Recuperating!

One week later things are feeling right as rain. Last week I plodded through a 4 mile run on Wednesday and a 5 mile run on Friday (and those are generous mileages, it's entirely possible they were shorter) - not a great deal of pain, but my legs steadfastly refused to work in a normal fashion.

Sunday, though, I got in 8 miles at 8:45 pace, which is a little slower than usual but felt really easy. No complaints. We were dragging a friend's boyfriend along, who hadn't run more than 6 miles ever, so we have to account for that, too. Cherokee's unforgiving 8 mile loop may have been a little unfair.

Yesterday I began my life as a gym-goer. I've always been skeptical of joining a gym, but I finally did it. The damage Boston did to my quads made me decide some weight lifting was definitely in order. I want to strengthen my core, too, so yesterday found me in pilates and yoga classes. My abs hurt this morning, which I like. Tomorrow I have a consult with a trainer to start developing a routine to strengthen legs, arms and core three times a week. I'm going to be super-strong!

Just 22 miles scheduled for this week, easing back into things. Nothing major going on until the end of the month, when I'll make my first serious sub-20 5k attempt.

Post Boston!

Wow, I thought for sure I'd be able to consistently post on here, and I was wrong.

A recap:

- Boston = hard. Don't think I'd recommend it as a second marathon -- you should get a couple under your belt first.
- PR'ing at Boston = very hard. I scraped a minute off, barely. My friend Heather brought hers down by six minutes, which is incredible.
- Wear sunscreen and sunglasses even if the weather seems inappropriate for such. It might change.
- Wear a sports bra and shorts. Deal with being cold. Before mile 10, you'll be warm. If it's still too cold, you should have picked a different race.

I ran a 3:32:01, which re-qualifies me for Boston in 2009, so I could run no more marathons this year if I so desired. Or totally bomb the one I'm planning for in the fall. (Hey, Miranda, I think it's the same as you. Party in the hizzy.) Either way, it put me in the top third of the field ... a field of amazing runners. I should be happy, although I had hoped for better and am still a little disappointed. Hopefully some goal-reaching in some upcoming shorter races will even things out.

The women's olympic trials were incredible. I want that. Watching those awesome ladies made me reaffirm my desire to work my tush off to get there in 2012. Only 180 women qualified for the last go-round.

Awesome job on those who ran in Louisville today, and good luck to everyone going to Cincinnati next week!

More later. Really.

Two weeks of nail-biting

With only 12 days to go, I am essentially a nervous wreck. There's not much I can do at this point to ensure success, so I'm fretting over all the things that are left - what clothes I want to wear, for example.

Boston is not the most predictable of climates: in 2004 it was sunny and 86 degrees for the marathon, last year it was rainy and in the 30s. I'd be happy with anything not rainy and between 40-50. If it falls below 40 or above 50, I have to give more consideration to what I'm wearing during the race. I don't think I really have the right shorts for a hot-weather marathon, and I'm in a little bit of a panic because I'm not sure what I'll do if it gets hot. I'm going to just plan on wearing my capris and hope it's not hot. Upper body, who knows. Gloves, probably, if it's under 60.

I am ready to get this over with.