Back to Back Boston

April 21, 2015

markcheese“I will be running the Boston Marathon in April 2015 at the age of 50.”

That was my quote in my very first Boston or Bust 2015 blog back in November 2011.   I had run one marathon and had the bug to do another.  I wanted to do something BIG for my 50th.  And then along the way some terrorists reignited my passion to run Boston.  And then another thing happened; I got inspired in a whole new way being selected to joint the Melanoma Foundation of New England Running for Cover Boston Marathon team.  Back to Back Boston’s in 2014 and 2015.

The person in the picture with me during this year’s race at mile 17 is Mark Buckley.  He was matched with me this year as part of the Melanoma Foundation of New England’s (MFNE; www.mfne.org) Patient Match program.  Mark is fighting (and winning) Stage IV Melanoma.  And to see him at this point in the race wearing the cheesehead I had given him was just wicked awesome!  (Note: he says he got lots of strange comments from his fellow Pats fan runners passing by.  I can only imagine.)

I’ve learned many things along the way leading up to running this year’s Boston Marathon at age 50.  Most have been tips on training and running marathons and such.  But I have to say the highlight of these past two years has been my involvement with the MFNE and most recently making this new Boston friend and seeing him beat this disease.  On the Friday before heading up to Boston he texted me about a CT scan  and they said they had found a spot on his brain.  Needless to say, that is usually not good.  But today, he texted me the good news; the lesions on his brain were just prominent blood vessels in the scan.  And the tumor in his abdomen had shrunk another 24%.  I couldn’t be happier for Mark.  We’re going golfing this fall!

This year’s race was cold, rainy and windy.  I cramped like I’ve never cramped before.  But I was able to run with my running “guru” from my neighborhood – Patrice Combs.  She put up with my kind of pace (hers is like several minutes per mile faster) and my cramping.  And we finished together at the exact same time of 4:15:18.

I’ll probably be running Boston again and will most certainly be continuing to support the Melanoma Foundation of New England.  I want to thank each and every person who donated to this great cause.  I raised $17,287 this year and the team as a whole raised $362,347!  I’m so thankful to all of my friends, family and business sponsors equimedia and Orange Theory Fitness Alpharetta.

No more miles to go.  It’s the end of this goal and the end of this blog.  On to the next goal (just have to figure out what that is)…

Sincerely,

BOB (Paul)

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Boston Marathon 2015 – Coming Soon!

February 3, 2015

blogpostfeb2015

I just posted this on Facebook.  (So this may come across as a duplicate – but hey.)  I know I said I was done but I plan to write-up an “Epilogue” to this blog after this year’s race.  So honored to be supporting the Melanoma Foundation of New England again this year.  If you wish to be part of this feel free to donate at www.paulgourley.me which will redirect you to the donation site.  This group is amazing and continues to do all the right things to raise awareness, education and support in the fight against Melanoma.

Only a bunch of training (too many miles to count) and 26.2 miles to go…

Paul


Boston Marathon 2014

April 22, 2014

melanomateam2I ran the Boston Marathon!  Amazing.   Inspiring.  Sad.  Awesome.  Mission.  Accomplished.

And that’s it folks.  The show’s over.  Wally World is closed.  This is the end of the line for the Boston or Bust! blog.  I’ve been at this for a long time.  I documented my first marathon in Run. Fat Bastard.  Run.  (www.rfbr262.com).  Soon after I decided the next big goal had to be Boston.  In fact in my very first post in this blog in November 2011 I said “only 41 months and 26.2 miles to go…”.  That is how long I thought it would take between when I said I’d do it and April 2015.  Fate intervened and gave me the good fortune to join a charity team called Running for Cover raising funds and awareness for the Melanoma Foundation of New England.  It allowed me to obtain a bib number and run this year – 2014; the 118th running of the Boston Marathon.  My goal was running the Boston Marathon but by being part of the team raising awareness for Melanoma and funds for an organization that is doing incredible things I was given more than just the gift of the Boston Marathon; I was given the gift of establishing inspiring new friendships all over the country and the gift of giving back to this cause.  I am incredibly blessed.

I know most of these blogs have been a bit verbose so I thought you’d rather see the event in pictures and then I’ll summarize my thoughts at the end.

IMG_2229

Gourley family in front of the Green Monster and Advil sign (my new best friend after this race). Tribute night at the Red Sox game for the victims and first responders.

 

I was hoping they would drop the big flag again.  So awesome!

I was hoping they would drop the big flag again. So awesome!

 

Big Papi!  The Fenway announcer says "Remember last year when our Big Papi said this is our (something) city?"  He used the word something this time.  Not quite the same effect.

