One of Ireland's most enjoyed holidays arrived and I guess unfortunately I did not get to enjoy it so much. I was working registrations today for one of the best 5K's in Boston the Ras Na Eireann which has over 3000 registered participants.
It was a long day, and while there was plenty of running talk and chatter, no running for me today.
No alcohol either, I do not remember when I last had a dry St Patrick's day.
The highlight of my day was my meeting with Bill Rodgers, I meet him a few weeks back in Hyannis at the Hyannis Marathon. Today, he was signing posters and giving them out to our runners for the Ras. He walked right past me as I was chatting to someone and said "hello emma" to say that it delighted me was an understatment. Here is a former Boston Marathon runner, just saying hello to me.
Later he sent over a signed poster, wishing me all the best in the 111th Boston Marathon. It is something that I will definitately keep as a memento of my first Boston experience.
Saturday, March 17, 2007
Friday, March 16, 2007
Heartbreak Hill - No heartbreak today
Up bright and early this morning, well not so bright, it was still dark out. Me and Geraldine went on a new route - such a trooper helping me get prepared for Boston. We ran 4 miles into Newton via Comm Ave and then 4miles back up Comm Ave and yes... finally... I ran up Heartbreak Hill. (I have actually run it once before about 2 years ago and never ventured that way again for a run)
Many of the Boston Marathoners, have been running up this hill on a regular basis and there is me 31 days out from Boston running it for the first time in preparation. The good news is that it felt good, so good that once we got back to where we started on Chestnut Hill Ave, we decided we had more gas in the tank and then did another mile bringing us to 9 miles.
I know that on Marathon Day it will be different, but also there will lots of people out there cheering us on, and hopefully there energy and enthusiasm will pull me up it. Also, there is the dreaded fear of being interviewed by Channel 7 news, walking up the hill - there is no way they will get me, I will zip right by them.
In many marathons, Mile 20 is the breaking point, for Boston it is Heartbreak Hill where many a Boston result is affected. At this point I am determined to be strong, after all I am then on home turf and will see some friendly faces of folks I know and the stubborn Emma will want to be running by not walking, giving then the thumbs up sign and a smile - no matter what aches.
This was the easiest 9 miles I have done in a while, the pace was great too considering the hills. Hopefully in a few weeks I can conjure up some positive imagines and memories from today's run.
I forgot my heart-rate monitor today, which would have been interesting to see.
Weather: 30F
Pace: 9:40 (very pleased with)
Many of the Boston Marathoners, have been running up this hill on a regular basis and there is me 31 days out from Boston running it for the first time in preparation. The good news is that it felt good, so good that once we got back to where we started on Chestnut Hill Ave, we decided we had more gas in the tank and then did another mile bringing us to 9 miles.
I know that on Marathon Day it will be different, but also there will lots of people out there cheering us on, and hopefully there energy and enthusiasm will pull me up it. Also, there is the dreaded fear of being interviewed by Channel 7 news, walking up the hill - there is no way they will get me, I will zip right by them.
In many marathons, Mile 20 is the breaking point, for Boston it is Heartbreak Hill where many a Boston result is affected. At this point I am determined to be strong, after all I am then on home turf and will see some friendly faces of folks I know and the stubborn Emma will want to be running by not walking, giving then the thumbs up sign and a smile - no matter what aches.
This was the easiest 9 miles I have done in a while, the pace was great too considering the hills. Hopefully in a few weeks I can conjure up some positive imagines and memories from today's run.
I forgot my heart-rate monitor today, which would have been interesting to see.
Weather: 30F
Pace: 9:40 (very pleased with)
Thursday, March 15, 2007
Sleepy Head
Even though my legs were fresh today, I took a day off. For some reason this week I am super-tired and really wanted to try and get an extra half hour of shut-eye time.
With the change in clocks at the weekend I think that my body is still catching up, I know that is only a hour difference, but last week when getting up at 6.00am for a run, it was bright outside and I felt rejuvenated and ready to go.
