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