Boston Marathon Training: Weeks 18 & 19

The Boston Marathon is in four days.  I am nervous, jittery, and carbohydrate deprived.   I spoke with my coach today, and she assures me that I am ready for the race.  The last time we talked about my time goal was in November when she asked me what my goal was.  I simply said that I'd like to do better than the last time.  No more was said until today. When I learned what my goal time is, I couldn't believe it.  My goal had been to join 36,000 other runners on Monday in a show of solidarity. As the race grew closer, I realized that I want to Boston qualify again during the race.  That's a little pressure.  I look forward to seeing what I can do on race day.

Over the past days, my love for the sport of running has grown even more as I participated in a number of running activities. This time has been filled with highs and lows.  I worked at the Raleigh Rock N Roll Marathon and Half Marathon Expo for the Tuna Run 200.  While there I encountered runners of all ages, abilities and experience levels, and I enjoyed learning about their upcoming races.  They inspired me to want to run more races just for the fun of it.  No time goals.  Just go run and have fun.

This was the inaugural Rock N Roll race in Raleigh.  My friend Holly and I spectated to support our numerous friends in the races and to support the running community in general.  We found a great spot near a band, held encouraging posters, and I rang a cow bell continuously for two hours while Holly cheered and clapped.  She turned to me at one point and said her face was going to be stuck in a smile.  I knew exactly what she meant.  I have three blisters on my hands from the bell, but it was worth it.   I then met my friend Rachel with whom I haven't run in way too long to complete my last long run before my race.  We were able to catch up on the latest in each other's lives over the course of the run.  I returned home and learned that two fatalities occurred at the Rock N Roll race.  That sad news cast a pall over the race for me and for all the runners  -- especially for those runners who saw the two men down on the course being attended to by medical personnel.

The following evening I attended a send off for Boston runners held by the nOg Run Club in Raleigh.  I didn't know quite what to expect, and decided at the last minute to join the club for a 3 mile run around downtown Raleigh where I have never run.  It was good to be with a group of people heading to Boston.

On the one year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings, I volunteered at the running club at my daughter's school.  I realized while doing a strenuous workout with the children that I was meant to be there with them on that day.  Children will continue to run and more will come to enjoy and maybe even love the sport as I do.  That evening we learned that a cruel, mentally disturbed person placed a backpack containing a rice cooker at the Marathon finish line.

My legs have felt slow and heavy during my last few runs (and I've been sore for days following that running club workout), and I have not been eating as well as I should have.  I was beginning to doubt myself, but Coach Brennan tells me that I should feel sluggish now.  I've decided not to be too hard on myself about eating properly.  At the first of the week, I was supposed to load up on protein and limit carbs, and then at the end of the week, I am supposed to load up on carbs.  The first day I avoided carbs, but forgot to pile on the protein.  By the end of the day I was famished.  My husband walked into the house with hot take out pizza, and I caved.  At least I only had two slices.  I've tried since then and get to indulge in carbs beginning tomorrow morning.  I have one more day in North Carolina before the race, and then we leave for Boston.  Boston Strong!

Last two weeks of training:

Sun.: Day off
Mon.: 7 miles at 9:16 average pace; strides not done
Tues.: Day off
Wed.: 2 miles warm up; 3 X 1 mile at 7:16 average pace; 1.5 miles cool down
Thurs.: Day off
Fri.: 5 miles at 9:48 average pace plus 8 X 100 meter strides
Sat. : Day off

Sun.: 12 miles at 9:10 average pace
Mon.: 3 miles, which felt fast.  Unplanned and not timed.
Tues.:  Day off (scheduled 6 miles)
Wed.: 2 miles warm up; 3 miles at an 8:27 pace; 1 mile cool down
Thurs.: Day off
Fri.: 6 miles at 10:00 pace plus 6 x 100 meter strides planned for the day
Sat.: Day off
Sun.: 2 miles easy jog planned
Mon.: 26.2 miles  -- race day coming up soon!!!

Boston Marathon Training: Week 17; Reflecting on Boston 2013

The past few weeks have reminded me why I am returning to the Boston Marathon.  I had been obsessively lost in my training, a selfish pursuit.  As the race approaches, the media is updating us on the lives of those most affected by the Boston Marathon bombings and the preparations for the upcoming race.  My reflection on last year began when I watched a portion of a video of Boston's Milton Middle School Choir performing the tribute song "I Will Run Again."  My initial reaction was that I didn't want to hear it.  It's too sad.  I learned this will be performed at the pre-race dinner, and I was relieved that I will not be attending it this year.  When I saw a picture of 8-year-old Jane Richard smiling with her new prosthetic leg designed for running and everyday use, I looked away quickly.  I did not want to see it.  It's too sad.  I read a Runner's World article about Demi Clark, a women returning to the race who was approaching the finish line at the time of the bombing.  She has suffered from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.  While reading that article, it occurred to me that this humanizing of the victims is something that I need.  Although it was sad, this time, I read it.  During each of my runs, I have prayed for the victims who have suffered physically and mentally and for those who know, love and support them.  I have not really known for whom I was praying, but now that I am learning of these individuals' healing, I have some peace.