Big Papi! The Fenway announcer says “Remember last year when our Big Papi said this is our (something) city?” He used the word something this time. Not quite the same effect.

Bagpipes, UMASS Marching band, victims, medical staff, police and fire, volunteers, runners all on the field together.  Awesome and tear jerking moments throughout.

Bagpipes, UMASS Marching band, victims, medical staff, police and fire, volunteers, runners all on the field together. Awesome and tear jerking moments throughout.

Adding this one in honor of Team Running for Cover!  (on statue just outside of the gates of Fenway)  I bought a Red Sox hat and adopted them since I love Boston!  So long Braves...

Adding this one in honor of Team Running for Cover! (on statue just outside of the gates of Fenway) I bought a Red Sox hat and adopted them since I love Boston! So long Braves…

In honor of my wife and best friend and the Melanoma she had to have cut out of her right calf.

In honor of my wife and best friend and the Melanoma she had to have cut out of her right calf.

I can't tell you how many people confused the Packers with NC State along the race.  C'mon man!

I can’t tell you how many people confused the Packers with NC State along the race. C’mon man!

Walking to start in Hopkinton

Walking to start in Hopkinton

My running partner through the first half Nick.  He was so close to finishing last year (26 and change) but got to do it this year!  Congrats Nick!

My running partner through the first half Nick. He was so close to finishing last year (26 and change) but got to do it this year! Congrats Nick!

Wellesely girls at the midway point.  Tradition is to kiss them.  5 was my last count.  This killed my time and is where I lost Nick.

Wellesely girls at the midway point. Tradition is to kiss them. 5 was my last count. This killed my time and is where I lost Nick.

 

Holy Crap!  That was brutal.  26.2 miles done.  Boston Marathon 2014.  Might as well jump!

Holy Crap! That was brutal. 26.2 miles done. Boston Marathon 2014. Might as well jump!

I read one quote I very much agree with. “There’s never been a day like this, there’s never going to be another one. Might as well stay out here and enjoy it as long as possible.” – Amby Burfoot, the winner of the 1968 Boston Marathon.  I wish I could make yesterday groundhog day and we could do it over and over.  But there will never be a day like yesterday again.  It was inspiring, motivational, brutally hard (especially the not over-rated Newton Hills and where they come in the marathon) and just plain perfect.  And I got to share it with my wife Lynn, daughter Anne Marie and son Adam.  Perfect.  Since yesterday, my team has been busy sharing pictures and stories from the race with each other.  Some people blew away their PRs, some got injured and hobbled in and some just soaked it all in.  I would say I was in this last camp.  I ran a great first half marathon and then when I realized I was dead on time I just enjoyed it all.  (I should have listened to Bill!)  Kudos to the women I kissed, the kids I high fived, the Boston College kids who were leaning over the rails so far they might fall and SCREAMING c’mon Paul!!  But everyone finished this year.  Also perfect.

When we were flying up to Boston we sat next to Carri who had completed 25.5 last year and was returning to finish what she started.  She said (and I wrote it down) “To me there was so much more good that came out of that day [April 15, 2013 – last year’s bombings] than bad.”  So true.  I slowed down a bit (if I could go any slower) at each of the spots along Boylston and said a small prayer.  It was very emotional and to see the spirit of Boston come alive for all 26.2 miles was the best tribute of all.

Thank you to all my friends and family who came along for this ride.  Many joined in with the campaign for supporting the Melanoma Foundation of New England – and for that I was overwhelmed and grateful.  (FYI – we are now over $400K!).  And many joined along on my endless Facebook posts and e-mails.  I am sorry about that but I think after a while everyone got used to it and had fun with it (just like I did).  And on the day of the race I gave up trying to keep up with all the texts, e-mails and Facebook comments.  I have so many great friends and family and everyone realized how important this race was for all of Boston and all of America.  I thank you all for the comments, “Likes” and support!  You are all awesome!

Say.  Do.  This huge goal is complete.  The End.  No more miles to go.

Sincerely,

BOB (Paul)

 

 

 

 

 


Terrorists And Melanoma…Suck

April 9, 2014

flagbostonUnless you’ve been under a rock or are not my friend on Facebook you know I’m running the Boston Marathon on April 21st.  I’ll write about that amazing experience after the race.  But I thought I’d pause for one moment and write a bit about two of the reasons I’m running – Terrorists and Melanoma.  These might as well be the same word because they both suck.

