4:09:44

I know what happened is not just about the runners. But I am a runner who has completed 4 marathons and it is through that lens that I see the events of today's Boston Marathon.

4:09:44. That is the time on the clock in the photos and videos just after the first blast. The clock is significant to me. It means that I and most of my running and walking buddies would still be on the course. 

We would have been stopped from completing the race in the final miles: At a point where it's all about finishing; at a point where it's all about putting one foot in front of the other and don't stop until you get there. I don't think I would be able to comprehend someone telling me I had to stop. I know I would not be able to understand being told the reason is because there was a bomb - if in fact someone would have told the participants that right then.
My focus at that point in the race is getting it done. I know only one way to the finish line and that is via the race course. Today I and my friends would have had to stop and await instructions on how to get back to our family, friends and fans waiting for us ........ at the finish line.

At the finish line. Where the bombs were detonated.

Where my husband and the families of my running and walking buddies would have been waiting for us. They cheer wildly for those who finish before us anxiously searching for our colors or bibs. Today they would not see us. Today our friends and family would have been innocent bystanders likely in the way of the explosion and its aftermath.

My husband, Dave, has often told me and reminded me today, of how much he gets out of watching the joy on the faces of the participants as they approach and cross the finish line. Joy on the faces of all finishers but particularly those at the back of the pack. He follows my training and knows how hard we work just to get to the starting line and appreciates the smiles when we finish. Today, someone's friends and family members were denied that picture. Some of them may have been injured or worse.

I am just sick over this. I know it's not just about the runners but it is because I am a runner that today's events affect me so. I see the replays of the explosions and every time my heart lurches and I want to cry. I see the man in the orange shirt whose legs give way underneath him as the first blast goes off. It makes me want to cry and if I wasn't so angry I probably would.

Instead I'm going to finish my training with renewed commitment to making it my best FINISH ever.

I did it! 20 miles

I can't believe I not only did it but I feel great after. At the end of last week's 15 miles my legs were toast. That is probably the biggest reason for my nerves although I didn't actually put that in my list. I did mention that this 20 mile run was going to hurt and that's kind of what I was referring to. The last three last week were really a struggle and quite painful. I finished today without that pain. Oh, don't get me wrong, me legs feel worked but not incapacitated.

Rewind to the start. My alarm went off at 4:30. By 5:15 I was in the car and at 5:57 a.m. I was off on the first part of my run. 8 or 9 miles on my own. I decided to really focus on keeping my pace and running by feel. I'm proud to say I did not look at the pace numbers on the watch at all the entire run. I did look at it for mileage a few times especially near the end. I wore my gymboss to time my intervals and let the watch beep off each mile as it came.

The first 9 seemed almost too easy. Even the return which is a net rise in elevation and has some hills that in the past have done me in. The pacing really helped. They didn't seem so bad at all. I remember finishing 9 and 13 on separate weeks over the winter and really pushing to get past those. Not today.

At 8 a.m. the rest of Perkis People and some from Misery Loves Company (our trail running partners) met up for the beginning of a point to point run from NW avenue of Forbidden drive to the Art Museum. I warned John T and Julius from the getgo that I would not be trying to keep up with them. I was determined to keep my own pace and especially since they had fresh legs at this point they should go on ahead if they wanted an not feel they had to babysit me.

We stayed together anyway until about mile 3 on the trail (mile 12 for me). At this point the trail takes a slight incline before heading downhill at mile 4 to the end. Up to this I worked to keep my breathing and pace steady with 3 and 1 intervals. As the incline approached I backed off my pace a little to keep my breathing steady. Then cruised down into the parking lot at the end of this part of the trail where Maggi and Russ were waiting for us with water, gatorade and snacks. They also accepted our extra layers and brought them to us at the end.

As we started off again I checked in with John T about the crossover to Kelly Drive. Last time we did a point to point I was doing support so I never ran that portion before. He assured me I couldn't miss it and went off with Amy and Julius. Since the group start at NW Ave, Dennis paced right along with me. I haven't seen him since the marathon last year. It was nice to see him and add him to my list of people I've run with. We talked about the Phillies for a bit but by the time I got to 15 miles I wasn't much for conversation. Dennis was a great companion and simply stayed with me as we made our way across the bike path on Lincoln Drive and then down Kelly Drive to Lloyd Hall.

I was amazed at how good my legs felt after 15. None of the pain from last year. I could tell I had run on them but I was able to keep going. At mile 17.5 we ran into (almost for real) Roy "Attititude of Gratitude" Kardon who was out with the ACS Determination group for the day. I didn't take a photo. I didn't want to stop. As it was he caught us in a walk break so we where able to do a sort of hit and run hug and continue on. At mile 18.5 my camelback went dry. That's good to know. I've never taken it to empy before. I think if I make sure to take water at the rest stops along the marathon course I'll be fine.

As each mile ticked off at this point I fist pumped and cheered. Dennis started reminding me that we were almost there and with 1.5 miles to go he said "Only a few more cycles (intervals)".

I thought I would reach 20 before Lloyd Hall but instead at Lloyd Hall I was only at 19.94. So I had to go beyond my cheering friends and finish. Then a bunch of us went up to the Art Museum and ran up the steps. Yes. I ran up the Art Museum steps after my 20 mile run. Not fast mind you but not walking either. :)

This pacing thing is great. I've read about it and swore I would follow it but I always get caught up in some reason to ignore it. Today I stuck to running by feel and it made all the difference. I would love to run 12 minute miles on long runs. That is what I've been striving for. Today I ran 20 miles in 4:05:46. That's only 5 minutes and 46 seconds off the 12 min/mile pace. My average pace was 12:17 mile AND miles 17-20 were progressively faster than 16. Woo Hoo!

