My Marathon Experience
All my life I’ve been watching the Boston Marathon from the sidelines. When I was a child I would go to Wellesley Center to watch the runners with my family. When I was in college I’d bike from Bentley University to Boston College to watch. After Bentley I’d watch the runners on Beacon Street. Each and every year I told myself I’d run. This year was it.
I started training in the wintry cold of January and after a month and a half started experiencing IT Band issues. Not wanting to quit, because of all the money my friends and family had donated Accelerated Cure Project to find a cure for MS to support me I went to physical therapy 2x a week for the month leading up to the race.
Come race day I was feeling good; the energy that morning was incredible and I was thinking positive thoughts, expecting a great run. I was no longer focused on time, but on finishing.
The start of the race was incredible. The crowds along the route are amazingly energetic and fun. You run by a biker bar with singers alone the road, a sign that says, “Short-cut here”, which you hope is true, and then you get to Wellesley. Running through Wellesley was fantastic - SO much energy. Without thinking about it, my pace increased while I gave high fives to every girl cheering me on! After Wellesley College my family was waiting for me in Wellesley Center. I was feeling so good I stopped to say a quick hello - it was great seeing them.
Going into mile 14 it happened. My knees caved; seeming to be refusing to go on. Because of my injury my longest run leading up to the race was 13 miles with very little training the month before the race.
From mile 14 until mile 22 there were many points where I thought about giving up. I would run or walk past a med. tent and question going in to see if I could get a ride home. I looked longingly at the T on Beacon Street as it beckoned, “Get in” from it’s Cleveland Circle Station. No, I had to keep going.
Thankfully, I made it to Brookline where my friends were waiting for me. Upon getting there they began running with me getting the crowds on the sidelines riled up. It was an incredible feeling having the people on both sides of the road cheering for me. I couldn’t stop! After 3 miles with the Citgo sign in sight I made THE turn onto Boylston Street and there it was; the finish line was in sight! I went into a sprint. (A sprint in my mind anyway - it may not have been very fast at all, but at that point it seemed it.)
Then it happened. This is why people get addicting to running marathons. When you cross that finish line after 26.2 miles you experience one of the best feelings in your life. It’s over. You did it! The wonderful volunteers wrap you up in a marathon foil and rest the medal on your neck and you want to collapse being the happiest person in the world at that point in time.
As I write this post, a few days after the race, I find it unbelievable, but I’m already thinking about giving it another go next year. Hopefully next year I won’t have an injury. Next year I will beat my time!
To anyone who has said, “I want to run the marathon some day,” but hasn’t, you should. Let me tell you that you can do it and should do it! Start today, this weekend is going to be beautiful. Wake up early and get out there and run!
I’ll see you out there!
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I want to give a sincere thank you to everyone who helped me prepare for this marathon. Thank you to all my friends and family who donated to the Accelerated Cure Project to help find a cure for MS on my behalf. (Today we have raised an incredible $3,884.00, only $1,116.00 short of the $5,000 goal. ) Thank you to everyone who gave me tips on how to prepare for the race. Thank you to everyone who trained with me on those long runs. It was all this incredible support from all of you that enabled me to do this.
If you wanted to donate but didn’t have the chance or want to donate more there is still time for us to reach the goal of $5,000. Your help is much appreciated http://expansion.acceleratedcure.org/jobeymarathon
Qik | Cort Johnson | Boston Marathon - Justin Obey socialbostonsports.com Finish
The last four miles of the marathon. Thank you to everyone who ran with me!
24 Hours Until I Run the 2009 Boston Marathon: A Reflection
There are less than 24 hours until the 2009 Boston Marathon! There are 24 hours until thousands of people flock to the marathon route to watch. There are 24 hours until all us runners get our victory lap!
When I first decided to run the marathon back in January I was excited to have the means to raise money to help find a cure for Multiple Sclerosis. I was also excited to be able to have the chance to fulfill a lifelong goal. Since I could remember, I’ve spent Marathon Monday on the route with friends and family cheering on the runners. Every year I’ve said I’m going to run the marathon. Tomorrow will be the first time I will have fulfilled my goal!
So how am I feeling? What does it feel like to know that in just 24 hours I’ll be running 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Boston with about 26,000 other runners?
It feels great! It’s exciting and nerve-racking. It’s energizing. I’ve heard of race day being described as a ‘victory lap’ but I didn’t entirely understand why. Today, I get it; tomorrow already feels like a victory lap. I’m stoked of the idea of running tomorrow and hearing the roar of the crowds at Wellesley and BC. I can’t wait to see friends and family along the route.
However, at this point I’d recommend anyone who has said, I’m going to run the Boston Marathon next year,” to go through with it! Follow whatever it is that drives you and take that first step.
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Help me reach my goal in raising $5,000 for MS - http://expansion.acceleratedcure.org/jobeymarathon
T-10 Days Until the Boston Marathon!
Hey all!
I can’t believe that in less than two weeks the marathon will be here! It’s been over 3 months since I decided to do this. When I started out my legs hurt after just a few miles. Today, my legs hurt after 15 miles. 
