the reason, that matters. We live in a society that craves instant gratification; a drive-through world where the most exercise many people get in a given day is the movement of their thumbs and fingers over keyboards, Smartphones, and iPods. Overweight has led to obese; obese has ‘grown’ into morbidly obese. Americans are killing themselves in record numbers by mixing a lethal cocktail consisting of overeating, overindulgence, and lack of exercise."

 

Both of my books, Personal Best and Running Shorts are available now, for the lowest price yet, $7.99 each, plus $2.00 shipping and handling, at www.muldowneyrunning.net. Heck, that's about what we pay for a pair of socks today.

 

You can also go to Amazon, at: amazon.com/author/joemuldowney where you can find both books, reviews of them, and the Kindle version of Personal Best for $1.99. Try finding a pair of socks for that price these days!

 

The books are also available from my publisher's site: www.lulu.com

 

Fact is, if you plan to take you first running step, run your first marathon, or want to learn how to drop that marathon time, Personal Best will offer ways for you to achieve your goal.

 

If you want to be inspired, to laugh or cry, with stories from the road, read Running Shorts.

 

And, as my readers know, I pride myself as a "hands on" author. Having trouble with plantar fasciitis? Let me tell you about the 'donut' cure. Want to break 3 hours for the marathon? We can develop a training plan together to make that happen.

 

Spring is near. A time for new goals, hopes and aspirations.

 

Want to achieve your personal best?

 

Let me know.

 

I'll help you get there.

 

 

A RUN TO A NEW LIFE

Three years ago, Michael Higgins exemplified what has, sadly for many Americans, become a common story of success.

The 43-year old married father of two held an important corporate executive job. He commuted forty minutes to and from work each day. He was successful, exhausted by the end of each work day. he ate and drank whatever he wanted, and it showed. Standing at a height of 5 feet, 9 inches, Michael weighed 269 pounds, was on the verge of Type II diabetes, had high cholesterol, high blood pressure, a chronic skin condition, and he couldn't navigate steps without pain in his knees.

In January 2013, thanks to the encouragement of his wife and two friends, Michael decided to change his lifestyle, and make the adjustments necessary to go from fat to fit. He signed up for a 3K race in March, eliminated processed foods from his diet, eating leaner meat, and adding an array of fruits and vegetables to his daily food intake..

Training sensibly and remaining committed to his goals, he did indeed run his 3K race, and by July 2013 he had already reached his initial benchmark of weighing in at 200 pounds, a remarkable drop of 69 pounds in just six months.

And he didn't stop there. To date, Michael has run a number of 5Ks, a 10K, a 10-miler, and a half marathon, and has trimmed his weight down to 175 pounds, a loss of nearly 100 pounds since his healthy journey began.

Today, his blood pressure and cholesterol are normal, he takes no medication to control either issue, and even his skin condition of Rosacea has disappeared. Michael has eliminated all artificial sweeteners, soda, and sugar from his diet, and he drinks plenty of water daily. He also uses myfitnesspal.com to log his workouts and daily calorie intake.

The journey of Michael Higgins is truly remarkable, as he has literally run to a new life of good health.

He writes a great blog, http://formerlyfatrunner.com/. Check it out and subscribe to it to receive updates and advice from Michael, as he inspires others to run to a new life as he has done.

                                                         Michael Higgins-Before

                                                                           After

CYBER CHRISTMAS 2015

Here in the woods of Pennsylvania, many of us go deer hunting on the Monday after Thanksgiving. After I put up the Christmas lights on Black Friday, I pack up the vehicle and head to the mountains in the southern part of the state to look for the big whitetail. As I hunt for deer, my wife hunts for bargains on Cyber Monday. She informs me of the great deals she gets, and it was her suggestion that I jump on the 'Cyber bandwagon' as well.

So, I figured it was time to get busy and offer my customers something free with the purchase of my books, Personal Best and Running Shorts, on my website, www.muldowneyrunning.net.

 From now until Christmas day, if you visit my website, www.muldowneyrunning.net you can take advantage of the Christmas two for one sale.

For the retail price of one book, $14.99 plus shipping, you can purchase BOTH books, Personal Best, AND Running Shorts. That's $7.50 for running books written by a runner for runners.

Heck, you can even purchase two of the same book, if you like.

I will personally sign each book and send it out to you promptly.

NOW HERE'S THE FREE OFFER!!

