1 week to go

Great weather this morning, perfect day for a run. Did an easy 3 miles on Beacon Street, listened to some great tunes on my ipod, let my mind wondered and thought ahead one week to when I will be running on the very same route as the final few miles of the marathon.

Hopefully at this point, I will still be running and not too sore. I am sure the hundreds of people lining Beacon Street will help distract me with whatever I am fitting at that point, be it mental or physical.

Despite not running much the last few weeks my heart rate is still in the zone I would like it to be. So I do feel next week my challenge is going to be muscle aches and pains as I push my body through my longest distance since a 20 mile run last September.

Testing Foot

So after taking several rest days to help the inflammation in my foot, I went out for an easy 4 miles today. I have to say after 2 miles I could feel the discomfort in the arch of my foot, but it never got worse.

I felt pretty good running, despite those glasses of red wine last night. I think the plan for the next week until the day itself is too do shorter runs and see how the foot responds.

Aiming High

Aiming high today, trying a back-to-back run to see how I feel and how the foot feels.

Headed into Newton and tackled the hills, in total I ran 6 miles. It was a rainy day, I remember in the past avoiding running in the rain but now I have to say I find it invigorating, and today it did revitalize me, I guess too as I have not ran much this past week that just getting some mileage in felt good and long overdue.


Temp 32f
Avg Pace 9:22
Avg HR 153
Max HR 169

Marathon Sports 5 Miler

So it has been a full week since I ran and I feel like I rested my foot well, the inflammation seems to have gone done, but there is still alot of discomfort there at times.

Headed out with some Luna Chix, Conor and some of his friends to run the Marathon Sports 5 miler. I took part in this event last year, but did the 3 mile fun run.

Great run today, headed out fast for the first two miles, slowed alot and then in the last mile found some reserve in the tank. I felt that had I gone out slower my time could have been better. I did however still PR with a time of 43:51, with a 8:47 pace.

My previous 5 mile times were not that fast, so definitely pleased despite my week dealing with my foot and anxieties about not running, I can still come out make a PR and keep moving forward.

Enjoyed running with Conor too for a bit, it was quite a while since we ran any distance together. His time was 41 minutes, so I was not too far behind him. I must pick out a race for us to run together after the marathon, would love for us to do a half-marathon together and off course be the first to cross the finish line.

We have a competitive little thing going on with half-marathon times. He holds the record, but me being the runner in the relationship, I would love to hold the record even for a little bit.

Temp 42f
Avg Pace 8:47
Avg HR 163
Max HR 175

Plantar Fasciitis

So at least now I know what the foot pain is all about - unfortunately it is Plantar Fasciitis.

Plantar fasciitis is a painful inflammatory condition caused by excessive wear to the plantar fascia of the foot. The pain usually is felt on the underside of the heel, and is often most intense with the first steps of the day. It is commonly associated with long periods of weight bearing.

Which I guess makes sense I had it really bad after both my last two longer runs, 10 miler and Half Marathon.

The pain has been driving me nuts first thing in the mornings too.

Now I am going to rest, ice and take Advil and hopefully be able to run again some shorter distances in the next few days.

Race Day has arrived

Nice early start this morning, iced and stretched before leaving the hotel room. Arrived at the Tavern on the Green and had the luxury of using their toilets, avoiding porter potties and lines.

As I was washed my heads, Katherine Switzer came out of the stall beside me and washer her heads next to me. She remembered me from yesterday and called me Irish, which was nice. I got one final good luck wish for the race.

At the starting line I meet up with Carla, it was nice to see a friendly face before the race. We both had nervous but soon the gun went and we were were off.

I was pretty comfortable through the first 6.5 miles, left it a little later to take my gel and did so at this point, as I was getting tired and muscles a little tight.

I was on good pace at this point, so I kept pushing. Once the gel started working, I cruised to mile 11. At this point, my foot was hurting alot and also alot of my lower extremities. I was on pace for breaking 2 hrs which was my goal, so I hung in and promised myself some rest was ahead when I finished.

Thankfully my body co-operated despite the pain, I broke 2 hrs and I was thrilled. My official time was 1hr 58:19.

I got back to the hotel and iced my foot and stretched. Fingers crossed that my foot is ok, I already made a appointment to have it seen to, so on Tuesday will know what is going on.

On reflection I am thrilled with my run today: the atmosphere was amazing. I take my hat off to all the woman out there today. There was great camaraderie there were walkers too walking the half-marathon and they were doing an amazing job cheering all the runners in.

Central Park was beautiful the sun was out, the New Yorkers were out and both provided great inspiration to keep going.

I have now ran two races in NY; both Half Marathons and while I could never life in NY. I love to run there.

I will be back at some point to run the five boroughs; it gives me goosebumps to think of the atmosphere on Marathon Day in New York.

Heading to the Big Apple

I left the house this morning to head for the train for NY and as usual on these recent Saturdays, there are masses of runners heading from Newton direction right onto Beacon Street.

My foot is still bother some and honestly I was in two minds. I did a Half-Marathon in NYC last August and I remember the week before it ; every time I ran or attempted too I was having issues with my hamstring. In the end that week I did no running and on race day had no problems. On race day I finished the half with no aches and a new PB of 2 hrs 9 seconds. I am hoping that again the last two rest days will bode me well for running in such a great city.

I have to say that each Saturday morning when I see all the folks out running I am always curious; what mile are they on? are they running Boston? how much training have they done?

Running is viewed by many as such an individual or solidarity activity, but this morning I witnessed a camaraderie. Runners going past other runners with a tilt of the head, passing by saying a few words to some. Family, friends of the runners manning a make-shift water station in Washington Sq.

On the T as I watched them for the 2.5 mile T run, I got goosebumps for what lays ahead on Marathon Monday.

I am hoping the half marathon will give me the confidence and hunger for what lays ahead. If all goes well that is.

I arrived in NY and made a beeline to the race expo to get my bib and chip. At the expo I managed to purchase a advance copy of "Marathon Woman" by Katherine Switzer which I am sure will inspire me the next few weeks until Boston. Katherine herself was there and signed it for me.

So in the space of a few weeks I got well wishes from Katherine Switzer a marathoning icon. In 1967, K Switzer was the first woman to register for and wear a bib number in what was then the all male Boston Marathon, infuriating the event director. Katherine, now pioneered the way for woman runners was the guest of honor at the More Marathon and Half Marathon, which just happens to be an all women event.

"Emma, In honor of your first Boston! The victory will be forever - keep at it, the world awaits! Go for it! K. Switzer"

Today all female runners should take a minute to recognize how K.Switzer made all this possible for us all.

Foot hurts... just what I need

Right foot sore today, not sure what is wrong with it but it does feel funny. Last night and today I have been icing it and taking Advil for the inflammation.

Enjoyed a nice bottle of red wine this evening, first night all week that I felt relaxed and non-stressed, it was just a busy work week.

Floating today

Motivated and in the mood, need to be really Boston is 25 days away. Me and Geraldine did 10 miles together this morning. Felt great throughout, definitely one of those runs that is just enjoyable. I am sure a lot of runners know, some days are just like that, they do not happen often so when they did, make the most, when everything just feels good.

In a few days I am heading to NY to run my half-marathon so this will be my last run until then.

Temp 41f
Avg Pace 9:11
Avg HR 151
Max HR 167

Sleepy Head

Had a nice sleep in this morning, got up did some stretching and weights. Busy day ahead at work so just focused on that.