Reflections of Boston II

Having run, and suffered through a marathon only a week ago, and then (foolishly) paced a friend during a local 10k yesterday, I’ve promised myself that I would set aside some time to recover. Today I kept my promise… my calves would have it no other way.

A few days ago I wrote to Jon regarding my thoughts on Boston, I’ve yet to hear his perspective but the exercise helped crystallize my own view. My four observations:

(1) a relatively quick 2nd and 3rd mile (5:58 and 6:06) probably contributed to me not being able to find an early comfortable rhythm;

(2) my stomach was unsettled, a Gu at 5-miles didn’t help, it’s time a nail down a proper race nutrition strategy (thoughts welcomed);

(3) this is perhaps the straw that broke the camels back… with an upset stomach and a uncomfortable stride, I don’t know that I was prepared to hurt, I didn’t want the race; and

(4) those hills that people told me not to worry about, definitely should be of concern, both the ups and the downs.

Oh, and conceivably an observation that I didn’t expect but one that was gladly welcomed… I love racing and I ‘do not’ like underperforming. A fire has been lit.

Training: day off (scheduled)

3:15:28... the time it took to capture the elusive unicorn

My morning started at 4:17 a.m. with a complimentary breakfast of oatmeal, a banana and rather watery coffee. My level of excitement reminded me of the feeling I had on Christmas morning when I was 6, 31 years later that feeling still takes me away to a happy place. After receiving good luck kisses from the girls, I left our room at 5:50 and slowly walked the mile or so down the street to Boston Common to join the throng of participants lining up for buses that would take us to the start in Hopkinton.

The ride out was uneventful, and if nothing else reminded me of catching the school bus in Kindergarten, exhilarating and yet terrifying. Hicham met me at the PowerBar tent and with a large grin on our faces we found some dry grass under a large marquee to wait out the next two hours. After four months of training which included three races, numerous workouts and several strategy sessions, everything I had been focusing on was about to arrive.

The beginning was surprisingly anticlimactic, and after being warned about the course dropping almost 150+ ft in first 800m, I was happy to see the opening mile pass in 6:22. The second mile was a tad fast (5:58), but I managed to reign things in and the following four miles passed in steady succession of 6:06, 6:15, 6:15 and 6:16. With a goal 6:15 mi/pace I was happy with my pacing, but as much as I tried to settle into a rhythm I found it a constant struggle. It was during mile-5 that I realized it just wasn’t going to be my day. My right quad was already straining and with an unsettled stomach I succumbed to the inevitable and waited for the bleed.

The first time I walked as at mile 11; and every mile afterwards.

Having run a few descent marathons coupled with my experience in London ’07, it wasn’t a stretch for me to recognize the signs. Thinking back it was almost a relief as rather than battle the disappointment I was able to focus soaking up as much of the atmosphere as I could. This isn’t to say that I didn’t have any energy. I split the half in 1:23:48, not much more than 1’ shy of my goal, but I knew if I continued at this rate I was in for a train wreck. My 5k splits tell the tale:

18:59, 19:28, 19:55, 20:58, 22:01, 24:15, 26:52 and 29:35

With my pace slowing I was surprised at just how much of a struggle I found the Newton Hills. The series of 4-miles passed in a string of painful miles 7:34, 8:24, 7:43 and 8:40. Admittedly, what really surprised me was the energy and vigour with which everyone around me appeared to charge hills. Were they idiots, how could hundreds of people run with such reckless abandonment? The contrast between me and ‘them’ was stark and all I could do was hope to be pulled along in the kaleidoscope of runners. One of these people was Thomas. With a goal of finishing under 3 hours I was waiting for him to catch me and shortly before mile 25 I saw him trucking along in his bright orange singlet. We smiled at each other and exchanged horror stories before I let him slip away into the crowd.

To help paint a picture of the volume of people that passed me, I eventually crossed the line in 3:15:28 with my friend Hicham finishing 10’ earlier in 3:04:07; in that period, 1929 people finished.

