Boston Marathon

Celebrating…

April 22, 2012 by Kristy 21 Comments

It’s nearly 1 week post-Boston and I’m still smiling and celebrating.

Check out this post-race picture. I don’t even remember posing for it. Even though I’m rocking the halo of frizz and my smile resembles a Cheshire cat, I love it. It’s nothing more than pure bliss and happiness.

Too bad it costs $50 to download you…

So what have I been doing all week? Going out to dinner, drinking, sleeping, and no running. I always take a week off post-marathon to recharge physically and mentally.

I got a pedicure on Thursday and a massage on Friday. The massage included a “chakra balancing”. I had to Google it when I got home. In the middle of the massage these stones/crystals were placed midline down my body. I have no clue what went on after that because I passed out cold for 30 minutes. Apparently my chakras were unbalanced? Regardless, it was the best massage I ever had.

On Saturday, Matt and I went to the Mutter Museum. If you like weird medical anomalies, this place is for you. Diseases of Secretion, a slide of Einstein’s brain (for real), the Soap Lady (disturbing), and the Big Colon (need I say more?). You’re lucky they don’t allow pictures.

We spent the rest of the day at Rittenhouse Square, one of our favorite spots in the city. Matt and I people-watched and Hawk chased pigeons.

So pretty

We went to dinner at Village Whiskey on Saturday night, which we heard has the best burgers in Philly. They were very good, but the best in the city? Not sure…

And then we had brunch on Sunday morning. Oh my god, I’m practically busting out of my sweatpants.

No more celebrating. I cannot wait to run again tomorrow. One week off is enough for me.

Do you like weird medical stuff? I love it. I used to be addicted to Mystery Diagnosis.

How much time do you take off between races? I always take a week post-marathon. Always.

Pre-Boston Festivities

April 15, 2012 by Kristy 23 Comments

Greetings from Boston!

I’m having a blast so far and may never leave! This is our 4th trip up to Boston and each time I come back the city gets better and better.

We arrived around 11AM on Saturday and hit up the expo. I bought a ton of goodies (2 T-shirts and a sweatshirt to be exact) and loved just walking around and taking it all in. Matt enjoyed it too Winking smile

On Saturday night, we had dinner with my parents, sister, and nephew. They are staying in Cambridge and have a ridiculous view of the city from their deck.

View at night…

Yesterday the B.A.A. allowed deferrals to 2013 because of the heat (first time ever). They urged runners who are inexperienced or not yet acclimated to the heat to not run and defer to 2013. I’m certainly not acclimated but there is nothing stopping me from running tomorrow.

I’m being safe about it though and my goal is to simply finish and not visit the medical tent. I dehydrate easily but I’m armed with salt tabs and straight-up table salt which helped tremendously last summer.

I’m so excited I can barely sit still!

We are off to visit the finish line today. Next time I post, I’ll be a Boston Marathoner!

Boston, Boston, Boston!

April 12, 2012 by Kristy 28 Comments

Another post of Boston ramblings before I am Beantown-bound!

Boston Marathon = dream realized
Monday will be a dream come true for me. I’m going to try my best to hold it together and keep my composure during Mile 25 and as I approach the finish line. I will see my family and friends at Mile 25 and this is where I stood 2 years ago and watched the race. If you told me back then I would be running Boston in 2012, I would have said you’re full of crap (putting it nicely).

2010

Allergies + no sleep = bad race prep
The beginning of the week started out a little rough sleep-wise. We are getting our master bathroom re-done and the demo kicked up a lot of dust. I’m pretty much Paul Pfeiffer (a Wonder Years reference for you young folks) when it comes to allergies…meaning I’m allergic to everything.

Thankfully I have no food allergies, unlike Paul

Tuesday night I got about 4 hours of sleep due to my dust allergies (even with sleeping in the guest bedroom). I was convinced I was experiencing anaphylaxis and if an EpiPen was given to me, I probably would have used it.

Wednesday night was much better – 10 hours of sleep – all because of 76 mg of diphenhydramine Smile

I can’t wait to sleep in a dust-free hotel room.

