running Archives - Bob Cargill

30Aug 2020 by Bob Cargill

I’m Running the 2020 Virtual Boston Marathon

I’m psyched. I’m in. I’m participating in the Boston Marathon Virtual Experience. Of course, the Boston Marathon was cancelled this year due to the pandemic. Those of us who were entered to run this historic race were disappointed, but we totally understood. There was no way the race could have been held given the coronavirus crisis. The Boston Athletic Association (BAA) came up with a virtual version of the marathon, however, giving official entrants the opportunity to go the 26.2-mile distance on their own course, on their own time, sometime between September 5-14, 2020. So after having trained in the cold temperatures all winter to run this thing, I picked up where I left off a couple months later and trained all summer under the hot sun. I’m ready. I’m…

30Jul 2020 by Bob Cargill

Go Engage Your Audience

Branding, Marketing, Social Media

On your mark. Get set. Go. Go engage your audience like the organizers behind the TD Beach to Beacon 10K Road Race are engaging theirs. This popular road race, founded by the legendary runner, Joan Benoit Samuelson, in 1998, had to cancel its August 1 edition this year due to the pandemic. They decided not to go forward with a virtual version of the race, either. But they are doing something very smart and strategic to celebrate the race and engage everybody who’s a fan of it. They’re asking people to design their own version of the race’s start line on their driveway, take a picture of their artwork and share it on social media with the hashtag, #TDB2B10K. After the three most creative designs are selected, a winner –…

16Feb 2014 by Bob Cargill

I’m Proud to Be Running the Boston Marathon for Christopher’s Haven

Boston, Boston Marathon, Fundraising

The 2014 Boston Marathon will be extra special for me. The victims of last year’s bombings will be on my mind every step of the way, but so will the kids who stay at Christopher’s Haven, "a home for kids when cancer hits home." To support my participation in the Boston Marathon this year and give to Christopher's Haven, please visit my fundraising page here, where you can make a secure online donation. Or you can donate by check — just make it payable to Christopher’s Haven and mail it to me at 33 Oakwood Avenue, Sudbury, MA 01776. Thank you for your kindness, generosity and support.

24Jan 2014 by Bob Cargill

I’m Running the 2014 Boston Marathon for Christopher’s Haven

Boston, Boston Marathon, Fundraising

For me, the day started out like any other Patriots’ Day on which I’ve run the Boston Marathon, but it ended not with the anticipated feelings of joy and accomplishment. Instead, I went to sleep that night restless, worried and overwhelmed by a sense of sadness and shock over the two devastating bombs that had exploded near the finish line on Boylston Street. That’s how a blog post of mine began on April 21 of last year, just six days after the 2013 Boston Marathon, an otherwise glorious event that was tragically marred by two destructive explosions along Boylston Street. I wanted to put down in words while it was still fresh in my mind everything I felt about my experience that day. The disappointment I felt in having my…

01Sep 2013 by Bob Cargill

What Brand Apps Can Learn from RunKeeper

Apps, Branding, Business, Marketing, Social Media

At a recent networking event, I was talking to someone I hadn’t seen in a while about how great it is to keep up with each other through Facebook. I enjoyed the conversation, except for a remark he made about the fact that I share so much about my running regimen via RunKeeper, a very cool app that not only makes it easy to track your runs and other fitness activities, but distribute the details to your friends. “What’s with you and RunKeeper? Do I really care how many miles you’ve run?” Those weren’t his exact words. But that’s what I heard. The impression he gave me was that he could care less about something that means so much to me. Ouch. The truth is, though, everybody else in my social…

21Apr 2013 by Bob Cargill

Not Just Another Boston Marathon

Boston, Boston Marathon

For me, the day started out like any other Patriots’ Day on which I’ve run the Boston Marathon, but it ended not with the anticipated feelings of joy and accomplishment. Instead, I went to sleep that night restless, worried and overwhelmed by a sense of sadness and shock over the two devastating bombs that had exploded near the finish line on Boylston Street. It was going to be the 11th time I had run this historic race, my eighth time for charity, so the routine was familiar to me. Little did I know at the time that this would not be just another Boston Marathon. I woke up early, ate a good breakfast and made sure I had everything I needed for the long day ahead. I was proud to…

12Jan 2013 by Bob Cargill

I’m Running the 2013 Boston Marathon for Christopher’s Haven

Boston, Boston Marathon, Fundraising

I’ve done it before and I’m doing it again. I’m running the Boston Marathon for Christopher’s Haven. On April 15, 2013, I’ll be making another historic, heralded 26.2-mile trek from Hopkinton to Boston on behalf of the Boston-based nonprofit organization that bills itself as “a home for kids when cancer hits home.” The first time I ran the Boston Marathon for charity was in 1996, when I went the distance as a member of the Dana-Farber Marathon Challenge team. Altogether, I’ve run Boston 10 times so far, seven times for charity and three times as an unofficial entrant without a number. I’ve always loved running, ever since I was a kid. Over the years, I’ve run hundreds of road races, including 13 marathons, 10 half marathons, the Falmouth Road Race…

16Jun 2011 by Bob Cargill

Social Media: It’s Personal

Blogging, Facebook, Social Media, Twitter, YouTube

Don’t tell me social media isn’t personal. Sure, it’s not the same thing as actually sitting down and talking to someone in person, face-to-face. But it’s often the next best thing. And in some cases, it’s the only thing. Using Facebook, Twitter, YouTube and the like is a great way to connect with people who otherwise might not give you the time of the day because they’re either too busy or have reason to believe they have little in common with you. Social media is also perfect for keeping in touch with people who it’s impossible to meet up with in person because they simply live or work too far away. For example, my friend, Amelia, is situated some 3,000 miles away from me in Seal Beach, California. We’re both…