I put together a playlist for the Boston Marathon and then ended up not using it. At all. The Boston Marathon is a 26.2 mile block party. There were so many entertaining things along the way.
In hindsight, I hope these songs had turned up.
Foo Fighters - My Hero. This one is for all the police, emergency responders, medical people, volunteers, spectators, and average people who stepped up when they were needed.
Nine Inch Nails and Carly Rae Jepson - Call Me a Hole mashup - Upbeat music from Call Me Maybe. Dark lyrics from Head Like a Hole. "No, you can't take that away from me."
Katy Perry - Part of Me - "This is the part of me that you are never gonna ever take away from me." Notice a recurring theme here?
Switchfoot - Meant to Live - "We were meant to live for so much more and we lost ourselves. Somewhere we live inside."
Switchfoot - We Are One Tonight - "The world is flawed. These scars will heal. We are one tonight."
Switchfoot - Dare You to Move - "I dare you to move. I dare you to lift yourself up off the floor." For me, this song has always been about hope. It is one of the highlights of any Switchfoot concert. The most recent time I saw it performed live was frontman Jon Foreman singing solo, acoustic, with the crowd singing along. Amazing.
Switchfoot - Dark Horses - "I've got my scars. I've been to hell and back again. Born for the blue skies. We'll survive the rain. Born for the sunrise. We'll survive the pain."
The Bravery - Fearless. Good message. Peppy beat.
Rihanna - Diamonds. "Shine bright like a diamond." Boston, shine bright like a diamond.
Journey - Don't Stop Believin' - I associate this song with Boston, due to its use in the 2004 baseball post-season. In case you don't remember 2004, it was the year that the Boston Red Sox were 1 out away from elimination and came back to win the World Series for the first time since 1918.
Pearl Jam - The Fixer - "When something's lost, I want to fight to get it back again ... When something's broke, I want to put a bit of fixing on it ... When there's no love, I want to try to love again ... Yeah yeah yeah. Fight to get it back again."
Chris Brown - Beautiful People - "Everywhere that I go, the only thing I see is beautiful people ... Live your life ... The beauty's deep inside you. Don't let 'em bring you down. The beauty is inside of you."
Shoulda had Sweet Caroline, although I did hear it somewhere out on the course.
Showing posts with label marathon. Show all posts
Showing posts with label marathon. Show all posts
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Tuesday, April 23, 2013
Boston Marathon: How to Handle Traumatic Stress Part II
In my random travels today, I came across this list of various resources from SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, for those of you not in the DC area and not used to acronym after acronym).
Tips on How to Cope with Violent and Traumatic Events
Did you notice the shift in the news over the weekend? Especially after Friday? I did.
Did you notice there was less about the lives lost and the lives permanently changed? Why are they not in the focus anymore?
What about people who have witnessed things that no one, no one, should ever have to witness?
Why are we not talking about depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health issues? Because let's face it. There is a mental health side to violent and traumatic events. There are thousands of people, if not more, who directly or vicariously experienced trauma. Most people will be fine, but some people will not. To some extent, anxiety, fear, sadness, anger, and other emotions are normal reactions to abnormal events. There is a point, and this is a tricky point to identify, where emotions can start interfering with daily life. Let me reiterate that there is nothing wrong with needing extra help.
Why are we not talking about resilience, self-care, and coping skills?
Because we should be. Go back here for some tips on the road to resilience.
For helpers and healers, to challenge the present and embrace the future. That was from a church service several years ago. It is just as appropriate now.
Tips on How to Cope with Violent and Traumatic Events
Did you notice the shift in the news over the weekend? Especially after Friday? I did.
Did you notice there was less about the lives lost and the lives permanently changed? Why are they not in the focus anymore?
What about people who have witnessed things that no one, no one, should ever have to witness?
Why are we not talking about depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other mental health issues? Because let's face it. There is a mental health side to violent and traumatic events. There are thousands of people, if not more, who directly or vicariously experienced trauma. Most people will be fine, but some people will not. To some extent, anxiety, fear, sadness, anger, and other emotions are normal reactions to abnormal events. There is a point, and this is a tricky point to identify, where emotions can start interfering with daily life. Let me reiterate that there is nothing wrong with needing extra help.
Why are we not talking about resilience, self-care, and coping skills?
Because we should be. Go back here for some tips on the road to resilience.
For helpers and healers, to challenge the present and embrace the future. That was from a church service several years ago. It is just as appropriate now.
Sunday, April 21, 2013
Boston Marathon: How to Handle Traumatic Stress
So, yeah, about that Boston Marathon. There are many people who directly experienced the Boston Marathon bombings. There were many many more who indirectly experienced the non-stop news all week or the lockdowns in the Boston area on Friday.
What I am not seeing anywhere is information on how to cope with direct or indirect exposure to traumatic events. The good news is that most people directly or indirectly exposed to traumatic events will be perfectly fine. Resilience is common. People bounce back from traumatic events. We have already seen the city of Boston fall to its knees and stand up again.
But the bad news is that some people will need extra help coping with exposure, direct or indirect, to traumatic stress. There is a point where normal reactions stop being normal and traumatic events start interfering with your ability to function. There is nothing wrong with needing extra help.
Everyone reacts differently to events like this. It is normal to feel scared, anxious, confused, sad, dazed, shaken, or angry. Or nothing. Everyone copes differently. What works for one person may not work for someone else.
Here are some links on handling traumatic stress, courtesy of the American Psychological Association:
Tips on how much news coverage is too much for children, and also makes good points about how much is too much for adults
Managing traumatic stress
The road to resilience
I was initially worried about my own reaction to being in Boston, but so far, I have been remarkably OK. One person point blank asked me if I was traumatized, and I said no. Unequivocally no. Read below for why. These are strategies that work for me. Your mileage may vary.
Some of my stress-managing strategies
Reflected on what has worked in the past. I am unlucky or lucky, depending on how you look at it, that I've had experience with stressful and anxiety-provoking situations before, including a couple in Boston. I have a large toolbox of coping skills to draw on. Stress is stress. If you can handle it in one situation, you can transfer those skills to other situations.
Self-care. This is one of my main coping skills. Self-care can be as simple as going for a walk, having a cup of tea, doing something you enjoy, treating yourself to a little present, or anything that works for you.
Turn off the news. On Monday evening, I had zero desire to watch the news. Having a general idea of what had happened was good enough for me. I watched a little bit and checked periodically throughout the week, but I wasn't glued to the news.
Be careful with social media. Like the news, there were times when I had to step away. In particular, speculation and inaccuracies that were later corrected were too much.
Walked a labyrinth. There is a labyrinth at Boston College that I have walked on many times. There is a labyrinth in Washington, DC not too far from where I work. Labyrinths can be used as a tool for meditation. That's exactly what I used it for when I was back in DC.
Monitored myself. Although I was a few blocks away from the bombs, the facts that I didn't actually see them and didn't immediately know what was going on were very protective. That said, I knew there were certain things I had to look out for. Inability to concentrate, intrusive thoughts, lack of appetite, and trouble sleeping are classic anxiety symptoms for me. Thankfully, none of them surfaced (except for not being hungry on Monday, but that is totally understandable).
Wrote. Talked. I am blogging in part because writing is one of my ways of coping. And I gotta say, I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be when I returned to work. Not all of my coworkers knew I was in Boston to run the marathon, but the ones who did came by to check on me. All day. I have been wearing my marathon jacket, and random people asked me if I was there and whether I was OK. I have never experienced the kindness and compassion of total strangers like that before.
Learn. These are things I already know that have been confirmed by recent events. Have a plan, but adapt. There is light in the darkness. And one of the most important, learn where to put my energy. Some things are worth my energy. Others aren't. I am not going to put my energy into things that take a toll on me. It's not worth it.
What I am not seeing anywhere is information on how to cope with direct or indirect exposure to traumatic events. The good news is that most people directly or indirectly exposed to traumatic events will be perfectly fine. Resilience is common. People bounce back from traumatic events. We have already seen the city of Boston fall to its knees and stand up again.
But the bad news is that some people will need extra help coping with exposure, direct or indirect, to traumatic stress. There is a point where normal reactions stop being normal and traumatic events start interfering with your ability to function. There is nothing wrong with needing extra help.
Everyone reacts differently to events like this. It is normal to feel scared, anxious, confused, sad, dazed, shaken, or angry. Or nothing. Everyone copes differently. What works for one person may not work for someone else.
Here are some links on handling traumatic stress, courtesy of the American Psychological Association:
Tips on how much news coverage is too much for children, and also makes good points about how much is too much for adults
Managing traumatic stress
The road to resilience
I was initially worried about my own reaction to being in Boston, but so far, I have been remarkably OK. One person point blank asked me if I was traumatized, and I said no. Unequivocally no. Read below for why. These are strategies that work for me. Your mileage may vary.
Some of my stress-managing strategies
Reflected on what has worked in the past. I am unlucky or lucky, depending on how you look at it, that I've had experience with stressful and anxiety-provoking situations before, including a couple in Boston. I have a large toolbox of coping skills to draw on. Stress is stress. If you can handle it in one situation, you can transfer those skills to other situations.