This time of reflection has been emotional.  I feel excited about the race and have nervous energy while tapering.  At the same time, I am allowing myself to feel sad again and know that more sadness will come at times that I can't predict.  The final miles of a marathon can be not only physically draining, but also emotionally draining.  I once realized I was sobbing at around mile 20 of a race. Something just came over me, and I can't explain why.  I don't want to sob in Boston, but I am packing waterproof mascara because it is inevitable.

The Boston Public Library, the first large free municipal library in the United States, is a National Historic Landmark and a site on my list of tourist attractions should I have the time.  A new exhibit has opened there entitled "Dear Boston:  Messages from the Marathon Memorial."   The exhibit includes some of the items left at the memorial including shoes and personal notes.  Four white crosses in the exhibit represent the four lives lost that day and in the aftermath.  The crosses honor Martin Richard, Lu Lingzi, Krystle Campbell and Sean Collier.  When I read about this exhibit, I thought this is the last thing that I would want to see upon my return.  Perhaps it is where I should start.

This video is for "Run Run Run" written by Michelle Lewis.  Michelle has runners in her family and wrote this song after the Boston Marathon bombings.

Training this past week:
Sun.: 22 miles; 9:23 average pace
Mon.: Day off
Tues.: 2 miles warm up; 5 X 800 meters at 5K race pace with 400 meters easy recovery in between; 1 mile cool down.  I'm pretty sure I was at a 7:20 pace on average, but my Garmin went wacky at the track.
Wed.:  7 miles recovery; 9:47 pace (hilly, sunny and 85+ degrees!!!)
Thurs.: Day off
Fri.: 2 miles warm up; 5 miles at 7:56 average pace; 1 mile cool down
Sat.: 16 miles; 9:13 average pace

Boston Marathon Training: Week 16

My Runner Passport came in the mail this week!

Last Saturday I had an incredible run, stated that in my blog, and then went on to complain about everything else under the sun. In retrospect, I wish I had shared more about my joy following the run.  I was happy and excited, and I'll share the enthusiastic note that I sent to my coach reporting the run:

My long run was great!  I started at around 10:45 and wrapped up around 2PM.  It wasn’t hard.  It was fun!  I haven’t checked my time though.  Those hills aren’t as brutal as they once were.  It was almost 60 degrees at the start and 75 degrees at the finish.  I was upset by the late and warm start, but it couldn’t be helped.  Once I was out there, I thought it was good to have to run in the warmer conditions — just in case it is warm on race day — and, I was starting about when my wave will start on race day.  Good practice!  I also ran into Esther out there, and we chatted a bit.  John is out of town.  The girls had Saturday school, and I had to take one to the doctor before I could get her to school.  Grateful that I could get that run in!

My long run this week was 22 miles.  The stress of trying to fit in the run during a rainy weekend with my husband out of town and days filled with family activities was worse than the run.  The run was fine. It just took a long time, and my daughter missed an activity because of it.  She didn't mind, but because of me she missed something she should have attended.  They say absence makes the heart grow fonder.  My husband's nine day absence (for a conference/vacation) has reminded me about what a huge role he plays in my ability to train.  I remember childhood Saturday mornings enjoying waffles, cartoons and dance classes.  My girls will remember that their Dad made the waffles and that their Mom showed up later, ravenous, and practically inhaled the leftovers.

New pair of shoes and a new box of Gu.

The run was good because going that distance means that my body is ready to tackle 26.2 miles.  It also signals the beginning of the taper, which means that the volume of running that I currently do (and felt I could not maintain) goes down.  However, while that sounds like a relief, at the same time the amount of running decreases, the intensity and density increase or stay about the same.  I learned that from an on-line Boston Athletic Association workshop on race preparation.  Even though it feels good to have the longest run behind me, there is much work to be done so as to not de-train.  The next two weeks will still be very challenging.

Typically on my longest training run, I simulate the marathon as much as possible.  I fuel at the same times I would during the race, wear the same clothes, and carry the same supplies and gear.  It was cold, so I didn't try out the new racer back tank I have for the race.  I was wearing long tights, a long sleeve shirt and jacket.  I did try out my new running shoes.  I've worn them twice now, and they have 33 miles worth of wear.  At different points I thought about where I would be along the Boston course: finishing the downhill of the first several miles, passing a lake on a flat stretch, running through the Newton Hills, cresting Heartbreak Hill, and charging downhill toward the final stretch.  My body felt fine in the last miles, and I picked up the pace.  At mile 20 my glutes started talking to me.  They reminded me that they were back there, and that I have neglected them lately.  I told them that I still have three weeks, and now that I will spend less time running, I will make it a priority to strengthen them before the race.

Last year I did not carry a phone during the race.  I will carry a phone this year, so I am trying out belt options.  I've been training with the small pink one and my large Nathan belt that has holsters for fluids.  I've borrowed three from friends to determine what best meets my needs for race day.  Thanks, Carrie and Holly!

Training for this past week:

Sun.: Day off
Mon.: 7 miles at 10:00 min. pace + 6X100m strides
Tues.: 2 miles warm up; 4X1200M @ 5K race pace (around 7:20 per mile) with 400m jog between each; 1 mile cool down
Wed.: Day off
Thurs.:  10.5 mile hilly run at 9:02 min. pace
Fri.: 5 mile recovery run at 10:00 min. pace
Sat.:  22 miles at 9:23 pace