Friday, April 9, 2010

Boston Decisions.....

This post is going to be all over the map; a vast array of randomness - cuz that's just how my mind's operating these day: skitzoid!

I had a blog up a couple days ago but removed it...so for those that have their readers telling ya I have a blog before this one, it's gone. I won't go into the why's other than I read it hours later and it made no sense. Kinda like this blog's gonna be. bahahahaha!

First, let me start off the bat by stating my allergies are over the top intense. I wish I could take my eyeballs out of their sockets and let them soak overnight in some major chemicals! I don't leave the house without nasal steroids, sprays and plenty of tissues attached to my hip! Ya know that warning on the side of the nasal spray bottle: NO NOT CONSUME MORE THAN 5 CONSECUTIVE DAYS! Yea right! I may be burning a hole in my nasal cavity, but dangit, I can't breathe without the stuff!!! Look at the chart below, notice how Colorado is entirely in RED??? That's indicating max pollen count - but no one has to show me, I'm dying here, kids!!! I think I'm moving to Maine in April next year...look what a pretty green shade that state is.

Next on the agenda: I can't run. My legs won't move. Seriously! I've had three miserable runs this week which has just left my confidence in the toilet. We're not talking any major running either. Tuesday I cut my 800's to 400's mid-way because they weren't happening. Wednesday was suppose to be 5 easy miles. Ran 2 at the indoor track at the gym and called it quits (and instead did some weights/core stuff). Thursday was suppose to be 5-6 at MP. Made it to 2.5 miles at a pace not even close to what I once hoped would be MP and feeling like I was going to up-chuck at any second. Suddenly, I had to pee. Bad. Stopped at the bushes (one must do what one must do!) and took care of that but when I started up again to run, the legs wouldn't cooperate. I ended up doing the shuffle/run/walk torture the next 2.5 to my car. Yeah, THAT boost the old uncertainty and fear knobs up a few octaves. I'm certain part of the culprit to my demise this week is the red zone from above ... but there's other issues going on here. And I know what they are. Mostly.

I need to say you guys are the most AWESOME support system alive. I mean that; I'm not sure I'd even get on that plane next week without y'all believing so much in me (let's recall the brutally honest email where I asked those close to me to 5-word describe me and the vast majority said: emotionally need :) ). Nevertheless, my mind's a tangled web over Boston (no duh!!). I'm totally discombobulated. Not in a race-performance anxiety way, but here lies the problem, and probably part of my legs not functioning right now:
I am not even close to the condition I need to be to crank out this marathon in one strong and solid piece. I've done enough of these puppies to understand this - and I accept it but what's tormenting me, and occupying every spare space in my pea-sized brain right now, is how to run this race given the situation. 1)Do I just take my time and run it slow and have a great time along the way, high-fiving everyone along the way, snapping pictures along the course? I remember so little about the course last year, I was so internally negotiating my way to the finish line I couldn't tell you very much about the sights along the way. Or do I 2) just get out there and run my hardest best, knowing my "best" is going to be pretty lame? (And my "best" doesn't mean a PR, my best simply means being in the best marathon shape I can possibly be, having done all the work I needed to do to get on that start line feeling fresh and ready to run!) I'm having a hard time assessing which is better for me - either way, I'm going to have to dig deep into the adrenaline reserves to finish. I can't fully wrap my brain around killing myself for a 4-plus-hour marathon. But then where's the challenge in lollygagging my way through 26.2 miles? A challenge is a challenge and I'm all over that...part of me feels I need to see what I'm made of when the tank is only half-full. I've never been one to just go out and "enjoy" a race; this was always a tug-of-war with my old trainer, he would tell me to go into a race for "training" and I just always struggled with this idea - as I do now. Last year he wanted me to run Boston in 4-hours so I could "experience" it. This idea never sat well with me and, I worked way too hard to get there to just go and casually run it so secretly I told myself (and no one else) that I would give the race my all and I finished in 3:51.