Self-care. This is one of my main coping skills. Self-care can be as simple as going for a walk, having a cup of tea, doing something you enjoy, treating yourself to a little present, or anything that works for you.
Turn off the news. On Monday evening, I had zero desire to watch the news. Having a general idea of what had happened was good enough for me. I watched a little bit and checked periodically throughout the week, but I wasn't glued to the news.
Be careful with social media. Like the news, there were times when I had to step away. In particular, speculation and inaccuracies that were later corrected were too much.
Walked a labyrinth. There is a labyrinth at Boston College that I have walked on many times. There is a labyrinth in Washington, DC not too far from where I work. Labyrinths can be used as a tool for meditation. That's exactly what I used it for when I was back in DC.
Monitored myself. Although I was a few blocks away from the bombs, the facts that I didn't actually see them and didn't immediately know what was going on were very protective. That said, I knew there were certain things I had to look out for. Inability to concentrate, intrusive thoughts, lack of appetite, and trouble sleeping are classic anxiety symptoms for me. Thankfully, none of them surfaced (except for not being hungry on Monday, but that is totally understandable).
Wrote. Talked. I am blogging in part because writing is one of my ways of coping. And I gotta say, I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be when I returned to work. Not all of my coworkers knew I was in Boston to run the marathon, but the ones who did came by to check on me. All day. I have been wearing my marathon jacket, and random people asked me if I was there and whether I was OK. I have never experienced the kindness and compassion of total strangers like that before.
Learn. These are things I already know that have been confirmed by recent events. Have a plan, but adapt. There is light in the darkness. And one of the most important, learn where to put my energy. Some things are worth my energy. Others aren't. I am not going to put my energy into things that take a toll on me. It's not worth it.
Thursday, April 18, 2013
The Survivor Stone
A friend sent me a little Survivor stone a couple of years ago. I decided I was going to bring it along for the ride on my first marathon. I can't even remember why. It just seemed like an appropriate thing to have with me during a marathon. The stone has come along, tucked safely in a zippered pocket in my shorts, on all six of my marathons. It's gone 26.2 miles in New Orleans, Providence, Chicago, Virginia Beach, and Narragansett. And now Boston.
The stone was shiny. And then I tucked it in my pocket along with my keys on a 5K. The stone got very badly scratched. But that somehow seemed appropriate. The stone survived. It has helped me survive some difficult races. It reminds me of the journey. It changes. I change.
This scratched up stone comes along on all of my races. It took on a whole new layer of meaning after the Boston Marathon.
The stone was shiny. And then I tucked it in my pocket along with my keys on a 5K. The stone got very badly scratched. But that somehow seemed appropriate. The stone survived. It has helped me survive some difficult races. It reminds me of the journey. It changes. I change.
This scratched up stone comes along on all of my races. It took on a whole new layer of meaning after the Boston Marathon.
Boston Marathon: After the Marathon
2:50 pm. Still in the changing tent. There was a boom. It sounded like a cannon, or a very heavy truck going over a bump. At first, I thought it might be part of Patriots' Day. I couldn't tell where it came from.
Then there was another boom. Everyone started looking at each other, thinking this isn't right. This can't be good.
No. It wasn't right and it wasn't good.
Someone, I can't remember if it was a volunteer or a runner or someone else, said people were running. A volunteer told us to get out of the tent and leave. And go where? What was going on? Where was it? Were we heading towards it or away from it? What if there was another boom?
For the next 20 minutes or so, I was mostly unaware of what had happened. My #1 priority was finding my husband. I talked to him again (I had a missed call from him, so I knew he was OK) and he was on his way to meet me. It was surprisingly unchaotic, although no one really knew what was going on. I certainly didn't. Maybe that's why, so far, I feel like it hasn't been that traumatic. I never panicked. I hadn't seen anything. So thankful for that.
My husband found me in the family meeting area and we tried to figure out what to do. I just wanted to get the hell out of Boston as soon as possible. He was hungry. Emergency vehicles started heading toward the finish area. Ambulances. Police. We started walking in the opposite direction. At some point, I posted to Facebook that we were OK and called my parents. I already had tons of messages on my phone.
We popped into a crowded bar, saw the news of Explosions in Boston, and quickly left to find some other place to eat. We ended up at a Thai place that was mostly empty. I knew I needed to eat, but the last thing I wanted to do was eat. I managed to have a couple bites of vegetables and a cup of hot tea. But my stomach, which had been unsettled in the last few miles, just couldn't take more than that.
We walked a few more blocks to South Station to take the commuter train home. I have never appreciated Rhode Island as much as I did that day.
I keep wondering what if?
What if I ran slower? What if I had gotten injured?
What if my ankle decided to hurt during the marathon and I was somewhere out on the course? This was a big calculated risk, even before I stepped over the start line.
What if the bombs went off earlier? I ran within yards of both bombs. I will never know if they were already there when I ran by. I will never know if I had seen the people who dropped those bombs.
What if something had happened to my husband? Because he was out watching me run a marathon?
What if I didn't have a missed call from my husband after the bombs went off, so that I knew he was OK? What if we hadn't easily met up?
What if I didn't have my phone, or my battery wasn't fully charged when I left in the morning?
What if there were more bombs?
What if I didn't know my way around Boston and knew exactly where I was? What if I didn't know that I could walk to South Station to catch the commuter train home, instead of Back Bay closer to the finishing area?
What if. Those questions don't have answers.
The "what if" questions almost don't matter. People often talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was in the right places at the right times. For all the things that could have gone wrong, not one of them did. I am so grateful and thankful for that.
Then there was another boom. Everyone started looking at each other, thinking this isn't right. This can't be good.
No. It wasn't right and it wasn't good.
Someone, I can't remember if it was a volunteer or a runner or someone else, said people were running. A volunteer told us to get out of the tent and leave. And go where? What was going on? Where was it? Were we heading towards it or away from it? What if there was another boom?
For the next 20 minutes or so, I was mostly unaware of what had happened. My #1 priority was finding my husband. I talked to him again (I had a missed call from him, so I knew he was OK) and he was on his way to meet me. It was surprisingly unchaotic, although no one really knew what was going on. I certainly didn't. Maybe that's why, so far, I feel like it hasn't been that traumatic. I never panicked. I hadn't seen anything. So thankful for that.
My husband found me in the family meeting area and we tried to figure out what to do. I just wanted to get the hell out of Boston as soon as possible. He was hungry. Emergency vehicles started heading toward the finish area. Ambulances. Police. We started walking in the opposite direction. At some point, I posted to Facebook that we were OK and called my parents. I already had tons of messages on my phone.
We popped into a crowded bar, saw the news of Explosions in Boston, and quickly left to find some other place to eat. We ended up at a Thai place that was mostly empty. I knew I needed to eat, but the last thing I wanted to do was eat. I managed to have a couple bites of vegetables and a cup of hot tea. But my stomach, which had been unsettled in the last few miles, just couldn't take more than that.
We walked a few more blocks to South Station to take the commuter train home. I have never appreciated Rhode Island as much as I did that day.
I keep wondering what if?
What if I ran slower? What if I had gotten injured?
What if my ankle decided to hurt during the marathon and I was somewhere out on the course? This was a big calculated risk, even before I stepped over the start line.
What if the bombs went off earlier? I ran within yards of both bombs. I will never know if they were already there when I ran by. I will never know if I had seen the people who dropped those bombs.
What if something had happened to my husband? Because he was out watching me run a marathon?
What if I didn't have a missed call from my husband after the bombs went off, so that I knew he was OK? What if we hadn't easily met up?
What if I didn't have my phone, or my battery wasn't fully charged when I left in the morning?
What if there were more bombs?
What if I didn't know my way around Boston and knew exactly where I was? What if I didn't know that I could walk to South Station to catch the commuter train home, instead of Back Bay closer to the finishing area?
What if. Those questions don't have answers.
The "what if" questions almost don't matter. People often talk about being in the wrong place at the wrong time. I was in the right places at the right times. For all the things that could have gone wrong, not one of them did. I am so grateful and thankful for that.
Wednesday, April 17, 2013
Boston Marathon: Mile by Mile Recap
This post is going to cover the 2013 Boston Marathon up to 2:50 pm.
Up until that point, I had an incredibly positive and fun experience with the Boston Marathon. I want people to know that. I want people to know that the spectators and the volunteers, every single one of them, were fantastic. I owe the spectators in particular more than I can ever say.
As a caveat, I am a Boston College alumna. That certainly influences how I experienced the Boston Marathon. I already knew the excitement and joyousness of Patriots' Day and Marathon Monday firsthand. I had been there twice as a student. There is a tremendous amount of energy around Patriots' Day and the marathon.
My day started at 4 am. Woke up, had coffee and breakfast, slathered on sunscreen and Body Glide, got dressed, and headed out the door to catch a commuter train up to Boston.
