New York Road Trip

Travel day is here.  Normally I would not find a nine hour car ride a lot of fun, but today is going to be even more challenging.  The weather!  Tons of wind and rain to travel through today, but my 80 year old Father will be waiting my arrival once I cross the state line into NY.  That will get me through it!

I worked extremely early in the morning the last few days, so I didn’t get a lot of sleep.  Last night I went to bed fairly early, to try to catch up before my journey begins in a few hours.  What’s left?  All of my packing.  Not just race packing, but vacation packing.  Packing for being gone nearly a week.  My plan is to be out the door in about two hours.  Yep, waiting for rush hour to be over before heading out on my way north.

Regardless of my long drive today, I am very excited.  This trip, this race, has been a long time in the making.  I still can’t believe that I am actually running the New York City Marathon this Sunday.  An epic race, represented by runners from 139 countries around the world.  Should a 45 year old man be this giddy about running a race?  Eh, I don’t care if it seems odd, but I am truly excited abut it.

I really owe a lot of thanks to my charity partner, the James Blake Foundation, as they are the real reason I am running this race.  They accepted me onto their charity team back in February, and I have been fundraising for them ever since.  Quite a long journey, and an unfamiliar one at that.  I have never been on a charity team before, or even raised money for anything other than selling cookies or booster stickers for little league when I was 8 or 9 years old.  This has truly been a unique experience.  Challenging, and unique.  I’ve have learned that it’s not easy convincing people to part with their hard earned money.  I guess it’s about being relentless in driving a cause that you feel passionate about.  But, I am passionate about this charity, and running.

Setting a goal of $3,000 to fundraise over the course of several months was my top priority.  As of the moment of this post, I have raised $2,311.  Yes, I am just $689 away from my goal, with the help of these amazing folks!

That’s the back of my charity team race shirt that I will be wearing this Sunday during the race.  *hint, hint, there’s still tons of room for more names.  I haven’t even started putting names on my sleeves yet!

So, now that I have exactly two hours before leaving home, one more shout out and push for donations. Don’t worry, just because I am leaving home, you still have time to donate.  Plus, I am taking my markers with me, so that I can put your name on my shirt even at the last minute before heading to the start line on Sunday.  Here is the link to donate.  100% of donations go directly to the James Blake Foundation supporting cancer research.

Thanks everybody, and see y in New York!

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

In a NY state of mind

Yep, it’s pretty much all I can think about.  The race next Sunday, wait, this Sunday.  The race is this week!  Six days away!  Right, like I said, it’s pretty much the only thing on my mind.

Still have a ton to do leading up to the race.  Slowly but surely I have been working on my race shirt.  Since I am running for the James Blake Foundation, I have a charity shirt to race in.  Want a sneak peak?  It’s a work in progress, and I have about 20 more names to add to the back.  As promised, any donor who has made a donation gets their name on my shirt.  Hers what it looks like so far.

So there’s that.  The emails, and communications have been increasing, and I expect a ton more since it’s now RACE WEEK!  The Marathon App is to be released this week, so folks all around the globe can track me during my race.  Will be looking for that communication today.  It will show me as a tiny blip on the race course so that all of my adoring fans can meet me at appropriate places at the right times in a crowd of over a million spectators.

Can you see me?

As far as the week goes, I still have a ton to do to get ready for my trip.  This isn’t some easy, quick trip either.  It involves about 20 hours in the car, over the course of about a week.  Packing, not only for the race itself is key.  Lots of weather variables.  I am actually glad that I am driving, because it will allow me to pack more of what I might need, and not have to worry about luggage constraints.

So, yeah, I have a meeting time with Staten Island in less than a week.  It’s going to be epic, and a journey I will document in pictures and words along the way.  Can barely contain my excitement!

Oh, and there’s still time to donate to my charity partner.  I still haven’t met my fundraising goal, so please consider a donation today, or sometime this week.  I’ll take my markers with me on my trip so you’ll still get your name on my shirt right up until Saturday night.

