Thoughts on Boston

I can't write another post about running without first sending our deepest love + sympathies to the runners, spectators, volunteers, etc. impacted by yesterday's tragic events in Boston. As much as the attack has stunned us as Americans . . . we, as runners, are far more disheartened than we could have imagined.

Marathons -- especially the Boston Marathon -- are events rife with energy, pride, and soul. I don't even need to explain to other runners the strong sense of unity, of camaraderie among all people of all shapes/sizes/colors/genders/beliefs that arises before, during, and after those 26.2 miles.

At most races, for that matter.

It's a spirit so absolutely antithetical to the motivations behind terrorism, which makes the whole thing even more difficult to reconcile. (As if these sorts of things can ever have sense made of them.)

You may be watching the news. But if you'd like some less sensationalized thoughts to mull over:

Explosions and the Meaning of the Boston Marathon  

(The New Yorker)  

From Marathoner to Medic in a Moment  

(Runner's World) 

Runners Share Stories of a Day that Turned Tragic  

(Runner's World)  

Heroes on Boston Marathon Day
(social media collection)

A Time to Unite  

(#RunChat)

"If you are losing faith in human nature, go out and watch a marathon"  

(Washington Post, great quote by Kathrine Switzer)

Now I don't feel like writing much about my training, but I'll give a brief overview because it's been two full weeks since I've updated my half marathon training cycle.

In NYC, I planned to run very little but managed two 6-milers and a 4-miler. I'll write a post about sightseeing via running another day (it was going to be my focus today, but things change). Overall, a good week, though with all the walking we did, I was spent and skipped my long run.

Last week was fine. Two high notes: I got in a difficult workout I've been dreading. 4x1600 at 7:20/mile, a total of 7 miles in 55 minutes. Felt speedy and really happy I'm making the effort to actually do speedwork this time around. Then I ran a 12-mile progressive long run yesterday afternoon and felt surprisingly strong, which is a huge improvement from last year's training cycle where I definitely was building mileage again after my pregnancy.

Then last night Stephen pointed out that I somehow haven't been living in real-time and that I actually have another week of training before the race (my training plan wasn't dated and I kept thinking the race was earlier than it actually is). I am going to repeat last week's workouts this week, so round 2 of 4x1600 is on Thursday. Phew.

I think that's enough for today, all things considered. I know many of you would like some notes on my new shoes, the Brooks Pure Connect, so I'll try to do that soon. I have run in them exclusively for the last several weeks and feel like I wish I had switched sooner.

If you have thoughts to share (or poignant + anti-CNN or FOX news articles -- I absolutely hate that they are sharing the carnage in such graphic detail) about Boston, leave them in the comments below.

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Twenty-Six Point Two

It's really here.

That thing we've been planning for, plodding for, panicking for (OK, that's just me -- Stephen's cool as a cucumber) since late July. In just 2 days, 15 hours, 19 minutes, and 10 seconds, we'll be at the start of the Philadelphia Marathon.

Stephen will be somewhere up near the sub-3 hour finishers, and he's hoping to qualify for Boston this year. Overachiever! I'll be in the mix of 3:59:59 (anything sub-4 hour) hopefuls probably freaking out about if my shoelaces are tied too tight. Or maybe I'll still be in line -- legs crossed -- waiting for a vacant Port-O-John (with toilet paper, please!). I sincerely hope not, but it's possible.

Anyway, after a short wait in a sweaty, spandex-y human traffic jam, we'll be off for our 26.2 mile journey through the city of brotherly love . . . only to emerge several hours true marathoners. With all the black toenails, bloody nipples, and stress fractures to show for it.

Actually, it isn't nearly that bad. And we've both fared well overall. Still, please keep your fingers crossed!

I'm now debating whether or not I'll bring tunes with me. I've done about half my training with music, but I've never completed a race while rocking out with my [fuel belt] out. However, I discovered through a clever experiment that music actually improves my time. For example, I ran a 20-miler without my musical entourage in tow in exactly 3 hours. 20 miles with music? 2:57! Runners out there know how significant three minutes can be. And it might mean the difference between a finish in the 3's or 4's (though, after my sickness a couple weeks ago, I'll be happy to finish at all -- no lie).

FYI: I'm not planning to focus much of this blog on running. I guess my nerves are getting the best of me. So . . . think of your neverhomemakers on Sunday morning starting at 7AM.

<3

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