Boston and the meaning of running

You could say this comes a little late, but these observations are hopefully about more than just "staying strong" and other oft-mentioned, though nevertheless noble sentiments.

Most things that have been said about the bombing itself have been in the general news media. From a running, or a runner's perspective it is difficult to put it into words. Questions abound - from what is the appropriate response to why do people run, and what does running mean beyond the purely physical aspect?

I had said in my blog last year that qualifying for Boston itself had ceased to be my aim. For me any of the majors (or other large marathon) will do. I do still want the qualifying time of 3:10, but now i think I would run the Boston Marathon if I got the chance.

The events of April 15 now mean that qualifying takes on an extra dimension - simply being there to run with everyone else would be the chance to make a statement.
Going for a run and speaking with my feet was the most eloquent response I could and can think of. After I lost weight and got into running, it was for emotional reasons that I became hooked. There's that race day feeling and all that goes with it - one's own "runner's high" but also sharing in those of everyone else on course.
Spectators give encouragement which all runners are heartened by - I once told myself it was applause for having lost 1/5 of my previous weight and therefore putting my life on a better path. Each runner, regardless of ability, is being applauded for the very same thing - with variations in the exact backstory.

To answer my own question of what running means, I believe that after gaining a base of fitness most come to a realization similar to mine: it brings out the best in me - so much so that I have surprised myself by surpassing my previous self-perceptions of not only my physical limits, but also mental and psychological.
I hope I speak for all runners then, when I say that it is by keeping on running that we provide the most overwhelming response to April 15, 2013.

Are you not overtrained?

In hindsight I should have made straight for the exercise bike after my 10k, rather than training "as usual" straight after. Lesson learned. After a 5k perhaps, 10k no. The sunday before last I did my long run of 16k and felt ok, though my right groin - pectinius and sartorius I believe (ooh, I just googled) - cramped up a couple of times. Most oddly of all, I was recognized by someone at my company - "aren't you Peter, from the company newsletter?" - I shared my story with hr for their wellness site.

But I digress. The sunday just gone represents 3 weeks until the Calgary Marathon. My avoiding speed runs and replicating them on the bike was my way of saving myself for the key final over 20k run before race day. I dropped my wife off for her kickboxing class, then did a one hour out and back. My "P&S" cramped on the 30 minute mark, but shifting my weight and remembeing to engage my toes, this faded.



A-Chang was waiting when I got back, with her new bike. I took it gently, only going around 5:30/ km. A-Chang had to walk up slopes with her bike with tired legs from kicking bags and stuff. I was pleased that even though I could "feel" my right leg, it stayed consistent. At the 20k mark, I even put in a 4:24 to no ill-effect.

On to today, and I did my recovery run on the bike as planned. It seemed like I had a headache for most of the day, though slightly less post-workout. I had the sniffles a bit too. Now I read that this matches a couple of the symptoms of over-training. Much of this is due to carrying on regardless after my 10k, despite that having pretty much been a 100% effort. I'm overtrained then, largely because of what I did after that race.

Given that I came through the longest training run with my leg actually feeling better afterward, and with the taper now starting, all should come good on race day. I'll make sure to be smart between now and then and also during the race. There's less pressure too seeing as Boston has dropped off my bucket list. That said, I still want to beat 3:10. I almost feel like a beginner again, being just my second full.

Injury prevention, Boston rant & other plans

After the 10k last week, my right hip & quad area has been a little tight. A muscle beginning with "p" on the inside of the groin in particular is a little tight according to my chiropractor, although he knows the rest of that word.

For my friday tempo, which was due to be a 3x10 minute session, he said to go slightly slower. This is the toughest tempo in my training program. I did the same one last year and the wind blew me all over the place. It was equally windy on friday, and rather than compromise that workout in bad weather and perhaps aggravate my leg trouble, I opted for a bike session instead. Given that my tempo and speed work is all time rather than distance based, no complex math needed thank god/ budda/ allah and all points in between.

It's worked well before - in the 5 weeks between Quebec City half and Harvest Half last year, I did BRT (bike replacement therapy) mid-week and ran my long sunday runs. In Qc by hamstring gave 2k from the end, and I PB'd in the HH. I will do the same over the next 4 weeks if I have to. The drawback though will be the lack of view, as I don't classify guys weightlifting as a view.

While getting a Boston qualifying time might still be the aim, there were a few thousand deferals allowed from this year's race due to the high temperatures. This makes it harder to get a place, though even if I get within 5 minutes of my BQ (so can register slightly earlier), I'm not sure I want to bother. In my (probably minority) view, this race is now slightly tainted. Next year's race requires qualifying times that are 5 minutes faster, so I have to try that much harder than some with slower times given a free pass because they didn't race in the conditions on the day of the BM. For me, Boston is the reward so just enjoy the experience. Some can decide not to start, but given the entry system in place, for me it should not mean being able to defer. End of rant. Maybe I'll apply in September if I qualify - might have got off my high-giraffe by then!

I didn't get my name drawn out of the hat for the New York marathon. Boo. I will probably put my name in the hat for London 2013 on monday, and find out in October if I'm lucky enough. I can just imagine somehow getting an entry to both. That would be awkward. Aside from that, I will most likely do a mud-race in July (what a headcam movie that'll be!), perhaps a night race in August, perhaps too the Banff Winter Start in November and most likely the California International Marathon in December.

The next 4 weeks are about getting plenty of sleep, training smart and listening to my body, especially my pesky right leg.