Step 1 Complete – RunAPalooza
The first phase of my 2019 Ironman journey is complete! Yesterday, we ran RunAPalooza – which is a relay marathon that starts in Seaside Heights and ends in Asbury Park. The 26.2 miles is covered by (typically) 5 people who run distances ranging from 3.7 to 6.1 miles. My contribution was Leg 2 of the marathon – from Brick Beach to Pt. Pleasant, covering 6.01 miles.
I learned about RunAPalooza 5 years ago from Manolo Teijelo – as in most things in life, I met him randomly at a local business event and we found out we were both runners. He was hoping to start a team for RunAPalooza that year and wanted to know if I was interested. I said I was, and that was the beginning of a friendship that continues to this day. Of course, Manolo couldn’t just stop at 1 team. He now runs four teams at RunAPalooza and we have 20 “Manolo Maniacs” running around! Manolo’s passion and energy are contagious and I truly enjoy doing this event and meeting all of Manolo’s friends each year.
For the first time, I ran in an all Men’s team – in fact, we were all over 40, so we were in the Men’s Masters group. Dana, Lito, Yakov
Best of all, I felt really strong for my leg. I averaged a 7:46, which is my best pace in over 7 years, and I finished strong, which I usually do not. I did each mile in under 8 minutes and I did the last mile in 7:31! I was really happy with my result and it was a great leadup to the Half Marathon I’m doing next weekend with my daughter Naomi.
Final note – I personally raised over $2,000 for Special Olympics so far, and our team raised well over our $5,000 goal! I am most proud of this and cannot thank my friends, family, co-workers and supporters enough for all your generosity. I’m not entirely sure how long the support page will stay open, but my plan is to keep it open for as long as possible in 2019 until I successfully complete the Ironman in September. If you’d like to contribute to Special Olympics and support my efforts this year, please do!
Here’s my racing schedule for the rest of 2019 (with a new added event on Mother’s Day:
4/14/2019 – Rutgers Half Marathon (13.2 miles, with Naomi)
5/12/2019 – Run the Hook (Naomi/Scott doing a 5 mile, Andrea doing the 5K)
5/25/2019 – Spring Lake 5 (5 mile run – with Andrea for the first time!)
5/26/2019 – Navesink or Swim (2.4 miles, with Naomi and our friend David)
6/9/2019 – Eagleman Half-Ironman (Maryland) –
7/21/2019 – NJ Olympic Triathlon (1500 yard swim,
9/28/2019 – Maryland Ironman (Maryland) –