9 weeks until the Boston Marathon - Week in Review

With only a mere 10 weeks until the most anticipated marathon of the year, I am starting to feel excited and ready.  I've been wanting to run the Boston Marathon since I first attempted this crazy distance back in the fall of 2009 - Twin Cities Marathon.  After that race, I was looking for another marathon to improve on, and for some idiotic reason, I picked the Nashville Marathon in the Spring, as opposed to the Boston Marathon.  Luckily for me, I had a great 2010 spring season and set some amazing PR's on the track.  But, I should've entered in the foot race that starts in Hopkinton.

The Famous Boston Marathon Course

Last year I was entered in the Boston Marathon, but had the misfortune of catching pneumonia and getting injured.  If all goes well, I will be ecstatic to start and cross the Boston Marathon Finish line in one piece.  I will also be jumping out of my racing flats if I finish the race with a PR.  The number one goal is to run the Olympic Marathon Trials Standard of 2:18:00 or faster.  The second goal would be to PR, which is very likely since training is going well; but as all who know what it's like training for and racing a marathon, it is just as unlikely to not run a PR.

This week was a great week, when compared to last week.  I had a whooping 52 miles the previous week, since I was sick and took 2 days off, and came back slowly.  So, I finally feel like a "real" runner and completed a decent mileage week while racing in Boulder, CO for the USA Cross Country Championships.  I had one "speed" session on Wednesday, which wasn't that fast.  I'm not completely sure why I ran so slow, but I got the volume in - 8x1000m with 200m recovery jog.  I only averaged 3:09 (which probably was the slowest I've ever run that workout in), but I might've felt slow because it was so early in the morning.  I started warming up at 4:45am, and did some light drills and started the first interval at around 5:15am.  It was pretty dark at Highland High School, but the street lights and permaglo helped a little bit.  I think I haven't started a workout that early in awhile, so it was a little shock for me.  After a few more weeks, I'll feel more comfortable running that early again.  Besides, it's getting lighter, earlier as well...

So training and racing looked a little like this:

Mon - pm. 8 miles
Tue - am. 4 miles / pm. 12 miles
Wed - am. 2 mile warm-up 8x1000m (3:11, 3:08, 3:09, 3:08,
Thur - pm. Strength training + 8 miles
Fri - am. 6 miles
Sat -
Sun -

43 Days until the Boston Marathon

With another Sunday long run done with, and a few more miles under the belt, I'm starting to feel the grind and exhaustion of the past 18 weeks.  After looking back on those 18 weeks, I've raced 2 half marathons, 2 cross country races, one road 5k and loaded a few yoga sessions into the mix.  It's not a lot of racing, but with a busy schedule, it sure seems like a lot.  It also has been a mental challenge to come so close in the half marathon Olympic Trials standard (Houston race of 1:05:38 to the qualifying time of 1:05:00), and keep grinding away towards the marathon standard, but I know it's going to pay off in Boston.

The Boston Marathon is still far enough away, that I am not totally pumped about it, or amped, but at the same time, I can't wait to race it.  I've been waiting 5 years to run this marathon, and I hope it's everything I dream of.  And at this point, the training has been relatively strong.  In the grand scheme of 18 weeks; I've had a tad bit more miles than my build up to the US Marathon Champs, and a few better races leading up to Boston.  Last week I ran a half marathon in Phoenix, Arizona, that didn't go as well as I would've like, but I am now satisfied with the performance.  A real quick run down - I was 2nd place in 1:07:52, and the conditions were rainy and windy.  It's not an excuse to run that time, but considering a few other factors, I am okay with it.  If anything, it has really fueled the fire in my training, which is why this past week has been one of my better weeks of training in a long time.

Moving forward, I will continue to keep my mileage at the magical HUNDO (100 miles), and really stay diligent about getting up early before work to maintain that mileage.  Since it's been lighter, later in the days, I've now moved my workout session to the afternoons.  Things are looking good, and I can't wait to get to Boston!

Last Week: 2/24 - 3/2

Mon - pm. 10 miles
Tue - Off
Wed - pm. 4x1 mile w/4min rec. (5:05, 5:06, 5:01, 4:58). 10 total
Thur - am. 6 miles / pm. 10 miles
Fri - am. 6 miles pm. Drove to Phoenix
Sat - am. Phoenix Half Marathon 2nd place - 1:07:52. 18 miles total
Sun - am. 8 miles / pm. Drove Home

Total: 68 miles

This Week: 3/3 - 3/9

Mon - pm. 10 miles
Tue - am. 6 miles / pm. 10 miles
Wed - am. 4 miles / pm. 2 mile wu 4x2 miles w/2min rec. [5:21, 5:07] [5:20, 5:34] [5:19, 5:10] [5:28, 5:26] Windy going north on the bike path 2 miles cd. 12 miles total
Thur - am. 6 miles / pm. 10 miles
Fri - am. 4 miles / pm. 8 miles
Sat - am. 11 miles / pm. 6 miles w/strides
Sun - am. 22 miles w/5x1 mile w/1min rec. [5:12, 5:11, 5:08, 5:15, 5:06]

Total: 109 miles

8 weeks until the Boston Marathon

After a great adventure to Boulder, Colorado for the USA Cross Country Championships, my weekly training has slowly come around.  It's still not anywhere where it should be, but it's improving from last week's sickness.

