The Boston Marathon is a mere 46 days away and my Type A self is going into “prep” mode. Race logistics, course info, expo, hotel, race outfit (so important…lululemon, it’s only a matter of days before we are reunited!), etc. I don’t want to be overly stressed during the taper period so it’s best to get this stuff all figured out now.
Thankfully, course-wise, there is so much information. I’m a big believer in studying your marathon course as much as you can before race day. I have this handy little guide that I’m reading(per Robin’s recommendation)…
I’ve been running hills during my long runs and occasionally doing a few repeats during easy runs. Yesterday I threw in 3 long hill repeats at the end of a 7-mile tempo run. Whoa, that was tough. My tempo miles ended up being faster than MP (8:08, 8:10, 8:07, 8:09, 8:08) so maybe that’s why? I’m having a hard time nailing down my MP (8:20) based on feel. I always seem to run faster. Guess that’s not the worst thing in the world!
Boston Week 8 Recap
MON: 8 easy with 3 long hill repeats at the end
TUE: 8 speed (6×400). Ugh, awful run. I ended up doing a few miles at HMP and MP to hit 8 for the day.
WED: barre REST! It was like there was a magnet on the back of my head when my alarm went off at 4:50AM (yep, no wonder, right?). I could not lift my head or get out of bed so I slept.
THU: 9 with 7 miles at tempo (8:12, 8:08, 8:12, 8:03, 8:07, 8:03, 8:13). Again, I was trying for MP and ended up faster.
FRI: REST (again)!
SAT: 18 at LSD pace (9:07). It was windy and I ran through a snowstorm.
SUN: 9 easy
52 miles for the week. This week is a drop-back week before I head into the monster month before taper!!!!!
Help, please! I’m looking for a pair of arm warmers for Boston that are comfy. Any suggestions? I’ve tried Saucony but ended up sending them back. Anyone have the lululemon Swiftly Arm Warmers?
I have North Face arm warmers and really like them! They are pretty snug and don’t slide at all and they are pretty warm!
Boston is really getting close, that’s so exciting!
I second this!
I have a pair of Moben armwarmers that I like a lot.(wore them to Boston, too!) Although thoses lulus look great!
I read that book too. It was fun to read and very accurate as far as course descriptions also.
Being too fast is a problem I’d like to experience. I obsess over logistics too, but it’s kind of fun. I can’t imagine running a marathon at 8:20 – you are awesome!
I really like my Saucony arm warmers. Nothing fancy, but they work and they were about 25 bucks so not terribly pricy.
I have the North Face ones too and love them. Although, I don’t think you can go wrong with Lululemon 🙂 I can’t believe how close Boston is. Great job last week, your training is really impressive!
I dont like lululemon armwarmers. I feel bad saying that about anything lululemon 🙁 My absolute favorite are my nike ones. They fit amazingly well and come in many sizes. Also the fabric is wonderful. Id say the cheap asics ones come in second place. Those are the only two I will wear and I have tried lululemons, oiselles, and a bunch of others…actually pretty much every other brand but I am just blanking on them now. One I haven’t tried is North Face and I generally love their running stuff so they might be a good bet.
I have Asics arm warmers (I think I have 4 pairs now). They’re very comfy and they’re much cheaper than most other arm warmers out there. Last year they had ones that actually said Boston on them at the expo.
I would definitely be shutting my alarm off at 4:50. I have a rule – if it’s 5:00 or later, it’s morning. If I wake up earlier for whatever reason (usually a child has woken me up), I go back to bed, because it’s night time. 🙂
You kill the training! Even with the runs that weren’t quite as planned
For races (especially when I might want to toss them) I always get the Asics arm warmers. They are warm and cheap (less than $10) so I don’t mind throwing them out 🙂 especially with Boston being in the middle of the day, I wanted them off at mile 2 last year!
46 DAYS?!?!?! Holy crap. It’ll be here before we know it, but girl, following your workouts and weekly training schedule, you are pretty much ready for this race!
I also have Asics arm warmers. They work wonderfully.
I just want to say hi and your running is so awesome lately! I am already so very excited to read your Boston recap! I have never worn arm warmers, so I have no input on that front. Sorry!
I really like Pearl Izumi arm warmers. They’ve got several different styles at REI, all based on temperature. I definitely recommend ’em!
Lots of people I follow are running Boston this year, but you are my favorite because I know how hard you worked to get there. And you’re training hard for what I see as your big victory lap!!
My arm warmers are Asics. I wore them in the first few miles of Houston and they did just fine, but I didn’t have to wear them the whole race so I can’t speak to how they would have stood up to the long distance. Good luck! I think it’s good you’re dealing with details now.
I have a pair of asics and oiselle armwarmers – I like them both! The oiselle ones are a more dri-fit material and have thumbholes – big fan.
Just curious–what is the temperature at which you would wear arm warmers? The lower temp limit for me to wear shorts is 50 and sunny (or 55 and cloudy). I’ve never used arm warmers. I’d prefer to “suck it up” and be cold and uncomfortable the first 3 miles or so, and be comfortable for the last 5 to 10 miles (although, as you know, I don’t do races–probably would be different if I did!)
i seriously don’t get how you wake up so early 🙂 so impressive!
i love my northface arm warmers – i got them as part of my race swag at the TNF endurance challenge in SF, but they’re super cozy and don’t chafe. haven’t tried lululemon sorry – only thing i own is my hat with the pony tail hole which i LOVE. i really need to go back to that store and treat myself to a few things!
oh and in terms of temperature – i wore arm warmers for nyc marathon 2010 and was comfortable in them – got slightly warm for a mile or two but was fine. i forget the temp but it was pretty chilly. but i agree – if it’s in the 40s or 50s, i’d rather be a bit chilly at the start – or wear a pair of crappy ones and toss them. that’s what i meant to do in nyc but then just never took them off!