Salt Anyone?
This was to be my first “real” race back post the bike crash of May 2011, when I broke my hip. I had qualified in 2009 with a 2:59:42, so my dream goal here this weekend was to go sub-3. At the end of the day, I fell short by about a minute but I am super pumped with my performance. Thanks to everyone for your support…if you want more details, read on!
The Training
Overall, this has been my strongest winter in a long time. The bike fitness is up there and while I am STILL a few lbs too heavy, my run has been very solid. I had some good long runs in the low 7s pace-wise, so I felt like a 3 hour race could be within reach.
The Planning
My personal history has been about 5 minutes slower than my PB (2004 & 2005), so I knew that I was asking a lot of my body and fitness. Given the fact we’d have a solid tailwind and that I was rested from training by spending my time packing the house, I thought what the heck.
I drew up a pacing plan to put me at the finish in 2:59 and change. Basically the goal was to hold back a bit over the first five miles, then solid running through the hills…not lose too much time, and then bring it home strong. For more details on my pacing strategy, you can read the full Boston-specific post here: http://www.marathonnation.us/race-execution/the-ultimate-boston-marathon-overview-part-3-a-racing-strategy/
To be specific, my goals were:
Miles 1-5 @ 6:55 pace per mile.
Miles 5-16 @ 6:45 pace per mile.
Miles 17-21 @ 7:00 pace per mile.
Miles 21-26.2 @ 6:45 pace per mile.
It always looks so easy on paper, doesn’t it!
The Execution
I slept well and had a good breakfast. The ride out was uneventful until little Emma threw up in her car seat as we got to Hopkinton! So much for it being all about me…we quickly got her cleaned up and I got dropped off. I walked about 20 mins into town, and was surprised to find that the bag drop was up at the school…another mile away. I ran up there, dropped my bag, had my pre-race gels, ran to the start via a shortcut, hit a port-a-john and was in my corral with 2′ to the start — super close! Fun to meet Jeff from LA, one of the new members of Endurance Nation…what are the odds he’d be standing next to me?
You can see the chart for specifics, but here’s how it went for me.
First few miles it’s already hot and I am thinking of being conservative. I am trying to stay hydrated and run a bit slower than the goal pace here. I haven’t hit my stride but not sweating it. Really running cautiously on the downhills.
In the middle, the pack opens up slightly, but I still have no mojo. Still feel like I am chasing my paces instead of having them just slot in for me. Wellesley was awesome, and seeing my family just after Mile 14 was a huge boost. I was mentally out of the game, thinking I was done for a sub-3 but at halfway I saw I was at 1:30:23…which included a 27 second pee break…so I wasn’t totally done.
We hit the first hill at mile 16 and I was worried….but bam, my legs felt awesome! Flew up the hill and through the turn to Newton. But any downhill didn’t feel so good, and this would only get worse. I’d fly up all the hills past folks…only to be passed on the downhills like I was standing still. By mile 18, my legs felt like they do 2 days AFTER the race…and I knew this wasn’t good.
I kept on my paces, and actually did pretty well in the hills. When it came time to turn on Beacon and bring it in…I just could’t get the pace up on the downhills. Even on the slightest downhill I’d be passed…only to regain more time on the ups. By mile 23 I decided to go for it…but just didn’t have the smoothness in my stride.
Looking back on the data, I could have gone sub-3 with the right final 5 miles…but who plans on suffering on the DOWNS all through the end of the race?
The Wrap
It’s hard not to be so thankful at the end of the day. My amazing family supported me through the crazy training and on this special day. I got to see some new and old friends, and make a few more. I laid down a PR for Boston, only a minute off my best ever marathon, which came before my bike crash. The fact I can run is crazy; the fact I am running this well given everything is a true testament to the power of family, TEAM, and the amazing sport we all share.
Now it’s time to recover, sell this house, go to Disney…and THEN think about Lake Placid.
Thanks for reading!!!
I just found your site right before Boston and love it. It was my first Boston and it rocked my world. I had no idea downhills could be so painful and the uphills actually be easier. But it’s so great to read your story and know that I’m not crazy and delusion.
(Another aspect that threw me too was the noise. I’ve never run in that much noise, let alone for that long. I think my ears are still ringing.)
Can’t wait to make it back. Thanks for the great synopsis and congrats on being so close to your goal!
Congratulations on a well planed race! Obviously it worked as you had anticipated!!! Kudos to you and your family for the support!!!
@Steven, congrats to you on a very well executed race. Clearly you ran with your head, as you were right on target…there were a lot of _melted_ race dreams out there last week!!
@Steve, I hear you on the downhills…even now I am avoiding them and my legs feel fine!
Enjoy your recovery.
@Joanne, thanks for the kudos! I just saw your report and how you killed…impressive!!
You ran a perfect race. Seriously – you were just about right on . Fantastic.
It was my first Boston experience and only my 2nd marathon. I’m happy with my time but now, I want more!!! I’m already setting lofty goals but willing to run a few more marathons to achieve them.
Great race last Monday!
This was my 1st Boston and I couldn’t agree more on the downhills!. I tried to use the recommended pacing strategy (breaking the course into 4 sections and adjusting my pace accordingly) – the first 5 were a little fast but I slowed down the next section and I was right on plan at mile 21 (the top of Heartbreak Hill). The next couple of downhills really wiped out my quads but I still pretty happy with my performance – Hoped for 3:30 and ended up w/ 3:33:16.
Next time I will be doing more downhill training!
I to had a great experience at Boston! It was great getting your newsletter during the training leading up to the race. The most helpful one was how you broke down the race into sections and how to figure the pace, adjusted by the hills.
My main goal was to break 3:35 figuring that would safely get me into next years race at the age of 55, but thought I had a good chance to break 3:30 which I did in Boston 2007. Well, your strategy worked almost to perfection, I was consistent the whole way except the last 5k and finished a proud 3:32:48.
Thanks for your videos, guidance, etc. I have recommended you to others in my running group.