Boston Marathon Countdown: 2 Weeks

2 weeks from this moment, I will be done running the 26.2 miles from Hopkinton to Copley Square.  I will have made my way up and down the Newton Hills; conquered Heartbreak Hill.  I will have taken in all the sights and sounds along the way.  2 weeks from this moment, I will be relaxing and celebrating with Brian.  It's hard to believe it will be here so soon!

But I can't think about all this quite yet.  I still have the race to run.  And I still have 2 weeks of training.  Yes, it's taper time but I need to stay focused.  I'll be running daily, just fewer miles.  As my mileage decreases I'll work on increasing my amount of sleep - something that has been severely lacking in these months of intense training.  That's going to be huge for me - making sure I'm well-rested. I've done so well staying healthy and I need to keep that up in these final days.  (2nd graders - keep your germs away!)

All in all, the past 2 weeks of training haven't been too intense, which has helped me rest up a bit.  I finished out week 13 with a 4-minute PR at the Rock CF 1/2 marathon.  That was a big boost for me near the end of my training!  Nice to see my hard work paying off.

I just have one more race - the Martian Invasion of Races 10K this Saturday - before the big day.  I won't go too hard at it.  I usually do the half so it will be strange to just be running the 10K.  I'll also be there running the Kids Marathon with my Girl's Running Club from school.  It will be a nice last weekend before heading to Boston the next Saturday. 

Here's my training from the past two weeks:

I'll check back in before I hop on the plane.  Happy Running!

Previous Boston Marathon Countdown Posts: 14 Weeks, 12 Weeks, 10 Weeks, 8 Weeks, 6 Weeks, 4 Weeks

Boston Marathon Countdown: 4 Weeks

4 more weeks!  The Red Sox tickets have arrived!  The Duck Tour has been booked!  And the running continues.  The past 2 weeks of training have been pretty intense.  In week 11 I hit my highest mileage ever - 70 - capping it off with the Corktown 5K. When you take it one run at a time it doesn't seem so bad but by the end of the week I was pretty beat down.  I also had a late night of speed work at the track, consisting of the following workout:  1 mile warm up, 5 x (400m-800m) at 5K pace, cool down

Even though week 12 was only 57 miles it felt like a lot more than that!  I probably need a rest but that's just not in my nature.  I was feeling a hamstring pain on most of my runs so I dialed back the pace a bit and didn't do the full mileage on some days.  I wasn't able to make it to yoga, which didn't help.  I finished out the week with another 5K and was able to put in a much better performance than I did at Corktown.  (Race report coming up). 

Here's a look at the past 2 weeks mileage:

Looking ahead, I have Rock CF 1/2 marathon coming up on Sunday.  It's not my goal race so I won't taper for it and will continue to stick to my Boston training plan.  I will, however, get in daily stretching for my hamstring (and my weekly yoga session) so that I hopefully won't have issues with that.  Fingers crossed for warmer weather and sunshine!

Happy running!

Previous Boston Marathon Countdown Posts: 14 Weeks, 12 Weeks, 10 Weeks, 8 Weeks, 6 Weeks

Boston Marathon Countdown: 6 Weeks

Spring is in the air!  Although I had to take my runs inside a couple of days last week due to sub-zero morning temps, this week we've seen a major warm-up.  The snow is starting to melt, roads are clear and dry (no sidewalk running yet), and the sun has been shining.  The upcoming week is looking fantastic weather-wise.  I just might be able to break out my new Guides, which thus far have only seen the treadmill and indoor track!  

I hit my highest mileage to date these past two weeks, with 64 and 63 miles.  In week 9 I went to an indoor track for my first real speed work session.  I had no idea what I was doing but was with some very experienced track runners who coached me along.  We did the following interval: 

1 mile warm up, 2 x (800m-600m-400m-200m), 1 x (800m-600m-600m), cool down

The plan was to do 4 intervals but the track was closing.  I was okay with what we did, considering this was my first track workout and I was holding a 6:30 pace (translation - I was DYING!).  Since one of my goals for the year is to run a faster 5K, this is definitely going to be the way to do it! Now I just need to make sure I do it on a regular basis.

