Thursday, November 14, 2013

Hopkinton Schools: Early Childhood Education: “A Vision for the Future”

Come hear Hopkinton Superintendent Cathy Macleod and Hopkinton Center School Principal Lauren Dubeau present a vision for early childhood education and share your ideas. 













Early Childhood Education: “A Vision for the Future”
  • Monday, November 18th, 2013
  • 7:00 PM – 8:30 PM
  • Location: Center School Cafeteria
  • Presentation followed by questions and answers
  • Childcare available from 6:45 – 9:00 p.m. in Center School room 9 (near the cafeteria).

Monday, October 21, 2013

Join ESBC for site walk and Pre-K facility tour - Oct 23 4:00 p.m.

Elementary School Building Committee

Wednesday, October 23, 2013

4:00 p.m. - Corner of Hilltop Road and Hayden Rowe Street

AGENDA:

1. Community Input: Community members are invited to share ideas, state opinions, or ask questions.

2. Approve Meeting Minutes.

3. Site Walk: Irvine property - The committee will host a site walk to gain first hand perspective on privately owned land that may be available for consideration.

4. Tour: Hopkinton Integrated Pre-School (park and enter behind Middle School) - this portion of the meeting is expected to commence by approximately 5:00 p.m.

5. Other Business

6. Set Next Meeting Dates

2013 World Series Schedule - Boston Red Sox vs St. Louis Cardinals

All games start at 8:00 p.m. Boston time:
  1. Oct. 23 (Wednesday), Boston
  2. Oct. 24 (Thursday), Boston
  3. Oct. 26 (Saturday), St. Louis
  4. Oct. 27 (Sunday), St. Louis
  5. Oct. 28 (Monday), St. Louis
  6. Oct. 30 (Wednesday), Boston
  7. Oct. 31 (Thursday), Boston

Saturday, August 17, 2013

Summer Site Walks - Hopkinton Elementary School Building Committee

The Hopkinton Elementary School Building Committee walked the land at Elmwood School, Center School and abutting Hehn property on August 1st.  The event was part of the continuing preliminary work as the community awaits response on whether Hopkinton will be selected for participation in the MSBA grant program.

For an 8 minute video of the August 1st site walk, click here: 
http://www.hcam.tv/videos/elementary-school-building-committee-site-walk

Tuesday, July 16, 2013

Elementary School Building Committee - Preliminary Work Underway

From HCAM.TV: "Elementary School Building Committee - Preliminary Work Underway"

michelle's picture by Michelle Murdock, News Director

Although still waiting for acceptance of the Feasibility Studies for Center and Elmwood School submitted to the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), the Elementary School Building Committee (ESBC) met in June to begin preliminary investigations into possible sites for a solution to the Center School project. Watch the HCAM News video for highlights of the meeting with Elaine Lazarus, Hopkinton's Director of Land Use, Planning and Permitting and Brian Turner, Regional Manager of Williams Scotsman, a modular construction company.

 http://www.hcam.tv/videos/elementary-school-building-committee-preliminary-work-underway

Monday, July 15, 2013

Mass Dash Relay


Here's the route my 12 person team ran over the weekend in the Mass Dash Relay. Our team raised over $3,600 for the Jimmy Fund and had a great time running.

Thursday, June 13, 2013

ESBC Sets Summer Agenda

Following a unanimous Town Meeting vote to fund a Center School feasibility study, Hopkinton’s Elementary School Building Committee (ESBC) met recently to discuss next steps. At the May 22 and June 5 meetings, ESBC members expressed a desire to use time over the Summer to develop foundational knowledge that may be helpful once the formal Feasibility Study is initiated, and plan community engagement activities. 

 
"While Hopkinton awaits a decision by the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA), expected by early Fall, the committee is eager to build on community momentum and continue to advance the effort," said ESBC Chairman Joe Markey. “Any decisions regarding either the nature or the location of a solution to the constraints at Center School will occur after MSBA engagement, when we initiate the actual Feasibility Study, but there is preliminary work we can do now,” added Markey.

