Who are endurance athletes?

With the Boston Marathon fresh in our minds, many people are asking, "who are these endurance athletes?"

I remember the reaction of a woman that I work with responding to me telling her I was paying to run a marathon- " ARE YOU OUT OF YOUR MIND?? Paying to run 20 some odd miles? Your a lunatic!"

But endurance athletes aren't just those of us who lace up our shoes and head to the roads. Endurance athletes are people that look to the future ahead and need things that are going to last. Our shoes, our legs, our lungs, and our social support has to last us the distance. Our minds must be as healthy as our bodies- neither can be broken.

 In the, "throw away" culture we live in, an endurance athlete needs to find things of value and longevity. For as in running as in life, "its not how you start, but its how you finish."

The hours training, the sweat, the blisters, the heavy breathing- its for a purpose. Its for a goal. Same goes for the student that spends countless hours studying his discipline, the father working long hours to support his family, the actress performing pro bono to make a name for herself.

It is we who strive for better, because mediocre won't cut it.

Id like to take this opportunity to tell you about my favorite endurance athlete of all time: my grandfather who I affectionately call "Nonno". And although he jogs on his treadmill for 30 minutes a day, thats not the kind of endurance I'm talking about.

My grandfather started working when he was in middle school- laying bricks, pouring concrete, and waiting on tables. He worked all throughout college, eventually receiving a PHD in education and marrying a woman whom he was madly in love with. They started a lovely family and my grandfather took on more responsibilities at his work- while always maintaining time for his family. Years later when I was born, my grandfather phased out of his work to spend more time with his new family member. He even took up painting lessons so that he could instill the gift of art in his grandchildren. When he found out that his wife had become sick with a neurological illness my grandfather was a hero. He took care of her at the house for as long as he humanly could- and when the time went for her to leave the house, my grandfather never spent a day away from her. He usually went twice a day, bringing flowers and jokes to my grandmother all the other residents of the facility. My grandfather had done all he humanly could to care for and love his wife- and that is why I believe he will one day receive his heavenly reward.

So although the striated muscles and flashy jerseys may come to your mind when you here about endurance athletes, try not to forget all those who do not just survive life- but endure it.

I hope to one day be half a great as my grandfather- but I know that it will take lots and lots of training.

Thank you to all who inspire- whether, in the classroom, in our living rooms, or at the workplace. You are the endurance athletes of the world. And you sure as heck can run, if you ever care to.

Be well, and always run your own race :)

Inspired by my grandfather Anthony Lorenzetti :) 

I am so blessed to have you in my life, and even more so to have you in my name forever.

Zachary Anthony Lorenzetti Tomasik

Im not that sentimental... But happy 1 year anniversay

Im not a sentimental guy.... but when I looked at the calendar and realized that it was coming up on 1 year since I ran my first ultra marathon, I got a little mushy.

Mannnnnn- that was 1 year ago? Boy how the time flies.

I had done the 6 hour BPAC race in amherst New York to raise money for a scholarship fund commemorating friend of mine who had passed away just 2 months earlier. I was not in great running shape. I had run a marathon 3 years prior and had beaten old running shoes (vibram five fingers with holes in the bottom). To top it all off I had one of my best friends weddings the night prior.

Old shoes. Booze. Not great running shape. You do the math.

But the unexpected happened. The weather was beautiful, the people were friendly, and I was off. 10 miles into the run, I heard a women yelling for me. It was the mother of girl who went to prom with my deceased friend. I hadn't seen her in years- but I was wearing a shirt with my friends face on it to honor him. She jogged with me and we recounted the wonderful moments we had had with our friend. She pledged to donate to his scholarship fund and then quickly added, "your looking great, you better move on ahead."

So I did. For 22.4 more miles.

The race ended- but the pure bliss I experienced didn't. The sense of achievement was unreal. Although I was sore and hungry, the back of my brain was saying, "when are we going to do that again."

The weeks that followed that race were rough. I suffered a foot injury and stupidly ran the buffalo marathon- only worsening the condition. A week of rest, a slow acclimation back to the trails and I was back to my old self. I even went on a "we both thought it wasn't but it probably was" running date when I recovered. We still run to this day- minus either of us being injured. And now we do call them running dates.


So I have to say sorry to my Mom and Dad for making them worry on my 4 hour long jaunts. Although my Mom always tells me I have to stop, she has been there for some of my biggest and longest races. She prays for me daily and I try to reassure her that I'm not totally crazy- but probably over 50 %.

My Dad drove all the way to Syracuse to watch me run a 50k only to find out that I had finished a solid 55 minutes before I thought I would. He made it up to me by taking me out to the Dinosaur BBQ. He has even started jogging on the treadmill and talks about entering a 5k this summer. I totally support him, and every time I see him finish a run we both have to smile at each other.

I couldn't have done it without you guys, the love you have shown me has given me the confidence and determination to accomplish any task I put my mind to.

To my sister and older of the younger brothers Alex- we have enjoyed some great conversations on jogs and I feel as though it has been great bonding for our family. I hope that more of those moments are in our future.

To my littlest brother Luke- we've got some time to fit in a bro to bro jog in. Its coming, don't you worry.


So stay safe this spring, enjoy the warmer air, and always run your own race.

A picture can say a thousand words

(just woken up preteen zach and angelic luke)

We live in a competitive world. Our achievements, looks, actions and deeds are constantly compared to those of others. Do we comply with standards? What is our rank? Where do we fall within the standards? What does God think of us?  The list continues. It never ends.

But where are we compared to where we were yesterday? Last week? Last year? Why don't we keep up with our own development of character? Why don't we honestly ask ourselves, " am I in a better place? Am I a better person?"

The answer is simple: because its hard. 

One of the most useful functions I have on my iPhone is the iPhoto app. It categorizes your photos by when they were taken. I dare you to look back a year ago. Go onto a social media site you subscribe to and look at old photos. They are like graveyards, digital artifacts with context. 

Look at that person- and look at the current person you are now. How are you compared to you?

(crappy teenage zach)

This idea came to me for a few reasons:

 Last week marks the one year anniversary of my introduction to distance running. The obsession began in Hamilton Ontario at the Race around the Bay and hasn't stopped since. People think that my love for running is old- its not. I went from a medically obese youngster who took daily asthma medication to an ultra marathon runner. 

(happy current zach)

I have also been writing a paper on human suffering and have gathered interviews from friends. The interviews are touching, they remind me how much people I love have been through in the last year. It has taught me how much a persons life can change in an instant, just a matter of seconds can make all the world to someone. 

(hippy high school zach)

I have also returned to confession this lent after nearly a year. I have struggled with attending mass and being engaged with my faith since leaving the University at Buffalo. A few bright reminders have been placed in my life and have inspired me to return. 

(happy chunky zach)

I am also a few months from starting the most difficult part of my Physicians Assistant education. The mere fact that a board of people selected me to take on this task is amazing enough- now I have to bare my teeth and grind through it. Most of my adolescent life I wanted to amount to nothing, soon I will be in direct care of peoples lives. It is a task I do not take lightly. 

Conclusion: 

Use the resources you have to a look at yourself. Try to remember those feelings. Get analytical. Make a plan, if you don't already have one. And for cryin out loud enjoy the person you are! Embrace yourself- in the present, past, and future. You made it this far, you can make it anywhere. There are far too many people that will beat you down in life- you've got to become your own fan. 

(happy hungry zach)

(happy, sweaty and tired zach and julia)

And remember,always run your own race.