This week it has been dark and I guess not as inviting, within a mile of the run it does brighter up. The natural daylight does definitely help in the mornings, wake's the body and mind up. So was in bed at 9.30pm nice and early, still wanting to catch up on the zzzz's.
With the change in clocks at the weekend I think that my body is still catching up, I know that is only a hour difference, but last week when getting up at 6.00am for a run, it was bright outside and I felt rejuvenated and ready to go.
This week it has been dark and I guess not as inviting, within a mile of the run it does brighter up. The natural daylight does definitely help in the mornings, wake's the body and mind up. So was in bed at 9.30pm nice and early, still wanting to catch up on the zzzz's.
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
I love hills.... really I do...
Have I mentioned that I am chicken? Going for a run I love the Charles River area, all nice and flat. Last year when picking a marathon I selected Chicago, nice and flat you see.
Alas, due to a broken toe and other things I never made it to Chicago. Not that it matters now, cos Chicago is just Chicago. Boston is BOSTON!!!!
Boston is where my heart belongs and where my blood, sweat and tears wants to be. Hopefully though there will be no blood, just plenty of sweat and tears.
Me and Geraldine braved the Summit again this morning. It was amazing, why do I avoid hills? Sometimes not sure.5 repeats today, great run, felt great afterwards.
Weather: 39F
Pace: 10:09 (remember these are hills)
Avg HR: 151
Max HR: 169
Last weeks Max HR on the hills was 172, maybe I should have done 6 repeats. I think I left some gas in the tank! Keeping it perhaps for Boston!
Alas, due to a broken toe and other things I never made it to Chicago. Not that it matters now, cos Chicago is just Chicago. Boston is BOSTON!!!!
Boston is where my heart belongs and where my blood, sweat and tears wants to be. Hopefully though there will be no blood, just plenty of sweat and tears.
Me and Geraldine braved the Summit again this morning. It was amazing, why do I avoid hills? Sometimes not sure.5 repeats today, great run, felt great afterwards.
Weather: 39F
Pace: 10:09 (remember these are hills)
Avg HR: 151
Max HR: 169
Last weeks Max HR on the hills was 172, maybe I should have done 6 repeats. I think I left some gas in the tank! Keeping it perhaps for Boston!
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Easy Run
Easy 4 miles with Geraldine and Michelle this morning on Beacon St. The weather was mild, which was great. It was dark to start off with, thanks to the clocks changing, however it was an enjoyable run.
Easiest 4 miles I have done in a while.
Pace: 9:56
Temp: 39F
Avg HR: 149
Max HR: 164 (see what I mean,, easy run)
Easiest 4 miles I have done in a while.
Pace: 9:56
Temp: 39F
Avg HR: 149
Max HR: 164 (see what I mean,, easy run)
Monday, March 12, 2007
Lazy Monday
Mondays are nice, had a rest day today. Launched myself into the week ahead at work. Not able to do a long run this upcoming weekend as I am working at the Ras Na H'Eireann on Saturday and Sunday, so I need to just be consistent this week and get in some medium length runs.Stretched alot.
For any runner, biker, active person, one thing I say that you should live without is a foam roller. This has been the best running purchase I even made.
For any runner, biker, active person, one thing I say that you should live without is a foam roller. This has been the best running purchase I even made.
Sunday, March 11, 2007
Making Strides
Probably one of my last long walks with the Avon Walkers - did 9 miles. While I have really enjoyed them and meet some great people. I am not around the next two Sunday's and then after that it is very close to Boston so I need to be getting myself focused on that.
After Boston I can always catch up with the group again, as they will be in Training until middle of May. Legs were a little tired today, but huge improvement on last week.
Progress in a week is always good.
After Boston I can always catch up with the group again, as they will be in Training until middle of May. Legs were a little tired today, but huge improvement on last week.
Progress in a week is always good.
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