ESBC Clerk Rob Nickerson emphasized, "All of this work will take place in our posted public meetings, and we encourage anyone in the community to attend and participate." Nickerson said the preliminary work that the committee plans include: facility tours at both the existing Center School and Pre-K facility (currently housed in the Middle School), site walks at properties that could be used if a decision is made to rebuild rather than renovate, and knowledge-building sessions with experts in land use planning and school building practices.

As more information is gathered, the committee will announce additional events to inform the public and gather new questions and feedback. Meanwhile, those interested can follow the committee’s actions on Twitter (@HopkintonESBC), and on the Hopkinton town website at http://www.hopkintonma.gov/home/government/boards/esbc.

“Transparency and community engagement are two of our guiding principles,” said Markey. “We want to be sure that both the committee and the community are learning together and getting answers to important questions that will continue to come up throughout the process."

 
The ESBC’s next public meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, June 19, at 7:00 PM in Town Hall, Room 215. A detailed agenda is available at: https://groups.google.com/a/hopkintonma.gov/forum/?fromgroups#!searchin/allagendas/esbc.

Tech Sandbox Ignites Entrepreneurship in MetroWest

Couldn't this work for Hopkinton?  Test your new technology startup ideas while living in this vibrant community that boasts miles of hiking trails, a 200 plus member running club, great schools, and a thriving culture of small and home based businesses.  Ditch the traffic and 2-hour commute and get to work in Hopkinton!

I think it could!

TechSandBox Looking to Rally Entrepreneurs in Boston’s MetroWest
"Here’s a concept: a Boston-area startup incubator outside of Route 128."

Thursday, May 2, 2013

Hopkinton Running Club raised over $4,000 for OneFund Boston

On April 20th, numbers swelled into the hundreds for the Hopkinton Running Club's weekly Saturday morning run.  The run was aimed at demonstrating community support for those affected by the events at the Boston Marathon finish line a few days earlier. The event raised over $4,000 for One Fund Boston.

April 16th, Boston Globe: At race's starting point, Hopkinton grapples with Boston Marathon's horrific finish

April 17th, Boston Globe: In Hopkinton, Residents gather on the Common to reflect

April 17th: Idea emerges for a Saturday run:



April 20th: Hundreds gather at Hopkinton Town Common to run:


 





Monday, April 29, 2013

News coverage

Local news outlets have been very interested in the initiation of the Elementary School Building Committee in Hopkinton, MA, and a related article on the agenda for Hopkinton Annual Town Meeting May 6th, 2013. 

Here's a list of related news items from MetroWestDailyNews:

 
 

 

 

Friday, April 26, 2013

Seeking to set a model for transparency in Town Government

Early on, the Elementary School Building Committee (ESBC) set a lofty goal to achieve a level of communication, transparency and civic engagement that "far surpasses the minimum standards set by Open Meeting Law."

Formed in March 2013 through appointments by the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen, the ESBC has been assigned a mission to "facilitate development of a proposed solution to the operational and educational constraints of Center School that will be supported by the voters of Hopkinton, as well as the MSBA."

Since then, the committe has met weekly, and has launched several communications channels aimed at building civic awareness and community engagement.  All meetings have been open to the public, and meeting minutes have been posted rapidly, supplemented with additional communications to keep the community informed. 
Here are a few tips for community members navigating the ESBC website and Twitter feed:
  1. Navigation and User Interface - The navigation on the ESBC web site is now across the top in two tiers: The top tier reflects items to which the community may come back more than once for reference, the bottom tier reflects areas that might not be checked as often. A new addition to our site navigation is the "Action Taken" summaries. Following the model used by the Board of Selectmen, the ESBC now can quickly post actions taken against our posted agendas. A fast, efficient way to reflect progress made at our meetings prior to availability of full meeting minutes.
  2. Recent News - Items of interest (such as press releases, interviews, important documents), are posted in blog form. Every time an item is added, it is automatically replicated to Twitter to get the word out as much as possible.
  3. Get in Touch with the ESBC- Email addresses are provided for all ESBC committee members, along with a description of each members role and expertise. A more detailed description of the members can also be found on the Who We Are page.
  4. Twitter - Aside from just blog posts, the ESBC also posts directly to Twitter and our Google Group (independent of what appears on Recent News). This can be links to minutes, agenda links, quick recaps of meetings and decisions, or posing questions to the community.
All community members are invited to use and share these resources freely. Word of mouth is one of the most effective ways to reach the level of awareness and engagement needed to achieve our community goals for Center School and provide the best learning environment for our community's youngest students.

