Training Log Archive: ernst

Event: 123rd Boston Marathon
 

Boston, for the first time! Fun and mindboggling! I rode down in the Winners Circle bus which included hotel suite with shower afterwards, We were about 30 runners.
The weather forecast had mellowed over 4 days from cold, heavy rains and headwind, to warmer, less rain and side to back wind. Well, we had neither; it was warm (60 - 65) and felt outright hot when the sun poked through which for me happened in the Newton hills and at the finish.

I started in wave 2 first corral which was excellent. In less than a mile I settled in at my pace with minimal weaving, staying to the far right where there was little crowding. An awesome feeling running with hundreds of runners all together as if we were carried by a wave. I felt extremely comfortable keeping a pace of about 6:40 - 6:50 to about the half, where I had a tad over 90 minutes.

I continued at the same pace to mile 16 then purposefully slowed a bit to about 7:05 in anticipation of the Newton hills. Sun came up as we crossed the river and after the first hill my calves started to signal first signs of cramping. Uff! I still felt quite fresh and the hills barely got me breathing but my calves did not want to play along with it. I had to slow down and tried every way I could not to put stress on the legs. It did not resolve it, instead I battled intermittent jolts of cramp attacks from mile 19 to the end.
Bummer! A 3:05 time was in the cards, but my body dictated other limits. I was in good company: many runners walked the hills and/or stepped out for stretching. Afterwards at the hotel, everybody complained about the "heat", which affected us northerners, haveing spent the last 5 months running mostly around or below freezing temps.

In the end my time was just about my qualifying time. 11th in my age class, (A 3:06 time would have landed me in 6th place); fastest M64 - however there were 2 M68 running under 3 hours (the South Americans !) and one American in M70 in 2:57 - he is world champ I believe.

So, not bad after all. I will have to keep at it!
It was a new experience. The spectator crowds were fantastic - I'll remember all these smiles and the cheering. - I high-fived quite a few, especially the little kids, I waved at folks, and kept myself entertained reading the signs especially during the first half of the race. Thanks Boston!

I did not see bl, perhaps he saw me ??

C • Awesome 2

Around the block. Easy run. Warm.

Last "serious" training before Boston. 1.5 m warmup, then 3 m (fast) marathon pace (6:55) then 4 min rest, 1k 10k pace (6:20 ish), then 1.5 m cool down. this felt pretty good. Cool morning around 35 F.
Looks like Monday will be around 50 - 65F, with rain and side wind, and perhaps some thunder. Should be dramatic!

C • Marathon 2

Easy run to work. Trails are finally ice-free. Some muddy spots in the low areas, but these should dry out in the next two days.

Running home. Nice evening (45 F). Taking it easy as per training manual.

Intervals and tempo drills. First out and back on Main Street: 3 x 1200m at 6:30 - 6:40 pace with 2 min recovery breaks. Then to the track for a 4 x 400m tempo with 2 min recovery (85, 85, 83, 85). 3.5 miles total warmup / down. This felt good in this cold weather (34 F !, misty).