If I was going to get in one more long run before the marathon today was the day. It was a little windy at 7am but only got worse during the day. Clay rode his bike with me the whole way as a support vehicle and pacer, he is dealing with some medial knee pain. We started west for 4 miles and then decided that running into the wind was no fun and turned around. From there we just kept running east, with the wind for 12 miles, and had his daughter Kendall pick us up at Highland High School. Clay rode ahead and took some pictures of me (see above). It sure helped to have him there to pace, talk, and supply water, Gatorade, and GU. Thanks Clay!
I felt pretty stale for the first 4 miles partially from not running since Tuesday and also running into the wind. My first 4 splits were 7:33, 7:00, 7:23, 7:22. After the turn around I settled into a nice comfortably hard pace hovering right around 6:45 pace for the next 10 miles (7:02, 6:49, 6:45, 6:52, 6:45, 6:48, 6:56, 6:46, 6:39, 6:37). Total time for those 10 miles was 68 minutes even, the same pace as a 2:58 marathon, a pretty good effort. The half marathon split was 1:31:30. Now the key is to just hold on to that for the rest of the distance which is mostly a mental game.
The last two miles were easy cool down miles for a total time 1:53:58, average pace 7:07. My right shin felt sore but didn't affect my gait. I ran in my new Asics Gel-Kayanos which I will run in for the marathon in three weeks. I also used my new arm warmers that I peeled off half way through as it was plenty warm out. I did two ice baths over the next 2 hours after the run and taped my leg. It is sore but not nearly as bad as two weeks ago.
I have been reading other peoples tips on how to have your best experience at Boston. I have a lot of little things to get together in the next three weeks including: vasoline, band aids, garbage bags, an old pair of sweats to toss at the starting line.
The Boston weather forecast will become more and more important in the next few weeks. I will keep you posted at the 10 day count down.
I received my official number pick up card, hand book, and an article on "The right way to hydrate for marathons" from the B.A.A. today. My bib number is 3387 which puts me in the first wave start (10am). Things are coming together.
1 comment:
You sent that comment a little too late. I ended up going out and just falling apart in the middle. I am taking this whole week to XC and see how it feels on Saturday for a run and then my "taper". Although I am already tapering. I just hope if it heals by Boston, this time off won't affect my time too much. I don't know about wrapping the hamstring, it might be a cortizone shot in the ass pre-race. Also, the BAA screwed me out of the 4th corral, even though my time was in the range, and put me as 5003. I will tow up to Boston though, no doubt about it. Good 16 mile run. If I am 100%, I am looking for a 6:45-6:50 pace.
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