In my silent inner-conflict, I phoned-a-friend, (or emailed-a-friend - but that's not an option like in "Cash Cab" or "Who wants to be a Millionaire" haha) for advice. Bless Meg - she has a heart of gold and a soul to match; she sent me a beautiful card this week (outside it reads: The mind determines what is possible. The heart surpasses it) and inside she wrote to run with my heart. But I'm not sure where my heart is. Where is it, Megsie??? I struggle with this constantly. My friend, Tim, who you wouldn't know via blog world but he and I went to high school together and became reacquainted through FB last year. He's a running maniac like Meg, having ran a billion marathons and ultras, and getting ready to run his first 100K in a couple weeks (I can't even imagine!). He gave me the following advice below today ... for which I am totally grateful and felt I should share parts. His words in blue, my thoughts to this in pink:


First, you're definitely trained for the distance. 26.2 miles will be a cakewalk for you. What you're worried about is speed. Yes, that's IT! Finally, it's been identified what my true problem is. I am NOT in prime shape to run this sucker FAST! Not as fast as I want, at least. It's comforting to hear he believes I have the endurance - this has been weighing heavy on my mind. One thing checked off. If I were you I'd do almost nothing but speed work for the next week. Forget the tempo runs. Do short sprints. Keep up the heart rate. Working on the quick foot turnover and form that you'll want to use during the race. Maybe do one moderate hill session this weekend and imagine it being Heartbreak and you pushing over it with ease. Do workouts where you push hard but SHORT and sweet and you know you could do more at the end. This will give you something positive to focus on. Don't overdo anything in the next week to "make up" for feeling un-ready. Rest is key now. Don't even bother to run Sat or Sun before the race. I'd skip Friday as well if you have the slightest doubt that your legs still feel heavy. You can't undertrain at this point. You can only overtrain now. You want to get to that point on Saturday before the race where your legs are jumpy and you're annoyed you're not allowed to go run. Wow. Okay. This is not what I would have thought to do at all but it makes perfect sense to me. I'm done with the long run, I can't cram in any more distance, but I can work a little on the leg turn-over.
Second, spend time visualizing the run, about how you'll be smart enough to start out slow on the downhill Me?? Start out slow??? Every marathon I've ever done well, I've started out slow (very few, mind you!). My mega marathon friend, Maureen Roben, who's run an astonishing 4 Olympic Marathon Trials (google her name, you'll be impressed), has repeatedly told me for every 30 seconds you run too fast in the early miles, you'll pay 4 minutes/mile in the end. Yep, done that once or 10 times. Okay, Jilly, start out slow! and you'll pace yourself through the first 13, and then keeping the legs fresh enough to push up the hills eeks! These hills scare me. I didn't get in the glute work in after I finally got to feeling better. And it shows!

Third, wait until the day before the race to decide if you want to go all out, or just take it easy. Okay. This will give me a few days to play with my mind with some more running under my belt and see how I feel. you pack then decide on Sunday and stick with that on race day and don't change strategy mid-race. How many mid-race decision changes have I done in the past?? Plenty. If you decide to take it easy during the race, then enjoy it knowing this momentary setback will push you in the future and that next time you won't be spectator-running, so enjoy watching the fellow runners, the sights, and the fans. I LOVE the idea of this. Love it!! But can I get my mind to do it??? If you decide to go all out, do it and accept it if you fall apart at mile 20. Yep, that's a huge worry. Last year I fell apart at mile 22. My stomach cramped up so bad; I had a very serious discussion with the Running Gods and told them I was done marathoning. I wasn't, of course, it was just a mid-race temper tantrum, but I have had long periods of downtime after miserable marathons in the past...and I don't want that again. I don't want the race to turn into such a fiasco I won't want to run one again. I truly want, more than anything right now, to come back and get into prime shape. I miss how whole and clean and pure my body feels when it's running well. That's no shame. Hum.....

Fourth, you may feel heavy but I bet you can lose a couple of pounds in the next week. My weight is NOT at marathon training weight and I know enough to know I don't run well for long at the current weight I'm at. I'll be brutally honest with myself, I didn't fight hard enough after I got sick to get it back down. I lost the fight - and I know the reason why: I felt alone...which I'll touch on in a little bit. That may not seem like much but it'll give you a good mental boost and it'll make you feel lighter on your feet. You know how to eat good high energy/low calorie foods. I'm guessing he doesn't mean I can have chips, pizza, beer and my absolute favorite: red velvet cake everynight??? Crap! Yes, I DO know what to eat as he says. I will do it! Do it and don't fuck up between now and the race. Believe it or not, this is PRECISELY what I needed to hear! More on that below, too. You have a huge pig-out meal coming post-race that you're going to enjoy. And what a pig-out fest I'm going to have. Sugar-coma here I come!!! Do of course get in that high carb meal on Saturday night. Def!

Fifth, decide now that you'll deal with your personal life on April 21-ish A LOT of personal issues have been weighing me down lately, which I don't like to bog you down with. This is a big reason why I failed to fight and get my head wrapped around this Boston thing after I got sick. I will do my best to not think about anything while in Boston-it's not like anything can be "fixed" while I am there anyway.

