2005 Boston Marathon: a warm up for the World Games

On Monday, April 18th, I attempted to complete my 10th consecutive Boston Marathon. It was my32nd career marathon on the road to my goal of 50. I ventured into this marathon less prepared than I have been in other years, because I’ve been spending the majority of my time training for the Cerebral Palsy World Games, held in Connecticut this July. Training for short track events increases a my sprinting speed, but it also takes away from my endurance, which is crucial to completing a 26.2 mile race.
Going into this year’s Boston Marathon, I wasn’t as worried about turning in a personal best time, but I was working to finish the trek in a respectable time without injuring myself. At 6:30 a.m., I headed out with my stepfather and two guide runners (friends) to Hopkinton, MA. This is where this historic race begins each year. It was extremely warm on Monday- so warm so that I was sweating just warming up. I knew it was going to be a long, hot day. Fluids were essential to staying hydrated.
Being in the Mobility Impaired Division, I began the race at 10 a.m., two hours before the other 20,000 runners. Right from the start, I felt great. The unseasonably warm temperatures allowed me to warm up much faster than usual.
The first eight miles flew by. I was at 1 hour 51 minutes at the eight-mile mark. I was very happy with that time, but shortly thereafter the headwinds started to kick up. The next eight miles were a fight against the wind. At the 16-mile mark, I was at 4 hours 51 minutes. This is when I knew I had no shot at my personal best time- 6 hours 32 minutes (my time at last year’s Boston Marathon). I still had 10 miles to go, and the hardest portion of the race lay just ahead.
Miles 18 to 22 at the Boston Marathon are known as “Heartbreak Hill”. There are three major hills that come one after another. This is where many people give in to their exhaustion and call it a day. This year was no exception. With the warm temperatures and strong wind, I saw many runners fall and pass out. Fortunately, I was able to conquer the hills with ease.
At Mile 23, I was at 6 hours and 35 minutes. This was not my best time, but it wasn’t my worst either. I was determined to push hard and get the best time possible. At 7 hours, 23 minute, and 25 seconds I crossed the finish line in the heart of Boston.
By this time, it was 5:23 p.m., and the elite runners had crossed the finish line over three hours before I did. Surprisingly though, there were still people cheering at the finish line. They cheered me through to my 32nd successful marathon finish, and it felt just as good as it has every other time. Stay tuned.

WELCOME TO TEAM PISANO: THE QUEST FOR 5O MARATHONS

The final countdown.

This is a picture that a local newspaper snaped of me practicing the Thrust Kick. The Thrust Kick is simular to the able-bodied shot-put. The next day I would win the World Chamionship in this event and a few days later I would do the same in the Distant Kick event.

Nothing feels like winning two world titles

In early January, I was notified that I had been selected to represent the United States in the 2005 Cerebral Palsy World Games, to be held July 2nd – 11th, on the campus of Connecticut College, in New London, Connecticut. I was very honored because the United States only selected 47 athletes to represent our nation.
I began training for this world-class athletic competition during he first week of February. When I was selected to be a member of Team USA I had only qualified in one event, the 100 meter dash. Don’t get me wrong, even only competing in one event would be an honor, but I really wanted to see if I could meet the international qualifying standards and add a couple more events. Training for a track competition in the winter is not an easy task. Cold temperatures, snow, and ice forced me to train indoors at the West Warwick Complex most of the time. This was alright, but there’s no way to train at the same intensity as if I was on an outdoor track.
The snow and ice finally stopped by April, and I was able to take my training outside. This is also when I acquired the assistance of North Kingstown High School Cross Country Coach Paul Tetreault. Paul was my coach when I was just starting off in track, and is very knowledgeable about the sport of track and Field.
Over the past five months I have pushed my body to limits that I’ve experienced before. I trained on hills, grass, lifted a lot of weights, and learned to relax. All these things, along with Paul’s coaching have allowed me to qualify in three additional events - the 200-meter, thrust kick, and the distant kick. I will be challenging for world titles in four different competitions in New London next week.
Whether I win a medal or not, this competition will be the pinnacle of my athletic career. I will be among 1,000 of the best physically challenged athletes from 36 countries from around the world. This is, in essence, my Olympic dream. I have been competing all my life, but when you have the opportunity to represent your country, the honor you feel is indescribable. I dream of the chant 'USA, USA, USA' every night when I lie down to go to sleep.
On Sunday, my assistant Jim Bob and I will be checking into our dorm room along side the other team USA members. I’m eager to see what awaits me. I am focused on my events, but I also feel this will be a good life experience. What other time in my life will I get to meet and experience how people live from all over the world?
In closing, I’d like to thank all my assistants, my family, and all the people who have supported me since I began training for this event. Without their support, I would never have the opportunity to live out this dream!

