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by Stephen Tobey, sports editor of the Bedford Minuteman

'This year, my focus is running Boston for Scott (Carlson) and my father.'   DAVID ACKERMAN

Getting out on the road and running on a regular basis isn't easy for anybody. Running through the recent snow storms is even more difficult.

Having a goal, such as training for the Boston Marathon, makes it a little easier to get out the door in the dead of winter. And having a reason to run the Boston Marathon, such as raising money for a worthwhile cause, adds to the motivation.

"This year, my focus is running Boston for Scott (Carlson) and my father," said Bedford resident David Ackerman.

Ackerman's father died 1996 from amyotrophic later al sclerosis, better known a, Lou Gehrig's disease. That same year, Ackerman ran his first Boston Marathon. He rail with Carlson, whom he knew from triathlons. Two years later, Carlson was diagnosed with ALS and his training partners started the Angel Fund Run to raise money for ALS research.

"There are 22 of us now," said Ackerman, who is running Boston to raise money for the Angel Fund. "As a group, we hope to raise $100,000. Last year, eight of us raised $40,000."

Carlson is still alive, though the disease is progressing quickly.

"There is no known cure," said Ackerman. "Most victims live three to five years, though they usually have it for a while before it's diagnosed. (Carlson's) spirits are great. He has a great attitude. His family and friends are putting together a race to raise more money for research."

While last week's snow storms required Ackerman to make some adjustments in his training schedule, the weather hasn't slowed him down too much.

"You have to be flexible and run on days with no snow," said Ackerman, who has worked up to a weekly long run of 18 miles and will build up to a 22-mile long run by the beginning of April. "Instead of doing my long run on Saturday this week, I did it on Sunday."

Ackerman, 39, currently averages between 25 and 40 miles per week, doing most of his training at 5 a.m. before he goes to work as an insurance consultant. Occasionally, he does a weight workout or takes part in a spinning class at the Lexington Club.

In January, Ackerman ran a marathon in Death Valley, Calif. while visiting his oldest brother.

"It was just something to do," he said. "Surprisingly, there was snow. It was up in the mountains around Death Valley. It was in the 40s and drizzling, nice running weather, but not very scenic."

Ackerman also ran the Boston Marathon in 1997. His time in 1996 and 1997 was around 3 hours, 20 minutes. He was planning on running in 1998, but his son, Robert, was due to be born around the time of the race.

While Robert kept Ackerman from running Boston in 1998, the 3 year old is now part of his training regimen. On weekends, Ackerman pushes him in a baby jogger.