You can donate here:

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

Thank you so much for being a part of my journey to New York.  Many updates to come throughout the week!

Fundraising Friday -NYC Marathon 9 days away

We’ve just crossed into taper madness mode.  We are now in the single digits of the countdown to the 2015 New York City Marathon.

I haven’t been running my whole life, but I’ve been running long enough now.  Over five years competitively.  Well, running became a passion of mine five years ago.  Each year the New York City Marathon has been run since I became passionate about the sport, I’ve always been envious of those runners.  I mean, who wouldn’t want to run this amazing marathon?  The biggest in the world.

I finally get my chance, and it’s just nine short days away!

Its also Fundraising Friday.  The final push to reach my fundraising goal.  I still need all the help I can get to fully fund my charity partner with my pledge.

Today I start writing the names of all of my donors on my charity team shirt.  If you’ve donated already, watch for upcoming posts, as I will post pictures of my race shirt, and you can see your name.  If you haven’t donated yet, there’s still time.  You can make a donation in any amount you wish from $10 and up.  Every dollar helps in the fight to treat cancer patients. Please consider a tax deductible donation today.  I thank you!  The following link will take you directly to my fundraising page on Crowdrise.

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

And to all of the other runners out there running for a reason, happy Fundraising Friday!

10 days til @nycmarathon

Only one race remains on my 2015 running calendar, and it’s a big one!  It truly has been another epic year of running for me, and I get to cap it off with another of the six marathon majors in just 10 days!

Yes, the New York City Marathon is quickly approaching.  Deep into taper mode at this point, it’s really all now about the planning.  Logistics and mental preparedness.  The body is ready.  Legs have recovered from Chicago, and the only things that remain for me before the race are a few short runs, and a road trip to New York.

Tomorrow is my last day off from work until I leave on my NY journey next Wednesday.  I plan on getting my race shirt emblazoned with the names of my charity donors.  It’s not too late to donate.  I still have not hit my fundraising goal, so with any donation to my charity partner, the James Blake Foundation, your name will be proudly inscribed on my shirt!  Your thoughtfulness will get permanently written on my shirt so that you too, will get to run the streets of NYC with me.

Click on the following link to be taken directly to my fundraising page on Crowdrise, where you can make a donation in any amount with just a few clicks.  Thank you so much for your help in the fight against cancer.

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

Because of the fact that I am going to absolutely slay this race, I have been placed into Corral 1, right along with all of the Professional men.  Yep, starting with the likes of Meb Keflezghi.  Yes, he is my special friend and inspiration.

I gest.  Yes, we’ve clearly met, but I doubt I’ll even see him on race day.  Only in my dreams could I run as fast as he can.  :). I do, however, plan on giving this race my all.  I will be running with inspiration.  Running for my charity partner.  Running for those suffering with cancer.

So, as the countdown to New York continues, tomorrow we enter the single digits.  It’s all becoming very real.  The countless hours I’ve spent fundraising, the countless hours pounding the pavement will all culminate as I line up on the Verrazano-Narrows Bridge at 9:50am for a three hour plus run through the streets of New York City.  I couldn’t be more excited!  It all begins in just ten days.

Mini Trump

So, what is your opinion of Donald Trump vying for the Republican nomination for President of the United States?  Do you think this is really a good idea for America?  Do you think it’s a complete joke?

Somehow he is still leading in the polls.  Yep, the front runner.  Say what you will about it, but I guess the red states see something in this man that screams “head honcho”, “leader”, “best of the worst”.  Whatever your opinion is, I think a lot of people, including myself, find him entertaining.

Entertainer, yes.  Celebrity, for sure.  Business guru, absolutely.  Billionaire, no question.

This man has a ton of money.  Just saying the word “trump” now means way more than a term in a card game.  Say trump, and it means money.  Opulence.  Wealth.