The high point in my athletic career

After eight months, 491 hours of training on the track, over 5,000 kicks, and endless hours lifting weights, last week my life-long dream/s came true. I was honored to add two gold medals to Team USA’s medal tally at the 2005 CP-ISRA (Cerebral Palsy International Sports and Recreation Association) World Games at Connecticut College, in New London, Conn. Theses games united over 1,000 of the best physically challenged athletes from 36 nations together to compete for world titles in nine different sporting events.
I have been competing in sporting events for over 25 years, but I’ve never experience anything like this event. This competition had a true Olympic feel to it. All 47 members of Team USA worked as one big family throughout this nine-day event. We did everything as a team. We ate, trained, and socialize as a cohesive unit. We (athletes and coaches) came from all over the United States, but we all had one thing in common; representing the US to the highest level.
For the first four days we trained and looked forward to the amazing opening ceremonies. I cannot find the words to say how I felt when I paraded across the field, as a member of Team USA. The pride I felt is overwhelming.
Thursday marked the beginning of my competition. First up was the 100-meter. Wednesday night I thing I only slept about one hour. I was so nervous. This was only my second time competing on the international level and the first time biding for a world championship, I knew I was a heavy underdog, so I just decided t go out there and run the best race I could. When I rolled up to the starting line my stomach was doing back flips. A few seconds later the gun went off and my dream had begun. I didn’t medal in the 100-meter, but I did turn in one of my better times. I came across the finish line in 46:07 seconds.
I had thought I would have Friday off, but while I was relaxing on Thursday evening at 10 p.m. in the Team USA lounge my head coach notified me that the distant kick, my first field event, was moved to 11 a.m. on Friday morning. At this moment I had to switch my entire frame of mind. I knew my best chance for a medal was in both my field events, so I was excited but still quite nervous.
Friday morning was a chilly and rainy one. I arrived at the field over an hour early to get warmed up I felt very good, but the event was to be held on Astroturf and I had never kicked on that surface. Once my events kicked into gear, I clinched two gold medals in both of my field events. The last day I competed in the 200-meter. Once again I turned in a great time, but didn’t medal.
This entire competition was an experience I will cherish for the rest of my life. As they called my name to take the podium in front of the United States flag I realized how proud I was to have had the honor of representing our nation in these games.

