A sheep in black clothes

That's me. Boston really got me. But at least I tried. 2.5 weeks ago I gave up the whole idea of running this one, but I tried. Time did not matter - it sucks - since after all I left to Boston just to finish. Luckily, I did it. Instead of writing splits onto my arm, I wrote "JUST RUN". And that helped me twice. I was actually happy when I reached the finish. That on the other hand means that my days in this distance are most likely over. With this kind of legs, mind and anti-competitive spirit I'm done with 26.2. I did not respect enough the course nor my injury not to mention my shape. Even if in February thing were rolling okay, the misfortune couple weeks before the race made it quite clear that there was no easy way out.

Boston is a unique race which requires dedicated training. All the support one may ever want is there. During the whole 26.2 miles. Think about that! If training is done to keep your legs going on those damn hills after 16 miles of downhills/rolling hills, then you will fly the rest of the way. Last 5 miles were downhill and really great for many, I think. But as of now my legs are really beaten up even if I didn't fly.

Next up... I dunno.

Soon

Right. Boston is now right around the corner. We got the goodie bags yesterday, they are still un-opened. The expo was huge and really crowed. I enjoyed the course video a lot, and started to visualize tomorrow's journey. Even if I wished for seeing THE dream, my mind seemed to wander anywhere than on the Boston course last night. Yesterday's easy jog and strides felt heavy which was expected. Now I'm at the hotel lobby getting ready for the last shake out before 26.2. I don't care how does it feel.

It's Boston time.

Friday with itch

I start to feel it in my guts. The thrilling eagerness to start raises. Soon I'll face the unknown... Boston! Today I'll do the "wake-up" which means 2km @ marathon pace added with 2x30 sec and 5x100m strides. Legs have felt really heavy and sluggish during the last couple days. How they feel today does not matter. Boston is going to happen anyway!

And then all the money is in the bank. Wake-up went and felt just fine.

Tapering is really demanding

This morning I had last PT session before Boston. Left hamstring is feeling better every day, but still... However, after reading Running Times magazine and couple blogs here and there I got so excited that soon there is no chance that I would take it easy during the first miles on next Monday. And then Flotrack put this online!

In the afternoon I joined with some of the bravest Striders who defied the wet weather. However, they were braver than me, because as of now I'm in the front of the laptop and they are probably still out there. I ran a sluggish 6.5 miler (7.00/mile) and did 5x100m. Legs felt heavy, but loose. Hamstring is now pretty sore so scheduled a meeting with mr. Ice.

Another blog: "If you don't feel like you're going too slow, you're going too fast." Damn!

Black Monday

Ran 6.5 minutes. Left hamstring is done.

After realizing that and when I got enough angry, I took my Black Thunder (a pathetic bike that was recreated after it was found in two pieces on Route 29) on the road for an hour tour. I tried to keep HR at least at the aerobic threshold. In the hills (which we have plenty) I got close to anaerobic levels. Consequently, I was able to reduce my anger/disappointment to half. But nothing changes the fact that my already fading self-assurance is soon vanished and a small dream of hitting Heartbreak Hill may not realize. This Monday sucks!

After and beyond

Today, maybe today, we'll register to Boston marathon.

Even if I feel today extremely sore about yesterdays "run", I don't want to bother myself about that anymore. For me the not-so-representative-result was a sum of many different hampering factors. And thus, the result was not quite equivalent with my shape. Basically, the lack of tempo training has taken the edge off my marathon pace I let myself to think/believe/hope. In the beginning of August things were rolling well and running was a everyday joy, but after that something has been lost. Hence, I could expect beforehand that Chicago will be something else than fun or celebration of running. I saw the sign already in Philadelphia.

Actually, the repulsion about running and that annoying feeling already at the 5 mile mark was not nice. In order to avoid that to happen again, I have to be more consistent with my training. And aim at a way shorter distances.

I don't wanna stop. I ain't gonna stop.