Now let me turn to this….  We need billionaires to share the wealth.  Haven’t you ever thought that?  What could I do with an extra $10,000 in my bank account?  How many bills could I pay off if a billionaire gave me just $5,000 out of the kindness of his or her heart?  Plenty!  I just need a small windfall, and I wouldn’t even use the money on myself.  I would use it first to fully fund the charity I am working with.  Really, I don’t need that much to fully fund it.  $970 to be exact.

I need a Mini Trump!

I need just a fraction of what this man is worth.  In order to fulfill my charity obligation to the James Blake Foundation, I just need like .00000097 of your fortune, Mr. Trump.  Does it help that I have been a fan of The Celebrity Apprentice?

I just need a Mini Trump!

Who doesn’t find this adorable?

Will you be a part of my Mini Trump Fund?  I am so close to my goal, and with only 31 days until the New York City Marathon, I need donors, both big and small.  Every dollar helps and goes directly to the fight against cancer.  Every dollar furthers research in gene mutations to effectively treat cancer.  Won’t you please help today?  $20, $30, $50?  $100?  Or more?  Just know that I appreciate all of the donations I have received to date.  I have raised $2,030 thus far, but need your help to reach $3,000 or even higher.

I am using the crowdrise fundraising platform, and making a donation is as simple as a few clicks.  Just click on the following link and it will take you directly to my fundraising page where you will be able to make your thoughtful contribution, and get your name written on my race shirt.  That way, you will be running through the five boroughs of NYC right along with me.

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

Thank you so much!

$25 a day and a New York City Marathon Experience

Most of you know, if you’ve read previous posts on my blog, that I am running the New York City Marathon this November 1st.  There are a bunch of 1st’s for this race, and here are a few.

-My first time running for charity

-My first marathon in the state of New York

-The first marathon my Father will be a spectator at

-The first time both of my parents will get to see me cross the finish line

-My first time in NYC since 9/11

Race day is getting SO close!  Only 41 days remain until I toe the line in Staten Island and make my way through the five boroughs of New York.  The excitement is certainly building.  This race is so iconic.  Epic!

I’m glad I decided to run this marathon for charity.  Let me tell you though, it has probably been more of a challenge though to raise the $3,000 I pledged than for me to run the actual race.  As NYC will be my 22nd marathon!  I’m so glad for this experience though, as my fundraising is helping cancer patients.  The research being done at Memorial Sloan Kettering Hospital in NYC is being directly helped by the donations that all of my donors have made thus far.  I still have just over a third of the monies pledged to raise, and I need all of your help.

With just 41 days remaining until race day, that equates to an average donation of $25 a day that I need folks like you to donate to my fundraiser to hit my goal by race day.  If you could find it in your heart to donate, I would be ever so grateful.  All of the money goes to the James Blake Foundation.  Every last dollar.  I paid for my own entry into the race, so rest assured, the money you donate directly impacts the lives of those suffering from this debilitating and deadly disease.  Please donate today.  The following link will take you directly to my fundraising page where you can make a tax deductible donation in any amount you wish.

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

What would also be a huge help in reaching as many folks as I can is if you would share this post on your own blog, or link to it on your own social media outlets.  I would love to exceed my goal before race day! Thank you for all of your support, encouragement and love!  I will be running New York for all of you!

James Blake Tackled by NYPD

What is this world coming to?  Almost every day we hear stories of misconduct by police officers.  When will it stop?

Abusing power, abusing authority.  Brutal beat downs, senseless killing.

Can you name a few?

Just pull up an article on police shootings, or brutality in recent years.  So many unarmed citizens have had to pay the ultimate price at the hands of the police.  I am not a judge, nor jury, but people are up in arms over the way hundreds of incidents have been handled by police in recent years.  In the age of technology, dash cams, vest cameras, etc., so many of these are now caught on video telling a story so different than what the cops say.

