Unsung heros

Runners hug your loved ones. Runners weren't the target of the terrorist that bombed the finish of the Boston Marathon. It was the running community at large, the support cast, the mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, sons, daughters, grandparents, first responders and volunteers. It was the innocent ones. Everyone who knows a runner or supports one in their quest to get to Boston or any local race knows they are the one's waiting at the finish line.

Reality is a kick in the gut. That was my overwhelming feeling almost all day on Monday after I'd heard about the bombs. I worried about the runners I knew who were running, I worried about the spectators. I failed to think about how the loved ones, supporters, and other runners felt about the bombing. They must have been feeling what I had ten fold.

Some of the posts and remarks I've seen really make me wonder. Most non-runners get the Boston marathon. They're the one's who called, texted or posted on social media wondering about the runners and spectators. Some people still just don't get it. A bomb is the opposite of a marathon.

Traded some emails with my running buddies from Atlanta on Monday morning about the good old days when we were all chasing our Boston dreams. My Boston marathon has been run. But every Monday on Patriots day I'm usually stalking runners I know running the current years marathon. This was the 117th year of the Boston marathon.

Still like to wear my Boston marathon jacket to at least one race a year. Seeing someone in a Boston jacket was always one of those carrots that prodded me to get my qualifying time. I think it's only fitting that I return the favor along the sideline of the local marathon.

Dad at the Rocket City Marathon

2,000 miles

Isn't going to happen this year. 2008 was the first year my annual mileage was greater than 2,000. Kept it above 2,000 for the next 3 years. For 2012, I'll still get close, right around 1,800. All of the numbers are here. I've switched running logs. I have been using Running2Win for the last 5-6 years. I've switched to RunningAhead.

Started a new cycle this week, in the build up to make another run at a sub 3:00 marathon in the spring. This time I'll be following FM and the other fast guys. They're training for a half marathon in February and then a marathon cycle for Boston. All of these guys are capable of sub 3:00, though only one has done so, so far. Think we're following the same plan FM coached them to some half marathon PR's this fall. They haven't lost much fitness. I've got a ways to go to catch back up.

Spring marathons

So you train all winter in the cold and come race day you get temperatures in the 70's or 80's. What the hell? Then the next weekend, the temperatures are back to normal just like the averages the marathon promoters quote in their marketing smack. Ugh. (the Country Music Marathon is the last weekend this month, I'd bet money it'll be in the 80's by noon)

What's the ideal temperature for a marathon? 41 degrees according to a quick search of the web. Sounds about right to me. Any cooler and your body shivers to stay warm, any warmer and you start sweating? Geb gave up three minutes when he raced in hot weather. Mortals multiply by 3 or 4.

Fortunately, I've never been faced with those kind of temperature extremes on marathon day. My warmest marathon was Boston in 2005. The temperature that day only got into the 70's. To warm for me to run the race I wanted, but not hot enough to completely implode. I do that well enough when the temperatures get above 60 degrees. I even ran/participated in two marathons this spring in almost ideal temperatures.

Boston is coming up in about 8 days. You can bet everyone running the race is wondering what they'll get weather wise. (if they were actually lucky enough to get in before it sold out) Geez, funny how quickly the window to register has closed and not so much for those who qualified but didn't get in. I had months before it sold out. Sure doesn't seem that long ago.

I'm trying to get my running mojo back. I've run a few times in the last couple of weeks. Seems like I've got more aches and pains now from not running than when I actually do run. Old age, perhaps? Damn, I'm not that freakin' old.

Got back on the bike again this past sunday. The temperature was in the low 60's when we started but it warmed up really quick. Great day for a bike ride. I plan to start riding a little more frequently as cross training and let the legs get a little break from the running. (though I do seem to run best when I'm running high mileage)

Great thing about the bike, I don't mind the heat. Bring it on, the hotter the better, just so long as I've got some water. Sure is fun blasting down a hill with the wind in your face. Worth every bit of the effort grinding up the hill. Though it did seem some of the hills we rode this past weekend didn't quite give back as much speed on the backside as the effort to climb them implied? Fastest decent this ride only 39 mph.


The fast master at the top of one of many hills from this weekends ride.

Boston and marathons

When I first started running I didn't know anything about marathons or even about Boston. Dad was a runner and he only ran one marathon, the Rocket City Marathon in Huntsville, Alabama. That's the same course I eventually ran my Boston qualifying time. It was my second time on that course and about my 13th or so marathon.

SeanV2 has been soliciting runners input for a Boston questionnaire on Runningahead.com for those who have qualified for Boston. Check it out. Boston is still one of those marathons that has to be run to be appreciated. I've blogged about it plenty.

Marathon pacing

Boston, more than a feeling

Marathon excuse list

Marathon observations

Boston 2005

The Boston Jacket not written by me. Mark Collis is the author.