The race itself went a little better than I thought.  I finished 26th in a decent field, but I know I could do better if I was more motivated.  I have too many excuses at the moment, and all I really need to do is put my head down and continue to pound the pavement!  This week was okay, as far as training goes, so I'm going to get back on track and put all distractions aside.  The Boston Marathon is only 8 weeks away, which means, it's just around the corner.  I'll be posting my training until race week.

Official Results from USA Cross Country:
http://www.usatf.org/Events---Calendar/2014/USA-Cross-Country-Championships/Results.aspx

Training:

Mon - pm. 8 miles
Tue - am. 4 miles / pm. 12 miles
Wed - am. 8x1000m (3:11, 3:08, 3:09, 3:08, 3:09, 3:11, 3:13, 3:06) 10 miles total / pm. 8 miles
Thur - pm. 8 miles
Fri - am 6 miles
Sat - am. 2 mile shake out, 12k USA XC Race 38:48, 4 mile cool down. 15 total
Sun - am. 17 miles @ 8400' - 9000' feet in Rollins, CO

Total: 88 miles

USA Half Marathon Championships review

With more than 2 weeks after the race, I have finally got some time to write a little bit about my 1:05:38 performance.  I guess I don't have a whole lot to say about this, as I didn't achieve my goal of a sub 1:05:00. The coincidence of this race, was that I ran the same exact time I did back at this championship in 2009.  Looking at that, it's kind of nice to know I can still fade to the same result.  Ideally, I would like to be faster and stronger, so perhaps I am stronger as most of my training has been geared towards the marathon.

Here's a few quick thoughts of my race; I went out a little more conservative than in 2009, meaning I was on pace for the majority of the race.  When I got caught by a group of guys running the pace (4:57/mile), I decided to stick with them and run in the back of the pack, as opposed to race the leader of the group.  This seemed to help me, and I stuck to the pace better than I have in the past.  When I finally faded off pace, I just kept hammering away and trying to stay focus - not that I didn't do this in the past.  At this race, there was always someone around in front of me, so that I could gauge where I should be.  In the past, most races I've run don't have that motivation, which can be hard.

So, all and all, it was a good effort and a pretty good indicator as to where I am at for Boston.  Running a 65 min half with about 10 weeks before a marathon is a good sign.  I'll be ready to roll in Beantown.  And compared to 2009, where I was 24th place; I was way down the list at 39th place.  American distance running is truly improving.

Finishing hard.
photo by Stephanie Ward

Half Marathon Results:

