FitCorp Training Run #12 - The Best Worst Run Ever!

I should have known that it wasn't going to be my best run.

Factors working against me:

• I felt like I was fighting a bug all week. You know the feeling, run down and tired.
  
• I had one of my shoulder and neck aches the night before, and therefore tossed and turned all night and slept very little.
  

I took about four advil to get out the door, but I knew the run would help.

So why do I call it the Best Worst Run?

Factors to the Worst:

• Even though I went outside to pull in signal for my Garmin before the run, when the run actually started it couldn't get a location. Check it out on the review the run, it has me running across the common and depending on it's mood, in Chinatown.
  
• Right from the get-go my pace and energy were off.
  
• I didn't hit my stride until about mile 7, and it only lasted until about mile 7.5.
  
• My legs felt dead and hollow most of the run.
  
• I had to walk sections coming back, at best alternating blocks.
  
• I thought I was going to have to roll myself up the State House hill.
  
• Having such an off day really was a spirit breaker.
  
• My feeling like poop was so strong that it seemed that every dog I got within 20 yards of assumed the position.
  

Factor to the Best - Despite all of the above, I completed the long distance. 18+ according to FitCorp, 19 according to Garmin

Also making it interesting along the way and an alright run:

• I ran up the BC and Newton Hills.
  
• I hit the wall twice and managed to keep going both times.
  
• I never realized how many houses in Newton remind me of Grandma Frankie's house. Always an enjoyable sight.
  
• The snow has melted and the trees are starting to bud. I don't care what the groundhog said, spring is right around the corner. When we did this run last year the water stops were in snow banks.
  
• Coming back along Beacon Street I saw a Tesla Roadster with CA plates. It is a very good looking car!
  
• Even feeling like toast at the end I was able to make myself alternate blocks of running and walking.
  
• I was right, the run made my shoulder and neck stop hurting.
  

All of the details for this week can be seen by clicking here.

Needless to say, I'm already looking forward to the next run and a chance to redeem myself.

Thanks this week to Doris and David, Lee and Sharon, Judy Cause, Bill Peake, and Dad for sponsoring me and supporting the Eaton-Peabody Lab. Don't forget, you can donate by clicking on the Firstgiving link on the right. Clicking on the ads on this page also produce a small amount that I will be giving to MEEI and the Eaton-Peabody.

FitCorp Training Run #10 and an Overall Good Day

Overall Saturday was a good day.

There were three options for Saturday's training run, roughly 14, 16, or 18 miles. Last year I went for the longest distance no matter what. But this year I seem to have better self-control, as I decided to go for the middle distance. As of Friday the weather people were calling for weather in the 30s for Saturday morning, but in typical New England fashion it actually was in the 20s. There went the dream of wearing shorts!

The run itself went pretty well and followed a familiar course of out Beacon Street, but instead of taking a right in Newton Center continuing on and taking a right at Walnut Street. From Walnut take a right on Commonwealth, over the lovely Newton Hills, and back on Beacon. I'm starting to wonder if I could run stretches of this course with my eyes closed. I wish I could claim deep thoughts for this run, but the truth is my big toe on my left foot began to hurt somewhere in Newton and I just kept pushing myself to complete the run. How do I keep the push going? I remember Grandpa, and how he was slowed down from Parkinson's from water skiing to fighting to walk. Running through a bit of pain didn't seem like much in comparison. I didn't even mind not running all of the way up the State House hill. By the time I was back at One Beacon Street both legs were solid and tight. But I did, I completed 16.5 miles. It was a happy surprise that Saucony had bagels for the runners along with information and coupons for Marathon Sports.

Click here to see the details of FitCorp Training Run #10

Instead of stretching and showering like normal I hurried home for my chance to buy Red Sox vs. Yankees tickets. Lest you think I stank all day, I was home quick enough to shower before the tickets went on sale at noon. The good news is that after waiting in the Virtual Waiting Room for 2 hours success was had!

The final good item from yesterday is Brooke and I have arraigned to have a fundraising event at The Greatest Bar on April 2nd. Be on the lookout for your invitation in the next few weeks.

Thanks this week to Magee Filitor-Murray and Nicole Phillips for sponsoring me and supporting the Eaton-Peabody Lab. Don't forget, you can donate by clicking on the Firstgiving link on the right. Clicking on the ads on this page also produce a small amount that I will be giving to MEEI and the Eaton-Peabody.

FitCorp Training Run #9 - That is better!

I have no idea why, but this 10.5 mile run from the Woodland T stop back to One Beacon Street over the Newton Hills is becoming my best run. This week I actually had some speed back, which is surprising as I was trying something new. After last week's run I overheard one of other marathon team's trainer suggesting not to use energy gels on long runs. So I tried it this week and things seemed to go well. I'll still keep them with me, but will continue to try limiting my use of them.

For those keeping count - only one standard poodle this week.

You can view this week's run by clicking here

Thanks this week to Marilyn Paterno and Mary Leach for sponsoring me and supporting the Eaton-Peabody Lab. Don't forget, you can donate by clicking on the Firstgiving link on the right. Clicking on the ads on this page also produce a small amount that I will be giving to MEEI and the Eaton-Peabody.

FitCorp Training Run #5

As with many things, the best way to get over a bad run is by getter out there again and having a better one. Thus the plan for this week's run was born.

1. Feel Better - Check!
2. Remember all of my gear - Check, I packed my bag the night before.
3. Fuel up - Check, a bowl of pasta the night before and water during the week.

All this led up to me feeling really good Saturday morning. A feeling that only got better with the number of returning familiar faces at FitCorp. For example the doctor from BWH and the woman who runs extra miles to prepare for the marathon. Lastly, JD, who is a friend from high school who I haven't seen in twenty years, is also training for this year's marathon and was at the run. So we had the T ride to Newton to catch up. I'll look forward to seeing him most weeks.

Not a news flash, I know, but I'm a bit strange. I get a kick out of the training runs that cover the Newton Hills as this week's run did. As you'll see on the Garmin playback, this week's run starts at the T stop near Newton Wellesley Hospital and is a one way course back to FitCorp at One Beacon Street. It basically follows the marathon course from mile 17, over the Newton Hills including Heartbreak, into Boston, and splits off course in Kenmore Square.

I'm happy to report this week's run was fantastic. Everything felt great, held together, and I came in at a 10:08 average which was just about on target. Interestingly, I averaged a better pace thru the hills than I did in the flats of Boston. So I still haven't perfected the art of a negative split.

Here is the playback for this week's FitCorp Training Run #5.

Thank you this week to Laurie Redmond for supporting me, the Eaton-Peabody Lab, and volunteering during the marathon at the mile 10 water stop. The Marathon volunteers are the great unsung heroes of the day. They get up as early, or earlier, than the runners, and are also there no matter what the weather is. I encourage all runners to thank as many of them as you can.

Until the next post,

Bill