Boston Recap

This last blog from Boston is the most difficult to type.  I'll search for an optimistic spin as I work these words onto the page. 

All the runners were warned about the nasty weather conditions that came into the Boston area for race weekend.  Race officials were even considering canceling the event that was in its 111th year.  It was windy, rainy and cold.

At 3:30AM on race morning, I awoke to the wind and rain hammering the window of our hotel room.  When my alarm went off at 5:30AM I turned on the light and checked to see if a "RACE CANCELLED" flyer was shoved under the door.  There was nothing, so I started my preparations. 

To my surprise, when I stepped outside to load the bus, it was warmer than I expected.  The temperatures climbed into the 40s overnight.  The wind and the rain were against us, but it was against all of us.

I already knew the race was going to be challenging because of the weather, but little did I know that it was only going to get harder as the race went on.  It seems so discouraging, to prepare so well for a marathon and have it come down to this.  At 20K I had really bad cramps and tried to override the feeling with positive mind chatter even as the pack was pulling away.  "This will go away within a few minutes."  "Just get over this hill and reassess."  "Focus on the competition instead of the stress."  "I want to celebrate this day."  After my water bottle stop at 25K I was in urgent need of a Port-a-John.  I ran off the course and into the bathroom.  Outside, people were yelling my name, encouraging me to hurry and catch the women that went by.  When I reentered the course, I saw a Russian ahead of me.  I caught her and focused on an Ethiopian and Kenyan running together up the road.  After I caught and passed them, I couldn't see anyone else ahead.  I absorbed the generous yells from the crowds that lined the course and pushed on.  When in the distance I saw the CITGO sign (marking one-mile to go) standing tall in the gloomy sky, I knew I had run out of time.  I finished 5th in 2:35.05, my slowest marathon ever.

I was well prepared and optimistic for this race. I was more fit for this race than when I ran a personal best and won the London Marathon last spring.  This combination of facts is what is still baffling me mentally.  Great preparation gave me my worst finishing time.  I will always respect the marathon for the punishment and pride it continues to offer.  This fitness, I know, will carry on to my next training phase.  I will get ready for track season while my next marathon will be back here in Boston next spring for the Olympic Trials. As I finish typing, the weather outside continues to worsen.  Race day morning offered the best window of conditions the week we have been here.    

Highlight of the weekend: On Saturday I went to Fenway Park and threw out the first pitch at the Red Sox-Angels game.  The jersey they gave me had "KASTOR" embroidered on the back.  The ball drove straight down the line, but landed a couple inches shy of the plate.  The Red Sox won 8-0.  The only thing that topped the game was our post-marathon party with family here in Boston.  We reserved a room at restaurant Stella for a dinner party of over 50 people.  We ate, drank and laughed well into the night.  Andrew and I toasted to our family, "Thanks for sharing the evening with us.  We feel so enriched to know that a reservation for 50 is considered an intimate dinner party.  Let's continue celebrating each other and this fun end to a 'crappy' morning." 

Cheers!
Deena
www.deenakastor.com

Welcome To The Taper

As I sit down on my dorm room bed to type this I am anticipating the week that lies ahead and reflecting on all the hard training that is behind me.  The Boston Marathon is less than a week away, which can only mean one thing: here comes the taper.

This week, my evening runs will be replaced with an extra stretch session or massage, throughout the day I'll eat pasta, and snack on pretzels, popcorn and bagels.  I will forfeit naps so I can sleep better at night, though most likely I'll still toss and turn.  Over the last six years I've learned that the taper is never anything you're expecting it to be and nothing you want it to be. 

With all this stored energy, however, I know I'll arrive at the marathon rested and ready.  It seems a mystery to me that after a week of feeling terrible, race day presents me with fresh legs and a recharged spirit.  I dread the week that lies ahead, but feel anxious for the race to unfold.  The course is difficult, the competition is strong but I know I'm ready for a good fight on the streets of Boston.  I've done the homework: 14 mile tempo runs, 24 mile long runs, 2K repeats, mile repeats, hill repeats and progression runs all round out my training for this race.  We covered everything.

Worst of week:  I was sitting inside my dorm room during a gloomy day here in San Diego.  I had just finished a great workout of 8 X 1K and gotten out of an ice bath.  It was cold outside, cold inside and I sat hovering over my green tea as I waited for my computer to start up so I could check the weather in Boston.  A large box with dark clouds illuminated the screen which read, "40 degrees and rainy."  Yuck! 

Best of week:  After a long sigh over the weather, I realized that I won the London Marathon and ran a personal best last spring under similar conditions.   I made sure my gloves, cap and arm warmers were the first items packed in my suitcase. 

Also, this past Sunday our team had an Easter Barbeque.  Andrew and I made our favorite burgers stuffed with blue cheese, we played ping-pong, battled each other in a game of Balderdash, and decorated (then ate) eggs.  I feel so lucky to be a part of a group that works hard in training every day, but still enjoys planning get-togethers to fill our leisure time. 

Cheers!
Deena
www.deenakastor.com