Boston Marathon - RunMarathon

1st mile was really crowded. I started two corals farther back this year which makes a big difference (I was :30 seconds slower than last year). I told myself to settle down given the 100 ft drop we experienced in that first mile. I settled into an 8:30 pace which was a little slower than I had thought I would do, but after blowing up last year, I wanted to be more conservative. My HR was high for marathons and that worried me a little, but didn't let it guide me. I typically try to keep it in the low 160s. The winds were blowing so I tried to tuck in behind big people wherever I could, but the ESE diretion made it hard. Made it through the screaming girls of Wessley College at the half feeling good. There were people walking at this point. I kept drinking Infinit and Carb Pro on schedule. I was meeting Paul at Newton Hospital, the start of the hills so I had something to look forward to. He got a pic of me, handed me my second fuel belt. I gave him a kiss and as I was running away I knew he would be thinking "YUCK, she was so sweaty". Something to chuckle at. By this time the wind was in full force, especially on Commonwealth. I tucked my chin looked for someone to hide behind and kept going. I knew there were five major hills, I made it through three of of them, but the fourth was my undoing. I had a hard time breathing and no inhaler. I called upon my mental training until it subsided. I was well slower than I wanted to be during this section, but I kept that in the back of my mind. I still had a chance to CR. I started up Heartbreak Hill, got about a 1/3 of the way and knew I was in trouble. I started walking,pumping my arms and getting my breathing under control. I was pissed I wasn't running, but reasoned it was the better approach. I am not sure it was. Once I hit the top of HB, I was HAPPY, it was the final stretch. I tried to push myself, but I was gassed. I kept drinking and told myself I would not walk one more step. I got to the 35K mark and thought I only had 5K to go (with brain fog my math skills suck). Once I realized I was not quite so far, it did deflate me a bit. It took everything I had to keep going those last miles. I took some H20 along the way and decided slowing down to do that was a mistake. I had to keep going. I saw the Citgo sign, smiled and pushed as fast as I could which wasn't very fast. I was way off my CR goal, but so what, too late now. I finally turned down Boylston and the noise was deafening. I saw the finish line, smiled and knew I at least made my BQ goal so I would have another chance to tame the beast. I know I said this was my last marathon, but I would like to get Boston right so I guess it isnt. Won't be telling Paul that for a few months :).

Having to train while rehabing an injury had me starting wo months later than last year and running 100m less per month which was a factor.

Add hill training, including some in my long runs. I thought I had done enough, but apparently not. Running much of my winter on a TM at .5% incline might also be a factor.

Figure out how to regulate breathing up those long hills. That one short asthma attack freaked me out making me walk up Heartbreak which I hate.

Hit the finish line and made the long trek down the chute to get water, my thermal blanket, medal and bag. At this point, I felt a little like the walking dead and I was FREEZING with the wind and cool temps. I took my phone this year so called Paul and hooked up wit him for the 1m walk home.


Starting to train two months later and 100m per month light on training.

Mentally I was a lot tougher than last year, physially I was not.


It's Boston. Even with the hassle of getting to the Village and sitting there for hours the experience is well worth it.