As for Boston, the crowds were amazing (the Wellesley Girls are really loud) and the course challenging. If and when I decide to come back I’ve already made note of several things I would implement into my training, one of them being specific hill workouts. I’m grateful for the opportunity I was able to experience and the friendships I solidified along the way, Hicham, Mike, Thomas and Mark... congratulations and cheers! And last but not least, I owe a huge debt of gratitude to the missus and Isla for their continued love and support, thank you!

P.s. Vancouver Canucks sweep the St. Louis Blues in 4!

Training:
Monday: Boston Marathon, 3:15:28, 7:28 mi/pace, 3718
Tuesday: day off (scheduled)

Boston Marathon (3-days out)

Traveling with a 6-week old baby was uncomplicated; traveling with a 6-month old more than manageable. But traveling with a very inquisitive child 2-days shy of her first birthday an entirely different situation.

I was up early yesterday morning so that I could squeeze in a short run prior to driving out to the airport. I don’t know whether it was running with sleep still in the corner of my eye, or the cold darkness, but my legs felt good. The flight out east was uneventful, but our arrival into Toronto was nothing short of fun & games, what with one botched landing and plenty of wind. Now possibly it was something I ate, a touch of Hicham’s flu or even the uneasy touchdown but I spent the rest of the evening swimming in a cloud of vertigo. I was convinced I’d never find the energy to run but surprised myself and was able to get out for a leisurely jog late in the day. Much to my surprise my legs felt very good.

After spending yesterday in Toronto with my sister, we were welcomed to Boston amid warm weather and sunshine. With this our first time in Beantown neither of us knew what to expect, but what we saw more than exceeded our expectations. That said, apparently the taxi cabs here don’t always accept credit, or at least Boris didn’t. Made for an awkward moment when I dashed across the road to the bank.

After settling with Boris the Cheat, we checked into our hotel and we’re very amazed with what we saw. Everything and everyone has been fantastic, especially Jimmy Fisher, a dear old man who on more than one occasion has made us welcome.

With the girls playing nicely, I snuck out for run early this afternoon and after looping around Boston Common, made my way down to the waterfront and thoroughly enjoyed a stroll along the Charles River. It was there that I ran into the one and only Mr. Ryan Hall. I waved... he waved back, and then I carried on my merry way. Surprisingly, that wasn’t the highlight of my run; the best part was the fact that my legs felt light and energetic. Looks like things are slowly coming together. And thanks to Malaika and PowerBar it looks like my breakfast needs will be taken care of tomorrow. How ‘bout that, your own PB fairly.

Until tomorrow ~ ciao!

Training:
Thursday: A.M. easy 32:11; P.M. 24:32
Friday: easy 33:43 with 5xstrides

Boston Marathon (1-week out)

Wow, where has the time gone? After a busy Easter weekend that was preceded by hectic workweek, race week managed to elude my ninja-like senses and pretty near walk right into my front room. Takes the worry out of the equation that does.

I remember analyzing my 12-week marathon build prior to London in ’07, and have followed a similar format for Boston. The differences couldn’t be more apparent:

London
Training: 12-week marathon build (10 weeks completed)
Cumulative distance (with a few yet to come): 1248km/780 miles (1428km/893 miles)
Number of runs 32km (20 miles) or more: 6
Highest weekly volume: 10h30, 150km (94 miles)
Number of weeks over 130km (80 miles): 6
Number of PRs: 1, Comox Half-Marathon 1:15:29
Injuries: one, left achilles

Boston
Training: 12-week marathon build (11 weeks completed)
Cumulative distance (with a few yet to come): 984km/617 miles (1036km/650 miles)
Number of runs 32km (20 miles) or more: 3
Highest weekly volume: 7h51, 110km (69 miles)
Number of weeks over 130km (80 miles): 0
Number of PRs: 0
Injuries: none, although my left achilles has been sore lately

What the numbers fail to reveal is that heading into London I was tired and dare-I-say over trained which aided in a performance that was 35’ outside of my target. Currently I wish I had another six weeks to prepare… an entirely different circumstance.