The latest involves the man whose foundation I am raising money for.  James Blake was slammed to a Manhattan sidewalk and handcuffed by a white cop in a brutal case of mistaken identity.  This all taken from the NY Daily News, James suffered a cut to his left elbow and bruises to his left leg as five plain clothes cops eventually held him for fifteen minutes yesterday outside the Grand Hyatt Hotel.  Blake told the Daily News that it was definitely scary and definitely crazy.  “In my mind there’s probably a race factor involved, but no matter what there’s no reason for anybody to do that to anybody.”

Blake said none of the cops identified themselves, and later when a former cop recognized who he was, was released.  The first cop involved never apologized to him for the takedown.  An investigation will surely ensue, and the latest I’ve read is that the officer that took James down has been placed on desk duty.

Just Google James Blake NYPD and all sorts of stories will pop up that you can read, but to me, this is just another case of excessive force used by the police when completely unnecessary.  It’s sad that this had to happen to James, and I wish him well.  After all, he has a marathon to run in several weeks, so thankfully his injuries weren’t worse.  I do think that James Blake, being in the tennis world, during the U.S. open, has a voice that will be heard, whereas if this happened to someone else, it probably wouldn’t be a story that may evoke change.  I hope some good comes from this nonsense.

James Blake is a fine, upstanding family man.  He is an ex-pro tennis player and is an amazing example of sportsmanship and charity.  His foundation, which raises money for cancer research at Memorial Sloan Kettering In New York, is the reason I am running the New York City Marathon this year.  I joined James’ foundation charity team, and have been raising money for the last few months to aid in the research efforts.  I pledged a donation of at least $3,000 and am making great progress toward my goal.  Please help if you can.

Donations can be made directly to my fundraiser here….

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

A New York City Marathon Surprise!

As you all may have heard, ahem…  I am running the New York City Marathon this Fall.  I am running not because I got in through guaranteed entry (I’m not that fast, seriously), or the lottery.  I joined a charity team, and will be running the streets of NYC as part of the James Blake Foundation charity team.

I’ve blogged about it several times, reaching out for donations for this great charity.  As a matter of fact, several bloggers/runners/social media acquaintances have already donated.  THANK YOU!  If you haven’t donated yet, and have either promised me you would, or were “waiting on that next paycheck”, well, now is your time.  Today is Friday.  It’s Fundraising Friday, and it’s payday!  Step up.  Race day is getting closer and closer, and let’s face it, it’s for a good cause.  Be charitable, it will make you feel good heading into the weekend.

https://www.crowdrise.com/jamesblakenyc2015/fundraiser/paullaviska

Yep, click on the link above, it’s pretty easy to donate.

the big news?  The surprise?  Well, get this.  I got an email from the charity group two days ago with some big news.  I was told some time ago that there would be big news coming around the time of the U.S. Open tennis tournament.  The tourney starts next week, so the news came a bit earlier than I expected.

Do you know who that guy is?  It’s James Blake.  Former World #4, tennis player extraordinaire.  Now retired from tennis, but still doing boatloads of charitable work.  It is his Foundation that I am raising money for.  The email I got?  Oh, it was the announcement that James would be running the NYC Marathon!  Very exciting news.  Not only will this generate a lot more attention to his charity, but I’m sure I will get the chance to meet him, if not even run with him some.

He has never run a marathon before, and claims it will probably be the only one he runs.  I may not be able to beat him on the tennis court, but I may be able to best him on the streets of New York!

With this form, how could I not beat him?  Lol

Well, it’s not about who wins, but about raising money for cancer research.  I want to raise as much money as possible so when I hit the streets of NYC, I feel proud and accomplished.  I want to be able to look James in the eyes when we meet knowing that I did everything possible to help.

Please consider a tax deductible donation today.  Thank you!

Wimbledon Fanatic

I have been a tennis player most of my life.  Long before running became a passion of mine, tennis was my life.  I first picked up a tennis racquet at about the age of eight.  I lived in a household of tennis players, and quickly became quite a good player over the years.