You can take advantage of the two for one sale, AND receive a ten-week training program ABSOLUTELY FREE!! That's a value of $25.

Here's how it works. You must purchase the two for one offer on my website, from now until Christmas Eve. You will then receive one 10-week free personalized training program, and I will make that offer valid for an entire year. So, if you want to train for a marathon next November, you won't have to take advantage of your free training program until next August or September.

When you checkout, I will record your email, then you can email me at: runnr@hotmail.com, and we can begin your training program at your convenience.

This is a Cyber sale you can use to become inspired by reading my books, and reach your very own personal best by receiving a training program written by me just for you.

Check out reviews of my training plans, submitted by runners from all over the world at: https://www.fiverr.com/s2/bd1a006ea9

And, if you want to buy the best stocking-stuffer ever, go to my Amazon page,   amazon.com/author/joemuldowney, where you can buy the Kindle version of Personal Best for only $1.99.

The digital time clock is ticking. You have only until Christmas Eve to take advantage of this one-time offer.

I look forward to helping YOU achieve your personal best.

HALF WAY

Two weeks ago I underwent arthroscopic surgery to remove a torn meniscus from my left knee.

The surgery was successful. Aside from the tear, which was a direct result of a double hamstring tear in same leg two years ago, my knee, according to my orthopedic surgeon, is healthy, with no signs of arthritis or other damage. On a visit with him last Monday, he stated that I could resume running one month from the date of the surgery, so today marks the half way point in my rehabilitation and eventual return to running.

Needless to say, it has been difficult to remain patient. We have been experiencing great November weather, and races like the Harrisburg and Philadelphia Marathons have come and gone, without my participation.

So, the extent of my workouts have been daily walks (steps and hills remain a bit painful), and long hours in the gym.

But it's ok.

My knee, while a bit sore and stiff, continues to improve, and the ultimate goal is to slowly return to running, pain-free.

Oh, and not running means watching the calories. Toting some extra weight around when I do finally run again is something I don't need. Mounting a comeback is going to be tough enough. And Thanksgiving is two days away...Ugh!

There is certainly a great deal of apprehension when one attempts to return to running after a long layoff. Patience thus far has been important, but it will become even more critical as I begin the process of running again, as we runners have the natural tendency to do too much too soon.

So, I have set very modest goals. The old adage is, "It takes two days to come back from every one day missed."

That's true when you're young, but I'm not. I'm going to double that figure, and since I really haven't run in two months, well, the math is a bit staggering.

The sage-like lesson I can pass on to you is this: first, never ignore what your body is telling you. An ache in my left knee turned into a tear.

Why?

Because I ignored it, ran a 5-mile race the next day, and, well, the rest is history.

Next, go to a competent doctor, but always seek a second opinion.

Then, the rest is up to you.

It can be very frustrating.

I'm extremely frustrated.

But I'm half way there.

www.muldowneyrunning.net

DAY 3-DISCOVERY

I had my Howard Carter moment this morning.

"Who is Howard Carter?" you ask.

Back in 1922, Howard Carter both braved and survived the "Mummy's Curse," and discovered the tomb of Egyptian King Tut.

This morning, approximately 72 hours after my arthroscopic surgery to remove a damaged meniscus from my left knee, I went through with the "demummification" process of unwrapping the bulky bandage from my knee.

Needless to say, I was apprehensive.

My leg flexibility has been improving, and my pain has been minimal, but the site of the incisions, on both sides of the knee, has been tender, and has prevented me from fully flexing the leg.

To my great delight, when the unwrapping was complete, the knee was slightly swelled, and the incisions, although itchy, were clean.

It didn't take long before I began my stretching and flexibility exercises, which were much easier without the bandage, then I took off for a walk, which I bumped up to 3/4 mile today, at, of course, a faster pace than the previous two days.. (I simply couldn't resist using my GPS watch. Just a force of habit) Over the weekend I plan to walk a mile.

On Monday I visit my orthopedic surgeon, at which time he will direct me on how to proceed with my rehabilitation. Hunting season is coming up in a little over two weeks, and running, hopefully, will not be far behind.

In the meantime, to stave off boredom, I have been building up credits with my wife, as I welcome each and every household chore.

Today was a day of positive discovery.

Now it's off to do the laundry.

www.muldowneyrunning.net

APOLOGY

Thanks to several readers of this blog who informed me that my website, www.muldowneyrunning.com, is currently down.

