Boston Training: Week 15 Summary

I am sitting here, the eve before my first Boston Marathon with my feet propped up, GU Brew by my side...relaxing. Ahhh. I really feel pretty good. I have been having bouts of anxiety all weekend, but I am more excited than anything. It is going to be hot tomorrow. Period. It is what it is. As George mentioned in an email to all the CAR Boston runners yesterday, "If you were going into this race with any expectations for an extremely fast time, toss them out the window. All you should be looking to do is limit the damage that the heat could potentially cause and salvage a respectable race." I am going to be smart. I learned some valuable lessons at the National Half last month which I do not want to repeat specifically about pace and hydration. I will carry water. I will drink every mile. I will run based on feel. I want tomorrow to be an awesome day. I want to feel good as I cross the finish line. I have been working my butt off for the past 11 years for this day and I want to soak it all up. I have overcome a lot of obstacles to get here and I refuse to let anything - heat, hills, or myself - defeat me. 

It's all the times you thought you couldn't make it but then did. Welcome to Boston.

~quote from an Adidas ad included in a card a special teammate gave me~   

  

TOTAL:  21 miles

4/9 (Monday) - Pool Running 2 hours

I used up my 20 pool visit punch card this morning. I may buy an unlimited pass. I can see myself using the pool more and more for recovery. There was a lot of CAR company this morning with Jessica M, Cris, Allison and Amy joining in the fun. 

4/10 (Tuesday) - Intervals AM

This morning was the first track morning I didn't wake up a little nervous and anxious. I am still not entirely comfortable on the track, but every session gets a little easier. Also, the pressure is off. I knew I would be doing the bare minimum. Everyone was in a great mood, the weather was wonderful and it was just fun. A great way to end this training cycle. I did a 2 mile warm up and cool down, then 1 x 1600 in 6:50; 1 x800 in 3:18; and 1 x 800 in 3:17. I didn't want to leave to go to work!

4/11 (Wednesday) - 5 miles EASY PM

A small, but distinguished group tonight. Ha! It was just Allison and I. I enjoyed hearing about her upcoming swim meet. Swimming intrigues me. I have yet to swim a real lap in the pool, outside of my pool running. I will in the coming recovery weeks though.

4/12 (Thursday) - OFF

I did nothing and it felt great! Who am I kidding? I hate not doing anything. I feel so blahh, but that is what the taper is all about. Embrace the blahh!

4/13 (Friday) - 5 miles EASY AM

Amy and I met to run the Fun Run route this morning. A beautiful morning and perfect last run at home before I travel to Boston tomorrow morning. 

4/14 (Saturday) - OFF

I traveled to Boston this morning and was pretty much on the move the whole day. I could have snuck in a run, but decided to just relax. 

4/15 (Sunday) - 4 miles EASY AM

I had the best shake out run ever! I made myself turn around at the 2 mile mark. It was such a beautiful day and I felt so good, I actually negotiated with myself to maybe turn it into a 5 mile run. Why though? Is that extra mile going to make the race tomorrow easier? The answer is no. We had lunch with some good long time family friends and now this is what I am doing:

My view all afternoon until dinner.