I've been getting my weekly tempo run in on Saturday at RUNdetroit, thanks to a fast running partner.  We do the run together at or faster than my marathon pace for the full 10 miles, talking the whole time.  No recovery.  On race day we'll really fly when we AREN'T talking to anyone!  haha

Today I finally got in my first 20-miler.  I've done two 18's, both in brutally cold and snowy conditions.  Today was sunny and dry - wahoo!  I went back to Kensington Metropark to run the hills and although I obviously slowed down on the inclines, I managed a 7:49/mile overall pace.  It's no marathon pace to be sure but for a training run, I was okay with it. And I felt good at the end, so even better!

Here's a look at my daily mileage from the past two weeks:

Next week I have another 20 miler but it's the same day as the Cork Town 5K, so I'm trying to figure that out.  I'm excited about the race because I've never run it before and I hear it's a lot of fun.  We'll see how it all shakes out.  I'll keep you posted!

Happy running!

Previous Boston Marathon Countdown Posts: 12 Weeks, 14 Weeks, 10 Weeks, 8 Weeks

Boston Marathon Countdown: 8 Weeks

It's hard to believe another 2 weeks have passed by and I'm 2 weeks closer to Boston!  Still, 8 weeks seems like a lifetime when I look at all the miles stretching out ahead of me.  I try to focus on one day at a time, one run at a time but being the planner than I am, it's hard to not always be thinking ahead.  Today I ran 14 miles through my neighborhood.  It was so calm and peaceful.  I started in the dark and was able to see the sunrise as I ran.  I had a lot of time to think, yet I was also able to just let my mind go.  It was refreshing to do that - to not look at my watch for mileage or pace, to not be worrying about tomorrow's run, or counting up the week's miles in my head.  I couldn't do it for the whole run but there were moments when I was able to just run and it was amazing.   

I wish I could say that all my runs were like that these past 2 weeks, but alas, they were not!  I've been battling a soreness in my left hamstring again that was creeping into my quad and glute.  We had some pretty cold weather again last week, not to mention a lot more ice on the roads that made running outside a little tricky.  I did a snowy, hilly 18-miler at Kensington last Sunday that was by far the most brutal run of my career.  

This past week was a little better.  I was on mid-winter break so I was able to get a little more rest than usual.  I got in some speed work on the treadmill a couple of times. Despite some intense snow/rain/ice storms, the roads actually cleared up and I had decently dry pavement to run on.  That makes such a difference!  

The next 2 weeks will increase in mileage again.  I restocked my Clif SHOTS in preparation!  I'll keep you posted!

Happy Running!

Previous Boston Marathon Countdown Posts: 12 Weeks, 14 Weeks, 10 Weeks

Boston Marathon Countdown: 10 Weeks

Snow, ice, cold, wind.  MORE snow.  Arctic Vortex #3.  

Calluses, blood blisters, regular blisters, frostbite blisters. Shredded quads from running in the snow. Torn up ankles from the road salt.  Frozen eyelashes.

4 a.m. daily wake-up calls to be out the door to run with the snowplows.  

THIS is the road to Boston!?!  

Here's a look at my mileage for the past two weeks:

I was rock solid this week, hitting the peak mileage for the first time ever.  I will admit that I took things a little slower this week.  I was tired after last Saturday's intense 16-miler that included 10 miles of heavy snow, followed by 10 flights up the new Z Lot in Detroit.  I was spent both Sunday and Monday.  My pace was embarrassingly slow.  In fact, by Thursday I woke up for my 10-miler and just couldn't do it.  I could not stand to run even one mile.  I was exhausted, both mentally and physically.  I knew I needed a break. So I went back to bed. 

That evening I had cycle and did manage to get in a quick 3 miles on the treadmill first, which actually felt really good.  I ended up with a snow day on Friday due to extreme wind chill.  Since I'd run less on Thursday and gotten more sleep I was able to get in my 10-miler on the treadmill that day.  Speed intervals helped pass the time.

Today I wanted to do 16 miles.  I had a 4 mile race so I did 12 miles at home before. I didn't run any of my miles at marathon pace as the plan called for but I did the best I could in the snow.  (Race report to follow.)

