Well folks, this may just be a record for me. A whole week without blogging. Where have I been? In the recesses of the library resembling the Hunchback of Notre Dame. But that's work stuff, and you only came here to read about my training, so I won't waste your time. Training had a hiccup in the form of a strained hamstring. I took two rest days off before my long run on Sunday---better to be safe than sorry since it's taper time! Less than 2 weeks till Boston!
After my two day (well technically one day with a 30 minute trainer session the next, but I count that as rest) rest period, I
went out for an "easy" 12 miler and thought I was cruising at a MP+30 pace. Imagine my surprise a few miles in when I realize I am running MP-10! It's amazing how much faster I am when I actually take a rest day before my long run!At this point I have zero expectations of actually PRing in Boston--I have been so stressed with work I feel like I haven't truly given my all to training. But, if I can at least come sort of close to my qualifying time I will be pleased. It will be interesting to see what happens.
Something else I am stressing about is my half Ironman (Honu) on May 30. I haven't been officially training: sure, I've been doing biking and swimming, but have not done a single brick workout and probably won't have a chance to before the race. Obviously, I don't want to push things too hard so close to Boston. Right after Boston I am going to have to go international for about a week, and will return home right when I'm supposed to be tapering for Honu. How's that going to work?
Speaking of Honu, I am wavering back and forth on what to wear. I am concerned that my tri shorts may not be enough padding for 56 miles on the bike, and that my shorts/top may not be comfortable for the entire 13 miles. At the same time, I don't want to look like a moron and waste precious transition time navigating a costume change (and show half of Kona my bare ass). I am hoping that the adrenaline during the race may allow me to tolerate the pain of 56 miles with minimal padding, but I'm not sure. Any advice from you veterans out there?
Busy bee! You certainly like to have a full plate don't you? Here is my two cents (and we all know what that is worth today.) Your running fitness will carry you through the bike - I know this from experience. My HIM bike was my longest ride of the year last year by about 15 miles, but I ran a lot and it helped. Padding is one thing - friction is another - LUBE UP! That will help a ton - again, experience. Just have fun - your fricking racing in Hawaii - how cool is that!?
ReplyDeleteI did the Wisconsin Ironman last year, and was just fine in tri shorts. I did much of my training in them, which may have made a difference, but I didn't find it particularly uncomfortable.
ReplyDeleteGood luck!
You have lots going on, but way to manage it all. As for a PR in Boston, I know you have it in you, however go there and really enjoy the "Boston" experience.
ReplyDeleteI don't have any advice on the tri shorts issue, but I think you are going to do great at both Boston and in your tri.
ReplyDeleteYou've trained really really hard despite everything you've got going on and I think in the end that training plus adrenaline will carry you through!
hang in there, you'll be through both races before you know it. i tend to slide bike shorts over some longer speedos or something so i can rip them off easily before the run. i can't run at all with the bike short padding between the thighs, so i like to layer up after the swim so i can get out of it quickly and into the run.
ReplyDeleteyou are going to do amazing, and extra rest days are the best! sadly, I don't tri, so I'm no help there.
ReplyDeleteHappy Taper! I hope the hammy holds up for you. I'll be watching for you in Boston!
ReplyDeleteI have no idea about the tri, but I KNOW you are going to do great in Boston. You have trained so hard, and all that swimming and biking you did in addition to running is going to help you fly the course. I say at least a 3:35 for you, but I would not be surprised with a 3:30.
ReplyDeleteAna-Maria
I'm no help on the shorts, but good luck with the home stretch. I can't believe Boston is so close!
ReplyDeleteThey say Boston is somewhat hard compared to some other marathons, but you've run those races before that go straight up all the way.
ReplyDeleteBoston is not like that, so I don't think they will throw anything up against you that you haven't seen before, in fact you have to be sure not to over-pace on the downhills.
Your results in Boston should give you a confidence boost in the other event assuming you do okay, just be sure to lube any potential chafing spots like Todd said.
A rash can shut you down and DNF you, but a lack of padding, I think you will tolerate it if it came down to that.
Don't forget to take time to enjoy Boston. You earned that. Enjoy the taper.
ReplyDeleteI'm so excited for your Boston adventure!!! Enjoy it...it's your victory lap, after all :)
ReplyDeleteYou can never go wrong with too much padding, right?
ReplyDeletei'm so excited for you! boston is a huge accomplishment and one that you worked hard for. have fun!
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot going on! Hope things settle down and you can really enjoy your experience in Boston.