What I have learned through this whole training cycle for Boston is this: I do not run well by myself. Let's recall that post where I asked some of my closest friends to list 5 things about me (or 7....??) and one of the reoccuring threads was "emotionally needy." Even the brutally honest daughter told me the same thing. I'll put myself out here and tell you that it's true - I am! And what I found out in this journey is that I do not operate well with my training alone. I need validation, accountbility and just someone to throw ideas around. I run better when I know someone is there making sure I'm doing the right thing. It doesn't matter how many races I've done or the fact I've been running for over 30 years, I run better with someone there. And I haven't had this this time around. It's one of the reasons I LOVE being a running coach - I fully understand the need!

I had dinner with Tara last night; she is just so sweet and we had a lot of fun. She gave me this absolutely wonderful necklace for my birthday and I just have to share with you - isn't it just so perfect??? I seriously had to fight back the tears when she gave it to me, I was so deeply touched. I'm certain she thought I was a babbling idiot and would just shut the heck up about my Boston woes, but she held her tongue and just listened. She's truly amazing!

Robin asked if I would post a link to her friend, who lost an amazing 100 lbs, on my blog. Her feat is incredible and am glad to do it - please go over and vote for her friend to get to NY, if you have time (click on her name).

I have to be honest and tell you that I'm probably never going to hold a give-away or post someone's give-away; I can't, it'd make me manic to keep up with it all and this blog, when I started it over a year ago, was to write about my running from my heart. My ups and downs, triumphs and sorrow, trials and tribulations, fears and joy - and how I am affected by each. I want to share my journey of my "quest to refine my soul" with you so that you never feel alone in your thoughts. My blog is about me, the true me, and this who I am. We area all kindred running souls and I'm blessed to have found you all.

So what am I going to do in Boston, how am I going to run it? Ahh....I think I know and probably you do too, but I'm going to toss the two around a few more days. My friend, Dennis, is going to take me out to the state park tomorrow (where tree pollen is abundant - yea!!!) and run some fartleks and hills with me...I know it will help settle the craziness going on inside - I think it will be just what this chick needs! All is going to be good, one way or another - it truly is!

I have more things to share with y'all but I'll leave this post for now as it's getting pretty lengthy as it is - I'll get another post or two off before I go (and promise it'll be shorter :) ). Thanks for all your support on my last blog - wow! My cup runneth over! Believe me when I say this: I will carry each and every one of you along with me in Boston next week.

48 comments:

DRog said...

What a good friends you have...I enjoyed Tim's advice (and your "thoughts" interjected)

I thought this recommendations of his:

"Third, wait until the day before the race to decide if you want to go all out, or just take it easy"

and the two blue comments after were particularly useful for what little I know about your situation.

Great job reaching out to your circle, you are doing the right things! Good Luck with your decisions.

~D

Anonymous said...

i loved reading your "conversation" with your friend (i couldn't tell if it was a real convo though haha). it pretty much was exactly what i needed to hear too. i'm having the same thoughts of "how the heck am i going to do this?!" but we WILL do this and we will ROCK it :)

oh and my allergies are acting up too but i live in green new england, i can't even imagine being in red co! sending good vibes your way :)

Suzy said...

I have only one thing to say about Boston: you WILL make the right decision for you. I just know you will and I can't wait to read about it after Boston.

And...tks for putting in a word for voting for Amanda. She's great and has done amazing with her weight loss. We ran a marathon relay together this winter and it was so much fun!

Shellyrm ~ just a country runner said...

Tim's advice sounds perfect! Make your decision the day before and then Don't change mid-race. Just don't let it be an option.

Success is defined many ways. Don't let just one definition steal what will be an amazing experince! You can make this race whatever you want it to be. You know you can!

Ewa said...

When the day comes you will know how you want to run. The main thing is to enjoy it. Your pre-race jitters are getting the best of your right now. We are all cheering for you so relax and celebrate your fitness. You have worked too hard to worry so much. Pat yourself on the back and have fun.
Hugs.

Lindsay said...

i am moving to maine with you! ugh i hate my allergies. both places i live (ky and sc) are covered with red as well. aren't we lucky....

i hope you are able to fully come to terms with your 'plan' for boston! i am definitely on the "take it easy and have fun" train - you are welcome to join me :)

love that necklace!

(i was wondering what had happened to the previous post! it didn't seem confusing to me) :)

Anonymous said...