The last seven days of training have gone well, what with a short but solid sharpening session on Wednesday and longer tempo on Friday. The latter workout didn’t feel quite as comfortable as I would’ve liked but I was most likely pushing the pace rather than concentrating on running relaxed. Yesterday I capped off the week with my last long run. After returning from Galiano, the missus dropped me off on the outskirts of Sidney and I enjoyed wet jog home along the saturated Lochside trail.

It’s late and I promised myself I’d get to bed early this week, more on my pre-race thoughts tomorrow. Until then, ciao!

Training:
Saturday: easy 38:56
Sunday: easy/steady 1:20:46

Weekly mileage: 5h29’42”, +/- 77k or 48 miles

[photos: Easter weekend 2009]

Boston Marathon (2-weeks out)

Two weeks out, yikes, at this point you’d think a prudent person might start counting the days.

After tallying up my weekly mileage, I was surprised to see that I had to go back five weeks to find a comparable volume. Apparently I’m not tapering, yet.

After surviving Wednesday’s epic session, I took the next couple of days easy allowing my legs to recover. Those living in Victoria have been blessed recently as for the first time since… September, it has been warm. Nothing wild and crazy but I believe the daily high’s have been inching toward the low-mid teen’s. Spring has arrived and I’m loving it.

On Saturday, I was supposed to join the group and run a controlled time trial (7.2k at 10kP) that went meters from my doorstep. Unfortunately, due to family commitments I was out the door at 8:00 and toeing my own line in the dirt (same course) at 8:25, alone. The opening minutes were horrendously uncomfortable and it wasn’t until I passed a friend at the 2k point, who jumped on my feet and chased me for the remaining 5k, that I started to loosen up.

I didn’t know what to make of the time at first, and with only my perceived effort as judge, I assumed it was poor. That said, when I punch my recent half marathon time into the Race Calculator, it predicts a 10k time of 35:33. On Saturday, my 25:35 was 3:33 pace; I was 3” ahead of schedule. I love spring time.

Jon’s moved my schedule around for the upcoming week to help with recovery, and, for the first time since being born, Isla slept through the night yesterday.

Training:
Thursday: easy 39:38
Friday: easy/steady 58:24
Saturday: 1:08:03 with 7.2k TT at 10kP in 25:35
Sunday: hilly 1:59:18

Weekly mileage: 7h40’54”, +/- 107k or 67 miles

Boston Marathon (3-weeks out)

With March almost in the books (and hopefully the accompanying foul weather), I glanced at the calendar and noticed that we begin our odyssey to Boston 2-weeks Thursday. I suppose the odyssey began ten weeks ago, but the penultimate leg has definitely snuck up on me.

With the training taking a back seat to recovery this week, I couldn’t be happier with the early season miles that I logged with Hicham, Carter and Ian; I’m comforted in remembering the hilly miles I (s)logged at Thetis.

I rode out the week in similar fashion as the beginning, switching up a declining health for one that is recuperating. With the thought of running long on Sunday, I decided to wake the legs on Saturday morning and pulled an old w/o off the shelf, deciding to run some Moneghetti strides. The session calls for 2x90” (90”) + 4x60” (60”) + 4x30” (30”) + 4x15” (15”). Run properly, the effort is supposed to descend from 3kP to mile/pace with the recovery a controlled float at MP... not wanting to run myself into the ground, I opted for a more leisurely rest interval.

After staying up later than I should, Sunday morning rolled around far too soon and I was hard-pressed to get out of the house as early as I did. I started down the Lochside Trail cognoscente of the need to register one last long run, while not burying the cold into my chest. After a hilly loop through Mount Doug, I headed up Ash and toward Ten Mile Point hitting all the hills along the way. I returned home feeling strong and relaxed, and better or worse knowing that I’d finished a chapter in this book.

The week ahead holds one of two remaining key workouts, a long ME session on an undulating (Boston specific) loop. It’s fun and games from here on in, and for a change I’m feeling fresh and fighting the desire to run more; a feeling doesn’t usually accompany me at this stage of the training. I’m happy.