Heroes

In just a few days the media will be talking about a moment last year we’d all like to forget but will always remember.  April 15 marks the one year anniversary of last year’s Boston Marathon bombing.    We’ve all read the stories and seen the horrific pictures.  And ever since being selected to be part of a charity team running this year’s Boston Marathon I bet I’ve recalled that day in my head and what those poor people went through a thousand times.  Instead of recalling the horror those bastards caused I thought I’d highlight a few of the hero stories I’ve since read.

There was a physician named Dr. Natalie Stavas who happened to run the entire marathon on a broken foot (injured in training) and who, after hearing the blasts, turned and ran some more – towards and not away from the people hurt.  She jumped the barricades and tended to the people on the ground not worrying about her own safety and ultimately saving many lives.

There were also the first responders.  Many of these were, fortunately, EMTs, doctors, nurses, firemen, police officers all trained to treat victims but who probably thought their day might consist of dehydration and possibly a cardiac arrest.  They all likely never expected what they experienced that day but all rose to the occasion without a second thought.

The marathon runners and Boston residents all jumped right in to help.  I remember watching the videos and what really struck me was how quickly EVERYONE ran to the aid of all the victims with no regard for a potential third bomb.

And the one who I originally pointed out in this blog series still sticks in my mind.  Carlos Arrendondo is the guy in the cowboy hat who was famously captured helping a victim, who had both legs blown off, get to medical attention.  I think he was even thought to have squeezed the artery as they raced to an ambulance to stop the bleeding.

I read a great quote in an article highlighting some of the “helper” efforts.  It was from a long time ago and from none other than Mister Rogers.  I’ve honestly never used a Mister Rogers quote in one of my blogs but he captured it perfectly:

“When I was a boy and I would see scary things in the news, my mother would say to me, ‘Look for the helpers. You will always find people who are helping.’ To this day, especially in times of disaster, I remember my mother’s words, and I am always comforted by realizing that there are still so many helpers – so many caring people in this world.” – Mister Rogers

I could go on and on.  There are literally a MILLION stories and it is worth reflecting a bit and taking stock in the goodness in all of us and particularly in the people of Boston.

Teammates

I have reflected on the tragedy and been saddened by the senseless terrorist act.  The acts of heroism have been the shining light from last year and the piece of that story that we should all remember.  On top of reflecting and reading all of these great stories I’ve had a double bonus.  I have become a member of one of the best teams I’ve been a part of in my life.  It is still going on but I’m already sad because I know it will be here and gone before I know it.  Soon I’ll be able to reflect on one of the best experiences I’ve ever had with a group serving a common purpose.

“There is no ‘i’ in team but there is in win.” – Michael Jordan said that (I think).  Well, my team Running for Cover who are raising awareness and funds to support the Melanoma Foundation of New England are all winners!  We’ve already raised more than $300K as a forty-four person team and even though we’re small in number (compared to the larger charities with hundreds of runners) we are actually on the front page of the leader board of all the Boston Marathon charities.  That is the competitive me speaking.  But really, I’m amazed and proud of all the charity runner’s efforts.  Collectively these charities will have raised more than $20M when it is all said and done.  I still can’t believe that number and the generosity of people everywhere.

I know everyone on the Running for Cover team was moved by last year’s events and everyone wants to run the Boston Marathon.  But most importantly I sense a real bond forming amongst the team members in just a few short month’s time.  Most of the team is from the New England area and have been slogging through the snow and ice doing their training runs.  And a few of us are spread out across the country in California, Texas and Georgia among other places slogging through the sunny and ice-free days doing our training runs.  Throughout the entire training period for a marathon you’ll always have ups and downs, injuries and such but I haven’t heard a peep out of this team about their issues (not even much about running 20 miles in the snow.)  Instead, what I’ve heard is an outpouring of how can we do more to raise even more awareness, raise even more money to support the foundation and most importantly how can we help our teammates through their efforts and personal tragedies.

There are many stories on my team but none more powerful to me than one woman who lost her 20-year-old son in January to Melanoma.  Many of us have become friends with her on Facebook and heard stories of her son and seen pictures of the good times they had.  But we’ve also had our hearts torn out listening to her pain as she grieves.  “Melanoma sucks.”  It is a common post on her behalf.  And she is so right.  To use another quote she sent me – “Melanoma is a sneaky bastard and moves through a body with a vengeance like I have never seen. People need to know about this disease.”  She has seen this “terrorist” first hand and what I admire is her passion to spread the word and to help others know how dangerous this disease can be.  I’m proud to call her a teammate and fired up to run with her in person at Boston.

