Photo Book Commemorating the 2014 Boston Marathon

Here is a link to my photo book commemorating the 2014 Boston Marathon weekend. Enjoy!

Click here to view this photo book larger

Photo books are the perfect gift for any occasion.

2014 Boston Marathon in Video Blog: An Epic Day! One That Changes You Forever!

I usually do a written follow up of my race day videos, but here we are a week after Boston and I just can't seem to find the right words to describe the experience. It was an epic day! It was a day that will never be duplicated and certainly not forgotten. I was amazingly blessed to be able to experience the entire breadth of emotions that made up the Boston marathon weekend this year. Truthfully, I cried for the first time Friday evening upon arriving in the city and continued on and off until we came home to DFW. I still tear up when describing the experience to patients, friends and family. My goal in running Boston was to honor the life of my friend and colleague, David Bloom. I accomplished much more. Boston 2014 reminded my how blessed I am to be able to run and share my passion with so many people. It also reminded me that even those whose bodies are not whole can inspire the world with their strength and perseverance. I will never be the same. My view of the world has changed forever due to this one day. I felt like the entire city of Boston came out just to give the runners a hug and to celebrate the resurrection of the city! I only wish was that this moment in time would last forever. There will be more marathons run in Boston, but there will never be another 2014 Boston Marathon.

Boston Strong! David Bloom's Legacy to be Honored in Historic Race

As many of you know, I am a native Rhode Islander and spent the first 27 years of my life running in New England. The Boston marathon has always been a very special race for my family and me. My brother and I first qualified and ran the race together in 2002, finishing holding hands. It is sacred ground to us. On this historic one year anniversary of the bombing that shook the city of Boston to it’s core, and also violated the Mecca of all distance runners; I implore you to reflect and honor those that we have lost and move together into the future honoring their memories. We need to support each other in these trying times. The only way to counter violence is with love and solidarity!

I am running Boston again this year to uplift the memory of my dear friend and colleague, David Bloom. I will carry his picture for 26.2 miles symbolizing how many times he had carried me in years we were together. Together we have raised more than $12,000 for melanoma education in hope to make a small difference in this fight. Melanoma claimed Dave’s life much too soon, but his memory, spirit and legacy live on in all that he touched.

When I toe the starting line next Monday, I will not be alone. 37,000 runners will be physically with me, but countless others will be with us in spirit and soul. Boston Strong! I can only hope to run well and to live up to Dave’s amazing legacy during the race, but I know if I falter he is still there to lift me up and help me persevere, as he always did.

If you are new to this story, here is an update:

In December 2012, I lost my cherished friend, and FAANT lost a phenomenal physical therapy partner, when David Bloom lost his battle with melanoma. It is an understatement to say that David was a terrific clinical partner in the practice for more than 10 years. He touched the lives of thousands of athletes and helped them reach their goals on a physical, and many times, a spiritual level. David was also a compassionate, loving friend; a supportive husband and an amazing father of 5 boys.  He was a community leader and a beacon of God’s love in all the groups he was involved with. Even in his darkest hours you could see his faith burning brightly while he bravely fought his cancer. David left us way too young and his loss is deeply felt by all that knew him.  

On the one-year anniversary of his passing, I was searching for a way to celebrate his life and work, while trying to make a difference in the fight against skin cancers that affect so many young vibrant people like David.

After much prayer, I feel led to run the 2014 Boston Marathon to honor David and raise money for melanoma awareness and research.  David helped me through a nagging injury so I could run my first Boston Marathon in 2002, with my little brother Rob. I will remember that day and his support forever.

 I felt this tribute to his life and work will help the FAANT family celebrate his life, and feel like we have made a difference in fighting this terrible cancer that touches so many. Join me in the fight against melanoma by donating to the cause. I will personally match every single donation to double their effectiveness. Our goal is to raise $15,000 in the name of David Bloom. 

For more information about the cause or to make a donation, click here.

Shake Off the Winter Lazy! Here are 5 Tips to Get Motivated!

If you are like me, you hate running in the winter. It’s even worse in climates where ice and snow have been abundant this winter. I weep for my friends in Chicagoland and the Northeast!! Getting all those clothes on just for a run in the cold seems like such a chore sometimes!!

Winter Running with the Peeps!

I hate the treadmill, but it is a necessary evil when ice and snow abounds! That being said, many of us get lazy in the winter and slack off from training; only to find the early spring races on our schedule quite the challenge.

This year I really doubled down and put the Galveston 70.3 triathlon and the Boston Marathon on my April calendar, followed closely by Ironman Texas in May. Somehow I didn’t anticipate this crazy cold Texas winter! I have been diligent about trying to keep motivated but my training is definitely not stellar.

