The Auburn daily

Here's a link to a nice little story that was recently done in a local online newpaper.

The Auburn Daily

20 Miler in the books!

Today was my last big test before race day, the 20 miler.  I drove out to the Wellesley Community Center, my usual long run spot, without the TNT crew today.  I headed backwards toward Natick Center for 4.5 miles and then looped back to the community center.  My plan was to run about 10 minute mile today, but I felt really good and was anywhere from 9:25 to 9:40 for my first 15 miles.  It was near perfect running weather, about 45 degrees with overcast sky's.  There were a TON of runners out on the course.  There were busloads of people being dropped of and running at various points on the course.   I felt really strong for the first leg back to the community center.   After refilling my camel pack with GU juice, I replaced the GU Gels that have been doing a number on my stomach the last few weeks with dried fruit and nuts which were an awesome change.  I headed into Newton and felt really strong on the hills.  I made it all the way up to the top of heartbreak hill at mile 15ish feeling really strong.  I stopped for about 20 seconds at the top of the hill to stretch and catch a breath and then headed back down the hill home.  I think the stopping to stretch hurt me more than anything else.  I finished the last 5 miles home at about a 10 minute pace. ON race day I might have been able to push more, but I ran out of water with about 3 miles to go and that hurt me a little as well. Overall felt really well with no intestinal turmoil from the dried fruit and it was just some muscle ached when I was done.






I rewarded myself tonight with a nice little treat.   Poor thing never had a chance.  Going to be at least two or three days of recovery and then the three weeks of taper to get ready for the race.  I think it's going to be a long three weeks  

I get to stop complaining today!

No complaints today.  Put in a nice easy 13 with the TNT crew today.  Went out with the intent on going slow and keeping a steady pace throughout the run.  Which I did better than I could have imagined.  My splits were between 9:21 and 9:38 for all 13 miles.  I actually had some of my quicker ones at miles 10 and 11.  It was a relatively flat 13 today going back from mile 15 to Speen St. in Natick and back.  Feet felt great.  I switched out the insole of my Glycerine's which were awesome as far as hot spots and blisters and.  I put them in the new 3030's and it was the perfect combo.  No hot spots and no sore knee's, hips or anything.  The right top of the ankle is a little sore this afternoon but really feeling great.

The best thing about this morning was that the TNT coaches brought in one the the researchers from Dana Farber. He spent a few minutes going over the types of research he is doing and explaing how the money that is being raised is helping him to get steps closer to cures for the type of blood cancer he is working with.  It was very informative and helped to keep the running thing in perspective.

I now need to find an alternative to my GU gels.  They have been killing my stomach over the last few weeks. I got some salt in my system today and it helped a little bit but I don't think it will help.  That and keeping healthy will be the main goal over the next few weeks.   This week it  will be preparing for my big 20 miler on Sunday of next week.  Looking forward to and dreading it at the same time.

Fun Run

Finally a fun run.  Went for a quick 3.5 mile loop near the house.  I didn't even bring the watch, just wanted to go out and push and see how it went.  Went great.  Everything gelt great,  and I feel like I'm getting stronger and better for Boston.  I'm going to try to swap out the insoles from my glycerins which were aweseom from a blister standpoint and put them in the new 3030's which have been awsome from a support and structure standpoint but have given me a couple hot spots on my feet. Looking for another strong 13 miler on Saturday with the TNT crew!!!

Off to see the Wizard

Feet were slicing up and getting hotspots on my 13 miler (intended 18 miler on Monday)  Still feeling the effects of my peatree dish of a child bringing home the flu last week.  Off to the running store to exchange my shoes for a pair a half size smaller to alleviate the issue.  Other than that no complaints what so ever.  I know Shocking!!!

I'm a lucky guy

Time sure does seem to fly in between blog postings.  As we get closer to D day, the postings here will probably get more numerous and more excited/terrified.

I've been working hard the last 4- 5 weeks trying to just get healthy and work out the aches and pains that have come as a result of the training.  Last week I want over to PR Running in Westboro to replace my Glycerin 9's with a new pair that would probably be my go too pair for the race.  After reviewing what I've been dealing with and looking at my gait again, I walked away with the Asics 3030's and couldn't be happier.  They are specifically built for my type of late pronation and should be a big help with the toe issues I've been having basically since the start of training.

So on Saturday, rather than go out and battle the recently fallen snow and ice, I trucked over to the gym to go hit a quick 13 miles on the treadmill.  The first 9 miles felt very good.  Other than being a little bored....you can only watch sportscenter for the first 45 minutes before it gets obnoxious and you've memorized every highlight.  My feet, knees and ankles all felt great, my breathing and heart rate were pretty good and I really felt solid.  Then of course it changed.  I felt my calf tighten up a little bit.  Then after the 9th mile I felt a sharp pull in my right calf that brought me to an instant halt. 

I went and stretched for about 20 minutes trying to work it out, but I was done for the day.  I was frustrated as hell because it seems like i can't get back to 100%.  Now a couple days later, the calf is feeling much better and I'm going to try a couple miles on the treadmill tomorrow at the gym before my workout.  I talk to my Team In Training coach and she thought I should spend some more time doing core and back work because that is why my calf is probably so tight and let to the pull.

As frustrating as it is, I still have to feel pretty lucky.  I had to go pick Brady up from school on Friday morning after he vomited.  It turns out that he was exposed and came down with Hand, Foot and Mouth virus.  The poor kid was up all night Saturday night, literally getting about 45 minutes of sleep the whole night.   Amy and I were up with him all night and he wouldn't nap all day Saturday.  The poor little guy just couldn't get comfortable.   As frustrated as Amy and I were that we couldn't help, it helped to reinforce why I'm running this race.  I know that within a few more days he's going to be better.  I saw him in the min johnny when we went to urgent care Saturday afternoon and he looked cute because I knew we could go home and he's have it off.  I have no clue what I would do if that was a more common wardrobe for him.

Despite all the frustration and minor setbacks that have gone into this training....I really am a lucky guy.