When I was growing up, I played every chance I got.  I loved it.  I loved learning, and I loved getting better at it.  We played as a family.  We played doubles, we played singles.  I played all the way though Junior and Senior High School on the tennis team.  My Senior year I played #2 singles, and finished my high school tennis career with a record of 16-2 that final season.  I made it to the State Qualifying tournament one year.  I played in several local tennis tournaments, playing men’s doubles and mixed doubles.  Actually winning three tournaments before I hit 21 years old.  I loved it!

I also watched a lot of tennis on television back then.  I loved watching John McEnroe, and Jimmy Connors.  Andre Agassi, and Pete Sampras.  Loved watching Steffi Graf, and Martina and Chrissy.

Once I got married and started my own family, I had much less time for tennis, or even watching it on TV for that matter.  I never lost my love for the sport, and even joined a USTA men’s tennis team several years ago when I once again dove back into the sport.  With age comes injuries, and I’ve spent the better part of the last few years with some pretty exhausting tendon issues in my elbows due to work, so I haven’t been able to play hardly at all.  This past Spring, I watched several of my sons tennis matches at his High School, and it really made me yearn to get back out on the tennis court again.  Here is a photo of him from the local newspaper.

Well, in honor of Wimbledon, this morning my son and I got out on the tennis court.  Probably the first time I’ve played in the last year or so.  It felt so good.  We had a blast.  The best news?  My arms feel good still.  The last time I played my elbows instantly hurt after a few rallies, and I could only play for about 15 minutes.  Today though, a full hour and a half, no pain.  Pretty stoked about it.

Because of my long time connection to tennis, and my new found love of running over the past several years, when I decided that I wanted to find a charity team and fundraise for a chance to run the New York City Marathon this year, my choice was clear.  I was a big fan of American tennis professional James Blake years ago.  He’s retired now, but started a foundation to honor his late father who died of gastric cancer.

This is James at Wimbledon….

He played with a lot of passion, and made it to #4 in the world at one point in his career.  He was always fun to watch.  I decided to join the charity team, and will be representing the James Blake Foundation when I run the New York City Marathon this year.  I pledged to raise at least $3,000 for this cause, which provides vital resources in finding a cure for cancer.  The research that goes into the effort is funded by donations.  It is very important work that they are doing, and I couldn’t be more proud to be a team member for the 2015 race.

I have been reaching out to family and friends, soliciting donations for the past few months and have made some great progress.  Funds have come from all over, from runners, and tennis fans, from strangers, bloggers and even my closest family.  As of today, 6/30/15, I have raised a total of $1,245.  Nearly the half way point in my efforts, I am asking for more help and donations for this fine charity.

Please help me to reach my goal.  It feels so good to give, so won’t you please consider a donation today?  Please share this post on your own blogs, or share in other ways so that I can reach as many potential donors as possible.  I thank you!

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

The link above takes you directly to my fundraising page where making a donation it so simple and quick.

Thanks again!

Running for The James Blake Foundation

I am running the biggest marathon in the world this year!  The TCS New York City Marathon!

This dream only came true because I joined a charity team raising money for cancer research.  Running for a reason, as they say!

I will be running the marathon with the James Blake Foundation charity team.  I began my fundraising quest a couple months ago, and have raised nearly a third of my goal.  I am trying to raise at least $3,000 for this worthy cause, and every donation helps impact the life of cancer patients through incredible research happening everyday.

I kicked off my fundraising efforts with a personal donation of $100, and have so many donors to thank already!  You, too, can help.  Won’t you please consider a donation today?

I am using The Crowdrise fundraising platform, and making a donation is super easy, and all donations are tax deductible.  If you click on the link below, it takes you directly to my personal fundraising page, and your thoughtful gift to this amazing charity is just seconds away.

You can also help me by sharing this blog post on social media.  Share it on your own blog, or on Facebook, or Twitter.  I would really appreciate it, as I want to try to reach as many potential donors as possible.

So?  What do you say?  Will you please make a contribution and share today?

Fundraising Websites – Crowdrise

Thank you!