Whatever, come race day, I’ll be ready to run this thing!
Thank you so much for all your tremendous support. Thank you for the awesome comments you’ve made on my fundraiser page and my event wall. Thank you for the emails and the kind words of support. Thank you for donating money to helping to fight MS. And thanks to my training partners. You all have no idea how much your support has helped me through this. Without it, I don’t think I’d be going through PT to run this.
Lastly, I’m just a little over one thousand dollars away from my fund raising requirement of $5,000. IF you can, please consider donating to fight MS. My website is: http://expansion.acceleratedcure.org/jobeymarathon
Thank you again for all of your support, and for considering donating to this amazing cause. See you on April 20th!
-Justin
Find That Something that Drives You!
In today’s go-go-go lifestyle it seems like everyone is running around trying to keep their head above water. Lately, (and it kills me) I’ve had a few back-and-forth emails with friends trying to schedule a time to catch up, only to find out that the earliest we can meet is weeks away. The key to maintaining a full and active life is not to give things up, but to balance it all.
You don’t want to look back on your life 50 years from now and realize that your great success has cost you your life. Making time for friends and family is very important. Making time for you is also very important.
For instance, I make it a point to make time for myself through my running, and my most recent hobby; photography. Even if it’s only thirty minutes here and there, it’s important. Through my love of photography I read and draw inspiration from Chase Jarvis. Chase is a professional photographer out in Seattle and maintains an excellent blog. (http://www.chasejarvis.com)
Recently I watched an excellent video on his blog called, “Laura’s Story.” It’s a great video that reminded me that you’ve got to make time for the things in life that you’re passionate about. Thanks Chase!
What are you passionate about?
Soxology: Very cool gear for the upcoming Sox Season
There are many great things about living here in Boston, but come Spring time there’s one thing that towers above the rest; the Red Sox! (And, yes, on April 20th you’ve got one of the best races in the country; the Boston Marathon.)
Being a part of Red Sox Nation is one of the best things about living here in Boston. Whether our team is doing good or bad we’re all in it together routing for them! It’s great.
Over the years we’ve had some very cool additions that have allowed us to enjoy and celebrate our love for the Red Sox even more. Bleacher Bar has opened it’s doors allowing patrons to see inside Fenway Park from their table while they grab a bite to eat or a cold drink. We also now have Soxology!
Soxology could be called the unofficial gear of the Red Sox for every Sox fan here in Boston and around the country! I’ve personally own a Soxology t-shirt and love it!
Recently, I spoke with my friend Jackye, the founder of Soxology, about the Boston marathon because I’m running it and she’s very active and into marathon’s and triathlons. I told her that I’m running it to raise $5,000 for Multiple Sclerosis under the banner of the Accelerated Cure Project. After our conversation she has decided to offer you and all your friends an incredibly generous deal, which will support me and my efforts to help the Accelerated Cure Project beat MS.
For every Soxology t-shirt, sweatshirt, or hat you buy Soxology will donate 20% towards the Accelerated Cure Project and give you 20% off your purchase when you use the code “OBEY”! You can buy everything securely at www.Soxology.com.
Thanks in advance for supporting the cause - lets see how much we can raise together!
If you want to donate directly here is the link: http://expansion.acceleratedcure.org/jobeymarathon
The Boston Breakers
[Video Credit: Jake Duhaime]
Restaurant Week in Boston
Living An Active Lifestyle doesn’t simply entail enjoying the city’s nightlife, playing sports, or going on adventures. Living An Active Life is about balance and it wouldn’t be complete without some fine dining.
It’s restaurant week here in Boston! If you haven’t already gone out to experience this, do it this Friday. It’s also happening next week March 22-27, 2009. For a full listing of participating restaurants visit www.bostonusa.com.
What’s restaurant week you ask?
Restaurant week is one of the best two weeks in Boston if you love food and enjoy trying new places on the cheap. During restaurant week, restaurants throughout Boston open there doors offering a specialized menu where three course lunch prices are $20.09 and three course dinners are $30.09.
This is your chance to dine at some of the most exclusive restaurants in Boston - there is no other time you can go to places like L’Espalier and get a three course lunch for only $20.09.
Social Boston Sports Celebrates 2 Years!
If you don’t already have plans tonight (March 7th) come on by to Felt’s 4th floor at 8:00PM and join us at Social Boston Sports (SBS) in celebrating 2 years of incredible fun!
It’s been a great two years playing kickball, dodgeball, soccer, softball, flag football, cornhole, going skiing, skydiving, white water rafting, and partying with fellow young professionals throughout Boston and we want you there there to celebrate with us!
We’re giving away hundreds of dollars in door prizes including shirts from Soxology, 10 Varsity Cards, and lift tickets to Sugarloaf. Additionally, we’ll have music and dancing with the help of DJ E Devious and SBS Birthday Cake!
Get your tickets here for only $10!
**IF you already have purchased a Varsity Card you’ll enjoy a VIP reception sponsored by Perfect Vodka from 8:00-9:00.
Don’t have a Varsity Card? Get one today here.