33 was a war

Preparing to compete in a marathon is similar to a boxer training for a big fight. You can put all the miles in, lift all the weights, and plan a strategy, but when it comes down to it, there’s really nothing you can do to be prepared for the many factors that you might encounter on your 26.2-mile journey. I was taught this lesson once again by Mother Nature last Saturday, as I tackled the Newport Breakers Marathon.
Now that I’m an experienced marathoner I set my goals high going into each race. On this day I really felt well prepared so I set my goal very high. I wanted to cover the 26.2-mile course and cross the finish line in less than six-and-a half hours, however this was not in the cards for me on this day.
The race started off very well. I was on pace to set a personal best time through six miles. I was at 1 hour and 28 minutes, two minutes under my goal pace of fifteen-minute miles. As we reached the six-and-a half mark the skies opened up and it began to rain. This usually is not a big deal. I actually enjoy running in the rain, but this course was a loop course with long steady uphill stretches. Some hills felt that they were never going to end. The rain and wet leaves also hampered my leg drive, which slow my pace drastically.
As I reached the halfway mark of the marathon I knew this was going be one of my slowest times in years, but I was still determined to finish and keep my consecutive marathon streak going. This was not a race anymore; instead it turned into a test of will.
As each mile went by slower and slower I began to get frustrated. My two friends/guides, Randy and Karleen, who accompanied me the entire way kept me in a positive mind frame. They told me just keep pushing hard and concentrate on finishing the race. I took their advice and pushed on. After injuring my foot in between miles 15 and 16, the task became that much harder. Now along with all my other aches and pains I had from going 16 miles I had to baby the one part of my body that I can always count on; my left foot.
This injury made me have to change my strategy once again. I usually do 80 percent of the work with my left foot, now because I felt a sharp pain each time I push off of it, I was forced to use my weaker leg to compensate. Although it was painful, I was more frustrated. As the clock hit eight hours, I was really beat both mentally as well as physically. I decided I was going to use whatever I needed to win this battle.
Cold, soaked to the bone, and hurting, I crossed the line in a time of 8 hours 41 minutes, and 11 seconds. This was much slower than I planned, but I really feel it was one of my rewarding performances. Sure I enjoy when I have a perfect race and am able to set a personal best, but it’s almost or even more fulfilling to have to overcome a series of events to achieve a goal.
Now I’ll take a few days to heal before starting to prepare for the New York Marathon on November 6th. Although I enjoy a good challenge, Newport was enough to last me awhile. Next week I’ll be praying for sunny skies and mild temperatures, as I look to take a bite out of the Big Apple by completing the 2005 INC New York City Marathon. If I am successful I will only have 16 more steps to my ultimate goal of 50 career marathons.

Number 34 was rewarding and victorious

Oh what a difference two weeks can make. On October 22, I struggled in cool temperatures and pouring rain in Newport to finish my 33rd career marathon. Just 15 days later I found myself in the Big Apple competing in the 2005 Ing. New York City Marathon and these two experiences could not have been more different. As much as I struggled in the Newport race, I thrived on the streets of New York City.
Because of my disability, Cerebral Palsy, I prefer to race in warmer weather because the temperature allows more flexibility in my muscles, enabling me to find a rhythm. I couldn’t have had asked for better weather on November 6, the day of the New York Marathon. With sunny skies and temperatures in the high 60’s I knew it was going to be a good race and was eager to hit the road and get rolling on my 26.2-mile journey. Another advantage New York had over Newport; a competitor. It is very rare for me to have someone to race against who competes in the same fashion as me, pushing backwards in a wheelchair with their legs, but that’s exactly what I encountered in New York.
His name is Bill Reilly from New York. We have competed against each other in track & field quite a few times, but only squared off in a marathon once before, at last year’s New York Marathon. I crossed the finish line an hour-and-and-half before my rival in 2004 and this year I was determined to defeat him again but hopefully by a much larger margin.
As the starting time approached, and just inches away from Reilly, I was anxious to get started and could tell he was as well. At 8 a.m. the gun went off and the race began. I had raced against Reilly in short races on the track, but I’ve never seen him take off with the speed he did on this day. The second the gun went off he sprinted up the ¾ mile bridge and never looked back. This made me a nervous but my coach had warned me that Reilly would probably start strong, but that I should stick to my game plan and let him wear himself out. I took his advice and just concentrated on my race.
My first mile was a little slow but soon after I was warmed up and in my rhythm. After cranking out a few 12-minute miles my guides gave me the word that Reilly was in sight. A few minutes later I overtook him on a downhill. I never saw him again after that. That was mile six and it was just a race against the clock now.
I turned in my best time on the New York course in 1999. My time was 7 hours 29 minutes and 14 seconds. This year I hit the halfway mark (13.1 mile mark) at 3 hours and 29 minutes, so I knew a personal best was within reach. Each mile I felt stronger and stronger and was really enjoying everything about this race. Even the uphill portions of the course seemed to go by fast. It was like I was in a zone and my body was performing perfectly.
As I hit the 20-mile mark I was approaching 5 hours and 30 minutes. I knew I had a true shot at crossing the finish line in less than 7 hours but I’d really have to push it. As we got closer to the end of the race the street became crowded. Between the other runners and the enormous amount of spectators there was little space to maneuver. A few times I even hit people’s heels almost causing my chair to tip over. Following those close calls, I decided to play it safe and just keep a steady pace.
Before I knew it I had less than a mile to go and crossed the line with a pretty large crowd watching. My time was 7 hours 7 minutes and 39 seconds. I didn’t manage to break 7 hours, but I did set a personal best, beating my previous best by a little less than 22 minutes.
I was very pleased with my performance and I was even more pleased when I learned I had defeated Reilly by a little more than 3 hours. I’m thrilled to have set a personal best, and satisfied to surpass another athlete in my class. Now I’ll take it easy a little while and rest up over the holiday season. In January it’s back to training hard. That’s when I’ll begin to prepare to conquer the Boston Marathon once again in the spring. When I cross the line at Boston I’ll only have 15 marathons to go to my ultimate goal or completing 50.

