113th Boston Marathon

Summary - The toughest running day I have ever experienced. The bottom line is the only reason I was able to finish the race is because it would have hurt more to quit than to keep going through the pain. Let the bitching and moaning begin,

Pre-race - First of all I knew it was going to be one of the toughest races because the training wasn’t where I need it to be. There were way too many weeks of running three days and not enough of those quality mid-week runs of six plus miles. Also the night before the race I had a horrible night of sleep and got a sore throat. I woke up every forty-five minutes or so. Each time I woke up I started to worry more about being tired for the race. The one good thing was that I wasn’t too tired when it was time to get up but the bad news was my lower back, head, and stomach did not feel well. I remember looking in the mirror while brushing my teeth thinking this is going to be one tough day. On the way to Manny’s I stopped and got some diet Pepsi and some CVS pain reliever to try to diminish some of the morning misery.
The one thing that went off without a hitch was the trip to Hopkinton. Thanks to Manny and his girlfriend I got to the starting line and my car was going to be at L-Street. Having my car in Boston was going to be great because I know I would not want to hang out too long after the race. We got to the start line with about an hour to spare so there was plenty of time to relax. Manny was in the first wave so I said by to him and then headed to the back of the pack. Once I got to the back I head enough time to readjust my socks and shoes. I also tried calling Debb one last time but I had to leave her a message.

The Race – I finally reached the start line at 10:45. At this point I felt okay. I was running roughly 8:45s. It was pretty crowded but that wasn’t an issue. As usual the feeling was awesome to be running the race. The crowds were all wound up. I really like the bar that is on the left hand side right over the Ashland line. It’s always funny to see all these people half in the bag so early in the day cheering all these runners on. Another thing that always cracks me up is how every one loves to say, “You’re looking good, almost there”, well, the first time I heard this was around the four mile mark, which may be a record. I started to feel the impact of the race around the 10k mark. I knew this is bad because it’s way too early to feel like this. In past years I usually made it to 10 miles before I started to get a bit tight. Even though I wasn’t feeling great I was still running at a 9 minute pace. At the 12 mile water station I decided to make a pit stop because at this point my stomach started to really feel lousy. I had to wait in line for about five minutes but it was worth it because I felt better afterwards. After that just to make sure I got enough fluids I started to walk just a bit through the water stations. I made it to the turn at the fire station before the wheels came off. I made it up the first hill and then it was walk, run, walk, walk, run, walk, walk, lie down, walk, walk, run all the way to the finish. Those last 8 miles were the toughest thing I have ever done physically. My back and my stomach were the biggest issues. I felt like I was going to puke the whole time and it took a lot not to it let go. I held back on puking because I was afraid some over anxious med tent person would pull me off the course. I stopped taking on gels after 15 miles because of my stomach issues. As made my way slowly up the Newton hills my lower back really started to hurt. I stopped a few times to try to stretch it but nothing helped. Once I made it into Kenmore Square I knew I would finish the race. At this point I started walking with a guy from Vancouver named Dave. It was his first Boston (and his last) and I think he felt worse than I did if possible. At his point not only did I have my back and stomach pain killing me but the typical marathon issues were really starting to hurt. Walking with Dave really helped as it took my mind off the pain. When I we took the turn at Hereford I asked Dave if he had anything left he said, not now I’m going to run Boylston so I shook his hand and said good luck and started to run. I ran 3/4’s of the way up the street and then walked around the corner to just gather myself for the grand finale. I then started to run and made it all the way to the finish. Then end

Post race –
I was miserable and was still dropping plenty of F-bombs in the van on my way to L-Street. The good thing was I wasn’t alone. There was a good group of miserable marathon guys all feeling the same way. By the time I got back to L Street I was feeling a little better but still not great. I got some chicken soup and took a shower. I hung out for about an hour and then headed for home. On the way home I started thinking how bad the race went and whether I wanted to run Boston ever again. I knew I would do other marathons but I really wasn’t sure about this one. As usual by the next morning I was started to think what I will do differently next time. Looking back there are numerous reasons why I did so poorly but I think most of all it was my training. I think the same training I did in my 20s is not going to fly any more. So here is my new plan, I will start 6 weeks earlier and will start with at least a healthy 25 mile per week base. I will also make hill training a focus and will do it consistently throughout.


The details:
1 – 8:53 (pit stop)
2 – 8:24
3 – 8:45
4 – 8:35
5 – 8:54
6 – 8:54
7 – 8:45
8 – 9:09
9 – 9:16
10 – 9:00
11 – 9:10
12 – 14:22 (pit stop)
13 – 9:09
14 – 9:25
15 – 9:35
16 – 9:57
17 – 10:49
18 – 13:16
19 – 10:32
20 – 12:38
21 – 15:41
22 – 15:08
23 – 14:41
24 – 14:48
25 – 19:16
26.2 – 16:54

Total - 4:54:10
Pace - 11:13

Week 15

The goal - run for an hour and feel good. Well, mission accomplished. Sunday afternoon I ran an extended version of my usual loop. I felt really good the whole time. My issues all seem to be getting better at the right time. My leg is feeling great, the foot, hips, and toe blisters are all getting better. As always the goal is to get to the starting line healthy.

The Details: 8.1 miles – 1:08:45 – around 8:30 per mile

On the iPod – I listened to a great interview with Danish triathlete Torbjorn Sindballe. What made it interesting was how he has overcome his over heating issues. For a triathlete he is big about 6’3”/ 170+ lbs so the heat really gets to him. What he does is wear a long sleeve white shirt and latex gloves filled with ice. The research shows the hands act as a thermometer for the body’s core temperature. As for tunes there really wasn’t any real need for motivation so I don’t remember any of the tunes.