Now that the weather is improving, it is time to get motivated!! Here are 5 tips to help get you back on track this early spring!

1.     Start fresh! Time to go shopping for some new running kicks! A new pair of shoes is needed to help get you back in the groove. Most of us have been pounding the treadmill in last seasons’ shoes. Start the spring off on the right foot with a new pair of shoes!

2.     Take a long hard look at your training log! If you have been writing in a lot of zeros or minimal mileage, the first thing you need to address is your aerobic base. It’s hard to do tempo runs when you feel like your heart is going to explode! It’s also a recipe for an early season injury if you do too much, too soon, too fast! Start with an easy 3-4 miles at a pace you can talk to your peeps. Do this three times the first week and cross train the other days with swimming or biking. Add no more than 10-20% of either time or distance each day you run. Yes, I know it’s like watching paint dry, but too fast ramp up and you will be sorry! Three to four weeks of base building and you will be much more comfortable and back in the groove! When you get to the point you can run 10 miles easy, the base is built and it’s time to challenge yourself.

3.     After you have built your base, it is time for a challenge. Consider doubling up. A short easy run in the morning and a tempo run or speed session in the afternoon. Interval training is a great speed workout that will help you build more strength and endurance. Careful no tot double up more than twice a week and never the day after your longest run!

4.     Go long! Pick a weekend day and gather your friends for a long, slow run. Longs runs really make you stronger, not only physically but mentally. Increase your long run no more than 2 miles every week until you reach your training goal. The goal of the long run is to build strength and increase blood flow, so these should be slow and walk breaks are encouraged. Enjoy the run and your social time with your running peeps!

5.     The best way to get your running mojo back is to pick a race and put it on the schedule. I recommend picking a short race as well as a goal race. If a marathon is your goal, then a half marathon at least 4 weeks before and even a 10 or 15K, 6-8 weeks before are good choices. For triathletes, jump in a sprint or Olympic distance 2 months before, and a 70.3 a month before, your goal Ironman. These races help keep you tune up your training schedule and also can mentally motivate you towards your goal!

Dr. Crane and Tina B. ready to race again!

Spring is in the air! Let’s get motivated to get off the coach! Get off the treadmill and the trainer and get your running mojo back! I’m excited for the new season and ready to hear about all your experiences this year! Run Happy! Go long!

Myths Vs. Facts About Skin Cancer

Skin Cancer Myths vs. Facts

MYTH #1: 80% of a person’s lifetime exposure to the sun happens before the age of 18, so after that age it really doesn't matter how much sun I get!

                FACT: Only 23% of lifetime sun exposure occurs by age 18. You can and should help prevent sun damage at every age!

MYTH #2: Tanning at a tanning salon is safer than tanning outdoors because it is a controlled dose of radiation.

                FACT: When compared to those that have never tanned indoors, indoor tanners have a higher risk of all kinds of skin cancer. A controlled doe of tanning lamp radiation is a high dose. Frequent tanners using new high pressure sun lamps may receive as much as 12 times the annual UVA dose they received from sun exposure.

MYTH #3: The sun is the best way to get Vitamin D

                FACT: Our bodies can produce Vitamin D following exposure to the Sun’s UVB radiation. However, after a limited amount of sun exposure (5 min daily in NYC at noon in the summer), Vitamin D production reaches its maximum. Further UV exposure will actually breakdown Vitamin D to inactive compounds. Furthermore, sun exposure does increase your risk of skin cancer and premature skin aging. The safest way to get Vit D is through diet and supplements!

More Myths to be busted next blog!!!!

Can’t wait for more info? These Myths vs. Facts were provided by www.skincancer.org

Dr Marybeth Crane is running the 2014 Boston Marathon to celebrate the life of David Bloom and raise money for the Melanoma Foundation. To learn more about this important cause click here.

Sun Safety is Important: Even in the Winter!

Skin cancer is the most common form of cancer in the United States. The two most common types of skin cancer—basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas—are highly curable. However, melanoma, the third most common skin cancer, is more dangerous. About 65%–90% of melanomas are caused by exposure to ultraviolet (UV) light.

For more information about skin cancer risks, go to http://www.cdc.gov/cancer/skin/basic_info/index.htm  

The FDA published new regulations about sunscreen in 2012 to protect consumers. Do you know how to read your sunscreen bottle?

Sun Safety Tips!

Spending time in the sun increases the risk of skin cancer and early skin aging.  These tips are even important in the winter months when people get lazy about sun exposure; especially runners and triathletes!