Training:
Friday: (sick) easy 38:22
Saturday: (below par) 36:49 with Moneghetti strides
Sunday: hilly 2:35:08

Weekly mileage: 5h08’31”, +/- 72k or 45 miles

Boston Marathon (4-weeks out)

Disappointment. I recognize that this may come across as overly critical, but I don’t think my expectations were unrealistic. Note: In 2007, I finished in 1:15:29.

My race plan was simple. Having run an uncharacteristically sluggish 1:21:29 at the First Half in February, I wanted to complete the Comox Half Marathon feeling strong and in control. My goal was to run 3:44 – 3:41 km/pace, hoping to finish between 1:18:46 – 1:17:43. Faster if luck would have it.

Within the first 500m, a pack of about seven runners settled nice behind the first main chase group. We opened quickly but given it was slightly uphill, and the second kilometer slow, I wonder if the markers were off. Regardless by about 4k, we had reeled in three runners as Walter, Steve and I traded positions at the front. Heading into the hills (6 – 9km), I pulled away from the group with only Walter and Steve able to join. Reflecting back, I think I ran these hills too hard, as on the return trip wasn’t fully able to take advantage of the downhill sections and watched my two companions quickly open up a gap that I wasn’t able to close.

3:38, 3:49, 3:36, 3:43, 3:42 (18:30)
3:53, 3:48, 3:58, 3:52, 3:44 (19:18)
3:47, 3:48, 3:35, 3:28, 3:41 (18:22)
3:39, 3:46, 3:49, 3:48, 3:47 (18:51)
3:56

Results here.

If I look for a positive aspect, I felt comfortable for almost the first half (8k) and was able to negative split by almost a minute. As for Boston, I’ve now readjusted my goal with a solid performance bringing me across the line around 2:45:40. More tomorrow.

Training:
Thursday: steady 47:50
Friday: 27:54 with 10xstrides
Saturday: 17:33
Sunday: easy 1:58:43 with Comox Half Marathon 1:18:58

Weekly mileage: 5h04’18”, +/- 71k or 45 miles

Boston Marathon (5-weeks out)

“Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake.” - W. C. Fields

My training this weekend went well, not as well as it did three years ago but I took a multitude of steps in the right direction.

On Saturday, I was down at Oak Bay track running kilometer repeats off 90” rest. More than anything, I wanted to build into the session and I believe I accomplished that:

3:34, 3:29, 3:28, 3:27
3:26, 3:27, 3:29, 3:24

As for Sunday, well it snowed once again and Hicham and I found ourselves halfway up Mount Doug dreaming of warmer weather.

As for this week, a friend of mine is out from the UK. And not coincidently I forgot how much I appreciate Ardbeg.

Here’s to a good week.

Training:
Saturday: 1:16:17 with 8x1k
Sunday: easy 1:32:59

Weekly mileage: 6h24’59”, +/- 90k or 56 miles

Boston Marathon (6-weeks out)

"There will come a point in the race, when you alone will need to decide. You will need to make a choice. Do you really want it? You will need to decide." - Rolf Arands

I found myself deadly tired as I approached the backend of the workweek. Consequently, Friday evening as I contemplated running home the thought of a 60’ push was too much. Rather, with a small pack on my back I slipped out the building and gently ran down the Goose as effortlessly as I could manage. On a route often takes me 42’+ I was surprised at the time, so much so I started to berate myself for not running the scheduled distance. Any guilt though was quickly pushed from my mind as I walked down the driveway, seeing the girls sitting on the porch step.

Saturday was a scheduled day off. The time with family was appreciated, and I felt great.

The plan on Sunday was to run my second 2h30 jaunt but this time on a hilly course and holding a steady pace. With Hicham participating in the Bazan Bay 5k (16:37), I was on my own, well not completely. For the first time in months I loaded up the Shuffle with an appropriately motivating mix of songs (Filter: Hey Man Nice Shot) and after a light meal (porridge), set out into a frigid -4C morning with my water bottle in hand.