Matt = husband of the year after this weekend
Not only am I demanding a 6AM departure time on Saturday, poor Matt will be part photographer/part social coordinator for family and friends all weekend. I already warned him about the photo shoot I plan on having at the expo and finish line (we plan on visiting the finish line on Sunday).

April 16 = hot
What post would be complete without a weather update? It’s shaping up to be a hot one. Despite the mild winter, I don’t think I’m that acclimated to running in 70 degree temps. Oh well, it is better than rainy and bitterly cold.

Runner tracking = motivation
Some of you have asked about runner tracking for Boston. If you are so inclined, you can track me here (bib #17983).

If you are spectating the race, I’ll be wearing this tank with black shorts. Please cheer for me and tell me I look good even if I don’t!

With that, I’m off to begin packing! I’ll probably post again on Sunday, while I’m resting my legs in compression gear!

I Have Boston Fever

April 9, 2012 by Kristy 26 Comments

I have no idea what I’m going to do with myself this week. I’ll be pretty useless at work (yeah for a 4-day work week) since I can’t seem to think about anything but Boston.

So far the weather looks OK. A little warm and windy but I love cloudy. Can they really predict the wind this far out? I doubt it. I hope the 2003 Boston Marathon didn’t fall on April 16th…with a record high of 84 degrees! Oh wow, the nerdy meteorologist in me just came out.

I did my last long run on Sunday – 10 miles in 1:29 (8:54 average pace). I kept the pace easy and I felt great. My legs felt light and rested. From here on out, it’s all easy. The hard work is done!

Taper crazies have been kept to a minimum. Not sure why?

I’m running Monday, Wednesday, and Friday this week and that’s it. Also getting lots of sleep. I generally don’t carbo-load. I eat carbs all the time and may eat just a tad more of them on Saturday and Sunday. I hate feeling too “puffy” at the start line.

On Saturday I got this awesome card in the mail from my friend Camille wishing me well in Boston. Thank you Camille, I love it!

So perfect!

Do you do any special preparations before a big race?

Carbo-load – yay or nay?

Boston Goals: Have Fun, No Pressure

April 4, 2012 by Kristy 22 Comments

As I alluded to on Monday, my mental mojo this training cycle went into hiding. I feel great physically…so now I have (less than) 2 weeks to find my mojo and whip it into shape.

I can’t be surprised by the mental burnout. Let me explain…

I took a year off marathoning in 2009 to get married, buy a house, and go on a long honeymoon. I ran a few HMs but mainly ran for fun and enjoyment. I had 5 marathons under my belt but my training for them wouldn’t be what I considered “intense”.

Fast forward to January 2010 – I register for marathons #6 and 7, ramp up my training intensity and mileage, and try to slowly chip away at my PR in an effort to get closer to qualifying for Boston.

September 11, 2011…I finally BQ after 2 years of hard work. Marathons 6 through 9 were essentially back-to-back…Spring, Fall, Spring, Fall. One training cycle after another. And in between cycles, trying not to lose the speed that I had built up.

While training for Boston, I begin to grow weary of the intensity. I just want to run! Not worry about pace! Two plus years of training for a PR and pressuring myself to PR has left me fried mentally.

Of course I want to PR in Boston. But I also want to have fun and put no pressure on myself whatsoever.

So what does all this rambling mean? Besides I’m a complete headcase and desperately need a break from racing post-Boston?

My Boston goal:

Enjoy the race while running as fast as you can that day 🙂

Pretty different from my “sub-3:40 or bust” goal a few months ago, huh? “That day” being the key words. Sometimes you have a good day, sometimes you don’t. Sometimes you can turn a race that is headed south into a good race and sometimes you can’t.

But whatever I feel on April 16 – good or bad – doesn’t matter. I will have fun no matter what and I’m hoping that by removing the pressure to PR, I may actually PR. Reverse running psychology, right?

Tell me your best I-can’t-believe-I-PR’d stories! It can be any distance. I tend to PR unexpectedly in 10-milers. That’s a good thing, considering I’m running one 3 weeks after Boston (yes, 1 more race!).

The hay is in the barn

April 2, 2012 by Kristy 23 Comments

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!