I believe Patrick Star, compatriot of the prophet SpongeBob Squarepants, said it best: "Well, it may be stupid, but it's also dumb."

Anne said...

So sorry to hear about the allergies...ugh!!
I really loved reading Tim's advice to you and your thoughts about his advice...thanks so much for sharing. Hang in there and I know you'll do what's best for you...remember that it's all a journey :)

Unknown said...

Thanks for sharing Tim's advice! I am excited to see how this goes for you! The very best to you and please be kind to yourself in the midst of your stress, you deserve it!

Christina said...

Thanks for sharing your friend's advice and your thoughts. I believe you will find "IT" and make the right decision before your race.

I'm sure you have lots of friends in the blogging world and me to think and cheer for you when you run the Boston.

Running and living said...

Oh, my post got lost, oh no!
Trying again. Lots going on with you, Jill, don't know where to start. I think whatever decision you make it is going to be the best decision for you, so try to think this way. It is important to accept where you are with your training, accept your imperfections, and the fact that so many uncontrollable things happened to you during this training cycle. People who read this blog love you not for your fast or slow marathons, but because you are honest, real, kind and funny. There will be lots more marathons and Bostons in your future. For us, middle of the packers, marathoning should mostly be primarily about fun, and health and pushing ourselves outside our comfort zones! Take care of you and all will be well!

Glenn Jones said...

Coming from a back of the packer - enjoy yourself Jill! I have the perspective that I'm never going to win cash, and it's somewhat suspect that I'll even win an AG award, so I always just try to go out and leave it on the course. But most importantly,I go out and enjoy myself. Face it - it's not every day you get to enjoy the streets of Boston!

You've done what you can. Stressing about it right now won't help matters.....

Anonymous said...

I think, that come Boston, you will do what you know is right for you. And you will know that no matter what is right for you...will be supported 100%! Seriously, I love this post for its honesty. I really believe some bloggers mask themselves and aren't always honest, but here...here, you find honesty. And there really is no better quality.

You will do what is right. And I would bet you already know what that is in your heart.

Velma said...

Thanks for sharing this post. I feel like I could have written it myself. As you mentioned, you want to continue the marathon journey for many years to come. Make the decision that will best help you continue and enjoy running. Good luck!

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

Oh nothing like the taper to wreak havoc on the mind. As the miles slow down all of the marathon questions creep up. It's totally normal, I think, normal for me anyway. I do not feel totally prepared this time either with my hip early on, and then this week being sick, but I am still hoping for the best. I will go out controlled, really, I will, and then I will hope for the best after heartbreak hill. I am thinking 4:00 would be GRAND for me on the Boston course, can I do it??? We shall see.... Good luck with your decision. Oh and the allergies - my state isn't even red, and I have been battling the allergies and sinusitis. A friend recommended a neti pot. Think I will try that next.

Julie said...

Hi Jill,
What a fantastic post Jill! Thank you for sharing...this is a beautifully written testimony of you! I love your honesty and candid thoughts on you and Boston:) Jill, I promise you that you will know what to do on race day. You will have your runners intuition to help you decide what is best for you:) You have a great attitude and good heart! Enjoy Boston, enjoy the run and enjoy being in the company of some of the best runners in our nation!! I am so proud of you and so glad that we are bloggie friends:) Hang in there girl!! Hugs and love!!

Run Jess Run said...

I think that the biggest thing you need to do is not worry about things you cannot control. What happens in Boston will be what happens in Boston. You seem like the type of person to go after it.

Maybe you aren't as prepared as you would like to be, but it's THE BOSTON MARATHON!! How many people get a chance to run this, let alone multiple times?? Go out there and enjoy it!!

misszippy said...

Whew! You have a lot going on in your head right now girlfriend! I say this...go out there and do the best that you can for RIGHT NOW. It may not be where you want it to be, but it is where you are now. As long as you can look in the mirror and say "I did the best I could for today," you have succeeded. Go get 'em!

elaine said...

Hey...thanks for this. It makes a lot of sense and helps me too! I will be there....and it looks like a sunny day so far. At least we have that. :)

LMC said...

Hey there, I think your friend Tim's advice is right on, wait until the day before the race to decide how you'll run Boston. On that day, focus on the excitement of being in Boston and give yourself a round of applause because you made it there. Know that whatever you decide, it'll be OK because you'll keep pushing forward and we'll keep supporting you. We'll all still be here waiting to read your next great post and happy to share in your journey! I'm so excited for you and am sending all my positive thoughts your way! (P.S. thanks for the positive comments on my running goals and for welcoming me to your age group!:)) Have a great week!!