All in for Boston. The Boston College Superfan shirt was a very wise choice.
While I was waiting for the train, I chatted with some people about the marathon. The conductor saw my marathon bag and gave me a free ride. Totally not expecting that. I looked at the course map, watched a pretty sunrise, and tried to keep myself calm.
I got off the train in Back Bay at around 6:35, near the finishing area, and then walked to the bus loading area at Boston Common. The lines for the bus were disorganized, but I was warm and everyone was heading to the same place. All roads led to Hopkinton. I chatted with a lady from California on the line and on the bus.
I got to the runners village at about 9am. Got in line for a porta-potty. Then dropped off my bag and started heading to the start line. I didn't have much time to hang around, which is probably a good thing. There are so many people and everything is so far away that you need a lot of time to get from place to place.
Start corrals this way
No stopping Monday
The porta-potties closer to the start had no lines. I literally walked right into one. I heard the national anthem. Then Wave 1 went off. Finally it was time for Wave 2 runners to start heading to the corrals. And wait just a little while longer.
Here we go. This is the only picture I have of the marathon.
Mile 1-2 - Hopkinton - I had a giant smile in the first few miles. I was running Boston! The early miles are in the middle of nowhere, but I was pleasantly surprised by the crowd support. People cheered me, "Go BC!" the whole way. It was incredible. I knew I had to be mindful of not going out too fast because 1) the first mile is mostly downhill and my pace was going to be off 2) I was going to be around runners who would be running much faster than me and 3) I really didn't know what was going to happen to my ankle.
Mile 3-4 - Ashland - Much the same as Hopkinton. Good crowd support. Mostly downhill. Go BC.
Mile 5-7 - Framingham - The course flattened out around this point. I started noticing that spectators were giving out all sorts of things. Water. Ice. Twizzlers. Tissues. Ice pops. Oranges. Sponges. If you ever needed something, someone had it.
Mile 8-11 - Natick - Still going pretty good. Cruising along and having fun. There was one isolated stretch where I almost pulled out my iPod. But then the crowds picked up again and I didn't need it. I actually ran the entire marathon without music.
The first 11 miles and the towns of Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, and Natick ticked away easily. And then I started slowing down and taking walk breaks. I was getting twinges in my right quad. The downhills in the first half wreck your quads if you aren't prepared. I've had massive quad failures before. That's not fun. Thankfully, the quad twinges never got worse than just twinges. Thankfully, I had banked plenty of wiggle room time and didn't really care if I slowed down.
Mile 12-15 - Wellesley - The Wellesley College scream tunnel was fun. The Wellesley girls have posters with "Kiss me I'm ..." Kiss me I'm a New Yawker. Kiss me I'm a scientist. Downtown Wellesley was full of people. I really loved the crowd support. Hit the halfway point at 1:51.
Mile 16 - Newton - Eagle coming home!! 5 miles to Boston College. This was where the course started getting hard. I saw my running buddies somewhere around this point. They were so excited for me! Just what I needed.
Mile 17-19 - The turn onto Commonwealth Ave. and then the hills. Oh, the hills. They are no joke. Walking is OK. Just put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.
Mile 20 - Heartbreak Hill - I made a point of not stopping on Heartbreak Hill. Because I knew what was less than a mile away ...
Mile 21 - Boston College - My favorite part!! I cannot tell you how amazing it was to run past BC and hear so many cheers for me. The BC kids went nuts! "Go BC!" "Go Eagles!" "Go Superfan!" It was waaaay better than the Wellesley scream tunnel. The Heartbreak was over. Mostly downhill all the way into Boston.
Mile 22-23 - Brookline. Cleveland Circle and Beacon Street. Tons of crowds. Lots of cheers. You could see the skyscrapers in downtown Boston and the Citgo sign if you looked carefully. They looked so far away. I was hurting. Not excruciatingly hurting. Not the worst hurting in a marathon I've had before. But hurting. My lower back hurt. My quads were still twingy. My ankle ... was totally fine. Thank goodness.
Mile 24 - Coolidge Corner - Large crowds. The Citgo sign suddenly started to look closer.
Mile 25 - Kenmore Square. Welcome to Boston. Passed the Citgo sign with 1 mile to go. Looked at my Garmin and knew that I had less than a minute of wiggle room left. Go. Now.
Mile 26 - Right turn onto Hereford Street. Left turn onto Boylston Street. Less than a half mile to go. Go. Go. Go. Crowds and cheers everywhere. Finish line in sight.
Mile 26.2 - I had been on the right side of the course for the entire marathon but switched to the left side just before the finish line. The clock for my wave was on the left side. Crossed the finish line at 3:59:20, 40 seconds under my 4-hour goal. I cut it close, but I made it. Sweet. I was a Boston Marathon finisher. Double sweet.
Unofficial Garmin time and medal
I walked slowly to collect water, a heat blanket, my medal, a protein bar, Gatorade, a bag of snacks, and a banana. Then I went to the bag busses to get my bag and my extra set of clothes. I talked to my husband and headed toward the changing tent and exit.
By that time, it was 2:50 pm. I was in the changing tent. Warm dry clothes and Adidas sandals never felt so good.
Up until that point, I had an incredibly positive and fun experience with the Boston Marathon. I want people to know that. I want people to know that the spectators and the volunteers, every single one of them, were fantastic. I owe the spectators in particular more than I can ever say.
As a caveat, I am a Boston College alumna. That certainly influences how I experienced the Boston Marathon. I already knew the excitement and joyousness of Patriots' Day and Marathon Monday firsthand. I had been there twice as a student. There is a tremendous amount of energy around Patriots' Day and the marathon.
My day started at 4 am. Woke up, had coffee and breakfast, slathered on sunscreen and Body Glide, got dressed, and headed out the door to catch a commuter train up to Boston.
All in for Boston. The Boston College Superfan shirt was a very wise choice.
While I was waiting for the train, I chatted with some people about the marathon. The conductor saw my marathon bag and gave me a free ride. Totally not expecting that. I looked at the course map, watched a pretty sunrise, and tried to keep myself calm.
I got off the train in Back Bay at around 6:35, near the finishing area, and then walked to the bus loading area at Boston Common. The lines for the bus were disorganized, but I was warm and everyone was heading to the same place. All roads led to Hopkinton. I chatted with a lady from California on the line and on the bus.
I got to the runners village at about 9am. Got in line for a porta-potty. Then dropped off my bag and started heading to the start line. I didn't have much time to hang around, which is probably a good thing. There are so many people and everything is so far away that you need a lot of time to get from place to place.
Start corrals this way
No stopping Monday
The porta-potties closer to the start had no lines. I literally walked right into one. I heard the national anthem. Then Wave 1 went off. Finally it was time for Wave 2 runners to start heading to the corrals. And wait just a little while longer.
Here we go. This is the only picture I have of the marathon.
Mile 1-2 - Hopkinton - I had a giant smile in the first few miles. I was running Boston! The early miles are in the middle of nowhere, but I was pleasantly surprised by the crowd support. People cheered me, "Go BC!" the whole way. It was incredible. I knew I had to be mindful of not going out too fast because 1) the first mile is mostly downhill and my pace was going to be off 2) I was going to be around runners who would be running much faster than me and 3) I really didn't know what was going to happen to my ankle.
Mile 3-4 - Ashland - Much the same as Hopkinton. Good crowd support. Mostly downhill. Go BC.
Mile 5-7 - Framingham - The course flattened out around this point. I started noticing that spectators were giving out all sorts of things. Water. Ice. Twizzlers. Tissues. Ice pops. Oranges. Sponges. If you ever needed something, someone had it.
Mile 8-11 - Natick - Still going pretty good. Cruising along and having fun. There was one isolated stretch where I almost pulled out my iPod. But then the crowds picked up again and I didn't need it. I actually ran the entire marathon without music.
The first 11 miles and the towns of Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, and Natick ticked away easily. And then I started slowing down and taking walk breaks. I was getting twinges in my right quad. The downhills in the first half wreck your quads if you aren't prepared. I've had massive quad failures before. That's not fun. Thankfully, the quad twinges never got worse than just twinges. Thankfully, I had banked plenty of wiggle room time and didn't really care if I slowed down.
Mile 12-15 - Wellesley - The Wellesley College scream tunnel was fun. The Wellesley girls have posters with "Kiss me I'm ..." Kiss me I'm a New Yawker. Kiss me I'm a scientist. Downtown Wellesley was full of people. I really loved the crowd support. Hit the halfway point at 1:51.
Mile 16 - Newton - Eagle coming home!! 5 miles to Boston College. This was where the course started getting hard. I saw my running buddies somewhere around this point. They were so excited for me! Just what I needed.
Mile 17-19 - The turn onto Commonwealth Ave. and then the hills. Oh, the hills. They are no joke. Walking is OK. Just put one foot in front of the other and keep moving forward.
Mile 20 - Heartbreak Hill - I made a point of not stopping on Heartbreak Hill. Because I knew what was less than a mile away ...
