This October was a very busy month for me. A few years ago Scott Dresden, a doctor from Wisconsin, saw me racing in Boston. Eventually he looked me up on the internet and found out who I was. He e-mailed me a few weeks later and told me he was inspired by me, and he decided to start running marathons himself.
The following fall we met just days before the New York Marathon. We all had lunch and got to know each other, and from that point on we became friends. In October 2006, he actually took a whole weekend and he guided me through two marathons in two days!
This past May I received an email from Scott asking me if I’d interested in coming to Milwaukee, Wisconsin to race in the Lakefront Marathon. He thought this would be a great way to inspire people in his own state. However, over time our plans became complicated. At first everything was going smoothly and everybody couldn’t wait for me to come out there. At first the race director was in favor of me participating in the marathon. After meeting with her board of directors her opinion changed drastically. She informed me that I would not be able to register officially, and told me she would be willing to give me a five-minuet head start…
I quickly responded to her e-mail and told her: I was coming anyway and I would do the race unofficially with my own support crew. So at 6 a.m., on October 5th my two guides and I began the 26.2-mile trek with Doctor Scott following close behind, escorting us in his truck which he fuels with used vegetable oil.
It was a little chilly but the racecourse was beautiful. To my surprise all the runners and volunteers were very supportive of us. I was feeling good until I hit the 10-mile mark. At that point my right hip froze up. For the next 16 miles I was forced to race with only one leg. At this point I knew that time wouldn’t be that great, however I was determined to finish. Nine hours and thirty-three minuets later, soaking wet and chilled to the bone we crossed the finish line, thus completing my 43rd career marathon. We all felt a sense of accomplishment.
Just 13 days later, I was at it again. On October 18th I raced in the Breakers Marathon in Newport, RI. However, this time I was in my home state and feeling more at ease. Don’t get me wrong at the beginning of my racing career, 16 years ago, Rhode Island races discouraged me as well. This year was totally different. There was a new race director and he gave me all the support and encouragement that he possibly could. I had a much better race in Newport than Milwaukee. I actually posted my best time ever on that course! My time was 8 hours 33 minutes 22 seconds and my 44th career marathon was in the bag!
Some people think I race for the attention or to get publicity for myself. I’m not saying I don’t like to be in the spotlight because almost all athletes do. However, I’d like to think of what I accomplish in my racing career, as well as in my life, as a testament of what determination and perseverance can do for a person. I hope my racing will inspire other athletes, disabled or able bodied, to never stop setting goals.
As Muhammad Ali said:, “Impossible is Nothing!”
For more information on my racing career or for speaking engagements go to Teampisano.blogspot.com
Jason Pisano
Wednesday, October 29, 2008
Friday, October 10, 2008
Marathon #43 Lakefront Marathon Milwaukee WI
Guide Runner Report: Jason Pisano, Lakefront Marathon Milwaukee, WI 2008
Last weekend Jason finished marathon number 43 in Milwaukee, WI. Although they were initially excited to have us there Jason's official entry got caught up in bureaucracy but that is nothing new. Team Pisano went and ran the race anyway. Some people feel this was rude but if Jason followed all the rules he would have never even made it to one marathon.
Jason started early at 6am in the Grafton High School parking lot. He was joined by two friends, Gus and Randy. For additional protection, he was followed by another friend, Scott, in his restaurant oil powered SUV. This really sured up our safety in those first couple dark miles.
The course was beautiful. Compared to our area on the east coast, the country roads are flat and straight. You can see ahead for a mile. The roads were adjacent to awesome open fields filled with corn and wild flowers. Walking this marathon as a guide was easy because there were no downhill sprints in which we would have had to run with Jay and make sure he didn't tip. Jason however, missed those downhills which help him make up a lot of time. His old hip injury made for a slow half (4:52) but he held on and did a little better to the finish, ending with a time of 9:33. The ending miles of the race were awesome for Jason as well because there were nice smooth sidewalks to take to after all the cones were picked up by the broom wagon. The cold rain during the last 4-5 miles was a bummer because we didn't get to have as nice a view of the lake. A couple of nice EMT's on bicycles followed us in for the last couple miles. I have been with Jason for almost every marathon and I have to say this is the safest marathon Jason has done.
The people on the course were very friendly. Everyone loves to say "good morning". Many officials and runners knew Jay by name and cheered him on which was great. Two lady runners cheered Jay on and then said, "Get r done!!, Or as we like to say, put the bitch in the bucket!!" We couldn't figure out if that was a Bucket List movie reference or some kind of cow milking saying. Either way we liked it and used it for the rest of the race!
Jason finished just as the timing bridge was being lowered down. He was cheered on by the loyal supporters who spent the entire weekend with him and made this whole trip possible. Thanks to all of them for rides all around Milwaukee, a place to stay, dinners, beer, tours and great company. When a few people put some caring effort into something, it changes everything.
See you in Boston
Randy
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