Testing a Movie Post

Here is the film of Jason's finish, not sure if I can upload this or not.

Boston Marathon Pic 10

Here he is on the last stretch, 100 meters or so from the finish of his 35th marathon.

Boston Marathon Pic 9

Here's the World War I Ace making his way up a few last hills into Boston. You can almost smell the Fenway Franks.

Boston Marathon Pic 8

I almost got to talk to the superstar today. I received a call at work. It was Gramma Pisano. "Rann, its Gramma...hey give us a call back ok??" So I did. I talked to Gramma for a little, chit chattn' about this and that. Then she says, "Jay's out right now Ran, can you call back later?" So here I am again posting to my Jason Pisano fan site.

Jason has disappeared!!

This is an immediate call for smack talk. It's the only thing Jason responds to. I haven't heard from him in days. It's too early to be hangning out at the beach and Harbour Side so I have no idea what he is up to. He could be training to beat Lance in the New York Marathon who knows. He used to be my hero...maybe since I started this blog he thinks I'm stalking him. I've run over 30 marathons with you Jay...and what do I get? ...a cold shoulder...You're not even that fast Jay!!..I'm cheering for Lance ..go Lance!! No Boston pic today...I refuse. Here's a pic of Jay partying it up in Mexico...

Boston Marathon Pic 7

Here's Pisano chipping away at heart break hill. Yeah!!!

Boston Marathon Pic 6

Often in our rides to the start line we listen to Cake's "Going the distance". Jay, check out the sign this girl is holding. I just noticed today what it said.

Recovered and Ready for another...Randy

Boston Marathon Pic 5

After the first "official" wheelchair racers caught us, we were caught by Rick and Dick Hoyt. Check these guys out at www.teamhoyt.com. Read their book "It's only a Mountain". Next pic...the girls of Wellesley college scream for Jay!

Boston Marathon Pic 4

The start of the race for the "mobility impaired" division was at 10am so Jason had some time to get out and moving on the course. Here he is out on the course playing cat and mouse with the others that started at 10am.

Boston Marathon Pic 3

Here is Jay poised to lay waste to the 2006 Boston Marathon course. From Hopkinton it is straight downhill. That's where the guide runners come in. Our job is to steer and slow him down as he goes downhill. His pace is on the downhills is limitted to how fast we can run and maintain control. As far as any forward momentum it is all him. So NO he is not that guy that I push in the marathons!!

Boston Marathon Pic 2

Here is one more in the Elementary School. Jay all suited up in his chair and ready to head to the starting line.

Daily Boson Marathon Pic 1

Over the next few days I'll share some pics of Team Pisano in this year's Boston Marathon. Here is a pic of Jason Pisano resting in the elementary school in Hopkinton Mass a few hours before the start. Behind him is his racing chair and on the floor our guide bibs.