I don’t know whether it’s due to an aging body or a favourable memory, but while preparing for Boston long runs seem more… complicated than I remember. The prospect of running a steady 2h+ on a hilly route weighed on my mind, but as I looped through some of my favourite trails in Mount Doug, the heaviness lifted. From there I spent the last 1h40 on the road, looping around the often trodden streets of Brodmead. I broke down the workout into 5x30’ sections and the last one passed as effortlessly as the first. The session was a good confidence boost and I feel more secure with my preparation.

With 6 weeks of training remaining, I can only imagine the next 3 weeks being crucial. The plan is to run the Comox Half Marathon on the 22nd but outside of that I’m in the dark. But also, for the first time in 2-3 marathon builds I feel energetic and undertrained.

If I had a bit in my mouth I’d be chewing on it and raring to go. I like this feeling.

Until later…

Training:
Thursday: easy 39:11
Friday: A.M. 37:04, P.M. 38:27
Saturday: day off (scheduled)
Sunday: steady/hilly 2:28:22-2:33:22

Weekly mileage: 7h32’27”, +/- 105k or 66 miles

Boston Marathon (7-weeks out)

Given my right knee has been bothering me for almost a fortnight, I’m happy to have closed the door on the recent week. The soreness still persists but it’s not nearly as bad and I’m confident that with a few more physio sessions (along with continued stretching and icing) I can put this injury (finally) to bed.

A few days ago, I was reflecting on my preparation for the London Marathon in 2007. When I compare the equivalent week to the one just completed there are stark differences; in ’07 I ran nine times and logged over 94+ miles. This approach also saw me peak at Comox and unfortunately, in part I’m certain, contributed to a less than model performance in London. Still, I’m amused as I find myself sitting here fighting the urge to wonder “what if”, and “shouldn’t I”.

I push back the doubt and reservation and instead focus on what is in front of me now, and what I hope to achieve in Boston.

Saturday saw us return to Beacon Hill Park for another epic session of mixed tempo. After spending the last two years running intervals on the road or track, I’m really enjoying the subjective nature of the challenging XC course. The terrain there definitely makes the w/o tough but I was able to keep my legs moving, most of the time, on the quicker pieces. Still, finishing 6’ of hard running only to land yourself at the bottom of a sharp hill seemed to be the order of the day.

On Sunday, Hicham and I joined Ian for what seemed like a 40’ TT before saying goodbye to the bugger and easing into something more pedestrian in nature.

The week ahead looks good, nothing too complicated just some steady miles.

Until later ~ ciao!

Training:
Friday: easy 46:18
Saturday: 1:31:34 with 5x(3’ ME, 6’ 10kE)
Sunday: easy 2:00:36

Weekly mileage: 7h51’31”, +/- 110k or 69 miles

Boston Marathon (8-weeks out)

“I do not wish to treat friendships daintily, but with the roughest courage. When they are real, they are not glass threads or frost-work, but the solidest thing we know." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do you remember that day you hopped out of bed, only to hear that fateful melody which would then spin through your head like a skipping 45? And just like the idea you had in 5th grade, when you placed a tack on your friends chair, it seemed good at the time.

Not willing to leave it to fate, I chose my tune as I stepped out the door on Sunday morning. A song written in reference to Salford, England, which paints an evocative yet ultimately bitter picture of industrial Northern England. But for me, this tune speaks of dreams, Guinness and lasting friendship.

And so it was that as I traced my way up Mt. Tolmie, through my alma mater and into the hills of Ten Mile Point, that I once again, “met my love by the gas works wall, dreamed a dream by the old canal, kissed a girl by the factory wall…”.

If it wasn’t for my right knee I’d be telling you how there is a fire burning inside me that can only be consumed by the trial of miles. In its place, I’m continuing to deal with the effects from last Saturday’s crack on my knee. All this when Jon said the next couple of weeks are crucial. With those words ringing in my ears, I booked a physiotherapy appointment for tomorrow and another massage for Wednesday.