Marlene said...

You sure have a lot swirling around in your mind. Sometimes it helps to write it all out... have you seen teh light?? I know your heart (and legs) will show you the way!

Bethany + Ryan said...

i always say, run with your heart and you'll never get tired! :-) so far it has always worked for me. what if you tried to run 5 minutes slower than what you think would be your best time. so if you thought yuo could painfully hammer out a 3:40, shoot for 3:45. still a fast time but a tiny bit slower so enough to enjoy yourself? personally, i know what kind of race i'm going to have within the first mile. i'm waiting til then to decide, lol. but i do have an idea of what i 'd like to run. you certainly have run enough marathons so there won't be any surprises. come on, Jill, you can do this in your sleep!! You'll be great. try to enjoy yourself! :-)

ajh said...

When you are in Boston there will be less pollen! You have put so much thought and time into this and you have so many friends helping you, you will do well. Listen to everyone's advice and pick out what makes the most sense for you. Good luck.

Shari said...

Jill, I love to read your thoughts. Thank you for sharing all of them . . . Makes me feel a lot less lonely in all of my running and life angst! I nearly had a come apart on my 22-miler this morning. I can't believe I'm trying to BQ and negotiate the emotional landmine that is my life right now! I'm thinking about you and hope that you can dig deep and pull all that you want to pull out of Boston, whatever you decide that is. Miss you, my Friend!

HappyTrails said...

I am hoping your finish at Boston will end up being a happy memory, regardless of how you end up running it. At this point, you've put in the work and if it comes together, great, if not, then relish the other fun that comes with the whole experience. Then go TRAIL running with us!!! Seriously though, just a week or two ago you were "throwing down" those fast one mile intervals, right? I totally "GET" the legs not wanting to move ( I've had a lot of those - one today) but I still think you might surprise yourself. And don't fear the hills - you live in Colorado - you will stomp them! Keep your chin up,
Kathleen

Petraruns said...

Jill - I finally found your blog after all the references on Meg's blog - and I can't believe it - you're pretty much in my head!

I can totally relate to everything you're feeling - running-wise, race-wise, weight-wise - and all I can say is listen to your EXTREMELY wise friend and trust that you will KNOW how to do Boston if you just sit back and let it come to you. Concentrate on the other stuff in your life - packing and getting to Boston perhaps? - and see what happens and how you feel.

Would be great to meet up in Boston if we can - I'm there from Friday evening till Tuesday! Good luck with everything. Hug!

asdhley said...

You Go Girl! I loved this blog and most of it was so inspiring to me! I loved reading the tips your friend gave you they are really true.... One piece of advice I have is that I tend to think of these 5 things when I run Stamina, endurance, power, and strength!

Old Man said...

Boston! and the super tweak. You've already made up your mind. Boston! (just wished I'd taken a camera in the race)

C2Iowa said...

Breathe deep and recall a saying that I considered may times before (though I am not Buddist):

"Long is the night for the sleepless. Long is the road for the weary. Long is samsara (the cycle of continued rebirth) for the foolish, who have not recognised the true teaching. - Gautama Buddha"

You know who you are and what needs to be done. All that is left is the execution.

I Run for Fun said...

You will do well at Boston...you have come so far, just relax and let all the training pay off. Tim's advise is really valuable. And it's great you have such wonderful friends. Take care and enjoy the trip!

Megan said...

Wow. That's some good quality jitters you've got.:)

This "for every 30 seconds you run too fast in the early miles, you'll pay 4 minutes/mile in the end" is very interesting to me. I need to keep that in mind myself.

Good luck, hon. Just be sure you enjoy the day, how ever you decide to race.

Pining for Pinterest said...

My allergies have been killing me too!! I think it is great that you have so many people to give you advice. I hope you have a wonderful week and you start to feel a little better!

Anne said...

Our rattlesnake babies are all over the trails now, and they pack the most venom for the bite. I heard Maine doesn't have any poisonous snakes, so maybe I should move there too.

I'm sure your allergies are coloring everything you do these days. May a gentle rain wash all the pollen away in Boston next weekend.

Irene said...

Oh, maaan... Those allergies! Maybe you'll find relief at Boston? I hope so!

Go get a really good massage. Sounds like you need one about now.

The whole paragraph on the weight and food busts me up but I can currently relate!!!

Anonymous said...

I believe that after the first several hundred yards of Boston your legs will be jut fine!

