Still sore from Monday’s Boston Marathon, I nevertheless went on to log another half, keeping it at an easy pace and on flat terrain. Let’s call it a recovery run.
Boston Marathon (half #43 and 44)
My first time at the Boston Marathon, and it was an amazing experience! I’ve never seen crowds like that for a running event, and was blown away by the support, both here, from my wife and daughter who came with me to Boston, and from my running friends back home (and elsewhere).
As for my run itself, I knew that I was playing with fire. After a productive training cycle, I had my eyes set on a new PR, which can be difficult at Boston given the crowded field and the rolling-hill course. So I pushed hard, aware that it would result in either a PR or a “blow-up” in the second half. Sure enough, with an unseasonably warm day (high exceeded 70 degrees), my strong first 16 miles wobbled a bit going into the Newton hills, and by Heartbreak Hill, things really went, um, downhill.
But really, you couldn’t ask for a more quintessentially “Boston Marathon” experience than to fall apart on Heartbreak Hill! And I managed to finish in what is technically a Boston-Qualifying 3:17:04. So I have no regrets.
Half #42: South Island coast
My favorite route, taken mostly at recovery/long run pace (zone 2 heart rate), but with one 1.5mi interval of 6:35min/mi near the end. I’m trying to keep things easy with less than two weeks before Boston.
Half #41: in search of gradual downhills
The Boston Marathon route is net-downhill, with what I’m told are gentle downhills for the first 15 miles or so, and that much downhill can really strain your quads. So on this route, I prioritized roads with similar downhills to prepare them. It was a beautiful day to be outside!
Half #40: last fast half before Boston
With my first time at the Boston Marathon less than three weeks away, I wanted one last sustained effort to serve as a sort of dress rehearsal for the race. Setting a new half marathon PR is a nice confidence boost going into tapering, where the frequency and pace of my half marathons will need to slow down.
Half #39: South-end cross-Island loop with Ryan
I was lucky to have Ryan Goldstein for company on this beautiful, sunny run! We took a route crossing the width of Bainbridge Island west to east and back.
Half #38: auto shop loop
I was planning on just dropping my car off for an oil change and taking the scenic route home, but Nick at Green Light Garage was so quick it was done before I got there. It made for a nice new loop!
Half #37: Battle Point Park progression run
I ran nine 1.5mi loops around the park, with each loop faster than the one before it. Started at 8:40min/mi and ended at 6:15min/mi. Another sunny and warm day, so I was lucky to have the opportunity to enjoy it!
St. Patrick’s Day marathon (half #35 and 36)
I ran a variation of what I call the South Island perimeter route, as it follows the coastline as closely as possible. The weather this weekend was unseasonably warm: 70˚ high was 20˚ over average. This was my first marathon since the BURT ultramarathon on 2/10, and I felt the extra miles.
Half #34: tempo run with negative splits
This is my fifth half marathon in 7 days (from 3/7 to 3/13). I followed the South-Island coast route, and did the second half faster than the first. It was an absolutely beautiful day out there today!