The famous Falmouth Road Race is six weeks away and I have finally started serious training. I actually wore a singlet when running this week, and I never do that in my neighborhood, only during the race.

But I am trying to make up for lost time and developing the mental toughness to take those hills by storm.

Once again, this year, my two biggest motivators during training are Cystic Fibrosis and Frozen Yogurt bars. Read on to learn why.

As some readers know, at the age of 59 my wife suggested that I spend less time on the couch and maybe do some walking. I had a consecutive walking streak of more than 400 days, I forget how many, through wind, and rain, and dark of night, just like the postal service.

One day, when I was 60 years old, I decided to try to run 100 yards just to see what it would be like and feel like. I was shocked enough at my performance, that the next day, instead of walking again, I decided to try to run a mile. I was shocked enough at my performance, to keep going, and that started a running career that has spanned countless 5K races, a dozen or so 10K races, six half-marathon events (three in Boston, two in Hampton Beach, NH, and one in Manchester, NH). And, oh yeah, there was also that Boston Marathon in 2020 at the age of 70.

But of all the races, and all the pairs of HOKA running shoes, and of all the bib numbers that I have pinned on my shirt, and all the medals that I have grabbed at the finish line, the race that I most enjoy might be the hardest to enjoy, and that is the Falmouth Road Race.

This event is more than 50 years old and was started as a run among buddies from a bar on Main Street in Woods Hole (across the street from the famous Oceanographic Institute) to a bar in Falmouth Heights, a mere 7 miles away.

It is a famous race, worldwide, with world class runners participating every year. And although I am not a world class runner, you could say I have been a world-class fundraiser for this event.

When I led a New England non-profit, we started almost 20 years ago with a couple of bibs, and each bib that was provided to a runner came with a commitment to raise $750. The non-profit grossed a little over $4,000 a year in those early days.

Well, once my running career began and I thought I might be able to do the seven miles, the number of bibs applied for by the non-profit gradually increased to 40 for the final fundraising year for that organization. We raised well into the six figures for our mission with the event and I had the chance to run with friends, my brother Paul, employees, and Board Members, many of whom are reading this Weblog.

Brother Paul at the Start. He always beats me.

Delaney of 'Beat by a Girl' fame. College age now.

On your mark, get set, go. Quite a Morning.

This year’s event is on August 18^th, almost guaranteed to be the highest humidity day of the year on the Cape. Even though most of the race is run along the coastline, there are enough ‘no-breeze zones,’ and enough ‘baking in the sun zones’ to make this a brutal event. I’m not exactly sure why it is my favorite event.

Could it be the cause, and the causes most participants are running for? For the third year in a row, I will be running for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. A great organization that has done wonderful things and made tremendous progress in fighting the disease.

Could it be the excitement of 12,000 or so runners at the start line, queued up for more than a half mile waiting their turn? It is definitely exciting and heartwarming to connect with people and to see all the shirts with all the non-profits. It is inspiring.

Could it be for the frozen yogurt bars traditionally given out at the finish line? Absolutely. I had my first frozen yogurt bar in Falmouth, and now our refrigerator is always stocked with them.

Could it be for the coffee mug that each runner gets in their goody bag? I have quite a collection now, but I don’t think I’ve ever used one of them to drink coffee.

Could it be for the two-mile walk AFTER the race to get back to your car? No, it is kind of buzz-kill with tired legs and sore feet.

Could it be the cheering stations greeting me along the route? Absolutely. Sydnie and her family between miles 3 and 4 highlighted with our annual hug, and Bill, Ellen and their family taking action photos of me between miles 5 and 6.

Could it be the way it makes me feel when I hit my fundraising goal? In a word, Yes. It always feels good to give back.

Could it be the sense of achievement coming up that last hill to Falmouth Heights and seeing that oversized American flag dangling from the fire department’s ladder truck? That means that the frozen yogurt bars are only a mile away.

Could it be a measuring stick of my persistence and determination? I think so. This year will be the tenth Falmouth Road Race on my resume. I don’t think I’ve run another event ten times. I’ve almost memorized the hills, the flats, the sun, the shade, the houses where they set up hoses to spray runners.

Sydnie & Mom

Cheering Section

Most of the 12,000 Runners at the Start Line

Action Shot at Bill & Ellen's Home on the Route

It is still worth it. All the runners, the causes, the frozen yogurt bars, the coffee mug, the personal cheering stations, the way it makes me feel, the fundraising goal, the sense of achievement, the measuring stick of my persistence.

You can support me on my tenth run from bar to bar on Cape Cod by joining my effort to raise money for Cystic Fibrosis. The dollars raised have had an incredible impact on the lives of people, some of whom I know, and probably people that you probably know.

As an added incentive this year, everyone who donates will receive a link to the famous Dancing with the Stars of Boston video that I kept secret for so long.

Everyone who donates $25 or more, will also receive an autographed copy of my first published book ‘Observations at the Speed of Life’ as a gift.

As I approach my 73rd birthday, I am grateful that I am able to run this race, and grateful for your support. Thanks.

Can't wait for the frozen yogurt bars.

Only eight mugs: no mug during the pandemic.