I contacted the website people and they assured me that "95% of the complaint tickets are replied to within 24 hours!"

Well, I would like to hear "fixed," rather than "replied to."

It seems like the that's the nature of things today. You can rarely speak to a human on the telephone today. Often, if you do, there seems to be a language barrier.

Oh well, my apologies, but my promise to you.

When the website issue IS resolved, I will let you know, AND, we'll begin our Christmas specials on my books.

You'll see the lowest prices ever on running books that are written for you.

Happy running to all.

TRAINING WITH OUR (BEST) FRIENDS

We all recognize the healthy benefits of running.

Running improves our physical health. It makes us feel better mentally.

Running reduces our stress. It allows us to appreciate nature and the beauty that surrounds us.

Running affords us the opportunity to live longer, and to live a better quality of life.

Many of us enjoy running with our friends.

But what about our "best" friends?

They deserve, and often appreciate the opportunity to train, and sometimes race, with us.

So, if your dogs are runners (I guess all dogs are runners), if you'd like your dogs to become runners, or would like to train them properly to enter a race with you someday, you should follow the exploits of Guinness and Dory, on their Facebook community page, Road to Twilight. https://www.facebook.com/Road-to-Twilight-1624622337807090. There, the dogs hope to share their training journey to inspire others to run with their dogs and to highlight what issues may arise and how to manage them best for the dogs.

Guinness is an 8 year old Australian Working Kelpie, who hails from near Toowoomba in Queensland, Australia. He's been running with his "mom," a veterinarian, for pretty much all his life since he was old enough. He prefers the trails more than road running. His favorite food is chicken and his favorite place to be is on the couch cuddled up next to his mom. He has completed the Twilight Half Marathon twice, as well as a number of 5k and 10k fun runs. His doggie family include Cinnabar the Australian Cattle Dog (who has run two half marathons too, but at 10 years old now prefers the shorter distances) and two Whippets, Tiger and Sherbet, who have done a few 10k fun runs.

Dory is a 3 year old Dalmatian from New South Wales. He lives with Dougal the Jack Russell Terrier, who has participated in agility competitions and is a regular participant in park runs. She has also completed several 7km fun runs and is often cheered during a run with "Spotty Dog!"

On their Facebook page, the dogs hope to share their training journey to inspire others to run with their dogs and to highlight what issues may arise and how to manage them best for the dogs. Audrey, "mom" to these fine athletes, says, "As a vet, I've seen so many dogs improve their physical and mental health from running - one that really sticks in my mind is a dog with very severe separation anxiety who was so relaxed and happy after a 10k run! Those endorphins are just so good!"

Sounds like the effect that running has on all of us.

Running makes us feel good.

If you want to feel good about our best friends, visit Guinness' and Dory's Facebook page, https://www.facebook.com/Road-to-Twilight-1624622337807090.

You'll be inspired.

$1.99

It's difficult to buy a cup of coffee for $1.99 these days.

I may be a bit 'Old School,' (or maybe I'm just old) but I still like to turn pages when I read a book.

A lot of folks, however, appreciate reading books electronically, and I guess I can't say that I blame them. When I look at the great book bargains available by purchasing electronic versions, it makes sense to save reading money in order to buy that latte or a good craft beer.

If you go to Amazon, www.amazon.com (I love Amazon. I just picked u some kinesio tape last week), then check out amazon.com/author/joemuldowney, you can pick up a Kindle version of my latest book, 'Personal Best' for only $1.99.

Let me tell you, if you want to run faster this fall, read the chapter entitled 'Super Sevens,' and I can guarantee success.

There's plenty of good reading in 'Personal Best.' I was there when the tragic events went down at the 2013 Boston Marathon. I will never forget what happened and I try to convey the events to you in the opening chapter of the book.

So, I respectfully ask that you check out my Kindle version of Personal Best. And, hey, if you don't like it, come to Pottsville, Pennsylvania, we'll tour Yuengling, America's Oldest Brewery, and I'll buy you a cup of coffee.

Check out Personal Best, my first book, 'Running Shorts,' and my personal training programs at: www.muldowneyrunning.com

LAST CALL

Not everyone can afford a personal coach...or can they?

Visit my website: www.muldowneyrunning.com, and I'll personally coach you...FOR FREE!