Randy

You Know You're Brothers When...

As this blog has no timelines or general outline of stories I will randomly jump to one I promised a friend I would tell. So, Arghh mateys sit back and listen to the story of Jay and the giant clam.

I had been working with Jay for a year or two up at UConn, where we went to college together. At UConn I helped him with whatever he needed. Being in a wheelchair and having no real control over his arms etc...he needs a lot of the little things. A push to class, someone to take notes, pick up the phone etc...I was particularly talented at holding his beer at Teds or Huskies. I quickly learned that if you were friends with Jay you didn't act like...oh Jay here you go, do you got it..is that ok...can I get you anything else...It's more like stick the straw in is face and hope you have time to drink your own before he is done and wants another. So anyway after the semesters were done I ended up working for him at home during the summer. He needed someone to help him, I needed a job, we both wanted to go out, work out and hang at the beach. It was an easy decision.

It was something like the summer of 1995. It was a hot summer day and Jay, myself, his family, their friends, their friends kids, their friends' friends and maybe their gardner were all on vacation at a beach house in Naragansett Rhode Island. Jay was spending the day working on a big 5lb, maybe more, bucket of muscles that they bought for him at the local docks. Whatever those things were they were like the most seafood you could get for the cheapest price. He ate all afternoon until we were ready to go out for the night

Three or four beers passed the muscles clams, whatever, Jason's mom realized that I was looking a little tipsy myself. "I know you say thats the same beer you started with but I will drive you guys down to the Coast Guard House and you can call me when you are ready to come home. Of course we didn't call and at about 2:00 am they found us in the upstairs bar sipping a free drink from the owner or maybe some other nice person who knew Jay from here or there. It was time to go home and to bed.

I was out cold, deep asleep when I heard him yelling. We were sleeping in the living room with big cathedral ceilings and a hallway with doors to all the other bedrooms just above us. "Randy," he yelled. "I need to get up". "Yeah okay" I said still sleeping away. "Hey" Jay yelled. "What Jay, What?!!" I cried back. "Shut up!" someone up stairs moaned. Calmy he said,"I'm gonna get sick." "What, sick! okay, I'm up, I'm up" I said as I jumped off the couch and tripped over his mattress on the floor. "Just get me up" he said.

So I bent down and grabbed him like a wrestler and flung him up ready to sit him quickly into his chair. I didn't have his arms held and they swing all about whereever they want. Jays arm stretched out and hit the light switch. It wasn't just one switch it was one of those multi switch panels controlling all the indoor lights, outdoor, fans and who knows what eles. "ahhh what the heck," every one starts yelling "turn the lights off!!!"

I dropped Jay into his wheelchair. Turned off the lights and felt much better. I sighed, noticed my mouth was pretty dry. It felt great to be in the dark again and my eyes relaxed back to their sleepy mode. I figured I'd hit the head so..."Hey!!" Jason yelled at me. "What are you doing?" he said, slumped over in his chair a gurgling volcano of muscles and Natty Ice. "oh yeah" I said, and I felt my way to the kitchen stubbing my toes on furniture and beach toys.

Finally I made it to the cubbard, at least it felt like a cuppard and it was. Opening it let out a crash of dishes put away by careless vacationers more concerned about playing screw your neighbor. I was in too much of a hurry to care about the noise then, as I sensed Jay getting closer and closer to eruption. One pot..too small, the next too big and heavy, that one's for the lobster tomorrow, plastic? no.., frying pan no , cup (shouldn't be in here)......YESSS! perfecto, good size, feels pretty old and beat up and not too heavy.

This is where they play Chariots of fire as I run across the room, one arm stretched out with the pot in hand, the other feeling my way. I made it just in time. I was good, I was real good. I've never smelled so many nasty pieces and parts in my life. I turned my head and covered my nose with my free arm. Jay yelled to me again, "Hey". I just ignored him, tucked my head into my shirt like a turtle and pinched my nose "It's okay Jay", I muffeld out. "HEYehhyyyyy!!!" "Idiot, Idiot he he yelled and kicked me. "What now Jay?, What??" I said.