Mile 21 - Boston College - My favorite part!! I cannot tell you how amazing it was to run past BC and hear so many cheers for me. The BC kids went nuts! "Go BC!" "Go Eagles!" "Go Superfan!" It was waaaay better than the Wellesley scream tunnel. The Heartbreak was over. Mostly downhill all the way into Boston.
Mile 22-23 - Brookline. Cleveland Circle and Beacon Street. Tons of crowds. Lots of cheers. You could see the skyscrapers in downtown Boston and the Citgo sign if you looked carefully. They looked so far away. I was hurting. Not excruciatingly hurting. Not the worst hurting in a marathon I've had before. But hurting. My lower back hurt. My quads were still twingy. My ankle ... was totally fine. Thank goodness.
Mile 24 - Coolidge Corner - Large crowds. The Citgo sign suddenly started to look closer.
Mile 25 - Kenmore Square. Welcome to Boston. Passed the Citgo sign with 1 mile to go. Looked at my Garmin and knew that I had less than a minute of wiggle room left. Go. Now.
Mile 26 - Right turn onto Hereford Street. Left turn onto Boylston Street. Less than a half mile to go. Go. Go. Go. Crowds and cheers everywhere. Finish line in sight.
Mile 26.2 - I had been on the right side of the course for the entire marathon but switched to the left side just before the finish line. The clock for my wave was on the left side. Crossed the finish line at 3:59:20, 40 seconds under my 4-hour goal. I cut it close, but I made it. Sweet. I was a Boston Marathon finisher. Double sweet.
Unofficial Garmin time and medal
I walked slowly to collect water, a heat blanket, my medal, a protein bar, Gatorade, a bag of snacks, and a banana. Then I went to the bag busses to get my bag and my extra set of clothes. I talked to my husband and headed toward the changing tent and exit.
By that time, it was 2:50 pm. I was in the changing tent. Warm dry clothes and Adidas sandals never felt so good.
Monday, April 15, 2013
For Boston
Finished. All are safe and sound. Out of Boston.
That's all I really want to say. I am so incredibly sickened and sad by this whole thing. Thoughts and prayers to everyone involved.
That's all I really want to say. I am so incredibly sickened and sad by this whole thing. Thoughts and prayers to everyone involved.
Sunday, April 14, 2013
Boston Training: All Wrapped Up
If you have been following my training, it's no secret that this training cycle hasn't exactly gone the way I planned. I didn't do speedwork, limit alcohol, stay injury-free, train on hills, do consistent lower body strength training, or race much. I never even created a spreadsheet to track my mileage. I didn't have the base mileage, speed, or endurance I had in the past. Or the motivation. Motivation plays a bigger role than you would imagine.
I've used Hal Higdon's Intermediate 1 in the past, but I chose Novice 1 for a variety of reasons. If you follow Novice 1 plan perfectly, you end up running about 470 miles, including the marathon. I am going to cap out with about 440 miles. Not as bad as I thought but not terribly close either. A year ago, past me held just over an 8 minute pace for 26.2 miles. Present me has no idea how past me did that. Present me cannot do that. Boston is not going to be a fast (well, fast compared to past me) or pretty marathon. It is really going to depend on how my ankle holds up. The great unknown.
When I started out, I was just coming back from tendonitis in my right ankle. Pesky tendons. I probably tried to come back from an injury too quickly. Or I changed my form to compensate for my injured right foot. Which eventually put a strain on my left foot. I'm sure running on too many hills or running too much on hard/uneven surfaces didn't help either.
I have a feeling not training on hills and lack of lower body strength training are going to come back and haunt me at Boston. Looking at the course elevation chart, Boston does not look like a difficult course. It is net downhill. Yet the elevation chart is deceptive. I have ran on the Wellesley-Newton stretch where most of the hills are, including Heartbreak. Those hills in and of themselves are not that big of a deal. It's just that there is a succession of hills, and Heartbreak is at a mentally difficult point in the course.
I have time goals I would like to hit, but I really don't know if they are realistic. I will not be upset if I don't hit the time goal. But then again, I have enough marathon experience to draw on and I'm not going to aim for a goal that is totally out of reach. Such as 3:35 (still my BQ qualifying time) or a PR (under 3:31:02). There is zero chance either of those will happen at Boston.
When I started drafting this training recap, it was a lot more negative. The last few weeks actually went pretty well. I had a solid 20-mile run, much better than I anticipated. My speed has improved. For the most part, my left foot has cooperated. My motivation came back. Good. That makes me feel more confident about Boston. As we all know, confidence is priceless.
I also have one big advantage. I am very familiar with the last 5 miles of the course. Those miles are often the toughest stretch in any marathon. I know it is all downhill once you get past Heartbreak Hill and Boston College. I am looking forward to that part the most. Forget the Wellesley girls. I want to see my BC Eagles cheer me on. I want to turn onto Beacon Street and see downtown Boston off in the distance. I want to run through Coolidge Corner with about 2 miles to go. I want to pass near Fenway Park. I want to see the Citgo sign in Kenmore Square and know there is 1 mile to go. I want to cross the finish line on Boylston Street. I can visualize all of these places because I've been to all of them. Multiple times.
And you better believe I will sing For Boston (the BC fight song) when I reach the top of Heartbreak Hill. I've done that before too. Multiple times.
I've used Hal Higdon's Intermediate 1 in the past, but I chose Novice 1 for a variety of reasons. If you follow Novice 1 plan perfectly, you end up running about 470 miles, including the marathon. I am going to cap out with about 440 miles. Not as bad as I thought but not terribly close either. A year ago, past me held just over an 8 minute pace for 26.2 miles. Present me has no idea how past me did that. Present me cannot do that. Boston is not going to be a fast (well, fast compared to past me) or pretty marathon. It is really going to depend on how my ankle holds up. The great unknown.
When I started out, I was just coming back from tendonitis in my right ankle. Pesky tendons. I probably tried to come back from an injury too quickly. Or I changed my form to compensate for my injured right foot. Which eventually put a strain on my left foot. I'm sure running on too many hills or running too much on hard/uneven surfaces didn't help either.
I have a feeling not training on hills and lack of lower body strength training are going to come back and haunt me at Boston. Looking at the course elevation chart, Boston does not look like a difficult course. It is net downhill. Yet the elevation chart is deceptive. I have ran on the Wellesley-Newton stretch where most of the hills are, including Heartbreak. Those hills in and of themselves are not that big of a deal. It's just that there is a succession of hills, and Heartbreak is at a mentally difficult point in the course.
I have time goals I would like to hit, but I really don't know if they are realistic. I will not be upset if I don't hit the time goal. But then again, I have enough marathon experience to draw on and I'm not going to aim for a goal that is totally out of reach. Such as 3:35 (still my BQ qualifying time) or a PR (under 3:31:02). There is zero chance either of those will happen at Boston.
When I started drafting this training recap, it was a lot more negative. The last few weeks actually went pretty well. I had a solid 20-mile run, much better than I anticipated. My speed has improved. For the most part, my left foot has cooperated. My motivation came back. Good. That makes me feel more confident about Boston. As we all know, confidence is priceless.
I also have one big advantage. I am very familiar with the last 5 miles of the course. Those miles are often the toughest stretch in any marathon. I know it is all downhill once you get past Heartbreak Hill and Boston College. I am looking forward to that part the most. Forget the Wellesley girls. I want to see my BC Eagles cheer me on. I want to turn onto Beacon Street and see downtown Boston off in the distance. I want to run through Coolidge Corner with about 2 miles to go. I want to pass near Fenway Park. I want to see the Citgo sign in Kenmore Square and know there is 1 mile to go. I want to cross the finish line on Boylston Street. I can visualize all of these places because I've been to all of them. Multiple times.
And you better believe I will sing For Boston (the BC fight song) when I reach the top of Heartbreak Hill. I've done that before too. Multiple times.
Saturday, April 13, 2013
Boston Training Week 18
My plan for the week was cross-train, run 3 and 4 miles, cross-train, rest, run 2 miles, rest, and then the marathon. I made some adjustments to account for a Monday marathon. I have never ran an Monday marathon before, but a day or two has never thrown me off in the past.
Third and final week of taper. OK, you 2 mile run, really? REALLY? That's just not worth getting sweaty for.
I should probably ease up on strength training and leg work. Oops. Didn't really do that in the first 2 weeks of taper.
Sunday - Yoga for Runners DVD. Outside. Yay!
Monday - 3.8 mile run outside. In shorts, short sleeve shirt, and sunglasses. Sweet. Apparently my recent increase in speed is sticking around.
Tuesday - Core work, pushups, calf raises, squats, lunges, and foam rolling in the AM. Only did 2 sets instead of my usual 3 of the leg work. 4.6 mile run in the PM to see the cherry blossoms. 'Cause, you know, that's what you do in DC. Especially when you are in DC on the day the cherry blossoms peak. Pace was good, especially given that it was 85 degrees and I stopped a lot. R2 (the Garmin) told me I stopped for about 20 minutes total to take pictures, look at the Jefferson Memorial and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and avoid running into tourists.
