Mike's Marathon Blog

Sunday was the first Miles for Miracles team event. It was at the Marriott Hotel in Newton right smack in the middle of the Patriot’s game. Luckily I missed the entire game. The purpose of the event was to give everyone a chance to meet some of the other runners, the coaches, the staff and some of the patients that we’re running for. There must have been 250 people there. There were different booths to visit, games for the kids and a pretty impressive food display.

I wasn’t exactly sure what to do regarding the food buffet. Normally I see a buffet and immediately put my game face on, especially when it’s free! I think I was at my seat for a mere 5 seconds when my eyes caught sight of the separate room filled with dozens of stainless steel buffet servers. There were so many amazing items to choose from including coconut chicken, pigs in a blanket, mozzarella sticks, cheese and crackers, fruit with chocolate dipping sauce and much more. I grabbed my plate and was just about to load it up with popcorn shrimp when I realized……..I think they’re watching me! This was a test! A test to see which one of the runners is fully committed to this team. Which runner will eat the most fried stuff with cheese? Which runner will cover their entire plate with potato skins and then douse each one with sour cream? Who will dare to actually dip their sliced strawberries in chocolate sauce?

I had 3 small pieces of coconut chicken and some pineapple. I hope they’re happy!

Sitting at our table was a nice couple with their 2 daughters. The dad ran Boston last year and the mom is running this year. I was somewhat confident in telling them that I had a few half marathons and a few triathlons under my belt. My confidence plummeted to the floor once they started listing their athletic achievements. The nail in the coffin was when the 8-year old daughter told me about the triathlons she had completed. The 5-year old even did a few! Who are these people, The Incredibles!?

After about an hour of mingling, a few folks spoke from the Miles for Miracles organization including one of the coaches. Next to the podium were the special guest speakers: Dick and Rick Hoyt. The Hoyts are Boston Marathon icons. They have completed 67 marathons including 27 Boston Marathons. What shocked me the most was finding out they have finished 6 Ironman traithlons! Are you kidding me? To date, they have competed in more than 1,010 events worldwide. Absolutely unbelievable.

They showed about a 5 minute video of clips from many of their races. I’m not gonna lie, I had to fight back a few tears. I included a link to the YouTube version. It’s not very clear, but check it out if you get a chance. It’s probably the most inspirational video I have ever seen. Around the 1:35 mark is where Dick Hoyt swims 2.5 miles and then carries his son to the bike, where they will ride 112 miles and follow that up with a 26.2 mile run. By the way, he’s 69-years old! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xUQeUsqQuVc

I have actually been in the same triathlon as them before. It’s almost unbelievable until you witness it firsthand. My dad was talking to Mrs. Hoyt for awhile during the race. He asked her if Dick sleeps all afternoon when they get home. She said “please…..he’ll go home and mow the lawn.”

It was 26 degrees when I left the house at 6:30 this morning. I ran 3 miles and dodged patches of ice the entire time. It was cold. Then I thought…….Dick Hoyt would have ran with his shirt off. Suck it up!