To reduce this risk, consumers should regularly use sun protection measures including:

•    Use sunscreens with broad spectrum SPF values of 15 or higher regularly and as directed.

•    Limit time in the sun, especially between the hours of 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., when the sun’s rays are most intense.

•    Wear clothing to cover skin exposed to the sun; for example, long-sleeved shirts, pants, sunglasses, and broad-brimmed hats.

•    Reapply sunscreen at least every 2 hours, more often if you’re heavily sweating or jumping in and out of the water.

Save your skin! (And maybe your life) with these tips!

Dr. Crane is running the 2014 Boston Marathon in honor of David Bloom, a beloved physical therapy partner of FAANT to raise money for melanoma awareness. For more information or to donate to the cause click here. Dr. Crane is personally matching dollar for dollar your donations. No amount is too small to make a difference!

MyRunDoc Running Boston Marathon in Tribute to a Friend!

I have dedicated the 2014 Boston Marathon to the memory of David Bloom, my long-time physical therapy partner at Restoration Physical Therapy. See the whole story on my fundraising page for the Melanoma Foundation of New England.


Fundraising Websites - Crowdrise

Step into Minimalism Slowly at the Boston Marathon

Wow! What a great panel discussion put on by Saucony in Boston last Thursday night. I love going to Boston during marathon week. It's like Marathon Mecca! The whole city seems to buzz with running excitement. Boston will always be my favorite marathon.

I had the privilege to be part of the discussion of the evolution of minimalist running and how to transition from stability or motion control shoes to a more minimalist shoe.

The panel consisted of Michael Sandler, who wrote a fabulously crazy but poignant book on Barefoot Running and how it saved him after a severe accident; myself discussing how to strengthen your feet in order to even attempt transition from minimalist shoe gear or barefoot running as well as reminding runners to proceed with caution; Spencer White, head of the Saucony human performance lab, discussing in depth the biomechanical basis for the development of minimalist shoes and how they actually strengthen your feet over time; the legendary coach Dr Jack Daniels, doing coach chalk talk on a white board in order to discuss how to integrate minimalist running as a training tool; and last but not least, Collin Dibble, the owner of Marathon Sports in Boston discussing how to fit runners into the correct minimalist shoe and how retailers have a responsibility to caution and educate consumers on how to slowly integrate these shoes. Whew! What a panel! A fabulous educational experience for all present. I could listen to Dr Jack Daniels telling stories for hours.

After the panel spoke individually for 10-15 minutes each, then it was time for Q&A. Great questions from the audience showed they were actually paying attention. Even Amby Burfoot from Runners World asked a biomechanics question!

Then it was time to separate into small groups and talk with the runners’ one on one. I was happy to see that I drew a small crowd that wanted to discuss everything from how can I strengthen this muscle or that area to how can I transition safely or can I even think about doing this? Great discussion with a local pedorthist who will probably send me hate mail because I told him he was crazy to be running in a graphite orthotics. A few local podiatrists were also in attendance and I was surprised but delighted that they actually agreed with me that everyone does not need to be in orthotics permanently if their biomechanics can be rehabbed instead of permanently braced. We had a lively discussion about this highly controversial subject in our industry.

Let's briefly discuss this alternative thinking. A runners does too much, too soon, too fast and ends up with let's say plantar fasciitis. Traditional thinking is PF is most likely caused by abnormal pronation. Treatment is to put him in a more stable shoe with orthotics to brace his foot, start stretching, anti-inflammatories, rest and lots of ice. Now what? He's better in 6-8 weeks. Now he wants to start running again. Traditional thought is that his underlying biomechanics predisposed him to have the injury so we should leave him in the stiffer shoes with orthotics. What if he really doesn't have a significantly jacked up foot? Maybe just a slightly over pronating foot? Do we have an alternative to offer him? Yes! Now the hard work starts. Lots of strengthening exercises for the medial and plantar foot and lower leg musculature coupled with balance and proprioceptive training followed by lots and lots of stretching. Then slowly wean him off his orthotics and stability shoes over a period of 3-4 months and transition to a more minimalist shoe gear.

Easy? No! Worth it? Yes, if he wants to find his inner gazelle. No, if he really doesn't care about changing the way he runs to be lighter, faster, and in the long run, less pounding. Can everyone do this? No way! Only about 15% of runners will work that hard to change their running style after an injury, so I don't worry about the orthotics labs going out of business.

That's just the tip of the discussion going on in sports medicine today about the trend of minimalism that is sweeping the running world. Hmmm. Sounds like more blogs to come.