Tuesday, April 23, 2013

Boston Marathon 2013

My finishing time was 3 hours and 8 minutes.  Very happy with the results of the race.   Over the past couple years, I have read so much great advice from experienced Boston Marathon runners, about "how to run the Boston Marathon," and all of it helped.

First, I followed a rigorous training plan. While I ran the race, all the other advice ran through my head:

  • On the first few miles of down hills, I thought of Bill Rogers' advice about starting slowly
  • Got my stride going through Framingham and Natick
  • Didn't panic through the Wellesley Hills
  • Took the benefit of the steep downhill at mile 16 without going too hard down the hill
  • Made it over the hills and took advantage of the long flat mile half way up the heartbreak hill
  • Did a quick quad check at the top of the hill, and 
  • For the final 5 miles, I gave it everything I had left, picking up the pace and allowing the enthusiasm of the spectators to bring me in -- feeling great across the finish line.

Thank you to everyone who shared in my training, contributed to my fundraising, and helped make this possible.  See you at the 2014 Boston Marathon!

Sunday, April 14, 2013

Pre-Marathon Weekend

Apparently I live closer to the starting line than any other entrant in this year's running of the Boston Marathon, earning me a runner profile on page 132 of the official Boston Marathon program guide, in which I reflect, "On April 15th we celebrate that single simple shared experience of running, which transcends all differences and distances." 


Walking down the street to check out the pre-marathon scene at the Common on Saturday, I was surprised to be greeted by this group of fans getting ready for race day:


The austere likeness of "The Starter," George V. Brown, was no match for the warmth of this marathon enthusiast:
 
 

Saturday, April 6, 2013

Final Long Run Complete

I just ran 13.1 miles, which actually seemed pretty short, compared with the four runs of 20 miles or more, several 18 mile runs, and routine 15 mile runs over the past 17 weeks.  I think I'm ready.


Hope to see you at Cornell's in Hopkinton 4:00 - 7:00 p.m. today.  All are welcome to this informal get-together to support SPEAC's fundraising Boston Marathon runners Joe Markey and Jon Graziano. Saturday, April 6th, 4-7 pm at Cornnel's in Hopkinton - standard fare, plus pizza and soda for children. Hope to see you there! 






Monday, March 25, 2013

April 6th 4-7 pm at Cornell's - Mark Your Calendar!

Event Notice from SPEAC:

 
Please join SPEAC as we support Marathon runners Joe Markey and Jon Graziano, Saturday, April 6th, Cornell's Pub in Hopkinton, 4-7 pm.

Each runner has committed to raise $2,500 to support Special Education in Hopkinton! All are welcome to this informal get-together. Pizza & soda for kids will be available from 4-6PM. The gathering immediately follows the HPTA’s Children’s Gallery; so pick up your auction items and come on over!

We hope to see you there!

Please consider donating at the event or through Joe and Jon’s fundraising websites:

http://www.firstgiving.com/fundraiser/joemarkey/BostonMarathon


SPEAC's Mission

SPEAC believes in the importance of each child’s education, striving to continually improve the quality of Hopkinton's special education programs through a variety of programs, speakers, administration meetings, and community outreach services. We provide resources needed from the preschool age child to the high school graduate and beyond.


3 weeks until Boston!

Back on track with 67 miles for the past week.  Enjoyed a great training run on the Boston Marathon course yesterday with dozens of other Hopkinton Running Club runners.

I feel ready for the marathon; lately even runs greater than 15 miles feel too short.  
  • March 18:  16.27
  • March 19:
  • March 20: 6.01
  • March 21: 10.01
  • March 22: 6.12
  • March 23: 7.02
  • March 24: 21.57


 

Friday, March 15, 2013

Other great causes - Hopkinton Public Library

With my own fundraising going really well, I'm happy to help other runners promote their great causes.  Meet Team Weeden, a husband and wife team running the Boston Marathon for the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation.  The Hopkinton Public Library Foundation’s mission is to raise private funds for the expansion, restoration and renovation of the historic Hopkinton Public Library.

