I had high expectations for my 2nd attempt at Boston. I ran in 2012 when it was incredibly hot and finished just over 1200th overall in 3:12. I had a great training cycle and had PR'd a 10k a few weeks before that race in just over 36 min.

Last spring I ran a 1:20 half and felt that I finally had a sub 3:00 in reach. Training for Boston began to build up in December, and January was a great month with many runs that felt like sub 3:00 would happen. However, in early February my left calf began to bother me. I took a little time off, and it seemed to get better. Then, on my first run on the Boston course I developed an IT band issue that never healed. I went to a chiro twice a week to get Graston, ART and ultrasound. I did strengthening exercises for my hips and glutes, but nothing really helped.

In the end, I decided to get a cortisone shot, which I hoped would get me through the race. It only delayed the onset of the IT band pain. In training the pain began around mile 6 - in Boston it started around mile 8. I was able to tolerate it through around mile 17-18, but soon after the first of the Newton Hills (out of Newton Lower Falls and going up towards Newton/Wellesley Hospital) the pain suddenly got quite severe. I guess the cortisone got me that far, but the rest of the day was spent walking.

See the screen shot below for an idea of what my pace looked like - it's not all that hard to see where the pain increased and the pace decreased!

It was frustrating to be walking a course that I felt I knew so well and wanted to set a PR on. I guess there's always next time, but that will mean qualifying at another race, and that probably won't happen until next spring. So that means I'm looking at maybe another crack at Boston in 2016.

The best part of the day was being able to stop around mile 16 to see Katie and give Jackson a kiss. He just turned one and won't remember it, but it's etched in my mind. Next time, he'll be able to cheer me on!

http://connect.garmin.com/activity/485246710#

The injury and lack of training didn't make a difference, did they???

After walking the last nine miles I had to walk another mile or so to get to the nearest open T Station to get out to Alewife, where Katie was picking me up.


A momentous day, a first American win for the men in 30 years, and a race that I'd kind of like to forget on a personal level. I just wish I could go back two months and prevent getting injured!

Next step is taking at least two weeks of from running to try to let my IT band issues get better and focus on the tri season.