Wednesday - 2 miles walking on the treadmill, plus upper body strength training, clamshell planks, planks, and foam rolling. Had to adjust my workout plan at the last minute. Long story as to how I couldn't access my gym. Good thing I showered the night before and keep a stash of baby wipes and dry shampoo in my desk at work.
Thursday - Rest. And travel! Racecation time.
Friday - 8 mile run. Longer and faster than it should have been. Not the short easy run I had planned. Long story but the moral is don't lose your key while out on the run. On the plus side, I now know the effects of adrenaline very clearly. Adrenaline is an amazing thing.
Saturday - 3.7 mile run. Easy pace. Found the lost key, thanks to a community lost and found box. And a trip to Boston to pick up my race packet. This just got real.
Sunday - Rest.
Monday - Marathon Monday. Stay tuned, folks.
Total Miles: 46.2 (including the yet unran marathon)
Third and final week of taper. OK, you 2 mile run, really? REALLY? That's just not worth getting sweaty for.
I should probably ease up on strength training and leg work. Oops. Didn't really do that in the first 2 weeks of taper.
Sunday - Yoga for Runners DVD. Outside. Yay!
Monday - 3.8 mile run outside. In shorts, short sleeve shirt, and sunglasses. Sweet. Apparently my recent increase in speed is sticking around.
Tuesday - Core work, pushups, calf raises, squats, lunges, and foam rolling in the AM. Only did 2 sets instead of my usual 3 of the leg work. 4.6 mile run in the PM to see the cherry blossoms. 'Cause, you know, that's what you do in DC. Especially when you are in DC on the day the cherry blossoms peak. Pace was good, especially given that it was 85 degrees and I stopped a lot. R2 (the Garmin) told me I stopped for about 20 minutes total to take pictures, look at the Jefferson Memorial and Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial and avoid running into tourists.
Wednesday - 2 miles walking on the treadmill, plus upper body strength training, clamshell planks, planks, and foam rolling. Had to adjust my workout plan at the last minute. Long story as to how I couldn't access my gym. Good thing I showered the night before and keep a stash of baby wipes and dry shampoo in my desk at work.
Thursday - Rest. And travel! Racecation time.
Friday - 8 mile run. Longer and faster than it should have been. Not the short easy run I had planned. Long story but the moral is don't lose your key while out on the run. On the plus side, I now know the effects of adrenaline very clearly. Adrenaline is an amazing thing.
Saturday - 3.7 mile run. Easy pace. Found the lost key, thanks to a community lost and found box. And a trip to Boston to pick up my race packet. This just got real.
Sunday - Rest.
Monday - Marathon Monday. Stay tuned, folks.
Total Miles: 46.2 (including the yet unran marathon)
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Boston Marathon Playlist
It's that time to pull my marathon playlist together. The more and more I think about it, I may not even run with my iPod. But we'll see. It will be a marathon-eve or gameday decision.
I take my playlist from my previous marathon, cut any song that I didn't like during the race or am just tired off, add new songs, and pick some songs that are location-specific. King of New Orleans made on my playlist for New Orleans. Ocean songs made it onto my playlist for Virginia Beach.
Here are some new editions. I've been on an 80s kick, thanks to the Depeche Mode station on Pandora.
Ellie Goulding - Lights
Information Society - What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)
Linkin Park - Burn It Down
Talk Talk - Life's What You Make It
Bruno Mars - Locked Out of Heaven
Christina Aguilera - Your Body
Rihanna - Diamonds
The Boston-specific song are an interesting mix. If I could live anywhere, I would live in Boston. Hands down. Despite that, I have a love-hate relationship with Boston. See, I have an ex-boyfriend who, as far as I know, is in Boston. Things between us didn't end well at all. I am going back to Boston College this summer for a college reunion. There are some events around this time of year that are kicking up old memories. Physically being in Boston, especially in April, magnifies all of that. Having said that, the ex-boyfriend and anything that reminds me of him motivate me to run harder, not give up, push through discomfort, and I am stronger than I ever imagined. So there will be Boston songs, Boston College songs, bad relationship songs, and anything that helped me get through the 2007-2008 academic year (related to dealing with the ex-boyfriend). Bring it, Boston.
Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up to Boston (was already on my playlist from Shamrock/Gansett)
Seal - Fly like an Eagle (Go Boston College Eagles!)
Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
Switchfoot - Dare You to Move
Nine Inch Nails - The Hand That Feeds
Pearl Jam - Evenflow (live from Boston May 2006 ... yes, I was there)
The Standells - Dirty Water (played at the end of Boston Red Sox games)
Foo Fighters - The Pretender
Nine Inch Nails & Carley Rae Jepson - Call Me A Hole - I cannot even tell you how brilliant this mash-up is. It is NIN's vocals with the instrumentals/beat from Call Me Maybe. Dark lyrics with an upbeat tune? Perfect for Boston.
Foo Fighters - Best of You
Katy Perry - Part of Me (already on my playlist from Gansett, but also fits with the bad relationship theme)
I take my playlist from my previous marathon, cut any song that I didn't like during the race or am just tired off, add new songs, and pick some songs that are location-specific. King of New Orleans made on my playlist for New Orleans. Ocean songs made it onto my playlist for Virginia Beach.
Here are some new editions. I've been on an 80s kick, thanks to the Depeche Mode station on Pandora.
Ellie Goulding - Lights
Information Society - What's On Your Mind (Pure Energy)
Linkin Park - Burn It Down
Talk Talk - Life's What You Make It
Bruno Mars - Locked Out of Heaven
Christina Aguilera - Your Body
Rihanna - Diamonds
The Boston-specific song are an interesting mix. If I could live anywhere, I would live in Boston. Hands down. Despite that, I have a love-hate relationship with Boston. See, I have an ex-boyfriend who, as far as I know, is in Boston. Things between us didn't end well at all. I am going back to Boston College this summer for a college reunion. There are some events around this time of year that are kicking up old memories. Physically being in Boston, especially in April, magnifies all of that. Having said that, the ex-boyfriend and anything that reminds me of him motivate me to run harder, not give up, push through discomfort, and I am stronger than I ever imagined. So there will be Boston songs, Boston College songs, bad relationship songs, and anything that helped me get through the 2007-2008 academic year (related to dealing with the ex-boyfriend). Bring it, Boston.
Dropkick Murphys - I'm Shipping Up to Boston (was already on my playlist from Shamrock/Gansett)
Seal - Fly like an Eagle (Go Boston College Eagles!)
Taylor Swift - We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together
Switchfoot - Dare You to Move
Nine Inch Nails - The Hand That Feeds
Pearl Jam - Evenflow (live from Boston May 2006 ... yes, I was there)
The Standells - Dirty Water (played at the end of Boston Red Sox games)
Foo Fighters - The Pretender
Nine Inch Nails & Carley Rae Jepson - Call Me A Hole - I cannot even tell you how brilliant this mash-up is. It is NIN's vocals with the instrumentals/beat from Call Me Maybe. Dark lyrics with an upbeat tune? Perfect for Boston.
Foo Fighters - Best of You
Katy Perry - Part of Me (already on my playlist from Gansett, but also fits with the bad relationship theme)
Saturday, April 6, 2013
Boston Training Week 17
My plan for the week was cross-train, run 4 and 6 miles, cross-train, rest, run 3 miles, and 8 mile long run.
Second week of taper. OK, you 3 mile run, what is that? This is a predictable point where I see 3 mile runs again and I want to run more.
So far, so good with taper. No taper crazies yet. No random aches and pains.
Sunday - Rest. Oops.
Monday - 4.4 miles outside. Windy but otherwise comfortable. I do so enjoy being able to run on the National Mall whenever I want to. Don't enjoy the tourists so much, but the Mall is nice.
Tuesday - 6.4 miles on the treadmill in the AM. Squats, lunges, calf raises, core work, and foam rolling in the PM.
Wednesday - 36 minutes on the bike, plus upper body strength training, clamshell planks, planks, and foam rolling.
Thursday - Rest.
Friday - 3.8 mile run outside. It was damp but not raining and not too cold. I went zoom fast. Well, relatively fast.
Saturday - 8.4 mile long run. Second long run in a row in a skirt. Second long run in a row running up a hill at the end. I went zoom fast again. First time running 7 mile in an hour in a long time. And probably my first sub-8 mile of this training cycle. Woo! Also walked about 2.5 miles in Washington, DC being a tourist.
Total Miles: 23
Second week of taper. OK, you 3 mile run, what is that? This is a predictable point where I see 3 mile runs again and I want to run more.
So far, so good with taper. No taper crazies yet. No random aches and pains.
Sunday - Rest. Oops.
Monday - 4.4 miles outside. Windy but otherwise comfortable. I do so enjoy being able to run on the National Mall whenever I want to. Don't enjoy the tourists so much, but the Mall is nice.
Tuesday - 6.4 miles on the treadmill in the AM. Squats, lunges, calf raises, core work, and foam rolling in the PM.