Jamie and Treavor Weeden moved to Hopkinton in 2007 and have had their sights set on running the Boston Marathon ever since. They are excited to run the 2013 Boston Marathon for the Hopkinton Public Library Foundation because they believe renovating and expanding the public library will provide better resources, improve access to information and knowledge, and offer a much-needed meeting place for residents.

You can contribute directly to Jamie and Treavor's fundraising efforts right here: http://hopkintonpubliclibraryfoundation.org/treavor-weeden/

Inspired by their story?  Know someone looking to run the Boston Marathon and raise funds for the same cause?  The Hopkinton Public Library Foundation recently was given an additional marathon number.  Contact info@hopkintonpubliclibraryfoundation.org.

Tuesday, March 12, 2013

Hopkinton Elementary School Building Committee

I am really honored to have been recommended by the Superintendent of Hopkinton Public Schools and the Hopkinton Town Manager, approved by the School Committee and appointed by the Hopkinton Board of Selectmen to serve on the new Hopkinton Elementary School Building Committee. 

What I will bring to the Elementary School Building Committee:
  • My role will be as an "at-large" representative of the interests of the people of Hopkinton. 
  • I will bring my years expereince on various town boards including land use and planning, economic development, downtown revitalization, and affordable housing. 
  • I hope to apply my professional experience in program management, process optimization, communications and market analysis, while also helping to bring together various Hopkinton constituencies to find shared interests that will help define a successful project.
  • My goal will be to ensure a process that builds public confidence and addresses the physical and educational constraints of Center School with a solution that will be embraced by the community and pass a Town Meeting vote.
You can read more about the appointment and the committee formation here:

Sunday, March 10, 2013

Other great causes - National Org for Rare Disorders

Week 13 wrapped up with 40 miles, much fewer miles than usual as I recovered from last Sunday's 30k race.  Thanks to everyone's generosity, my fundraising for Special Education Advisory Council of Hopkinton is now $1,000 past my minimum goal.

As a result, I'd now like to help some other running friends with their fundraising:
Please consider donating to Jen Tedstone's fundraising for the National Organization of Rare Disorders!


  • Jen Tedstone of Hopkinton, Massachusetts, is running the Boston Marathon, fundraising for National Organization for Rare Disorders. 
  • After participating as a spectator since childhood, Jen is now jumping in as a runner this year, alongside 15 other Genzyme Corp employees and a patient partner
  • Jen is bringing attention to a rare disorder called Congenital Hyperinsulinism, which causes low blood sugar that can lead to brain damage, stroke-like symptoms, and cerebral palsy if not recognized and treated effectively early. 
  • You can read more here about Jen's patient partner, 16 year old Ben



Thursday, March 7, 2013

Addicted to Running (a haiku)

Have the standard running reports started getting stale?  ("65 miles this week. On target.") 

Well, let's try 5-7-5 haiku style for this report - words revealed as I lay awake last night for not running the day before:

Running Addiction
Tuesday sunrise run.
No running next day. Zero.

Tuesday, March 5, 2013

Stu's 30k Race Results, and Week 12 Training Report

Stu's 30k Race is a famously hilly 18.6 mile run around the Wachusett Reservoir.  It's a favorite for those preparing to run the Boston Marathon, just 6 weeks away.  I ran Stu's 30k 2013 on Sunday, March 3rd - my third year in a row.  Stu's is the first indicator of how my 2013 Boston training is going, since a planned half marathon I was going to run was canceled last week due to a snow storm.

Here's what I learned at Stu's:
 
Stu's 30k was a great wrap-up to week 12 of marathon training, bringing the weekly total to 62 miles:
  • Monday, 2/25: 9.15 miles
  • Tuesday, 2/26: 14.25 miles
  • Wednesday, 2/27: 0 miles
  • Thursday, 2/28: 10.04 miles
  • Friday, 3/1: 7.11 miles
  • Saturday, 3/2: 3.1 miles
  • Sunday, 3/3: 18.73 miles

"Helping Autism With High Tech"

Here's excerpt and link to an article about technology that can be applied for parents and children with special needs:

"At this year's Consumer Electronics Show (CES), a number of companies displayed new technologies not specifically designed for people with autism, but whose advanced capabilities could be applied to help treat people with these special needs." 