Until later…

Training:
Thursday: steady 1:00:06
Friday: 54:00 with 2x8x30” (30”/3’)
Saturday: day off (scheduled)
Sunday: easy/steady 2:34:48

Weekly mileage: 6h19’28”, +/- 88k or 55 miles

Boston Marathon (9-weeks out)

A Natural Disaster: Isla had finally gone down, but not before I managed to crack my right knee on the corner of a nightstand while soothing her to sleep. This clearly was an unfortunate drawback of not being familiar with your surroundings, that, and not having the light on. The croup appears to have left us but in its place we have a snotty, unsettled and irritable little girl… who hasn’t slept for more than 90’ straight in the last week. I digress.

With Isla down I began my last minute preparations, including formulating a race strategy. Based on my recent 10k, a predicted 1:20:00 (3:48km) was called for, but I was hoping, willing for an improvement and instead settled on 3:42-3:45 goal pace. My decision ended up being a moot point as I quickly discovered during the first few minutes that the course was measured in miles (stupid mistake). I did the math in my head and based on old marathon goals, I knew +/- 6:00mile/pace would get me what I wanted. Sadly, a 6:00 mile was as elusive as a blue moon.

Despite being up six times the night of the race, I had toed the line hoping the excitement and adrenaline would see me through... it last about 3 miles. I’m embarrassed to say I ran the slowest half marathon (1:21:29) in probably more than a decade, the wreckage is detailed below:

5:37, 5:56, 5:55, 6:07, 5:56, 6:05,
6:10, 6:17, 6:26, 6:25, 6:40, 6:36,
6:40, 0:34

The only racing that occurred on the day was the negative thoughts swirling around my head, “Why am I doing this and when does it become fun? If I were to cancel our flights to Boston, I wonder where else we could travel, Maui? Could I train half-heartedly and tell everyone that I went there to soak up the true experience the race provides?”

I hope everyone had a better week than I, until later...

Training:
Thursday: easy 36:50
Friday: easy 28:57 with 9xstrides
Saturday: day off (unscheduled)
Sunday: 1:40:34 with First Half Marathon in 1:21:29 58th OA, 3:52 pace/mile

Weekly mileage: 4h49’45”, +/- 67k or 42 miles

Boston Marathon (10-weeks out)

Commitment: my weekend didn’t quite go according to plan, does it ever, but if nothing else it brought clarity to the work that needs to be done between now and Boston.

The workout on Saturday called for 8x1k continuous, alternating marathon pace/10k pace. I’d done something similar in 2006 when training for Ottawa, although that session was 2x5k. I wanted to hit 3:45 & 3:30 but was surprised with a) the inconsistency in my running and b) the difficulty I had getting my head in the game. Granted, I believe this was my first time back on the track since last March but still, ouch.

I took the workout for what it was, a solid training session, and it has allowed me to focus on what needs to be accomplished. Times and HR (AHR, MAX) as follows:

3:47 (154, 160), 3:33 (164, 165)
3:48 (160, 164), 3:36 (162, 163)
3:51 (158, 161), 3:33 (162, 164)
3:50 (159, 162), 3:28 (164, 167)

As for today, I enjoyed a much-welcomed jaunt with the boys on what was once a routine loop out at Thetis Lake. Carter, Tim and Hicham even lulled me into thinking it was going to be an easy run; they even had me convinced for the briefest of moments that I’d be setting the pace. Why do I never learn? Regardless, thanks boys for a truly enjoyable run.

I hope everyone had a good weekend and until later ~ cheers!

Training:
Friday: easy 1:03:53
Saturday: 1:23:12 with 8x1k continuous, AHR136
Sunday: easy 1:43:42

Weekly mileage: 7h37’15”, +/- 107k or 67 miles

Boston Marathon (11-weeks out)

“The greatest results in life are usually attained by simple means and the exercise of ordinary qualities. These may for the most part be summed in these two: common-sense and perseverance.” – O. Feltham

A change in the wind: I rounded out my week with three different yet extremely enjoyable runs, the sort of experiences that leave you coming back for more. And so after unlacing my shoes yesterday morning and placing them beside the fireplace, I could only be happy with the last seven days. Still, my training continues to be in a holding pattern of sorts, but with the first of two preparatory half-marathons on the horizon, the landscape is undoubtedly going to change.