Wednesday - 36 minutes on the bike, plus upper body strength training, clamshell planks, planks, and foam rolling.
Thursday - Rest.
Friday - 3.8 mile run outside. It was damp but not raining and not too cold. I went zoom fast. Well, relatively fast.
Saturday - 8.4 mile long run. Second long run in a row in a skirt. Second long run in a row running up a hill at the end. I went zoom fast again. First time running 7 mile in an hour in a long time. And probably my first sub-8 mile of this training cycle. Woo! Also walked about 2.5 miles in Washington, DC being a tourist.
Total Miles: 23
Saturday, March 30, 2013
Boston Training Week 16
My plan for the week was cross-train, run 5 and 8 miles, cross-train, rest, run 4 miles, and 12 mile long run.
First week of taper. I'm sure I'll be sinking into taper madness in a week or two, but for now I am enjoying taper. Usually I get phantom aches and pains (although those don't start til 2-3 weeks into taper), but at least for now everything is good. Even the pesky ankle. Some of my speed is coming back too. I'm not sure if it's an artifact of taper or I really am getting faster, but I'll take it.
Sunday - Yoga DVD, plus squats, lunges, lower back, pushups, and calf raises.
Monday - 5.3 miles outside in the snow. Let it be duly noted that I busted out the Yaktrax for the first time this winter. On March 25.
Tuesday - 8.2 miles on the treadmill. With mileage ramping down, I got to sleep a little later. Yay. And then went for a walk for about 1.5 miles to visit the Supreme Court at lunch. Because I could. And then did planks, clamshell planks, and abs in the evening.
Wednesday - 40 minutes on the bike, plus upper body strength training, obliques with a medicine ball, and foam rolling.
Thursday - Rest.
Friday - 4.3 mile run outside. Didn't even need my reflective gear, since I started a little later than usual and the sun is rising earlier.
Saturday - 13.2 mile long run. Was planning on 12 miles, but the weather was nice and I was enjoying being out on a run. I even lost a couple miles where I was off in lala land. Tested out my Under Armour Boston College Superfan shirt. I bought this shirt a year ago and hadn't even cut the tags off. It was now or never to see if it was a possibility for the Boston Marathon. Superfan shirt is a go.
Total Miles: 31
First week of taper. I'm sure I'll be sinking into taper madness in a week or two, but for now I am enjoying taper. Usually I get phantom aches and pains (although those don't start til 2-3 weeks into taper), but at least for now everything is good. Even the pesky ankle. Some of my speed is coming back too. I'm not sure if it's an artifact of taper or I really am getting faster, but I'll take it.
Sunday - Yoga DVD, plus squats, lunges, lower back, pushups, and calf raises.
Monday - 5.3 miles outside in the snow. Let it be duly noted that I busted out the Yaktrax for the first time this winter. On March 25.
Tuesday - 8.2 miles on the treadmill. With mileage ramping down, I got to sleep a little later. Yay. And then went for a walk for about 1.5 miles to visit the Supreme Court at lunch. Because I could. And then did planks, clamshell planks, and abs in the evening.
Wednesday - 40 minutes on the bike, plus upper body strength training, obliques with a medicine ball, and foam rolling.
Thursday - Rest.
Friday - 4.3 mile run outside. Didn't even need my reflective gear, since I started a little later than usual and the sun is rising earlier.
Saturday - 13.2 mile long run. Was planning on 12 miles, but the weather was nice and I was enjoying being out on a run. I even lost a couple miles where I was off in lala land. Tested out my Under Armour Boston College Superfan shirt. I bought this shirt a year ago and hadn't even cut the tags off. It was now or never to see if it was a possibility for the Boston Marathon. Superfan shirt is a go.
Total Miles: 31
Saturday, March 23, 2013
Boston Training Week 15
My plan for the week was cross-train, run 5 and 10 miles, cross-train, rest, run 5 miles, and 20 mile long run.
Peak week. I haven't ran that much in nearly a year. 40 miles between me and taper. Sweet sweet taper and then the Boston Marathon. Assuming my ankle holds out. At this point, I am pretty sure it will.
Sunday - Yoga DVD, plus core work, pushups, clamshell planks, squats, lunges, and calf raises. Whew. That was a lot.
Monday - 5.3 mile run outside in light snow. Snow that doesn't stick is the kind of snow I like to run in. Makes it pretty but doesn't really interfere.
Tuesday - 10.2 miles on the treadmill. Booya, baby. Ran the first half with no music. Ankle felt twingy a couple of times but held up well.
Wednesday - 45 minutes on the bike, plus upper body lifting, planks, and foam rolling.
Thursday - Rest.
Friday - 5.3 mile run. Outside. In the cold. Pace was good, though. Yay.
Saturday - 20.2 miles in Rock Creek Park. Made of win. It was my longest AND fastest run of this training cycle. The weather was clear but chilly when I started. I actually started a little later than usual so it would warm up. Boston has a relatively late start, so starting your long run later is a good idea anyway. I dressed for the temperature later in my run, so I was cold at the beginning. Ran the first mile as a warm-up. In the 8:40s. Are you kidding?? I am in no shape to run 20 miles in the 8:40s. However, what I usually do on long runs is see where the pace falls in the first few miles and go from there. Maybe 8:40-8:50s was where this run was going to be. Took off my jacket at mile 4. I had planned a refuel and bathroom break around mile 5-6. I stopped to fill up my water bottles, eat some pretzels, and drop off my hat as well. Busted out the music at mile 12. Ran all the way down the path to the Kennedy Center on the banks of the Potomac River, then turned around to head back to my starting point. Pace was still in the 8:40s. Hmmm. There was a very cold wind once I turned around. I was glad I still had my arm sleeves and put them on and took them off as necessary. Stopped with about 2.5 miles to go to fill up one of my water bottles. The last few miles were tough. My hips were sore and I was getting bored. But I kept thinking about the Boston Marathon. Envisioned the course. Practiced my mantras. Tougher now. Smarter now. Yes I can. I finished in the high 8:30s. I have no idea how! This run was exactly what I needed going into taper. I am not as confident as I was going into Shamrock, but I'm feeling a lot better after today's run. Confidence is priceless.
Total Miles: 41
Hello, sweet taper. Nice to meet up with you again.
Peak week. I haven't ran that much in nearly a year. 40 miles between me and taper. Sweet sweet taper and then the Boston Marathon. Assuming my ankle holds out. At this point, I am pretty sure it will.
Sunday - Yoga DVD, plus core work, pushups, clamshell planks, squats, lunges, and calf raises. Whew. That was a lot.
Monday - 5.3 mile run outside in light snow. Snow that doesn't stick is the kind of snow I like to run in. Makes it pretty but doesn't really interfere.
Tuesday - 10.2 miles on the treadmill. Booya, baby. Ran the first half with no music. Ankle felt twingy a couple of times but held up well.
Wednesday - 45 minutes on the bike, plus upper body lifting, planks, and foam rolling.
Thursday - Rest.
Friday - 5.3 mile run. Outside. In the cold. Pace was good, though. Yay.
Saturday - 20.2 miles in Rock Creek Park. Made of win. It was my longest AND fastest run of this training cycle. The weather was clear but chilly when I started. I actually started a little later than usual so it would warm up. Boston has a relatively late start, so starting your long run later is a good idea anyway. I dressed for the temperature later in my run, so I was cold at the beginning. Ran the first mile as a warm-up. In the 8:40s. Are you kidding?? I am in no shape to run 20 miles in the 8:40s. However, what I usually do on long runs is see where the pace falls in the first few miles and go from there. Maybe 8:40-8:50s was where this run was going to be. Took off my jacket at mile 4. I had planned a refuel and bathroom break around mile 5-6. I stopped to fill up my water bottles, eat some pretzels, and drop off my hat as well. Busted out the music at mile 12. Ran all the way down the path to the Kennedy Center on the banks of the Potomac River, then turned around to head back to my starting point. Pace was still in the 8:40s. Hmmm. There was a very cold wind once I turned around. I was glad I still had my arm sleeves and put them on and took them off as necessary. Stopped with about 2.5 miles to go to fill up one of my water bottles. The last few miles were tough. My hips were sore and I was getting bored. But I kept thinking about the Boston Marathon. Envisioned the course. Practiced my mantras. Tougher now. Smarter now. Yes I can. I finished in the high 8:30s. I have no idea how! This run was exactly what I needed going into taper. I am not as confident as I was going into Shamrock, but I'm feeling a lot better after today's run. Confidence is priceless.
Total Miles: 41
Hello, sweet taper. Nice to meet up with you again.
Saturday, March 16, 2013
Boston Training Week 14
My plan for the week was cross-train, run 5 and 9 miles, cross-train, rest, run 5 miles, and 14 mile long run.
Last stepback week before one final push forward and then taper. Yikes.