Wednesday, February 27, 2013

Week 11 training report - 7 weeks to go

I took a couple days off to rest during vacation with the family, logging a total of only 55 miles for the week.

  • 2/18, Monday: 10.02 miles
  • 2/19, Tuesday: 11.51 miles
  • 2/20, Wednesday: 0 miles
  • 2/21, Thursday: 10.51 miles + 1.38 x-country skiing 
  • 2/22, Friday: 0 miles
  • 2/23, Saturday: 22.02 miles
The half marathon I was going to run on 2/24 was canceled due to the snow storm.  Next race is Sunday, March 3rd, the regionally famous Stu's 30k race around the Wachussett Reservoir
 

Sunday, February 17, 2013

Publicity for SPEAC fundraising in Hopkinton Crier

Here's a link to the 'Hopkinton Crier' newspaper's runner profile, promoting my fundraising on behalf for SPEAC. 


Week 10 training report - 67.09 miles total for the week:

  • Sunday, February 10: 16.25 miles
  • Monday, February 11: 5.04 miles
  • Tuesday, February 12: 0 miles
  • Wednesday, February 13: 9.65 miles
  • Thursday, February 14: 12.06 miles
  • Friday, February 15: 9.04 miles
  • Saturday, February 16: 15.05 miles

Help me Crush my Boston Marathon Fundraising Goal!



I'm running the Boston Marathon April 15th, 2013 - fundraising for:
Hopkinton's Special Education Advisory Council (SPEAC)

  • SPEAC is a group of dedicated volunteer parents and guardians who work with Hopkinton schools to ensure quality education for children with special needs and learning disabilities. 



"SPEAC believes in the importance of each child’s education, striving to continually improve the quality of Hopkinton’s special education programs through a variety of programs, speakers, administration meetings, and community outreach services. We provide resources needed from the preschool age child to the high school graduate and beyond."

Thursday, February 14, 2013

Mapping roads less traveled

With all the snow and ice lately, it's been more important to take a little extra time advance planning each morning's running route.  With snow piled on each side, the roads are narrower, and ice patches still dot some roads more than others. 

So, this morning, instead of just getting out there running and seeing where it goes, I mapped out in advance a nice route that mainly avoided all heavy car traffic.  We still came across some ice patches, but at least my running partner and I didn't have to worry about navigating both ice and passing cars at the same time this morning. 

I'm an early morning runner; I love getting out while it's still dark, and see the sunrise during or at the end of the run. 

Adding darkness to the snow, ice, and traffic factors makes it all the more important to find the right route, preferrably one less traveled by cars.  As courteous as most drivers are, it's just less stressful for everyone to stay off the main roads as much as possible, and wear bright colors and reflective gear.

Here's a map of this morning's 12 mile route, through scenic roads of Hopkinton and Ashland, Massachusetts:


Sunday, February 10, 2013

Half-way through training plan - week 9 report

Today marks the half-way point in my training for the Boston Marathon, fundraising for SPEAC and raising awareness for special education.  The snow storm delayed the normal Saturday run by a day; I completed the week with an early Sunday morning run through Hopkinton streets still patchy with snow and ice, bringing the total to 65 miles for the week:
  • Monday, 2/4: 6.2 miles
  • Tuesday, 2/5: 15.05 miles
  • Wednesday, 2/6: 6.01 miles
  • Thursday, 2/7: 13.01 miles
  • Friday, 2/8: 8.56 miles
  • Saturday, 2/9: 0.00 (lots of snow shoveling)
  • Sunday, 2/10: 16.25 miles, with 12 miles at marathon pace
During the week, I came across this blog post, "It's Ability, Not Disability, that Matters Most," written by a woman reflecting on her differences as a child - and learning to come to terms with her differences as an adult.


Thursday, February 7, 2013

Last run before the snow...

Heard something about a little snow coming in on Friday and Saturday?  I managed to complete a nice 13 mile run early Thursday morning, including some running on trails in Hopkinton State Park

Early Friday morning, I'm planning to meet a friend to run with for 7 miles before the much hyped snow storm hits.

I hope we get a lot of snow.  It should be fun. 

If forecasts are correct, it looks like I'll have to reschedule my Saturday 16 mile run to Sunday. Other than that, not expecting much impact to the training plan.