Next week: Go time!

Race Goal – 4:15

Week 14

The plan – 13+ Two loops and with a quick run around the block to bring the total mileage over 13. I know the extra distance is trivial but it makes me feel better to run 13 rather than 12.6775675642. This week I didn’t take the usual day before off before so I felt tightness and my hips. On the first loop I stretched my left hip at the Gatorade stop and that helped a little. I felt like I was pushing it on the first loop but my time was slower than in previous weeks. I’m not sure if it was because of all the stiffness or because of the wind. My guess probably a combo of both, anyway, it’s no big deal because at this point I’m not running to get into shape. I decided towards the end of the first loop I would not stop at home for some fuel.
The second loop went pretty much as the first. I felt like I was pushing it but the speed was not there. Oh well, no biggie. I finished up by doing a small loop around the block.

On the iPod – I listened to a great interview of Ryan Hall talking about his marathon goals and about running Boston this year. As far as music, the only tunes that stick out were “Cure of Pain” by Morphine and the Dropkick’s “I’m Shipping Up To Boston”. I think those two songs are perfect for the marathon. After listening to those songs I started trying to associate every song to running Boston.

The details:
Loop 1 – 57:11
Loop 2 – 58:41
Mini loop – 4:37

Total – 2:00:30

Next week: 1 hour of nice easy running

Week 13

The plan this week was to do a little more than 20 miles. It was the same route as last week but on the last loop I would extend it a bit. Going into the run the only concern I had was I still had some pain from last weeks blisters on both my little toes but other than that I felt good. The run started off okay I took it easy and eased into the run. As usual I started to feel okay on the flat part which is around mile 2. I stopped for water at the school and then had some Gatorade in a gel at around mile 5. I finished the first loop just in time to take a sit down break in the water closet (One of the big benefits of the loop course). I also drank some water and said hi to Toby. As expected I started to feel it on the second loop but I was still okay. The blister on my right little toe started to let me know it was there but not a big deal. I made it home for another drink and it a quick kiss for Toby and out the door I went. The third and final loop went surprisingly well. I was feeling the affects of the mileage, especially on the up hills, but overall I was pleased how I ended up.

Details:
Loop 1 – 56:54
Loop 2 – 57:01
Loop 3 – 1:13:26
Total – 3:07:22
Pace – 9:11

On the iPod: I listened to four interviews this week
1st – USAT Triathlon Team
2nd – Bob Roll
3rd – Chris Lieto
4th – Taylor Phinney
The only memorable tune was Freakin’ & Peakin’ by Luna. It came on for the last mile and what a great tune.


Next Week: 12+ miles

Week 12

I originally planned on running with my buddy Jeff but his knees have been killing him so he was smart and decided not to push it. The plan was to run 19 miles by doing 3 loops of roughly 6.4 miles. I did the loop thing the week before and I seemed to like being able to stop at home for fuel and a bathroom break. The first loop I did in 56:26 which was about 2 minutes faster than the previous week so I was encouraged. The second loop I did in 57:25 so I only slowed up a little but that could because I took a Gatorade break that I didn’t take on the first loop. For the record I stopped my watch during my stops at home. At this point I felt pretty good, there was one point at the beginning of the second loop I didn’t feel so well but it didn’t last too long. As I was doing my last loop I said to myself I wanted to get under an hour. The fact that I was setting goals on the fly means I was feeling okay because if I was feeling like crap I wouldn’t care as long as I finished. I finished up a with 59:52; mission accomplished. This was the first run that I felt good about the run.

Details
Loop 1 – 56:26
Loop 2 – 57:25
Loop 3 - 59:52
Total 2:53:43
Pace 9:05

On the IPod: I listened to 2 interviews; the first was Josh Cox, who set the American record in 50K at the Rock and Roll Marathon. The second one was Mark Allen and his Sharman talking about a book they wrote. It was interesting and made me think if I could get into some deep thought stuff like these guys. My conclusion is, no way. The book might be an interesting read maybe some day I’ll pick it up. As for tunes I don’t remember too many but I do remember getting a lift from “Hold You Head Up” by Argent and finishing up with Springsteen’s “Out in the Streets”.

Next Week: 20 miles

Week 11

I’m back. After Stu’s 30K I decided to take a week off and allow my left calf to heal. I didn’t run until Monday when I was in Florida. For the week I ran Monday, Wednesday, and Thursday and then rested up for a long run on Sunday. My approach going into Sunday’s run was to do three loops which would allow me to shut it down if my leg flared up and for the first time I wore the new compression socks As it’s been on most on my long runs this year I started out feeling a little tired and stiff in my hips. I think the stiffness was due to swimming in the pool all week. I’ll take a little stiffness for a week in the sun of Florida. The first loop was a little over 10k and I finished up that without much of a problem. The second 10k loop (in the opposite direction) went okay. It was a little tough towards the end but overall I felt okay. I stretched a little when I made it home. I also had some water, Gatorade, and a GU. The last loop was going to be a little over 4.5 miles. It started out okay but it quickly got tough. My right ankle was sore and my hips got tight but it wasn’t as bad as in other weeks. My post run was just some Gatorade, ice on my calf and knees, and a hot shower.

The details: 17.5 miles 2:46:49

On the IPod: I listened to WEEI until the last mile. Having been away for a week I needed to catch up on the local sports. For the last mile I went to the IPod and listened to “Whispers” by Luna.

Week 10

off - resting for a week to help the calf to heal