Despite frigid temperatures on Friday afternoon, Carter was kind enough to meet me in town and keep me company on the way home. We traced our way along the waterfront and through Oak Bay only to part ways at the edge of the forest surrounding Mount Doug. Running with this guy is always good fun particularly when he’s out of shape (which I fear won’t be for too much longer).

Saturday on the other hand was brutal and left me yearning for more runs with Carter. The schedule called for three sets, alternating 5’ at 10kE and 2.5’ at 5kE. I should be recounting how strong I felt, but sadly all I can speak of is watching Marilyn leave me in the mud; the girl is damn fast now. I had to keep reminding myself to run my w/o while eating more than enough pride. After that session, I’m looking forward to something where I can catch my breath rather than run in gasps.

After the previous day’s session, arriving at the trailhead on Sunday morning and hearing that Hicham had a sore chest and was worried about his asthma was music to me ears. The man is in top form and I was concerned he’d burry me out on the course, but instead I experienced what was probably my most pleasant run out at Thetis in the last few months. We reached the car after 1h50 and fearing an imminent increase in the duration of my long runs, I left Hicham and tacked on a few additional minutes.

I’m off to see the chiropractor tomorrow, it appears the bike accident a few weeks ago may have caused more damage than expected. Here’s hoping I mend quickly.

Training:
Friday: easy 1:17:50
Saturday: 1:15:29 with 3x(5’ 10kP (1.5’), 2.5’ 5kP) (1.5’)
Sunday: easy/steady 2:03:28

Weekly mileage: 7h41’13”, +/- 108k or 68 miles

Boston Marathon (12-weeks out)

Cobble Hill 10k: my race this weekend was much better than I feared; in fact, the first thing that comes to mind is the tale The Boy Who Cried Wolf. And now, now I’m just greedy.

With the prior weekend’s w/o swirling about in my mind, I toed the line worried I was on the verge of a complete disaster. I started conservatively, or so I thought, but with most of the first 2k downhill, I wasn’t surprised to see the splits indicating a time beyond what I thought capable. I watched my usual companions quickly pull away and if it wasn’t for force of habit I would’ve let the next group do the same.

After about three kilometers, I clawed my way onto the heels of Kevin and Walter and ran steady for the next few clicks. I continued to check my energy level and constantly reminded myself to save something for the end (wanting to finish strong as Jon always advocates in his workouts). Regrettably, it was with about two miles remaining that I was able to enjoy the complete and piercing pleasure of a stitch. With Walter shouting encouragement, I couldn’t help but think I looked like a fledgling learning to fly what with me running down the road one arm held aloft, only to lower it for a few seconds and then repeat the inane act. Race results here, splits as follows:

3:25, 3:27, 3:39, 3:43, 3:42
3:41, 3:37, 3:34, 3:37, 3:32

In the end I’m happy with the performance, elated actually as after reflecting on previous performances I stand in good stead (for this time of year). Still, I can’t help think back to 2007 while when preparing for London I ran 35:46 at the same time of year. I also recall running 3:14:11 in London, not an experience I’m in a rush to repeat. Pace yourself young grasshopper, pace yourself.

But enough about me, the real star this weekend was young Isla. Not only did not one, but both of her front teeth come through but the brave little soul also took her first tentative step(s). We’re at four and counting.

Congratulations goes out to Todd for winning, Hicham for a stellar performance and Walter for his encouragement.

Training:
Saturday: easy 20:05
Sunday: 1:24:33 with Cobble Hill 10k in 36:01 AHR 167 approx. 90% MHR

Weekly mileage: 4h11’05”, +/- 59k or 37 miles