Here's the route from Thursday morning: 



Monday, February 4, 2013

Boston Training - week 8 report

Ten weeks to go until Boston Marathon.  Logged 62.2 miles during week eight.
  • Monday, 1/29: 6 miles
  • Tuesday, 1/29: 14 miles
  • Wednesday, 1/30: 4 miles
  • Thursday, 1/31: 11.1 miles
  • Friday, 2/1: 6.1 miles
  • Saturday, 2/2: 21 miles
During Saturday's training run, I did something that will be impossible on April 15th when crowds will delineate the course: I took a wrong turn near mile marker 22 of the course.  I finished the planned 20 mile distance run, with the final mile off-course, and fortunately was able to find my way (running) to the true 23 mile mark where I met my running mates. 

Wednesday, January 30, 2013

Local press covers SPEAC fundraising and training

January 23, 2013 edition (Volume 13, Number 24) of the

Markey taking advantage of Hopkinton training grounds

by Jean Cann
 
Joe Markey, who lives and works in Hopkinton, will run his second Boston Marathon. He qualified to run the 2012 Boston Marathon, but the heat slowed him in last year’s race. Rather than try to requalify at a different marathon, Markey opted to run with a waiver number from SPEAC (Special Education Parent Advisory Council). He hopes to raise at least $3,000 for the non-profit, all-volunteer organization that works with the school district to ensure the effective education of all students with special needs or learning disabilities.


“Raising money for SPEAC is one thing I’m doing to work very locally to make the world overall a better place,” said the former Hopkinton Planning Board member. “Helping children with special needs and their families find the resources they need to learn, cope, and thrive ultimately benefits everyone in our community, and eventually beyond our community.


Fundraising has been on target. Markey has been using a blog (http://joemarkey.blogspot.com) for information about SPEAC, links through which to donate, and training updates. The father of three gets out the door before 6 a.m., and often before 5:30 a.m., six days per week. He started a specific 18-week marathon training program in December, and hit his all-time high of 65 weekly miles last week. Typically, he runs nine miles Monday, 10-15 on Tuesday, five on Wednesday, nine or 10 on Thursday, five on Friday, and a long run of 15 to 20 miles on Saturday.

Markey has achieved the strong training despite a swollen ankle in December. He partially healed it by icing or sticking his bare foot in a snow bank after running. “If there’s something persistent, I call Hopkinton Physical Therapy, and they’ve always provided effective treatment and advice,” he said. “Taking a couple days off is difficult, but better than getting seriously injured and missing the race.

The Markey family lives less than a mile from the Boston Marathon starting line. He finds that his hometown offers many training advantages. “Training on the Boston Marathon course is certainly one advantage,” he said. “An even more important advantage, I think, is the fact that Hopkinton is a very health and fitness oriented community. Hopkinton offers great sidewalks, great scenic roads, great trails, and a unique connection to the marathon that no other town can offer. Whether I run at 5 a.m., 5:30 a.m., or 2 p.m., I can be sure to see many other people also out running. In Hopkinton, you’re always going to find someone who runs further, faster, or overcomes more obstacles in order to run; I find that inspiring, and it certainly creates a standard that sets Hopkinton apart."

Sunday, January 27, 2013

Boston training - week 7 report

It was cold this week. Many mornings of single digit F temperatures and some snow and wind. But it's getting brighter in the mornings. Focusing on the schedule and getting it done reduced the relevance of the external conditions. Total miles run this week: 68 miles.

  • Monday, 1/21: 8.9 miles
  • Tuesday, 1/22: 14 miles
  • Wednesday, 1/23: 5.2 miles
  • Thursday, 1/24: 11.5 miles
  • Friday, 1/25: 7 miles
  • Saturday, 1/26: 21.4 miles

Friday, January 25, 2013

Running at the South Pole

Here's a meticulous report from a scientist stationed at the South Pole, who also happens to be a runner!  The extreme cold temperatures have not stopped him from running.  He writes about one day last March, "the temperature dropped down to -64.6 C (-84.3 F), and I still enjoyed a nice 5-mile run."  Read more on his blog:


Note: this is not me, this is the guy on the South Pole. 
Photo source is The Adventures of Marco Polie blog.



