Thougths on The Marathon

Paul commented on my half marathon race report asking to do a post on my strategy going into Boston, given that I have been training for a 3:20, but my half marathon aims me capable to run a 3:15.

I've had some time to think about this issue. And....I still don't know for sure what I will do.

I have great respect for Boston. Every time I check the course map the marathon looks so easy. The elevation drops a ton. There are some hills, but they are not steep. I am good on hills, and I am typically able to make up on the downhills what I lose on the uphill. However, I was massively shocked last year when I ran Boston, of how tough the race actually was. Miles 19-26.2 are a blur. I have never ever worked a race as hard as I did Boston last year. I seriously wonder whether I have it in me to fight as hard this year. Last year Boston was my fist marathon ever (I ran for charity), and I really wanted to qualify. This year, it will be easier to give in to the pain. I am hoping that I won't, I am hoping that I will be able to do some good mental work during these last 4 weeks, and figure out that indeed I want to rock Boston:) Believe me, I will be working on that !

So my memory of Boston is a bit traumatic and intimidating. Sometimes I wonder whether the race seemed so hard to me because it was my first 26.2. I remember training for it and being sore after every single long run. I remember going to sleep with my knees pulsating in pain. I remember my feet hurting first thing in the morning. And the blisters, the lost toe nails, the black toe nails. The week and a half of post marathon soreness. Reading these, you'd think I ran crazy mileage, but I peaked at 32 miles, 3 runs a week. My body was in shock, not used to speed work, tempo runs or runs longer than 13.1. Now my body is much stronger. I am rarely sore. I am able to handle much more training. Although I don't run high mileage, I now can run 5 times a week, for about 45 miles/week or so. No knee pain, no feet pain, nothing. No injury! It's amazing! My body is stronger. And maybe my opinion on Boston will change. Will see.

I also read that one's actual marathon time is "Boston -10 minutes". So it may be that I could run a 3;15, but on a different course. Boston is also very large, and I know I am going to have to weave a lot (lat year I ran 26.5!); so a 7:38 pace will most likely need to be 7:30 for a 26.2 3:20 marathon.

So the actual plan is to get on pace 7:35 by mile 6, and then see what happens. If I feel strong after mile 23, when the hills end, I'll pick up the pace. I am going to be cautious, and give Boston the respect it deserves.

Today I ran the last 20 miles again, first time this year, and it was a reminder of how tough the course is. The "downhill" is in fact a series of rolling down hills. The actual hills are long, long, long. Although I managed to run the 20 at MP, it was not easy and I am now sore. The good news? I am again getting excited about the race! Seeing all the runners on the course, the water stop, the cheering, the encouraging signs all around the course, on people's cars, on the windows of business, it made me so happy to be a runner and have the privilege to run Boston again!

One more big week of training before taper!