Week 10 - Now It's Starting To Seem Real

When you start closing in on six weeks to go, everything starts to seem a little more real. Because really, there's only 4 more weeks of work, and then the two weeks of taper, which seem to pass in the blink of an eye. Already time seems to be speeding up, and hitting the halfway point seems like it was eons ago, when it was only 2 weeks ago. 

I can't say it's all downhill from here, though, because I do still have a lot of work to cram into those 4 weeks. This week wasn't one of the tougher ones, though. I had one speed workout, but the rest of the week was easy runs, which is exactly what I needed. 

Normally I'd do speedwork on Tuesday, but since I did my long run on Saturday last week, and I woke up Monday morning feeling ready to take on the track, I figured I should go with it and take advantage of the fact that I felt motivated and just get it done. 

Despite the motivation to get the workout done, I was still totally nervous and anxious a bout how it was going to go. But it was a beautiful morning, so I headed to the track - first time I've done a track workout on the track in a long time. All my recent workouts have been on the road, on the bike path, or on the treadmill. In a way, it felt kind of nice to be back on the actual track. 

The plan was a very straightforward ladder - 1600, 1200, 1000, 800, 600, 400, 200. My first 1600 came in at 6:35, and felt surprisingly good. I knew that feeling wouldn't last. 

It was a very windy morning, but lucky for me, the wind was really only a factor when heading around the curve at one end of the track, so it was only in my face for a short section of each lap, so really didn't phase me at all. 

The rest of the intervals all came in at or below my goal time, so I was very happy with the way the workout was going. But when I finished the 200, I felt like I hadn't done enough. So I decided to see what I could pull off for one more 1600. Surprisingly, I had another 6:35 in me! And after that, I definitely felt like I had done enough, and had done it very well, and walked off the track completely content. 

The rest of my runs last week were at an easy pace, which seems to be averaging out to between 8:15 and 8:35 these days. Not much to write about those, except to say that I really enjoyed just going out and running. I even listened to music on one of my runs, which is something I haven't done in ages, but it was kind of a nice change, and just a good way to mix things up a little. 

The long run for Saturday was the shortest one I've had in a while - 14 miles. And as I finished up, I felt like I should add on a few more miles. But I reminded myself that the cutback weeks are just as important as the weeks where you work really hard. So 14 it was - followed by a super easy 5 miles on Sunday. 

Total of 45 miles for the week, and definitely a good week. 

And looking forward to the week ahead, I think tights and gloves and hats are going to be replaced with shorts and short sleeves, as temperatures are supposed to be in the 50s (maybe even 60s) for the foreseeable future. 

Being able to head out without bundling up in 2 or 3 layers is going to feel like a real treat. And even the wind will feel a little less awful than it does on those 30-degree days. 

All of the sudden, it's feeling like the past 10 weeks have flown by, and like I'm going to blink and I'll be standing at the starting line in Hopkinton. That's a good thing, though - being inside 6 weeks makes everything really start to come into focus, which helps with the mental game, and also helps you remember why you're doing this in the first place. 

I can't wait to test my patience and reign in my pace on the downhills in the early miles; to laugh in amazement at how loud the Wellesley scream tunnel is; to power through the hills of Newton; to breathe a sigh of relief when I crest Heartbreak Hill; to feel that rush of excitement as I start to head back into the city; to soak up the energy of the crowd for the entire 26.2 miles; and to make that final turn (likely with tears in my eyes) onto Boylston. 

I always tell people there's nothing quite like the Boston Marathon, and there really isn't. I'm so lucky I get to experience it again :-) 

Comments

[danielle]

ahhhh im so excited!! it really does seem crazy that its only 6 weeks away. this will be my first boston, and i definitely will cry haha. great job on your training!