In 2006, Timothy P. Higgins laced up his running shoes and hit the pavement, utilizing his passion to serve the greater good. A longtime physical fitness enthusiast, Timothy P. Higgins trained for months to prepare himself for the New York City Marathon, an event that draws thousands of runners from around the world each year. Timothy P. Higgins was not only racing for himself, but for the children of America as well. As a member of Team for Kids, a New York Road Runners program, Timothy P. Higgins requested donations from friends, coworkers, and family interested in making a difference, joining many other like-minded individuals in the fight against childhood obesity. With the assistance of dedicated people like Timothy P. Higgins, Team for Kids has raised more than $16 million to support the organization’s efforts since 2002.
The following year, Timothy P. Higgins decided to challenge himself to an even greater degree, running both the Chicago Marathon and the New York City Marathon, this time as a team member of Race with Purpose. Functioning as a conduit between socially conscious runners and a select group of charities, Race with Purpose also supports a healthy future for all children. Only 30 days after he completed the Chicago Marathon, Timothy P. Higgins stood at the starting line for the grueling race in New York City.
Finishing the New York City Marathon was particularly meaningful to Timothy P. Higgins for two reasons. First, Timothy Higgins ran alongside his wife, Dina, supporting her in her very first marathon. Second, Timothy Higgins entered the New York City Marathon with a triple stress fracture in his leg, an injury that can cause crippling pain. Despite the fact that several medics suggested he call it a day at mile 18, Timothy Higgins continued to the finish line, never forgetting that he was running to support the well-being of children across the nation.
Dan Brown, the American novelist most famous for The Da Vinci Code, grew up in New Hampshire. The son of a mathematics teacher at Phillips Exeter Academy, the famous preparatory boarding school, Dan Brown engaged in puzzles and elaborate treasure hunts designed by his father while growing up. His interest in secrets and ciphers transferred to his novels, infusing them with mystery and conspiracy theory.
After graduating from Phillips Exeter, Brown attended Amherst College, where he studied fiction writing under the guidance of Alan Lelchuk. After college, Dan Brown worked as a singer and songwriter for multiple years, moving to Hollywood to further his career while also teaching.
Brown first started writing professionally in the early 1990s and stopped teaching in 1996 to devote himself full-time to the endeavor. He published his first novel, Digital Fortress, in 1998, followed shortly by Deception Point and Angels & Demons. Although he did not enjoy commercial success with these novels, his fourth novel, The Da Vinci Code, became a New York Times Best Seller in 2003. As of 2009, more than 81 million copies of the novel had sold worldwide, making it one of the most widely read novels of all time. Dan Brown did not publish his follow-up to the novel, The Lost Symbol, until last year.
The Da Vinci Code follows Harvard symbologist Robert Langdon as he investigates a murder at the Louvre in Paris. The murder victim stands posed like Da Vinci’s Vitruvian Man with an encrypted message that Langdon must unravel. He unearths a battle between Opus Dei and the Priory of Sion concerning discrepancies in Catholic theology as it relates to Jesus’ relationship with Mary Magdalene. The Da Vinci Code, an engaging novel that immediately captivates the reader and does not let go until the very end, serves as one of Timothy P. Higgin’s favorite novels.
Timothy P. Higgins on Growing Up and Living in New York City
I have called the New York metropolitan area my home for more than three decades, during which time the region and its culture have played a prominent role in my childhood, interests, family life, and career. Born and raised in an Irish Catholic family of four boys, I grew up in Queens, where some of my first jobs included delivering pizzas and working in fast food. A diehard New York Yankees fan, I attended my first Yankees Fantasy Camp as a teenager and met former Yankees owner and managing partner, George Steinbrenner, at the event.
After graduating from Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Queens, I decided I wanted to work on Wall Street as an investment banker and began pursuing my dream job, passing the necessary tests to earn my certification. In the 1990s, I met my wife; we married the day after the Yankees won the 1996 World Series against the Atlanta Braves, a victory that was one of the best wedding presents I received. My wife and I held our ceremony among friends and family at the beautiful Church of Saint Dominic, located in Oyster Bay, New York, on Long Island.
Nowadays, I divide my time between working as a stockbroker and financial advisor; donating to several charities; running road races and marathons; and raising my three children in a loving and nurturing environment. Among my responsibilities, I most enjoy spending time with my wife and children, traveling and vacationing around the world. We have been blessed to visit some of the most beautiful places on earth, including San Juan, Puerto Rico; Dublin, Ireland; Paris, France; and Monte Carlo, Monaco. However, as an avid outdoorsman, one of my favorite destinations remains the Lake George region of Upstate New York, where we love to boat, fish, and hike when we visit.
Running is a high-impact activity that can lead to injury if you do not take the proper precautions. As an avid runner, I have trained for and completed many marathons including the New York City Marathon and the Chicago Marathon. In 2007, I sustained a triple stress fracture during the New York City Marathon, but I managed to finish anyway. The stress fracture is a common running injury. Others include runner’s knee, shin splints, Achilles tendonitis, sprains and strains, anterior compartment syndrome, and plantar fasciitis.
While injury is sometimes inevitable while running, athletes can take a number of precautions that minimize their risk.
1. Always warm up before you run by performing low-impact exercise that gradually increases in intensity. A warm-up should last between 5 and 10 minutes. Likewise, runners should always cool down after exercise by gradually decreasing intensity for about 5 to 10 minutes.
2. Stretch twice: following your warm-up and at the end of your run after your cooldown. Be sure to stretch your hamstrings, calves, quadriceps, glutei, and hip flexors. When you stretch, do not engage in bouncing movements. Instead, hold them for 20 to 30 seconds before releasing. Watch the following video for some stretches to try before and after your run.
3. Make sure you have supportive running shoes. Evaluate your running stride (or have a professional do so), and then buy shoes that support your personal biomechanics. Replace shoes as they begin to wear on the sole, and consider rotating between a few different pairs for longer wear.
4. Gradually increase training distances and be sure to provide your body with plenty of rest, hydration, and proper nutrition to support your increased activity.
About the Author: Timothy P. Higgins is an avid runner who has participated in a number of marathons. He enjoys combining his love of running with his passion for giving, raising money as part of Team for Kids, a New York Road Runners charitable initiative.