ReplyDeleteI'll be doing honu in a bathing suit. No pad. It's fine- done it a bunch of times before. :) Tri shorts will be plenty of padding during a race.
ReplyDeleteGood luck in Boston! :)
I have a few opinions for you.
ReplyDeleteFirst and for most rest that hami, you're going to need it for Boston. Be sure to take it easy for the first 4-6 miles, just go with the crowd and have fun. If you fight to run 10-20 seconds per miles faster you'll burn yourself up by the 10k mark. After that you can turn on the jets. That’s my plan and I think I can PR with it.
As for your 1/2 Iron, do you prefer to look silly or feel bad. How long does it take to moon the crowd? A few seconds? How much time could you loose on the bike or the run if you aren't wearing the right gear? A few minutes or more? Or a DNF? (I have never run a Tri so I’m not qualified to give advice, yet I did anyway) ;^)
Is there a way to follow your progress during the Boston marathon?
ReplyDeleteI don't think you go to Boston to PR. If that is your goal, you will not enjoy the moment. It would be sad to be upset over your performance. Relax and savor the experience. A PR would be icing on the cake.
ReplyDeleteI don't think a bike that far with tri shorts is that big of a deal...the adenaline will help and you won't feel too much pain till the next day anyway. Go for it!! See you in Boston!
ReplyDeleteImagine my surprise a few miles in when I realize I am running MP-10! As I said in a recent post in my blog, I've come to realize that perceived effort is a terrible measure of real pace. Isn't it fun, though, to suddenly realize that you're running faster than you intended and still feeling good?
ReplyDeleteA PR may come when you least expect it! Even if it doesn't, definitely enjoy the Boston experience. You've done a lot of training (running and tri stuff), so it all might kick it at once and give you a great race!
ReplyDeleteWho's going to be surprised when FL PRs at Boston?
ReplyDeleteNot this guy!
Who's going to be surprised when she wins her age group at Honu?
Not this guy!
Give up the Tri's and just stick with running. jk
ReplyDeleteGood luck at Boston. If you see any Alaskan singlets say hi to them because they are my peeps.
good luck with Boston. Someday I may BQ for it. You are a busy girl, work training and extra time sitting on planes. AAhh, to be young again
ReplyDeleteSorry , I got no experience in Triathlon so I can't help you with that. Really cool you going to run the Boston Marathon . Looking forward to see your blog on that. Good luck with all training !
ReplyDeleteps: Last sunday was the Rotterdam Marathon in the Netherlands where the number 1 and 2 run a 2:04:26 over 26.2 miles.... yes , we have some fast Marathons in the Netherlands. If you ever thinking of running the Amsterdam (october) or Rotterdam (april) Marathon please inform me and I can help with a starting bib and hotel.
ReplyDeleteI'm not a veteran (just did my first IM70.3 in Oceanside last week) but I can tell you that the Tri-shorts I wore for the entire race worked fine and I did not have any issues with the padding (great for the run too). I'm even considering taking them to Boston with me.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck!
My 2 cents - go with the tri shorts and lube up wherever it binds (if they do, most mine don't).
ReplyDeleteChanging into slick spandex soaking wet sucks and the bike shorts always end up bunching in weird places, which comes to bite you in the butt later.
Very best of luck in both Boston & Honu!
I'm not a veteran (just did my first IM70.3 in Oceanside last week) but I can tell you that the Tri-shorts I wore for the entire race worked fine and I did not have any issues with the padding (great for the run too). I'm even considering taking them to Boston with me.
ReplyDeleteBest of luck!
Sorry , I got no experience in Triathlon so I can't help you with that. Really cool you going to run the Boston Marathon . Looking forward to see your blog on that. Good luck with all training !
ReplyDeleteGive up the Tri's and just stick with running. jk
ReplyDeleteGood luck at Boston. If you see any Alaskan singlets say hi to them because they are my peeps.
good luck with Boston. Someday I may BQ for it. You are a busy girl, work training and extra time sitting on planes. AAhh, to be young again
ReplyDeleteYou have a lot going on! Hope things settle down and you can really enjoy your experience in Boston.
ReplyDeleteDon't forget to take time to enjoy Boston. You earned that. Enjoy the taper.
ReplyDeletehang in there, you'll be through both races before you know it. i tend to slide bike shorts over some longer speedos or something so i can rip them off easily before the run. i can't run at all with the bike short padding between the thighs, so i like to layer up after the swim so i can get out of it quickly and into the run.
ReplyDelete