This whole Boston Training didn't go as planned. I was hoping to really train well and race a good Boston this time around but unfortunately, a couple injuries caused me to adjust my training and neglect some serious runs.
On Monday, my achillies began hurting and it didn't go away for good :( I only reduced my mileage considerably and even took a couple days off. It hurt during my run and afterwards when I walked around. This was a terrible feeling. Boston is less than a week away and it's painful to walk... I need to get this healed up and quick. Not just for Boston, but the next 5 weeks after Boston I am pacing 5 marathons, and they won't all be slow marathons either! I decided to drop my goal from breaking 3:00 to 3:05. After a few days off with the shin splints and the minor foot injury, I wasn't in shape for sub 2:50 any longer and now with a hurting achillies, backing off more seemed like a swell idea.
So, Tuesday i took completely off and the pain went away. No pain at all when I walked :) The day before it hurt even more to walk down steps, up steps the my achillies in my left leg felt normal, going down steps - OUCH! So, i decided to run on wednesday.. it hurt on and off on the morning run, then i was pain free in the evening run at second sole :) I was so happy with it!!! I thought maybe sub 3:00 was still possible but see how the rest of the week pans out.
Also, on Wednesday - the vindicator interviewed a bunch of us that were going to Boston this year. They took a group picture of us afterwards. Asked us several questions, about Boston, about the impact it had on us and our thoughts.
McFarland, Jane Timmons, Vinny Marino & Kevin Guthrie
Wednesday ended well, then Thursday morning I decided to run with Jen... but after a couple miles, my achillies began hurting again. I was worried about it because it didn't come and go, it came and stayed. It hurt less when i ran with my toes pointed up, landing more on the heel than forefoot. That doesn't make much sense as my achillies is stretched in that position, but maybe since I am not using it like a rubber band as much and just keeping it stretched. Either way, I tried to run more comfortably sometimes; it didn't hurt to run a different way but i didn't want to run for a long period in a form im not used to and create a whole new injury that doesn't yet exist... That's the last thing i need.
I reevaluted my condition and the Boston Marathon and backed my goal time down to 3:10 or maybe 3:15. I still wanna run hard but be able to pace marathons the next 5 weeks. A couple hours later the phone rang and it was a call asking if I could pace someone at Boston who wanted to run a 3:35. I told him there was a good chance and I would call back the next day. The more I thought about it, the better it sounded. Maybe slowing way down and just pacing someone would be better. Last thing I need to do is try racing a slow time and hurting myself more. I could slow down, help someone else finish well and have a good time in Boston, and help my achillies heal up.
I didn't run again on Thursday and it hurt even more to walk down steps and walk around.. Friday came and it still hurt to walk sometimes... Mostly down steps and now I was scared. Time to start praying and figure this whole thing out. I gave my achillies minor massage on the airplane, googled achillies probablems again and mainly just rested and prayed for it.
Saturday morning I went to go watch the BAA 5k. It was soooo fun! I met Kristen and Kevin along the course so we could watch them pass a couple times. Around the half mile mark and then again around mile 2.9. It was incredible how fast they were going the second time we saw them. The leaders were just gliding down the hill, so smooth and quick. I took a couple shots of them and hoped for the best.
setting a new course record by 6-7 seconds!
I got inspired to run, so when i walked back to the hostel, I changed and headed out for a short run. I was only going to do 2-3 miles but on my way back, right before I crossed the street, i ran a block with a girl and then ran a couple additional miles with her... We chatted and I found out she was an ultra-marathoner running Boston backwards to Hopkington then running the race with her husband for his first boston. She was incredibly nice and gave me a big hug when I said I needed to turn around. I ended up with 5 miles.. oh well :) I enjoyed myself and the achillies only hurt a little. Later, I ran to the expo to meet Kristen and Kevin. Still hurt some :(
Boston Training week 7 of 7:
M - 9.55 mi @ 8:18/mi
M - 9.55 mi @ 8:18/mi
T - OFF
W - 8.32 mi @8:34/mi
- 4.63 mi @ 7:16/mi
T - 10.2 mi @ 9:56/mi
F - OFF
S - 5 mi @ 8:35/mi
1.8 mi @ 8:36/mi
S - 3.25 mi @ 8:07/mi
Total =42.8 mi @ 8:32/mi running
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