If you go to my donation site (http://www.crowdrise.com/mfneboston2014/fundraiser/paulgourley) and click on any of my teammate’s stories you’ll read the story of  others who have had loved ones die from Melanoma along with those who’ve survived and are now helping raise awareness and funds.  Take a moment to do so and I promise you’ll walk away with a different perspective and might even create a blog of your own to spread the word (and you might even quote Mister Rogers; or not; but maybe).

I’ve had an overwhelming outpouring of support and I thank you all for all of your donations and kind words during this Boston Marathon “run”.  You’d be surprised how many friends and neighbors we all know have been impacted by Melanoma as well.  I know I’ve over-posted and you’re probably ready for April 22nd (the day after the marathon) to be here.  But hopefully I have given you some new insights on this horrible disease and you’ll soon be breaking out the SPF 50 (or higher).

One more blog post and we’ll call it a day for BOB.

Only 11 days (wow) and 26.2 miles to go…


Sochi-see

February 7, 2014

vladSo cheesy.  That is this picture of me and Vladimir Putin in front of the Red Square in Moscow.  Ok, it is a fake Vladimir.  But it is a real me.  It was a toss-up between Vlad and Stalin.  I chose Vlad since he is like a Russian Jack Bauer (former KGB and all).

I love the Olympics.  And so I thought why not write a little bit about my favorite parts of the Winter Olympics and this year’s Sochi games.  Here’s my favorites (so far):

Slopeside Snowboarding – this is a NEW event this year for the Olympics.  X Games has made it to prime time. When I come back in my next life I no longer want to be a Golden Retriever.  I want to be like this guy in this picture.  And my board will have Awesome on the bottom too!

Next life.

Next life.

Jamaican Bobsled Team – Who doesn’t love the Jamaican Bobsled team?  I have a friend who has a half USA half Jamaica flag as her profile picture.  I’d like to be 1/2 from Jamaica too.  It is just a happy-go-lucky country and they win the gold for looking like they are having the most fun.

Ya Mon

Ya Mon

Scott Hamilton – this guy cracks me up almost as much as Will Ferrell.  He LOVES his figure skating sport and his passion comes through in his announcing.  But I can’t get the SNL and Blades of Glory skits out of my head (he was in BOG).  So…I used to not watch figure skating but because of Scott I’m now a fan.  He makes me laugh.  I love it.  (And by the way – he’s a great humanitarian.  He has gone through a lot with cancer and continues to be one of the top supporters for various causes including the Paralympics and the Make a Wish Foundation where  he was named the first ever Celebrity Wish Granter of the Year.)

Kudos

Kudos

Toilets – My extended family (mother-in-law, brother-in-laws) run plumbing businesses up in Wisconsin.  And so, I do get a kick out of any toilet related humor.  I feel bad for the folks of Sochi but unfortunately this toilet humor and their Olympics will forever be linked in my mind.  The truth is they’ve had many issues which became public via the Twitterverse.  I posted one image on FB of a hotel that tells you to not flush toilet paper (nasty) so I won’t repeat that.  But here are several others that were very good in my opinion.

Innovative conference room idea.

Innovative conference room idea.

Just in case you thought about fishing in the toilet...don't do it.

Just in case you thought about fishing in the toilet…don’t do it!

People are very creative.

People are very creative.

Skin Cancer Prevention Tips:  Many of you have been bombarded by my personal “campaign” to raise funds in support of the Melanoma Foundation of New England (http://www.crowdrise.com/mfneboston2014/fundraiser/paulgourley).  Hopefully there has not been duplication of “ads” but I do want to get the word out not only about my participation in this year’s Boston Marathon on Team Running for Cover but also about the things you can do to help prevent Melanoma.  Here’s a few new tips and a link at the bottom if you’d like to help support my efforts.  Thank you.

  1. Being a white male over the age of fifty
    Although people of any race and age can get melanoma, people in this demographic are at particularly high risk for getting and dying of melanoma.  In this group, melanomas are most common on the back.  However, pay particular attention to moles on the scalp, since melanomas on the scalp have a higher mortality rate than elsewhere, because they are usually diagnosed when they are thicker and deeper.
  2. Having other family members who have had a melanoma
    Melanomas often run in families.  The more family members you have with melanoma, the higher your risk.  Some of the genes that occur in people with familial melanoma have been identified and can be tested for, but many patients who have family members with melanoma have no gene problem that can be tested for.  Most melanomas are easy to stop if caught soon enough — all it takes is a yearly skin exam.  Go find a dermatologist and just do it.
  3. Use sunscreen!

http://www.crowdrise.com/mfneboston2014/fundraiser/paulgourley