You can also buy my books at Amazon: www.amazon.com and at Lulu: www.lulu.com. No free workout plan there, but you can check out my gigs at Fiverr. www.fiverr.com

Ok, what's the catch? There's always a catch.

The catch is that you purchase some great summer reading material, in the form of one of my books: Running Shorts, or Personal Best. Both offer a great deal of running advice in their own right, but when you purchase a book, which I'll personally sign for you, I'll design a six-week personalized training program, just for you.

Here's how it works.

Buy one of my books, at: www.muldowneyrunning.com, then scroll down to the 'Contact' form.

Tell me your racing or training goal. Give me a short description, including your age, approximate weight and fitness level, and we can get started. Then I'll create a six-week training plan just for you.

It doesn't matter if you want to train to lose weight, to return to running, to run your first 5K, half marathon, marathon, or anything in between. I'll write a program that will get you there.

Believe me, I've been there. I've been at this for 39 years. I've run a 2:22:54 marathon, and I've gone back to square one after tearing my hamstring in 2013.

So, don't wait. This promotion ends tomorrow, September 10.

Now you can run YOUR personal best...for free.

DOG DAYS

We may be approaching the "Dog days of summer," but fall racing season is rapidly approaching.

Are you still wondering why you can't break that seemingly impossible barrier?

Can't go under 25 minutes for the 5K?

That 3:30 marathon time slips from your grasp each time you attempt to break it.

"What am I doing wrong?" you ask.

Not everyone can afford a personal coach...or can they?

Visit my website: www.muldowneyrunning.com, and I'll personally coach you...FOR FREE!

You can also buy my books at Amazon and Lulu.com. No free workout plan there, but you can check out my gigs at Fiverr. www.fiverr.com

Ok, what's the catch? There's always a catch.

The catch is that you purchase some great summer reading material, in the form of one of my books: Running Shorts, or Personal Best. Both offer a great deal of running advice in their own right, but when you purchase a book, which I'll personally sign for you, I'll design a six-week personalized training program, just for you.

Here's how it works.

Buy one of my books, at: www.muldowneyrunning.com, then scroll down to the 'Contact' form.

Tell me your racing or training goal. Give me a short description, including your age, approximate weight and fitness level, and we can get started. Then I'll create a six-week training plan just for you.

It doesn't matter if you want to train to lose weight, to return to running, to run your first 5K, half marathon, marathon, or anything in between. I'll write a program that will get you there.

Believe me, I've been there. I've been at this for 39 years. I've run a 2:22:54 marathon, and I've gone back to square one after tearing my hamstring in 2013.

So, don't wait. This promotion will only last for a month. In August I'll be devoting my coaching time to my cross country runners at Penn State Schuylkill campus.

Now you can run YOUR personal best...for free.

 

TRAIN FOR FREE

We may be approaching the "Dog days of summer," but fall racing season is rapidly approaching.

Are you still wondering why you can't break that seemingly impossible barrier?

Can't go under 25 minutes for the 5K?

That 3:30 marathon time slips from your grasp each time you attempt to break it.

"What am I doing wrong?" you ask.

Not everyone can afford a personal coach...or can they?

Visit my website: www.muldowneyrunning.com, and I'll personally coach you...FOR FREE!

Ok, what's the catch? There's always a catch.

The catch is that you purchase some great summer reading material, in the form of one of my books: Running Shorts, or Personal Best. Both offer a great deal of running advice in their own right, but when you purchase a book, which I'll personally sign for you, I'll design a six-week personalized training program, just for you.

Here's how it works.

Buy one of my books, at: www.muldowneyrunning.com, then scroll down to the 'Contact' form.

Tell me your racing or training goal. Give me a short description, including your age, approximate weight and fitness level, and we can get started. Then I'll create a six-week training plan just for you.

It doesn't matter if you want to train to lose weight, to return to running, to run your first 5K, half marathon, marathon, or anything in between. I'll write a program that will get you there.

Believe me, I've been there. I've been at this for 39 years. I've run a 2:22:54 marathon, and I've gone back to square one after tearing my hamstring in 2013.

So, don't wait. This promotion will only last for a month. In August I'll be devoting my coaching time to my cross country runners at Penn State Schuylkill campus.

Now you can run YOUR personal best...for free.

BOGO BOOK EXCERPT

Memorial Day weekend, the unofficial kickoff of the summer season has passed, and now it's time to train, race, and relax in a big way.

