The Boston Redemption

‎[In a letter from the BAA] Dear Kenny, if you're reading this, you've finally qualified. And if you've come this far, maybe you're willing to come a little further. You remember the name of the town, don't you? [Kenny] Hopkinton! I had a dream last night that I was running the Boston Marathon. It varied from dreams I'd had in the past because this time, I'm actually registered to run Boston where in past I dreamed of what it would be like to run it. I got up this morning and despite running a fever (pun intended), I trotted over to Teddy Roosevelt High School, got in my speed work at the track (8x400 with 2:1 rest:speed). The first one was slow at 82 seconds, but the rest were right in range at 77-79 seconds. I saw Mary at the track as I was leaving - she had taken a hiatus to recover from her last marathon. I'm cautiously optimistic because I feel decent and if things stay as they are and the weather is good, Boston could be the day I've dreamed it to be. I did a half in Flushing, NY, this weekend. Stayed with Adam. The course was a bunch of loops of the tennis center and the world fair area and while it was flat with some hills on bridges, I was sore as there was no taper at all except to take Friday off and my speed was Wednesday instead of Thursday. I did manage to PR in 1:27:14, a 31 second PR over my Gar Williams time from December, but it took a solid last mile and a sprint at the end. Mile 12 was my slowest - nearly 7 minutes - and I only got my motivation back when someone tried to make a move to pass with a mile to go. That stirred my competitive juices and I kicked it up a notch, holding him off and also catching two guys in the finishing chute. One tried to beat me, but I held such a furious sprint, he stopped giving pursuit. I do get competitive! The rest of my training is rather focused as I taper on just staying healthy. I have 18-20 Saturday, a tempo run Tuesday, my last track run Thursday, then a final long run with high end work on next Saturday. Then it is some sharpening and healing. I think about running Boston all the time. I find I'm so excited, I can barely sit still or hold a thought in my head. I think it's the excitement only a distance runner can feel, a runner at the start of that long 26.2 mile journey whose conclusion is uncertain. I hope I can make it across the finish line in under three hours. I hope to see my friends, and family, and fellow runners at the end and shake their hands. I hope the finishing line is as blue as it has been in my dreams. I hope.

One month until Boston and St. Patty's Day 8K Report

As I write this, I am wearing my green tie. Since St. Patrick's Day is a Saturday, I do not plan on wearing a tie, but I enjoy this green tie which means today is my only chance to wear it. One month from today is the 116th running of the Boston Marathon. For the first time in its history, I am registered to run, having qualified last fall with times of 3:07:36 in Pocatello, Idaho, then 3:05:00 in Savannah, Georgia. Yet, I remain wary of saying I am "going" to run this race, because I wouldn't want to jinx my health or conditions, or anything. I am registered to run, and that is all I can say for certain at this point. My training has been going mostly well. This week, I have had some tightness in my calf muscles, most notably on my upper left calf just below the back of the knee. It hasn't kept me from running, and it is not a pain but rather a discomfort, but it is something I am monitoring. It feels more like a spastic muscle or perhaps a strain that I feel when I walk yet not really when I run. I woke up and didn't feel it this morning, but it has slightly been noticeable today. I'm hopeful it will go away soon and that I will be in excellent health for Boston. This week was a rather good week for my running. I ran 20 miles on Saturday in 2:29:18, a solid 7:28 pace that felt fine which was nice since I ran up Massachusetts Avenue for a few miles. I returned on Capital Crescent which in the direction I headed was mainly downhill. From there, I went through Georgetown and along the Mall until I hit my 20 miles and then took a bikeshare home. On Sunday, I raced the St. Patrick's Day 8K, probably the race I have done the most (RRCA Club Challenge is likely in second place). I ran a PR 30:55, better than my previous by over 90 seconds. I felt sore and stiff but pushed through and had a fine final mile to get in under 31 minutes. My weekday runs were solid, and I have a fine track session on Thursday, running 16x200 meters in 35-36 seconds. I ran with Sammy twice (9 miles Tuesday and 7 on Friday), and she chased a few squirrels and cats. She absolutely loves running with me, and she has a very nice gait that compliments mine. I do worry that as she approaches nine years old, she may start to slow down. This week I am supposed to do 22 miles on Saturday, a track workout during the week, and taper for a half marathon in NYC next Saturday. I'm looking forward to hanging out with my friends Adam and David and hopefully see my cousin Michael and his husband Shepp while there as well. One month to Boston... One month to Boston... One month to Boston... (not that I'm counting the days or anything). (UPDATE: My bib number will be 4186 and I am in the first wave, fifth corral!)