Adam Culp (Crazy Floridian) said...

Allergies must really suck, and I am glad I do not have them. I am glad to hear you are somewhat coming to grips with yourself for the upcoming race, no matter how painful that may be.
The bottom line is that you will do what is right for you, and that is all that matters. This is pretty much what Tim said, and I agree.

Keep your chin up, and all will be fine.

Jennifer said...

Stay positive Jill! You have such a great attitude. Breathe!

Unknown said...

Isn't it funny how everyone is telling us to "BREATHE?" It cracks me up because I'm DEFINITELY NOT holding my breath right now but boy, I'd like to!!! As another blogger said, it would be nice if you could just be in a "coma" this week until Boston and then wake up ready to go. It's true, the minutes tick by so s l o w l y ! It's inevitable though Jillsie, just a mere 5 days and we'll be there, ready or not! I just want to have some fun and remember this one as one of the best in every way. Let's cling to that. I do like all of Tim's advice. I hope the speed stuff this weekend helped and that you are feeling better!! See you soon!!!

Sherri said...

Allergies are tough...I hate them...and i get them super bad too! but the good news is that Boston is yellow-lime! So your carrying a load now that will hopefully be released come Boston! I love all the great advise you have received...you can tell you are loved and that you surround yourself with the best!
Bottom line...Have Fun!
We will all be here cheering for you...and proud of you!
You have so many "marathoners" that your friends with...but there is the rest of us who are still trying to run our first marathon and who would love to make it to Boston one day. And we look up to YOU!

Jamie Crosby said...

Try not to let the mental side of it wear you down, your legs got you to Boston and they'll get you over the finish line as well. Good luck and get out there an JFR (just fu**ing run) it!

Emz said...

Love your blog. Love your thoughts.
Enjoy Boston!!

Stephanie said...

Thanks Jill for this post...it made complete sense to me...Just wish I could have read it before my first half this past Sunday..oh well, I will have to follow this advice when I attempt to run my first marathon in October. Good luck at Boston..you can do it! Either way you choose to run it, remember that no matter what we are all just sooo lucky to have been given these bodies that can push us to the utmost limits...we are truly lucky people to be considered "runners"! Once you cross that finish line, just know you DID IT and that is all that matters!

D said...

Sweetie...just go run. That's all there is to it. You'll do fine. I can feel it. You always surprise yourself.

AM! said...

Hi!
I have no internet up at our cabin in tahoe- wah!! so only have ~30 min a cafe in town...so had to find how you were doing w/pre B and all.
Didn't get to read every word of your post but, I got the gist for sure.
I love that Megs gave you that card and from what I know on your blog, you have a big heart. the advice from you FB HS friend seems right on.
and the necklace from your friend tara?, is the BEST! so so cool! you should do a post on where she got that...

and i so agree the bloggy world is the best support system. and you've got a lot o peeps out here rooting for you, for however, whatever you do with Boston. However you end up 'racing' is the right way. I know it's easy for me/us to say that on the outside, but i think it's true.
;-)

Katie said...

Great honest post. I know it's hard to know that you're not where you wanted to be, and there's not much you can do now to change that. I've been there too. I can't imagine you not racing or working for the best time you can get that day. Maybe you can play to your strengths. If running with people helps, try to make friends in your corral. Someone is bound to be planning on starting at a similar pace as you. Maybe you can run with them through the first half or longer. That might help. Best of luck! I can't wait to hear how everyone does. I hope I get to run Boston someday too!

Anonymous said...

Hi Jill...it's CLT Runner...great blog. What resonated with me is the "wait until the day before the race to decide if you want to go all out, or just take it easy." Whatever you decide to do - embrace it and come to peace with it. Best of luck in Boston and have a great birthday!

Happy Feet 26.2 said...

Hello Jill - I rushed over here to get the answer about visualizing the finish at Boston. I visualized from my point of view. I closed my eyes an visioned me finishing STRONG! Hurry, hurry, tell me what it means! If it's bad, I can take it... lay it on me girlfriend!

Mark said...

Longest. Post. Ever. Seriously! And personally, after going through what I just did, I wouldn't push it and would "experience" the race. I'd think of it as a reward party for qualifying. It doesn't have to be a total slack fest, but you don't have to kill yourself either.

And I'll definitely take you up on the coaching advice offer. Please feel free to throw any my way because I'm always open to it. I'll get into what I think happened in my full race report. I don't THINK it was a hydration or electrolyte shortage problem. But I don't have all the answers either, so who knows.