If you're heading to the beach, the mountains, or to your favorite vacation spot, you could probably use some good reading material.

In a few weeks we'll celebrate Father's Day. Not sure what to get for dad?

Well, I have just begun the biggest sale and savings ever on my two books, Personal Best, and Running Shorts.

Go to: www.muldowneyrunning.com where you can buy one of the books, and receive the other ABSOLUTELY FREE. That's right. You can buy one for you and give the other to dad. Or keep both for yourself. Give one to the person who inspired you to begin training. Give one to your spouse, your son or daughter...well, you get the picture.

My first book, Running Shorts: A Collection of Stories and Advice for Anyone Who Has Ever Laced Up a Pair of Running Shoes, published in 2011, is a compilation of my experiences as competitive runner for 39 years, but many of these tales reflect experiences YOU have had during your years as a runner. As one of the Amazon reviewers stated, "It will make you laugh and it will make you cry." amazon.com/author/joemuldowney, A KIndle version of Personal Best is available on Amazon at the low price of $1.99.

Following is an excerpt from the opening chapter of Personal Best.

It is my account of the chilling events, as I witnessed them, at the tragic 2013 Boston Marathon.

WAS THAT THUNDER?

     A good day to run a marathon is usually a bad day to watch a marathon.

     That was not the case on April 15, 2013.

     The day broke with a deep blue sky; a chilly wind fluttered from the west, the air was arid.

     An endless procession of yellow school busses departed from the Boston Common to begin the journey along the Mass Pike to the village of Hopkinton, the center of the running world on Patriot’s Day.

     My morning began in an unusual manner. Preparing to run the Boston for the sixteenth time, my wife and I decided that, rather than deal with the crowds at the bus loading area, she would transport me to the athletes’ village, drive back to the train station in Needham, later assuming her spot near the finish line on Boylston Street.

     At the toll plaza, busses were lined up like yellow jackets at the hive, and despite some congestion, we reached the quaint, “Welcome to Hopkinton, Incorporated in 1715” sign by 7:30 a.m. In the forested area on the edge of town, placards nailed to the trees, bore the warning, “No Stopping Monday.” Between the words, “Stopping,” and “Monday,” was the image of a runner breaking the finish line tape.

     Within three blocks of the athletes’ village, all roads were barricaded, and as my wife and I exchanged farewells, an aching, empty feeling of loneliness enveloped me, even as I approached a small city of over 23,000 runners. I stood, motionless, for a few moments, as her car faded to a silver dot. On a magnificent mid-April morning, something didn’t feel quite right to me.

HAPPY...

The sun is shining brightly, the wind is calm, sweet aroma of home cooking fills my house.

It's a time of spring celebration.

A 5-mile run with a long-time friend, Eric Anchorstar, and the rest of the day will be spent with family.

Whatever you may celebrate: Easter, Passover, or just the arrival of renewed life that is brought by spring, from my family to yours, much health and happiness!

A PROUD TRADITION-THE GREATEST RACE

It began for me in 1978.

Having run my first marathon in the fall of 1977, I fell in love with the race itself. There's something about training for a marathon. It truly is an endeavor in which one gets out of it what one is able to put into it. There are no shortcuts, there are no excuses. Do the work or the marathon will humble you.

I quickly decided, after a marathon debut time of 2:49, that I wanted to run the Boston Marathon.

Over a span of five decades, I've run Boston sixteen times. In 1983, on one of those perfect race days we all experience on rare occasions, I ran my personal best marathon time, a 2:22:54, finishing eleven seconds behind Joan Benoit,  (Samuelson now) who set the women's marathon world record with a 2:22:43.

A back injury in 1981 sent  me to the Mass Pike, where I hitched a ride to the finish, and in the searing heat of the 2012 race, I bailed out at mile 18.

At the Centennial race in 1996, I participated on a team that finished second in the Master's Division.

The two 'Top 100' medals, along with the certificate memorializing my 1983 race adorn my wall, and are among my most prized running awards.

In 2013, I crossed the finish line in 3:04:13, began celebrating with my wife by quaffing a sip of Guinness, before terror struck the world's most iconic footrace.

Two torn hamstring tendons may prevent me from returning to the world's oldest marathon, but with two weeks until the 119th running of the Boston Marathon, I will share some of my memories of the race.

If you've run the Boston Marathon, you'll relate to many of my stories.

