Yes, exciting run this morning.
The weather was gorgeous, the temps cool, and I was excited for the run. My plan was to run 13 miles with 12 at MP. I decided to go on the Minuteman bikepath which is 5 minutes from my house, mostly up toward Bedford, and then down back home. Lots of runners on the path, which is always nice.
The first couple miles were hard. My legs felt heavy and my calves hurt. WTF? I was running about 10 seconds over MP, and getting frustrated that the run seemed hard. A series of random pains came and went - ITband, check; R calf, check; L pubic bone, check. By mile 3 I got in a groove and was able to hold MP. I started to actually enjoy the run at mile 5, and got faster and faster while keeping a fairly low effort level. Nice! Around mile 8 I saw this woman with never ending legs in front of me, and behind her, a blond tanned guy. No way, but yup, they were Ryan Hall and his wife Sara. They've been in Boston for the past 2 weeks, running in Concord, Lincoln and on the Minuteman. I ran a little faster and literally stared at him while he smiled. In retrospect I should have said something, but I did not. They were both running on the bits of trail on the side of the path, at about a 7:25, I would say. With the stroll of adrenaline I ended up running the last miles way faster than planned. My R hip flexor complained a bit, but it is much better today thanks to lots of icing and stretching. No more running faster for me this training cycle, I promise!!!
Now the real taper begins. The dreaded days off of any exercise. I don't remember when I last had one of these. Last week I biked and I swam in addition to running, but this week there will be no biking and only a little swimming in addition to the (gasp) 15-18 miles of running!I am working on looking forward to the rest and visualizing it healing up all the wear and tear that I put my body through during this marathon cycle.
I am feeling very calm about this marathon, which is unusual. I feel ready to fight, and ready to embrace whatever the day will bring. This is my first Boston as a qualified runner, and I feel pretty proud to participate in this race along with other great runners. The temps are looking really good now with highs of 56 and lows of 43, perfect running weather. Hopefully the forecast will not change!
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19 comments:
How exciting, Ryan and Sara Hall. How cool is that? Great job on your run!!!!
I am about to pop with excitement. Hope all of the excitement has not exhausted me by race day. How cool is that to be out on a run and see Ryan and Sarah? Sweet! Nice Run! See ya in Boston!
I think we all get phantom aches and pains and tiredness as taper hits - cuz I think we're so much more aware of our bodies right now. I can't even tell you how excited I am for you...I have watched your journey and drooled in speed envy at your incredible success. The door is wide open for you in Boston, I have no doubt you are going to SHINE big time. I absolutely can't wait. I'll be thinking of you while on the course...you'll be done about an hour or two ahead of me but wow, I'm just honored to be sharing the road with you next Monday. So cool you say Ryan and Sarah, I'd probably fall into a ditch or something. Thanks for all your continued support with my race...it means a lot to me to know you care! See you in a few days...can you believe it??!!?? Hugs!!
I always get random "tweeks" in taper but i think that i bc i am way too in touch with my body and know way too much about what each tweek could be. I have to shut off my professional side in taper!
You are going to have a fantastic journey on race day. Keep the positive thoughts going and let go of the others:) woohoo!
that's exciting to run past Ryan and Sara Hall! Good luck in th marathon, sounds like you are ready!
So exciting and motivating! I probably would not have been able to play it as cool as you did...
How cool is that? You are so ready to rock Boston!
HOW fun seeing Ryan and Sara Hall...you know I would have been snapping pictures right and left. In fact, I just remembered that I have one from Boston last year that I should put on my blog tonight!
Anyway, you are READY and I'm excited for you. I can't say I'm calmer or more excited for this marathon...at this point I seem to be numb! I did go to the 5k in Carlsbad today and some of the elites from Boston were racing...that was inspiring but gosh, is this whole thing really 6 days away???
Happy "real" tapering.
See you soon!
You are calm because you are prepared! Go you!
WOW. That's pretty awesome. Talk about motivation!
That's great your so calm. That's confindence!
That's so awesome you got to 'run' with him.
very cool. i have been dreaming of Kimball's ice cream and riding along the bike path!
too cool! i would've been extra awkward, no worries. that or fallen flat on my face in front of them :)
sometimes it just takes a few minutes/miles to get the legs going.
Sounds like you are ready and in a great place! Enjoy the taper.
Oh my God!!!! You ran next to Ryan Hall!?! Good Lord girl:) I most likely wouldn't of been able to keep my big mouth shut:) Is he as yummy in person as in the magazines? Just curious:) I actually get an autographed t-shirt that he will be signing in Boston...I will have to post that in my blog!! Nice work keeping up with the big dogs:) You are so fast!! I hope that you have a fantastic day:)
Very cool. Now you can say you ran with Ryan Hall (sorta). Good luck with that taper. Don't let it mess with you!
Wow, a brushh with celebrity! Awesome! I think that's great! Don't worry about the phantom pains. They are just evidence of taper and recovery. You are calm because you are confident. You'll do great next week! Have fun!
love that you saw Ryan Hall and wife. that would make me speed up too! can't wait for you this weekend/monday;-)
Passing Ryan Hall...that's so crazy. I can't believe Boston is less than a week away now! Did I ever tell that sometimes my birthday is on Marathon Monday? Yup, someday I am going to run Boston on my birthday, and it will be glorious! Until then, I'll just have to live vicariously through you. Good luck!
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