Place	Athlete Name	5k	10k	15k	20k	Finish

1	Meb Keflezighi San Diego, CA	14:39	29:10	43:34	58:12	1:01:23
2	Aaron Braun Englewood, CO	14:38	29:10	43:38	58:25	1:01:38
3	Josphat Boit Mammoth Lakes, CA	14:39	29:10	43:37	58:25	1:01:41
4	Tyler Pennel Blowing Rock, NC	14:39	29:10	43:37	58:31	1:01:44
5	Matthew Llano Flagstaff, AZ	14:40	29:11	43:40	58:33	1:01:47
6	Luke Puskedra Beaverton, OR	14:39	29:11	43:39	58:33	1:01:48
7	Shadrack Biwott Folsom, CA	14:39	29:10	43:38	58:36	1:01:56
8	Fernando Cabada Boulder, CO	14:39	29:10	43:38	58:46	1:02:00
9	Tim Ritchie Brighton, MA	14:38	29:10	43:41	58:46	1:02:00
10	Gabriel Proctor Mammoth Lakes, CA	14:40	29:11	43:43	59:04	1:02:22
11	Sean Quigley Lafayette, CO	14:39	29:13	44:18	59:35	1:02:46
12	Jonathan Grey Minneapolis, MN	14:39	29:11	44:03	59:29	1:02:51
13	Ben Bruce Flagstaff, AZ	14:43	29:37	44:33	59:44	1:02:53
14	Scott Macpherson Columbia, MO	14:47	29:37	44:29	59:39	1:02:56
15	Ahmed Osman Flagstaff, AZ	14:40	29:10	44:07	59:40	1:03:02
16	Elliot Krause Madison, WI	15:00	30:05	45:04	1:00:06	1:03:15
17	Tyler Mccandless Boulder, CO	14:47	29:55	45:04	1:00:10	1:03:25
18	Craig Curley Tucson, AZ	14:41	29:49	45:04	1:00:15	1:03:27
19	Joe Moore Manhattan, KS	15:00	30:05	45:04	1:00:15	1:03:33
20	Joseph Gray Colorado Springs, CO	15:01	30:07	45:04	1:00:23	1:03:42
21	Jeremy Freed Longmont, CO	15:00	30:06	45:04	1:00:30	1:03:51
22	Enoch Nadler Richardson, TX	15:01	30:06	45:04	1:00:31	1:03:55
23	Sergio Reyes Palmdale, CA	14:56	30:06	45:04	1:00:40	1:04:06
24	Brandon Birdsong Manitou Springs, CO	15:00	30:05	45:04	1:00:58	1:04:21
25	Dan Kremske Woodstock, IL	15:04	30:18	45:32	1:01:06	1:04:27
26	Daniel Tapia Castroville, CA	15:00	30:06	45:32	1:01:16	1:04:32
27	Craig Leon Eugene, OR	15:00	30:06	45:25	1:01:11	1:04:34
28	Anthony Solis Sacramento, CA	15:00	30:06	45:30	1:01:18	1:04:35
29	Cole Atkins Blowing Rock, NC	15:14	30:16	45:31	1:01:11	1:04:37
30	Thomas Dialynas Denver, CO	15:21	30:47	46:09	1:01:34	1:04:49
31	Benjamin Sathre Chaska, MN	15:00	30:18	46:02	1:01:34	1:04:51
32	Michael Reneau Minneapolis, MN	15:09	30:42	46:09	1:01:42	1:04:59
33	Eric Ashe Boston, MA	15:21	30:47	46:09	1:01:44	1:05:01
34	Gregory Leak Steilacoom, WA	15:27	30:49	46:09	1:01:43	1:05:02
35	Ryan Kienzle Canton, OH	15:27	30:50	46:09	1:01:43	1:05:02
36	Matthew Williams San Antonio, TX	15:21	30:47	46:09	1:01:47	1:05:06
37	Sean Brown Aurora, CO	15:27	30:50	46:22	1:02:00	1:05:22
38	Connor Kamm Nashville, TN	15:27	30:49	46:09	1:01:46	1:05:29
39	Jesse Armijo Albuquerque, NM	15:09	30:44	46:15	1:02:18	1:05:38
40	Josh Whitehead Madison, AL	15:17	30:47	46:22	1:02:14	1:05:42
41	Jonathan Mott Babson Park, FL	15:37	31:15	46:48	1:02:25	1:05:47
42	Jeremy Criscione Gainesville, FL	15:02	30:38	46:21	1:02:27	1:05:49
43	Kieran O'Connor Arlington, VA	15:27	31:00	46:39	1:02:36	1:05:59
44	Dan Greeno Minneapolis, MN	15:27	31:00	46:52	1:03:02	1:06:26
45	Rory Tunningley Austin, TX	15:21	30:48	46:45	1:03:06	1:06:29
46	David Fuentes Austin, TX	15:27	31:00	46:52	1:03:21	1:06:50
47	John Dewitt Oshkosh, WI	15:29	31:24	47:20	1:03:30	1:06:54
48	Jason Holt Kaysville, UT	15:30	31:21	47:21	1:03:36	1:07:01
49	Jared Carson Austin, TX	15:40	31:35	47:23	1:03:36	1:07:07
50	Brandon Dworak Memphis, TN	15:48	31:45	47:43	1:03:52	1:07:15
51	Daniel Kerr Winston-Salem, NC	15:40	31:35	47:28	1:03:53	1:07:21
52	Logan Sherman Plano, TX	15:48	31:44	47:43	1:03:57	1:07:24
53	Rio Reina Austin, TX	15:38	31:19	47:29	1:03:56	1:07:25
54	Jake Marotz Saint Paul, MN	15:48	31:44	47:44	1:03:59	1:07:25
55	Jake Krong Salt Lake City, UT	16:01	31:56	47:54	1:04:02	1:07:26
56	Christopher Sloane Gaithersburg, MD	15:48	31:44	47:43	1:04:01	1:07:29
57	Matt Barrett Madison, WI	15:35	31:44	47:45	1:04:03	1:07:30
58	Luka Thor Gretna, NE	15:29	31:29	47:29	1:04:08	1:07:42
59	Tibor Vegh Raleigh, NC	15:28	31:19	47:20	1:04:16	1:07:58
60	Jose Munoz San Antonio, TX	15:28	31:25	47:22	1:04:29	1:08:04
61	Riley Cook South Weber, UT	15:29	31:38	48:11	1:05:09	1:08:42
62	Chass Armstrong Greenville, SC	15:38	31:52	48:24	1:05:16	1:08:45
63	Ryan Cosens Costa Mesa, CA	15:31	32:15	48:36	1:05:16	1:08:50
64	Aaron Davidson Lenexa, KS	15:50	32:19	48:53	1:05:35	1:09:08
65	Brian Finnel Madison, WI	16:06	32:27	48:53	1:05:37	1:09:13
66	Matthew Grey Minneapolis, MN	16:01	32:24	49:01	1:05:59	1:09:35
67	Brent Martin Gambier, OH	15:43	32:07	49:28	1:06:26	1:10:02
68	John Coyle Logan, UT	16:01	32:28	50:02	1:06:55	1:10:30
69	Tim Jeffreys Brooklyn, NY	16:12	32:51	49:56	1:07:07	1:10:44
70	Daniel Kahn Houston, TX	16:41	34:11	51:54	1:10:14	1:14:09