If you haven't run Boston, put it on your bucket list now,

There's no footrace like it in the entire world.

www.muldowneyrunning.com

E-I-E-I-O

In my first book, Running Shorts: A Collection of  Stories and Advice for Antone Who Has Ever Laced Up a Pair of Running Shoes, I penned a chapter entitled, 'E-I-E-I-O, in which I described some of my animal encounters along the roads over the years.

A friend sent me this picture today, and I'm happy to say that this is one encounter I'm very glad I've never had!

A LULU OF AN APRIL FOOL

April Fool's Day is tomorrow, and with an 'Alberta Clipper' poised to dump more snow, I'm hoping the weather gods are pulling a prank on us.

My publisher, Lulu, www.lulu.com, has a great sale going on for the next two days, and they're NOT joking. From now until April 2, Lulu is offering 25% off all print books, AND 50% off shipping.

Lulu has published both my books about running. They are books written by a veteran runner, for runners.

The cool thing about having written two books about running is that they are two contrasting works.

My first book, Running Shorts: A Collection of Stories and Advice for Anyone Who Has Ever Laced Up a Pair of Running Shoes, published in 2011, is a compilation of my experiences as competitive runner for 39 years, but many of these tales reflect experiences YOU have had during your years as a runner. As one of the Amazon reviewers stated, "It will make you laugh and it will make you cry."

Traveling the country, promoting my first book, prompted me to write, Personal Best, my second book, published in September 2014.

Runners told me what they wanted in a running book, and I tried to respond by writing a book that is instructive to runners of all ages and abilities.

Personal Best took a tragic turn in April 2013, soon after I crossed the finish line at the Boston Marathon. I devoted my first chapter, entitled "Was That Thunder," to the events, and my experiences of that day. I guarantee you, it is worth the read, and it is my fervent hope that I was able to capture the emotions of that fateful day in a manner in which every runner can relate.

If you would like read an electronic version of Personal Best, it is available for only $2.99 at Amazon, Lulu, iBooks, Nook, and Kobo.

You can visit my website: www,muldowneyrunning.com, and I will personally sign and send a book to you. You can go to Amazon, Barnes and Noble, or take advantage of the sale at Lulu, to purchase running books that will positively influence your future running efforts.

And, it doesn't end there!

Read the books and stay in touch. email me here, look me up on Facebook at: Joe Muldowney Running, or on Twitter at: rdrunnr00. Tell me about your running, ask me questions, discuss training or injury issues.

I love this sport, and I love runners.

Let's get to the finish line together.

RUNNING AND ONIONS

Another Arctic blast gripped our region yesterday. When I left for my run, the temperature read a very January-like 29 degrees. In the morning, a light blanket of ground covered the ground.

After five months of snow, and with April around the corner, it is my fondest hope that yesterday's dusting was our "onion snow."

Chances are, if you or your relatives are not from around these parts, you have no idea what I'm talking about.

After William Penn and the Quakers settled Pennsylvania in the late 1600s, Penn actually advertised his colony in Europe. The similar climate, terrain, and growing season appealed particularly to the Germans, who brought their efficient methods of farming to the hills of Pennsylvania.

Mistakenly called the "Pennsylvania Dutch," when they told the English settlers they hailed from Deutschland, they planted their early crops in March. One of the first crops to enter the ground was the onion crop. Hence, early-Spring snow has earned the moniker, "onion snow."

Now, I don't possess the farming skills of the Pennsylvania Dutch, (although my mother boasts German heritage), I usually try to plant onions in my garden around Saint Patrick's Day.

Not this year!

Today I ran my best five-mile workout since October. The temperature, only in the low 40s, was boosted by intense sunshine, and the sky took on a periwinkle blue hue. It was a great day to work outside, cleaning up winter's mess. I decided to prepare my garden for what I hoped would be an insertion of lettuce, broccoli, cauliflower, and, of course, spring onions, later this week. As I swung the pick into the ground, the point stuck, gripped by an icy claw. To my dismay, the ground is still frozen, so the onions will have to wait.


However, temperatures have begun to moderate, and for runners, the next few weeks should bring ideal training and racing temperatures before the summer heat descends upon us.

Take advantage of the April and May days of spring. As life renews itself around us, renew your commitment to training. Snow, ice, and frozen temperatures are gone or a while, and we've once again survived winter's wrath.

The onions may have to wait, but running season is in full bloom.