TRAINING FOR BOSTON

RACE COMMITMENTS 

18 weeks of Boston Marathon training started the week of December 14th.  I know my coach would have preferred me starting fresh with just base mileage, but I already had a schedule of races I had committed to prior to my training. My base mileage included the Marine Corps Marathon October 25th and the Space Coast Marathon November 29th. The first two weeks of December included days of rest and easy running.  Of course I had one more commitment during my training cycle... another marathon.  I ran the Disney Marathon on January 10th (family tradition since 2011). It was the end of my 15th training week. I had to rest and recover during week 14, so now I only had 13 weeks to get serious about training for Boston. Not only was I running Boston. I wanted to run it well.

Disney Marathon Celebration Beers with my sister-in-law Megan

GAINING CONFIDENCE

I struggled through some long runs, hills and sessions at the track over the next weeks but I did my best to focus on the good days! At the end of the 10th week I had a huge confidence booster and ran my best half marathon to date! (1:51:11 an 8:30 pace). I then started to run up hills with more confidence and by the middle of the 7th week I ran 8 x 800's between 3:33 - 3:42 at track! Have you ever heard of Bart Yasso and his theory of running 800's? He thinks there is a correlation with your marathon time. Not really sure about that. That would be something if I could run my qualifying marathon time ever again (3:52:05) let alone a 3:33 - 3:42!!

MY HEEL HURTS

By the end of the 7th week I become frustrated. The heel of my right foot was bothering me. Not enough to stop running, but what the heck? I diagnosed myself with Plantar Fasciitis as it bothered me most in the morning. I continued my training which included a fun filled weekend with my teammates at the Gate River Run. A 15K which included a monster hill.

5 weeks to go. My foot was really sore and Boston was too important of a race for me to continue running on a sore foot. Lots of ice therapy, Epsom salt soaks, and rest.

4 weeks to go. I had a full week of no running with a couple days of aqua jogging and laser therapy to my heel for the pain along with the ice therapy.

3 weeks to go. I ran every other day no more that 4 miles with continued therapy.

10 days to go. I decided to keep my commitment to run the 7 mile bridge run in Marathon, FL.  I'm glad I did. It gave me confidence that I would make it to the Boston starting line. The pain in my foot was tolerable. Actually okay in the run. Just limping the next morning. More therapy.

Gate River Run 15K

READY FOR MY VICTORY LAP

Days before leaving for Boston and I was an emotional wreck. I knew I was going to make it to the starting line, but my fears were that I was not going to be able to finish. What if I had to head over to the medical tent and call it quits just miles in? If this was any other marathon I may have decided to not run. But this was Boston and I worked my butt off to qualify and get there. Any thoughts of running goals I had thrown out the window weeks ago. I had to focus on all the positive. My coach, friends and family reminded me that I am no stranger to marathon running. I know I can complete the distance... now my only goal was to finish! This was going to be my victory lap! 

MY FRIENDS AT BEAST MODE GAVE ME A SEND OFF CELEBRATION

I may have overdone it in 2015. How many marathons have you run in one year?

Experience has now taught me how important rest is between marathon cycles. How many days/weeks/months do you rest before training again?

Have you ever run a race regardless of injury?