If I dare to think ahead .... had this had been race day I would have had 1 hour, 24 minutes and 56 seconds to run 6.2 miles to clear 5 and a half hours for a marathon. Too early to start talking about race day goals but clearing 5 1/2 hours would be a great accomplishment.

20 Mile Nerves

The confidence I had for 15 and 18 miles has flown the coop. I am more nervous for tomorrow's 20 miler than I can remember for any other run; including race days. Things I'm obsessing about - in no particular order:

#1 - I have to get up early - something I have not been good at lately.
#2 - I have to run 8.5-9 miles by myself first. I'll probably be fine on this if I can just get past #1
#3 - I will run the last 11.5 - 12 miles with the group and worry that I'll be too tired to keep up.
#4 - Convincing group to leave me behind when they try to stay with me because that's the kind of running friends they are. It's happened before even if they deny it.
#5 - What to wear. Long sleeves or short. It's going to be that in between kind of morning.
#6 - Whether or not to publish this whiny rant.
#7 - It's going to hurt. I know it's going to hurt.
#8 - If I don't make it I will have to cancel running the marathon.
#9 - I didn't sleep last night. I'm not sure if it's related to the nerves or not but what if I don't sleep tonight either?
#10 - I don't like feeling like this so why did I plan another marathon.

I've been searching motivation quotes all week. I've found some but they aren't sticking. Grrrr..... I guess I better practice what I preach. Keep smiling and keep moving. I hope it's enough.

Back on Track (I hope)

Today I ran 15 miles mostly with 3 and 1 intervals. I felt so much better than last week right from the getgo so that I feel much better about walking last weekend. It was the right thing to do.

I started from the Dog Park on Longford Road at 6:30 ish. I wanted to try to get 6 or 7 in before meeting the group at 8:00. I also wanted to make sure I was at the group meeting spot before 8. I ran the first segment using 1 mile run and 1 minute walk. I felt like I was struggling with that so I switched to 3 and 1 intervals for the second segment. I think the struggle was more mental than anything else. My pace was fine - actually should have been a bit slower. I was still obsessing about so much missed training days in the beginning. Once I got past the first three miles I loosened up and let that go and felt much better. My average pace for both segments was the same and that's why I think the 'struggle' was all in my head. I made it back to the group meeting spot with 10 minutes to spare having completed 6.91 miles.

It was great to see so many of the group out again today.
It was a gorgeous day for a run or walk.

Everyone had different miles and methods in mind and off we went. I went out with John T and Kristen R. Kristen brings my total to 10 people I've spent 1 mile with since March 1st. We ran 3 and 1's for 7 miles - out to the 4 1/2 on the Perkiomen Trail and back. Bless their hearts they stayed with me even when I started to slow down at toward the end. We didn't talk much just enjoyed the company and the sounds of sneakers squishing crushed stone.

Back at the parking lot John T stopped. He had planned 7. Kristen wanted to do 9 so she kept going to the 0 and back. I was going in that direction as well to return to my car at the Dog Park but I left her to go ahead. I continued 3 and 1's until I got to 15. I didn't turn the watch off right away so my total is a bit more than that and the last .19 was walking. There are two segments here because I messed up starting the interval timer on the Garmin. I only just discovered that I could do that and I'm still getting used to it. Here is the first part and the second part.

Overall I felt pretty good through 13 miles. The last two were less enjoyable. I chalk this up to two things. I need to go out slower (my average pace for the first half was 11:46 with walking intervals that means my run intervals were too fast for me) and a little bit to the illness time off. After I got to 15 today, I thought for about 5 seconds about continuing my intervals back to the car. I still had a mile and a half to go to get to the car and quickly nixed the idea. I was done. I had promised myself 15 for the day.

Now the big question is what to do next week. The group is doing a point to point run from the NW Ave end of Forbidden Drive to Lincoln Drive, across the bike path on Lincoln Drive to Kelly Drive and down Kelly Drive to the Art Museum. It's about 11 miles to Lloyd Hall and another mile if you do a loop around the Art Museum. Am I up to doing 20 next week? Should I go out early and do 8 then the point to point with the group? Right now, I'm thinking I will try for that. The danger is that I am not ready for 20 and will fall apart before I get to the end. I guess that's the worst that can happen and I can always walk to the end if that happens. The best would be to make it and I have to try.

I'm getting anxious to finish 20. Generally, 15-20 is where I hit my breaking point. My legs were really tired today after 15. How much of that is long layoff? I have to start finding some positive thoughts between now and next Saturday.

Keep smiling and keep moving. And thanks for reading this.

I'm off with my granny cart now to walk to the Acme for some produce. It's too nice to take the car.

Baseball Hat Vacation 2013

We just returned from a very nice vacation. The primary reason for it was to get hat #19 for Dave's
collection. So I'll start with the game even though that was smack in the middle of the trip.

We saw the Phillies and the Braves for opening day 2013. In case you don't know, Dave wants a hat from every major league team but has to see the team plan in their own stadium in order to get the hat. We both like to travel and watch baseball games so it's always an enjoyable adventure. We don't specifically choose game where the team whose hat he wants is playing the Phillies. This was only the third time. We saw the Phils and the Marlins last year and a couple years ago we saw the Phils and the Nationals.