Pre-Boston Reality Check: “Speed Can Kill”
April 15th, 2012 | Posted by in Blog PostsIn less than 20 hours (fingers crossed), I’ll be making a right on Hereford and left on Boylston. I’ll see the finish line in the distance and hopefully cross it in one piece.
For the last year+, I’ve had my sights set on breaking 3:00. It’s only been over the last 2 months that I’ve really started to believe — truly, confidently, believe — I could do it tomorrow at Boston. I’ve spent the final miles of recent runs visualizing those last few miles, knowing I’m running 2:5X:XX, and actually felt the butterflies, excitement, and adrenaline. I worked hard for this. I earned this. I proved to myself, most importantly, that I could do it.
But no matter how hard and how long you train, some things are simply out of your control. Like tomorrow’ weather forecast.
90 DEGREES.
In April, 70 would be HOT. 90 is just cruel. I didn’t really start worrying about the forecast until Friday morning, as I woke up to an email from the BAA warning about heat stroke. Yesterday, we received the official announcement that they were adding a deferment option, extending the course time, and signed off with a warning that “speed can kill.” Yes, really.
Reality check.
I’m not sure how to adjust my race strategy, but I’ll need to. My plan was to start out a tad slower than goal pace, around 6:55-7:00, feeling relaxed & comfortable on the downhills. I’d cruise until we hit the uphills, working a consistent pace, and then use the energy I banked by starting out conservatively to kick it the last 5-6 miles and bring it home under 3:00. The one thing I’ve heard, over and over, is to start conservatively or you’ll pay for it later.
I hate the thought of entirely discounting my goal before I even toe the starting line, but I can’t pretend I’m invincible either. The heat is going to affect me and everyone out there tomorrow. Yeah, I’m hydrating, packing in electrolytes, and will be sure to focus on taking water & gatorade at every stop I can, but it’s a fact that heat imposes real physical limitations on performance. BAA’s email today said: “You should adopt the attitude that THIS IS NOT A RACE. It is an experience.”
Just like thousands of others here in Boston, I am incredibly frustrated and disappointed. I’m in the best marathoning shape I’ve ever been in and success could be totally out of my reach tomorrow. I’ve had people tell me to just throw all goals out the window, run easy, and just finish. But I don’t train for months on end to simply finish, and it’s really, really hard for me to accept anything less than the finish I’ve been dreaming of.
But you know what? It’s BOSTON. My first! And more than likely, not my last. Every training cycle and race has it’s purpose. If I don’t break 3:00 tomorrow, I will be disappointed, but it’s just more experience under my belt that’ll lead me to a 2:5X:XX when the time is right. Maybe it’ll be Chicago in October, and maybe it won’t. But I’ll keep believing I can and working towards it.
So I’ll hit the streets in Hopkinton with my game face on and play it by ear. I’ll still start out conservatively and see where the race goes. For all of those who would like to track me, by bib # is 3752! I hope to wear my orange Central Park Track Club singlet, but I might strip down to a sports bra if it’s already warm in the morning.
And if anything, I’ve had a fabulous weekend so far in Boston– driving up and checking out the expo with teammates, dinner and exploring with my Mom, and just taking in the energy in this city pre-Marathon Monday. Hopefully it’s sunny and warm (but not THIS warm!) next year– I’d love to come watch!
Of course, I bought the requisite Boston jacket (& pint glass– because I’ll need a cold brew after this one):
Well, I don’t know if tomorrow will be ‘wicked fast’, but I’ll do my best to make it wicked fun.
THANK YOU for all of your support over the last few months especially, and for continuing to follow me along on this journey. I know you’ll all be rooting for me out there, and I’m happy to have made it this far healthy, happy, and fit. Boston, here we go! Good luck to everyone racing, let’s do this!
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When can we start drinking?
Pls don’t die tomorrow. I’ll try not to either.
Drinking = as soon as we cross the line? Hehe.
Pep talk: Hands in on three…1, 2, 3 “Don’t die!!”
Mother nature can be a runners worst enemy sometimes. Good luck out there! I hope you have a great race!
I hear you! Kind of how I felt about NYC – I was doing so good and really thought I could break 3:35 until…boom! IT band blows up. I had a hard time letting go of that goal, too.
Its too bad they didn’t move back the start time, too, to help with the heat.
At least maybe you’ll get a jump start on a summer tan?
Ugh 90 now? That’s seriously insane. Enjoy the experience as hard as that will be. I’ll now be at mile 4 because it will be too hot for me to waddle into the city.
Wish you all the best, stay hydrated lindsay!
PLEASE be careful today! Thinking of you and Megan and wishing both of you the best Monday ever.
Good luck!! I am shocked by this weather. I ran Boston last year and even then, we had what they were calling an unseasonably mild forecast – it only reached like 65-70 degrees. I can totally understand that frustration with training so hard for this goal and having something completely out of your control potentially mess it up. If it were me, I would have trouble holding back too. Good luck – stay safe!!
Good luck, Linds! No matter what, your training didn’t go to waste. I love your attitude and think you’ll see a 2:5XX very soon, even if it’s not today. See you at around mile 24!!
YOU ARE RUNNING RIGHT NOW! Sub-3 will happen, if not today then very soon. But maybe today! You are awesome. I am so excited for you!!!!!!!
Good luck, run strong! The weather may be hot, but you qualified and put in the miles. Now it’s time to make a withdrawal!
This is an absolutely awesome pre-race rundown. You may not have gotten a sub-three today but you sure ran a hell of a race! Congratulations!
My goodness you are fast!! Hope today went well!!!!
I looove that shirt. I need that shirt! Kudos to you for running such a smart, amazing race!
I’m excited to hear your race report, even if it’s not so much “yay sub-3!” and much more “yay! i didn’t die!” Perhaps that story should be told over some beer?
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