I have reached that stage where I want to eat everything that isn't nailed down. I am hungry all. the. time. And yet I still managed to drop a couple pounds. Good, because I was hanging on to them from being injured last year. This is pretty typical of me at this point in marathon training, though. I am one of those weirdos who lose weight while marathon training. Clearly I am not eating enough. C'mer, food, get in ma belly.
Sunday - Rest. Unless yard work counts as exercise. I battled against mofo rogue vines and I won. Those were some nasty vines. They were entangled in fences, trees, and other plants. The vines made me fall on my butt on the ground. But I won, rouge vines. I won.
Monday - I usually run in the AM, but I decided to take advantage of decent weather, extra daylight, and the National Mall and run in the evening. Ran from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and back. Niiice. Would have been even nicer if my ankle had cooperated better.
Tuesday - 1 hour 20 minutes on the elliptical. I was going to bike, but one bike at the gym was broken and the other was occupied. Notice the lack of a 9 mile run. Eh. Ankle wasn't really feeling a longish run. Now is not the time to push it.
Wednesday - 5.3 miles on the treadmill (relatively pain-free), plus upper body strength training, oblique work with a medicine ball, and foam rolling.
Thursday - Rest. Extra sleep. Aaahhh.
Friday - 5.3 mile run outside. In partial darkness. I actually do like seeing the sun rise, although I wish I had a better route that wasn't so noisy. Chilly and relatively slow, but ankle pretty much cooperated. Yay.
Saturday - 14.2 mile run. The weather was supposed to be rainy and cold but turned out pretty decent. Ankle turned out pretty decent too. Pace was good and I took fewer breaks (only to cross streets) than last week.
Total Miles: 30 on the nose.
Last stepback week before one final push forward and then taper. Yikes.
I have reached that stage where I want to eat everything that isn't nailed down. I am hungry all. the. time. And yet I still managed to drop a couple pounds. Good, because I was hanging on to them from being injured last year. This is pretty typical of me at this point in marathon training, though. I am one of those weirdos who lose weight while marathon training. Clearly I am not eating enough. C'mer, food, get in ma belly.
Sunday - Rest. Unless yard work counts as exercise. I battled against mofo rogue vines and I won. Those were some nasty vines. They were entangled in fences, trees, and other plants. The vines made me fall on my butt on the ground. But I won, rouge vines. I won.
Monday - I usually run in the AM, but I decided to take advantage of decent weather, extra daylight, and the National Mall and run in the evening. Ran from the Capitol to the Lincoln Memorial and back. Niiice. Would have been even nicer if my ankle had cooperated better.
Tuesday - 1 hour 20 minutes on the elliptical. I was going to bike, but one bike at the gym was broken and the other was occupied. Notice the lack of a 9 mile run. Eh. Ankle wasn't really feeling a longish run. Now is not the time to push it.
Wednesday - 5.3 miles on the treadmill (relatively pain-free), plus upper body strength training, oblique work with a medicine ball, and foam rolling.
Thursday - Rest. Extra sleep. Aaahhh.
Friday - 5.3 mile run outside. In partial darkness. I actually do like seeing the sun rise, although I wish I had a better route that wasn't so noisy. Chilly and relatively slow, but ankle pretty much cooperated. Yay.
Saturday - 14.2 mile run. The weather was supposed to be rainy and cold but turned out pretty decent. Ankle turned out pretty decent too. Pace was good and I took fewer breaks (only to cross streets) than last week.
Total Miles: 30 on the nose.
Saturday, March 9, 2013
Boston Training Week 13
My plan for the week was cross-train, run 4 and 9 miles, cross-train, rest, run 5 miles, and 18 mile long run.
Here we go again. Mini peak week. Actual peak week is in 2 weeks.
Sunday - about an hour of yoga, plus calf raises and squats.
Monday - 4.2 miles outside. Cold and windy.
Tuesday - 9.3 mile run. Nothing like banging out a 15K before work.
Wednesday - Upper body strength training with a resistance band, pushups, planks, clamshell planks, and squats.
Thursday - Rest.
Friday - 5.2 mile run. Outside. The first 2 miles or so were in a snow flurry. Pretty stuff.
Saturday - 18.2 miles. I made it! Woohoo. Ankle was somewhat achy but was better than it has been on other runs. I stopped a bunch of times, including about 4.5 miles in to change out of my cold gear clothes and into something cooler. Pace was decent and I even managed to run negative splits and run to Virginia (Ave.). I needed a good run after some of the runs I've had recently. I got it. I am reasonably confident that I WILL make it to Boston and I WILL cross the finish line. I had my doubts for a while. Just another 5 weeks.
Total Miles: 36.9
Here we go again. Mini peak week. Actual peak week is in 2 weeks.
Sunday - about an hour of yoga, plus calf raises and squats.
Monday - 4.2 miles outside. Cold and windy.
Tuesday - 9.3 mile run. Nothing like banging out a 15K before work.
Wednesday - Upper body strength training with a resistance band, pushups, planks, clamshell planks, and squats.
Thursday - Rest.
Friday - 5.2 mile run. Outside. The first 2 miles or so were in a snow flurry. Pretty stuff.
Saturday - 18.2 miles. I made it! Woohoo. Ankle was somewhat achy but was better than it has been on other runs. I stopped a bunch of times, including about 4.5 miles in to change out of my cold gear clothes and into something cooler. Pace was decent and I even managed to run negative splits and run to Virginia (Ave.). I needed a good run after some of the runs I've had recently. I got it. I am reasonably confident that I WILL make it to Boston and I WILL cross the finish line. I had my doubts for a while. Just another 5 weeks.
Total Miles: 36.9
Sunday, March 3, 2013
Boston Training Week 12
My plan for the week was cross train, run 4 and 8 miles, cross train, rest, 5 and 12 mile long run.
Another stepback week. Oops, I just had one of those.
I think I am doing better with backing off a bit while still trying to get halfway decent training in. It is a delicate balance. Compression socks/sleeves and the treadmill are helping.
Sunday - About an hour of yoga, plus a lot of walking at Mount Vernon (George Washington's house) and around Old Town in Alexandria, VA.
Monday - 4.6 mile run. Outside.
Tuesday - 8.5 miles on the treadmill. No ankle pain. Ran 6 miles, then took a beak to reset the treadmill and fill my water bottle. Finally got to the gym early enough to get a full workout in before work. Did core work, lunges, pushups, and calf raises in the PM.
Wednesday - 45 minutes on the bike, plus upper body lifting.
Thursday - Rest.
Friday - 5.2 mile run. Outside. Didn't even need my reflective vest or too much cold weather gear.
Saturday - 12.2 mile long run. Surprisingly cold, but it's all good because I had the right layers. Ran the first 4 miles relatively slow, then dropped the pace for the last 8. I even had a few miles in the middle where I felt good about my pace and really enjoyed being out on a run. That hasn't happened in a very long time.
Total Miles: 30.5
2/3 done with training. 6 weeks to go!
Sunday, February 24, 2013
Boston Training: Halfway Update
Or a little bit more than halfway there ...
It's a good thing I didn't get this thing posted 9 weeks into training, because it would have been a whole lot more negative.
When I get halfway through a marathon training cycle, I like to look around, see where I've been, and assess where I am.
This cycle is far different from any other marathon training cycle. Being injured and not running for 5 months meant that I just couldn't pick up where I left off. My speed and endurance are pretty much nonexistent. My average pace is about 45 seconds per mile slower than where I was a year ago. My average weekly mileage is significantly lower. I am not doing speedwork of any kind. I have to be really careful about the foot that wasn't injured so that I don't injure myself again. There are days when I am not sure that I am going to make it to Boston.
A year ago, I was running my fastest times ever. I already had stellar 19- and 20-mile runs under my belt. I trained farther and faster and it was paying off. I smashed my marathon PR in a near-perfect marathon at Shamrock, ran an incredibly similar time at the Gansett Marathon 4 weeks later, AND set a 5K PR on a decently challenging course.
I am no longer that runner.
I had a goal. Qualify for Boston. Well, I did that. Twice. What happens after that?
You have to be really really really motivated to train for and run a marathon. I think I lost a lot of the motivation to run a marathon after I wasn't coming back from being injured.
I am not at the same place I was a year ago. And not just in running. I have a job and a house and a new place to explore. Training for a marathon just isn't high on the list of priorities right now.
Having said all of that, I need to stop comparing myself now to myself then. I can't put in the mileage volume I would like to, but I will do the best I can. I am beginning to see the value of running for fun. As long as I stay uninjured, I will find a way to cross the finish line in Boston. Hello, motivation?
It's a good thing I didn't get this thing posted 9 weeks into training, because it would have been a whole lot more negative.
When I get halfway through a marathon training cycle, I like to look around, see where I've been, and assess where I am.
This cycle is far different from any other marathon training cycle. Being injured and not running for 5 months meant that I just couldn't pick up where I left off. My speed and endurance are pretty much nonexistent. My average pace is about 45 seconds per mile slower than where I was a year ago. My average weekly mileage is significantly lower. I am not doing speedwork of any kind. I have to be really careful about the foot that wasn't injured so that I don't injure myself again. There are days when I am not sure that I am going to make it to Boston.