The next couple of weeks have a bump up in mileage.  Thankfully I have winter break coming soon so that should mean more sleep!

Happy Running!

Previous Boston Marathon Countdown Posts: 12 Weeks, 14 Weeks

Boston Marathon Countdown: 12 Weeks

Another 2 weeks of training behind me.  These were the 2 highest mileage weeks in my career, even though I didn't hit the upper end, which was my goal. The weather has been terrible - cold, windy, and wet.  I still ran outside most days, running after work instead of before to take advantage of the sun and afternoon "warm-up" (sad that I now consider 10 degrees warm).  One day when the winds were close to 30mph I was forced inside to the treadmill and ended up getting in 10 miles and some fantastic speed work.  Who'd have thought?

Today is really the only day I fell short.  I had another long run scheduled - 16-18 miles.  The weather was once again awful - cold temps, high winds, and snow.  It didn't seem smart to be out there.  Another treadmill day.  But 16 miles on that thing?  No way!  The most I'd done was 10 and that was pushing it.  Plus I had my first case of a frostbitten toe that had resulted in a big painful blister.  I could still run on it (had done 11 the day before) but I was going to pay more attention to it with the boredom of the treadmill.  And the gym were crowded so I felt bad using one for more than an hour when people were waiting.  So I just did 8 miles.  Half of what I was supposed to do for the day.  But because this was my first experience with surface frostbite, I was also in a hurry to get to urgent care to make sure my toe wasn't going to fall off.  Don't worry.  It's not.

In these 2 weeks I started to work in some hills to prep for Boston, which I've found I need to make sure I do a lot more of in the coming weeks!  Phew, they were tough! I worked on some good ones at Kensington Metropark last Sunday during my 16-miler and again yesterday during my RUNdetroit group run when we ran up 5 levels of a parking structure.  No matter where you live, rural or urban, you too can train for Heartbreak Hill!  (wink wink!)

Here's a recap of my plan from the last 2 weeks:  

*NOTE - I don't show my cross-training days on my running plan but I also cycle 1-2 days for 50 minutes and do strength-training throughout the week.  

It looks like it's going to be another cold week.  I better learn to love the treadmill for the next couple of days while I work on winterizing my shoes!  

Happy Running!

Previous Boston Marathon Countdown Posts: 14 Weeks

Boston Marathon Countdown: 14 Weeks

It's hard to believe that I've already completed 2 of my 16 weeks of Boston training.  I'll be running the Boston Marathon in less than 100 days. It's still sinking in.  I mean, one year ago I had just signed up for my first marathon and never in a million years would I have thought I'd be where I am today!  Ah, but I won't get all misty-eyed on you now. Time to talk training.

I decided to following the Intermediate 16-Week Program from the Boston Marathon website.  It's a lot more intense than my last training plan, which was Hal Higdon Intermediate 1.  That was an 18-week plan so it was a slower build-up, incorporated cross-training, didn't talk speed work, and overall had less mileage.  I tweaked it here and there and it certainly worked out just fine, getting me 2 Boston Qualifiers in 8 weeks, but this time I wanted to up the ante a bit. In November and December I was maintaining 40 miles a week so I knew I was ready!

Here's a look at my first 2 weeks:

*NOTE - I don't show my cross-training days on my running plan but I also cycle 1-2 days for 50 minutes and do strength-training throughout the week.  

Due to running on the ice and snow, I haven't been varying my pace on the days that call for tempo and interval runs.  That's something I need to start working on.  So for now I've just been going out and getting in the miles, essentially making them all distance runs with the exception of my MLR on the weekend (which I do on Saturdays because of RUNdetroit).  Hopefully the roads will be less icy this week or next for some speed work. If not I suppose the indoor track or treadmill wouldn't kill me once a week for that.

These next two weeks are going to be challenging.  I'm looking at 50-60 mile totals for each, including some weekdays with 8-11 and 10-12.  I'll have to get up extra early in the morning to get those runs in!  Worst case I'll run doubles and do some miles before work and some after.  It isn't as ideal as getting them all in at once but it's an option.  

We'll see how these next 2 weeks go.  I'll keep you posted!

Are you training for a spring race?  Tell me about it!