Or so they say…
21 miles, 8:46 average pace, done!
So this didn’t go exactly as planned. It went much slower! Physically, I felt great. Mentally, I’m a bit burned-out. I’m writing a “Boston Goals” post later this week and I’ll elaborate more then. I think Kristen Armstrong’s latest post sums it up best though…
Running can’t be full speed, full intensity training all the time or you start to crack – either with an injury or with splintering morale. I know some people who do this, go from one marathon to the next without a break, and eventually their bodies cry uncle (and make them take a break).
In other news (Boston-related, of course)…
I got crafty on Saturday. I normally don’t wear my name on my shirt for marathons (then again, my last 4 marathons weren’t exactly filled with spectators), but I want to for Boston.
Rather than ruin an expensive lulu tank, I stole the idea from Celia to make a name patch. I bought some felt and some sticky letters, and voila…a removable patch that I can use again.
The “S” is a little high and it drives me nuts…
Another great idea I read from Lora’s blog was to start eating lunch later, due to Boston’s late start. I’ve been trying to hold off until 1:30 for lunch (2:00 if possible). I can’t think of anything more unpleasant than a growling stomach during a marathon. OK, there are worse things but that is unpleasant.
I’m also eating breakfast between 8-8:30 which will be the time I’ll eat before the race. Five hours between breakfast and lunch does not make for a happy Kristy.
Better now than on race day…
Name on shirt – yay or nay?
For the readers that ran Boston before (or NYC), did you get hungry during the race? I don’t think this will be an issue – it wasn’t for NYC – but I’m taking all precautions!
I can definitely see going going going with intensity leading to burn out either physically or mentally. I know I experienced it before!
I did not have any hunger issues at Boston and I didn’t change any of my eating habits prior to the race. I ate my regular breakfast probably around 7 am. I took a gel about 10-15 minutes before the start and then did my regualr race fueling and was fine.
Good long run–even though you think it was too slow. At this point I think that will end up benefitting you.
So excited for you!!!! It’s almost here!
Have you found yourself making every conversation turn into something about Boston? I remember totally random conversations (like with grocery store cashiers, the bank teller, etc) that I somehow was able to mention that I was running Boston.
Example:
Teller: “How do you want this check cashed?” Me: “Well, I guess I will need some small bills in case I want change for a cab in Boston–I’m going there to run the marathon next week!” Etc…
You are literally the most prepared racer I have even known.
In my experience, running a hard race makes you forget about things like lunch.
For a race like Boston, I think the name is essential. It’s great to have people screaming it. I never thought about the eating issues racing in the afternoon would bring up – good job getting prepared! I get mentally burnt out so easily. I think that’s why I am loving cycling so much.
Congrats on being done with your final long run! Both times that I’ve run Boston and NYC I had my name on my shirt. It’s a lot of fun and if you don’t have your name, spectators will still find ways to offer encouragement by shouting things like “Nice job blue shirt!” or “Keep it up sunglasses!” As for hunger, I always have my usual pre-race breakfast (bagel and peanut butter) around 6am and then have a gel 20 minutes before the start. I’ve never had any hunger issues so I’ll be sticking to that strategy again this year.
Shall we discuss what is more unpleasant than being hungry while running? LOLOLOL
I’m so rooting for you, chick. You are going to do amaze-balls.
Yeah I just busted out with amaze-balls. Annnnnnd what?
Number on the shirt – cute idea! A lot of bib’s I’ve been wearing already have the name on them, too, which is great.
I hear ya about the need to take a break from training now and then. I actually just decided to take a break between May and June, before NYC marathon training begins in July. Otherwise, I realized, I would have technically been training for something for 9 months straight, which is no bueno.
I meant name on the shirt 😉
THe great thing about a name patch thing is you can take it off if it is annoying! 🙂 I think for big races it is fun.
I always eat before I run (unlike you) so it doesn’t really matter to me what time the race is. I actually prefer later races that I don’t have to wake up early for. NYC and Boston not included bc you still have to wake up early! I would eat breakfast and then bring a snack along for right before the race or maybe have a GU.
Never run with my name on my shirt before — but I liked how names were on our bibs for the Philadelphia half marathon though, it was cool when people cheered me on by name. I never would have thought of the issue with the timing of lunch, way to be a good planner! 🙂 Never run a marathon, but I agree with Kara- my hunger doesn’t typically set in right after a half, but maybe a couple hours later.
Love the shirt and the whole “s” thing would probably drive me to re-make it, I get you on that one! But, I actually didn’t notice till I read the caption 🙂 I’ve never worn my name on my shirt (unless my bib # had it), but I’ve seen bloggers put there blog on the back and I like that.
I kind of get the eating thing, given the start time, but you’ll also be fueling during the race, so I wouldn’t worry too much about it!
Great job on the 21 miles!
Good luck!! I ran Boston last year and will be out there CHEERING with all my might this year!!! As for the name, GREAT idea 🙂 Last year, I had “DYAN” written down my arm – my shirt sleeve covered up the D and I heard someone yell “GO YAN!” I laughed so hard!! Have fun out there and enjoy the experience – it is an amazing weekend 🙂
i can’t believe you’re getting so close. i wore my name on my shirt for MCM and it was awesome! love your idea of pinning it on. agreed…lulu is too pricy to make it permanent! 🙂
Name on the shirt, YAY! I am going to do same. I want people to say, “GO RACHEL!!! YOU LOOK GREAT! DAMN GIRL, LOOK AT THAT STRIDE!” okay, they won’t be saying that last one, but hey, a girl can dream.
I would love to run my 20+ runs under a 9:00 min/mi. I’m so slow these days. I wonder, will I ever get my running speed back? I mean, my metabolism is awesome. Better now than pre-pregnancy. But dang, my running speed… Not so great. I’m not sure if I would trade the whole metabolism thing for speed. Yeah, I think i would. Because you can always try to lose weight or stay fit — speed… now that’s just hard work and practice. ;o)
I love the hand-crafted name for your shirt!! I would do that in races, too, if it weren’t for the fact that my name is mispronounced about 90% of the time. Maybe I should do my last name…..
What a great idea for putting your name on your shirt!
I love Kristin Armstrong’s blog! She’s awesome. Congrats on your last long run! Love names on shirts 🙂
For NYC, I ate breakfast around 7 am and then had a snack of a banana and some gatorade and I think 1/2 a picky bar about 45-30 mins before the race (started at 9:40). worked out pretty well!
Just wanted to say so excited for you! So well deserved!
NYC starts late, too. I ate a breakfast early (oatmeal, coffee) and then a picky bar (200 cal) about an hour and a half before the race. That worked for me pretty well.
Love the idea of using felt letters for your name. I’ve always wanted to do that for a race, but could never figure out how not to ruin a nice tech tee.
Wish I had some fueling advice for you, but I’ve never started a race that late. If it were me, though, I’d probably do a bigger breakfast about 3-4 hours before, and then bring along a heavier bar (like a regular Clif) to eat about an hour before race time.
Love the name tag! It looks great! Definitely wear it and everyone will cheer you on while you kick a$$! Yayyy!!!
Love the name on the shirt! And, congrats on your long run – that is amazing!
That quote is so fitting to me right now. 🙂 Looking forward to a training break! Such a late start, but good luck! I’ve been hungry during running before…it’s horrible cause then all I can think about is FOOOOOD! I’ve never had my name on my shirt–by the time people figure out how they want to say it, I’ll probably pass by them. :/