A year ago, I was running my fastest times ever. I already had stellar 19- and 20-mile runs under my belt. I trained farther and faster and it was paying off. I smashed my marathon PR in a near-perfect marathon at Shamrock, ran an incredibly similar time at the Gansett Marathon 4 weeks later, AND set a 5K PR on a decently challenging course.
I am no longer that runner.
I had a goal. Qualify for Boston. Well, I did that. Twice. What happens after that?
You have to be really really really motivated to train for and run a marathon. I think I lost a lot of the motivation to run a marathon after I wasn't coming back from being injured.
I am not at the same place I was a year ago. And not just in running. I have a job and a house and a new place to explore. Training for a marathon just isn't high on the list of priorities right now.
Having said all of that, I need to stop comparing myself now to myself then. I can't put in the mileage volume I would like to, but I will do the best I can. I am beginning to see the value of running for fun. As long as I stay uninjured, I will find a way to cross the finish line in Boston. Hello, motivation?
Saturday, February 23, 2013
Boston Training Week 11
My plan for the week was cross train, run 4 and 8 miles, cross train, rest, 4 and 16 mile long run.
I decided early in the week that the 16 mile long run just was not going to happen. I was too busy. The weather wasn't great. I had a cold for most of the week. Normally, time, weather, and colds do not interfere with my training schedule. This was scrapping a run to stave off an injury.
I had a moment of insight on yesterday's run where I think I am finally OK with letting go of any goal I had for Boston. I realized that I can't train the way I could in the past, but that doesn't have to stop me from training for fun and running a marathon for fun. Maybe I'll wear a Boston College Superfan T-shirt to the marathon. Yes, I have an Under Armour Superfan T-shirt. Maybe I'll hunt down one of those headbands with eagles on it (BC's mascot is an eagle). That could be fun. It was the first time in a long time where I thought about the marathon and wasn't dreading it.
Besides, don't you get more for your entry fee buck if you stay out on the course longer?
I took it kinda easy this week. I stumbled into few discoveries: I need to run more on the treadmill (because the incline is controlled and the surface is softer), inclines bother my foot more than declines (which would explain why my 2 regular long run routes bother me more on the way back ... they follow creeks and are slightly downhill on the way out and slightly uphill on the way back), and running in compression socks/sleeves helps. Now I just need to get more compression gear.
Sunday - Rest. Kinda. I think running up and down my stairs all day moving boxes and putting things away counts as exercise.
Monday - 4.4 mile run. Outside. Felt the beginnings of a cold coming on.
Tuesday - 4.2 miles on the treadmill, plus upper body lifting.
Wednesday - Rest. Usually I don't make adjustments for being sick, but I'm already not sticking to my schedule that carefully and just wasn't feeling the need to push it.
Thursday - 1 hour on the bike. Got to the gym really early before work. I really need to get my own hairdryer to bring with me. The ones in the gym take forever and it's cutting into my workout time.
Friday - 4.6 mile run. Outside. Didn't even need a light. Oh, that will change in a few weeks, but I'll take it for now. The cold was wrapping up too. It was nice to breathe again.
Saturday - 6.5 mile run outside in cold misty rain. A little chilly, but I was dressed appropriately. Not the 16 miles on my training schedule. It was what my body could handle and actually it was nice to go out and run whatever I felt like. No pressure. No pushing it.
Total Miles:19.7
I decided early in the week that the 16 mile long run just was not going to happen. I was too busy. The weather wasn't great. I had a cold for most of the week. Normally, time, weather, and colds do not interfere with my training schedule. This was scrapping a run to stave off an injury.
I had a moment of insight on yesterday's run where I think I am finally OK with letting go of any goal I had for Boston. I realized that I can't train the way I could in the past, but that doesn't have to stop me from training for fun and running a marathon for fun. Maybe I'll wear a Boston College Superfan T-shirt to the marathon. Yes, I have an Under Armour Superfan T-shirt. Maybe I'll hunt down one of those headbands with eagles on it (BC's mascot is an eagle). That could be fun. It was the first time in a long time where I thought about the marathon and wasn't dreading it.
Besides, don't you get more for your entry fee buck if you stay out on the course longer?
I took it kinda easy this week. I stumbled into few discoveries: I need to run more on the treadmill (because the incline is controlled and the surface is softer), inclines bother my foot more than declines (which would explain why my 2 regular long run routes bother me more on the way back ... they follow creeks and are slightly downhill on the way out and slightly uphill on the way back), and running in compression socks/sleeves helps. Now I just need to get more compression gear.
Sunday - Rest. Kinda. I think running up and down my stairs all day moving boxes and putting things away counts as exercise.
Monday - 4.4 mile run. Outside. Felt the beginnings of a cold coming on.
Tuesday - 4.2 miles on the treadmill, plus upper body lifting.
Wednesday - Rest. Usually I don't make adjustments for being sick, but I'm already not sticking to my schedule that carefully and just wasn't feeling the need to push it.
Thursday - 1 hour on the bike. Got to the gym really early before work. I really need to get my own hairdryer to bring with me. The ones in the gym take forever and it's cutting into my workout time.
Friday - 4.6 mile run. Outside. Didn't even need a light. Oh, that will change in a few weeks, but I'll take it for now. The cold was wrapping up too. It was nice to breathe again.
Saturday - 6.5 mile run outside in cold misty rain. A little chilly, but I was dressed appropriately. Not the 16 miles on my training schedule. It was what my body could handle and actually it was nice to go out and run whatever I felt like. No pressure. No pushing it.
Total Miles:19.7
Monday, February 18, 2013
Boston Training Week 10
My plan for the week was cross train, run 3 and 7 miles, cross train, rest, 4 mile run and 15 mile long run.
Sunday - one hour yoga of Yoga for Runners.
Monday - 3.8 mile run. Outside.
Tuesday - 60 minutes on the bike in the AM. Core work and clamshell planks in the PM.
Wednesday - 4.6 mile run outside in the AM. Upper body strength training, calf raises, and clamshell planks at lunch.
Thursday - Rest.
Friday - 35 minutes on the bike, plus chest exercises and clamshells.
Saturday - 15 mile run. Ran later than I usually do. The first 9 miles were fine. The last 6, not so much.
Total Miles: 23.4
Sunday - one hour yoga of Yoga for Runners.
Monday - 3.8 mile run. Outside.
Tuesday - 60 minutes on the bike in the AM. Core work and clamshell planks in the PM.
Wednesday - 4.6 mile run outside in the AM. Upper body strength training, calf raises, and clamshell planks at lunch.
Thursday - Rest.
Friday - 35 minutes on the bike, plus chest exercises and clamshells.
Saturday - 15 mile run. Ran later than I usually do. The first 9 miles were fine. The last 6, not so much.
Total Miles: 23.4
Monday, February 4, 2013
Boston Training Week 8
My plan for the week was cross train, run 3 and 6 miles, cross train, rest, rest and 13.1 mile race.
The 13.1 mile race was not going to happen. One, no races this time of year. Two, I am not racing Boston. One of the purposes of a half marathon race is to test your fitness. Yeah, I kinda know where I am already. I know how to pace myself.
I need to keep reminding myself that I need to roll my calves daily. Not once or twice a week. Not when I remember. Every day. Even if my calves are not tight. That's exactly how to keep them loose.
Sunday - two 20-minute yoga podcasts, plus calf raises and squats.
Monday - Pushups and lunges in the AM. 3.8 miles on the treadmill in the PM. And lots of foam rolling.
Tuesday - 32 minutes on the elliptical, plus upper body strength training, clamshell planks, core work, and foam rolling.
Wednesday - 6.3 mile run. Outside. In the AM. In a short sleeve T-shirt and light capris. I was hot! In January!
Thursday - Rest.
Friday - 35 minutes on the elliptical. My ankle was bugging me, so cross-training was in order.
Saturday - 13.1 mile run. Cold, but I was dressed appropriately.
Total Miles: 23.2
The 13.1 mile race was not going to happen. One, no races this time of year. Two, I am not racing Boston. One of the purposes of a half marathon race is to test your fitness. Yeah, I kinda know where I am already. I know how to pace myself.
I need to keep reminding myself that I need to roll my calves daily. Not once or twice a week. Not when I remember. Every day. Even if my calves are not tight. That's exactly how to keep them loose.
Sunday - two 20-minute yoga podcasts, plus calf raises and squats.
Monday - Pushups and lunges in the AM. 3.8 miles on the treadmill in the PM. And lots of foam rolling.
Tuesday - 32 minutes on the elliptical, plus upper body strength training, clamshell planks, core work, and foam rolling.
Wednesday - 6.3 mile run. Outside. In the AM. In a short sleeve T-shirt and light capris. I was hot! In January!
Thursday - Rest.
Friday - 35 minutes on the elliptical. My ankle was bugging me, so cross-training was in order.
Saturday - 13.1 mile run. Cold, but I was dressed appropriately.
Total Miles: 23.2
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