Jay looked up. "It's a strainer".

Introducing Jason Pisano-His Own Words

This past Monday my two guides and I set out to complete the 110 Boston Marathon. This was my 11th consecutive year racing this historic course. Like every year, I put myself through four months of intense training so I would be prepared for any extra challenge that might present its’ self on Marathon Monday.
The Boston Marathon is one, if not, the most difficult marathon to run in the world. To attempt this 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to downtown Boston, one must be both ready mentally and physically to push their bodies to the absolute limits. This year I trained very hard and was probably in the best shape of my life. I really thought I had an excellent chance at setting a personal record on this course, but then it happen.
Two days before the marathon I woke up with a tooth ache and this virus that left all sores in my mouth. I was definitely not happy. I didn’t feel like getting out of bed never mind doing a marathon, but something inside me enjoys an extra challenge, so I decided I was going to race as planned.
Easter morning I went on my final training session. I only went out for 30 or 40 minutes just to loosen up my muscle and I felt OK but I knew I wasn’t going be at full strength. For the rest of the holiday I just relaxed and tried to focus on the race.
After a light supper and watching Rocky IV for the 1,000 times I felt a little better. After a hot shower I went to bed nice and early so I’d be fresh for my 5:30 a.m. wake-up call. I slept well but still didn’t feel at full strength. After dressing and a quick bite to eat, we were off to the staging area. I slept the entire hour ride to Hopkinton. When arrived at the small grammar school where the wheelchair athletes dress and warm-up it was extremely cold. I actually think it was warmer outside than in that school. After we get all set and I was properly in my racing chair we headed up to the starting area. Like each year this area was mobbed with media and spectators. This kind of got me psyched and made me forget about not feeling up to par. After about 20 minutes of giving interviews and warming-up it was show time.
At 10 a.m. I started the race with the Mobility Impaired Division. I still felt a little weak but I was going faster than normal. I passed the eight-mile mark in 1 hour and 53 minutes. I was psyched but still did not feel myself. This is when I fell apart. The next five miles took me almost as long as it took me to do the first eight miles. Right then I knew I was in trouble. I was struggling and Heartbreak Hill (five miles of up-hill) was just a few miles away. Although I knew this was going be my one of my slowest times at Boston I knew I had to push on.
The next 13 miles were brutal. Each year the hills seem to get bigger and longer, or it could just be me getting older. This is the portion of the race where every push hurts so badly. This is also the portion of the course where I get the most encouragement. So many people, runners and spectators, took time to tell me how much I inspire them, or how much they look forward to seeing me struggling up those hills each year. Even if I had ever thought about quitting how could I after hearing all that encouragement.
Finally I sprinted over the line in the heart of Boston in a time of 8 hours, 43 minutes, and 3 seconds. Like any competitive athlete I was very disappointed in my performance, but then I thought of something my friends and family always ask me; “Why do you put yourself through all this?” My answer is because I can.
I can do something that most people cannot ever do. I can show people life is all that you make it. Yes, Monday certainly was not a great day for me, but that does not mean I threw in the towel. These kinds of days only make you stronger for future endeavors. Hopefully everyone appreciated my efforts and I’ll be able to return to Boston next April and really show them my best.

Jason Pisano Finishes 35th Marathon

Hello All,
On Monday one of my best friends finished his 35th marathon! Picture yourself somewhat spastic with little coordiation of your major muscle groups. You are in into wheelchair, arms tied down so you don't accidentally hit anyone. What do you do now? Start pushing...with your legs that is..backwards...for 26.2 miles. That's what my buddy Jay does and has been doing for over 10 years. This Monday he finished the Boston marathon (his 35th total). He claims that we are done when he finishes 50 total. We will see. I created this blog to begin telling his story and the adventures with various characters collectively known as Team Pisano.