Wednesday, January 23, 2013

Colder, but Brighter

Yes, yes, it's cold out there.  But, on the bright side of things, have you noticed the Sun has been rising earlier?  It's brighter in the mornings.  The second half of my runs are now almost entirely in the light.  Just a few weeks ago, darkness covered the run from beginning to end.

The sun peeking over the horizon is such a welcome site after completing an early morning run.  Here's a view taken from my back deck around 7:30 a.m. after Tuesday's 14 miler:


Tuesday, January 22, 2013

Toughest part of running: Getting out the door

The alarm was set to 4:45 a.m. for Tuesday morning's 14 mile run, but after the alarm sounded I stayed in bed another 10 minutes trying to come up with a good excuse not to run (sinus headache, not enough sleep, too cold, snowed last night).  What finally got me out of bed was imagining explaining to myself later in the day why I hadn't run.

Ready, laced up, but couldn't find the insulated hat (another good excuse: can't run with "no hat" when it's 18 degrees out), but then the hat turned up and I was out the door and running by 5:30 a.m..  A little later than planned, but glad I made it.  Worked the Upper Charles River Trail into a 14 mile Hopkinton-Milford-Hopkinton loop.






Saturday, January 19, 2013

Kennedy Center concerts reaching special needs audience

It sure seems to make sense for a symphony to find a way to connect with an audience that seems to most appreciate and feel the music: children on the autism spectrum or with other special needs.  Here's a link to a Washington Post story: Kennedy Center offers ‘sensory-friendly’ concerts for children with special needs

"The children do not know that the music is about war, yet they stomp along with the fury. A young boy shakes his hands as though they have caught fire, keeping tempo with the violin’s shrieks. A girl in a pink romper, no older than 6, jumps to her feet to conduct from the 12th row. And at the abrupt end, the children wail without inhibition, because this is how one feels after hearing Shostakovich’s Eighth String Quartet; this is how one feels when dropped from its dizzying pull. And when children with autism or special needs feel something inside, they often express themselves with movements and sounds."




Here's another link to a similar program in the Boston MetroWest area: Autism friendly performance at Acton's Open Door Theatre.

Thank you to everyone who has already donated to my marathon fundraising for Hopkinton Special Education Advisory Council. Your generosity inspires me. Read more and donate on my fundraising page!

Wednesday, January 16, 2013

Improving Hopkinton's downtown for traffic and pedestrians

Would you like to see improvements to roads, sidewalks, cross walks, bike lanes, traffic signals in Hopkinton's downtown? Attend this meeting Thursday, 1/17/2013, 10:00 - 11:00 a.m. at Town Hall to receive an update and to provide input on this draft prior to formal submission of downtown "25% design plan" to MassDOT.

Here are links to the current design draft, along with a vision plan that preceded the design:
Here are links to some of my blog posts on related topics over the past few years:

Thank you to everyone who has already donated to my marathon fundraising for Hopkinton Special Education Advisory Council. Your generosity inspires me. Read more and donate on my fundraising page!

Tuesday, January 15, 2013

No time to run?

For me, the easiest part of the day to find extra time is: early in the morning before anyone else in the house is awake. Like many people, I'm pretty busy the rest of the day and evenings, and if I don't get it done early, chances rapidly diminish of ever completing the run later in the day. 

I prefer to finish my runs by 7:00 a.m., which means most runs have to start before 6:00 a.m.  

In fact, reviewing my Garmin log for the past month:
  • 70% of my runs started before 6:00 a.m., and half of those started before 5:30 a.m. 
  • 10% started between 6:00 and 6:30, 
  • 5% between 6:30 and 7:00,
  • 10% between 7:00 and 7:30
  • Only 5% were afternoon runs.  
Longer runs to me mean waking up earlier, not finishing later.  Here's a map of this morning's 12 miler, which incorporated a nice route through Hopkinton State Park.  I started at 5:24 and finished just before 7:01...in time to take out the trash for pickup and greet some adorable sleepy-heads as they woke up for breakfast.



Thank you to everyone who has already donated to my marathon fundraising for Hopkinton Special Education Advisory Council. Your generosity inspires me. Read more and donate on my fundraising page!