Does anyone even read blogs anymore? If you do — hey!

It’s been a minute since I last posted, when I shared about the disaster that was the Atlantic City Marathon. Don’t worry, I didn’t give up on running after that.

In December, I ran two half marathons– Rehoboth (1:39) and Naptown (1:36). And then it was time to train for my 6th Boston Marathon! I had also signed up for the Algonquin 50K, which took place the first weekend of February, but I bailed at the last minute when I heard the trails were coated in snow and ice and that wearing YakTrax was recommended. Plus, the real feel was like negative 7 or something stupid. That was a hard no for me, especially with a goal marathon not far behind. Sadly for me, this was the last year of Alq, so it looks like my 2023 race was my one and only experience.

I actually ran several races in March, but most were as marathon pace workouts. The only one I went full send on was the Annapolis Running Festival half, where I ran a slightly disappointing 1:38 (was shooting for 1:35 or faster.) But training for Boston went well, despite how cold this winter was. And I like running in the cold! But like, I like running in the cold when it’s 35 degrees. Not when it’s 15 degrees. It was definitely an unusually cold winter in Maryland, and I vowed not to complain about the heat this summer (yeah right.)

So– onto the Boston recap!

I woke up on Marathon Monday feeling super pumped for the race. The weather forecast had pretty much everyone excited— 40s, no rain, and a tailwind? F yeah. Unfortunately, the day got off to a messy start, with bus loading at the Common the most chaotic I’ve ever seen it. I was supposed to get on the bus to Hopkinton at 8 and didn’t board until close to 9. Once I got there, I had very little time in Athletes Village before my wave was called. By the time I walked through Hopkinton and hit a porta potty, it was almost go time and I ended up running to get into my corral on time. Not ideal! However, I perked up when I heard the Doobie Bros.’ Taking It to the Streets playing (much better choice than What a Fool Believes for right before a marathon)

My big goal for Boston this year was to run a consistent race. I felt like I was in shape for mid-3:20s, faster if I had a perfect day (my course PR is 3:19 from 2023.) The big challenge with Boston is that the course can easily trick you into going out too fast. There’s a ton of downhill (but also some uphill!) in the first half, really the first 16 miles, and of course your adrenaline is pumping and you wanna go. But then you hit Newton at mile 16 and your quads are shot. I kept telling myself, run by effort. Don’t weave around other people. Let others pass you if they want! Focus on your own race. I was keeping a close eye on my splits, and they were pretty consistently in the 7:40s, with a few dipping into the 7:30s. But I felt strong! I took in the sights and funny signs— there was a man standing in a speedo around mile 4 with a sign that said “Run Faster or I’ll Drop the Sign” LOL! I split the first 10 miles in around 1:17, which felt right pacing wise, and I was looking forward to my very favorite part of the course, the Wellesley Scream Tunnel. That’s right before the halfway point and you can hear the Wellesley students cheering at least a half mile before you get there. It’s so fun and always gives me a massive boost!

I heard the women in the Wellesley Scream Tunnel about a half mile before I got there, and as always running through it is my favorite part of the course! I gave out so many high fives!

Heading into Newton, I was still maintaining a consistent pace and again reminded myself to run by effort. The hills were hard. They always are. Part of that is where they fall on the course; any incline after 16 miles of running is going to feel hard! And part of that is I’m not a super strong uphill or downhill runner, tbh. My goal was to keep it steady up the four hills and then recover/pick up some more speed on the way back down. It was still such a relief to get to the top of Heartbreak and know then it would be mostly downhill into Boston (though of course, after 20+ miles of ups and downs, I felt every bit of the downhill in my quads!)

From mile 21 on, the crowds were just insane— there wasn’t one part of the course that wasn’t packed with screaming spectators. I looked at my watch and saw if I kept up the pace I’d be well under 3:30 (a loose goal I had for the race). Saw the Citgo sign and then there was just a mile left. Really noticed the tailwind here and felt like it was my reward for suffering through that awful headwind at Atlantic City last fall. My husband and sister were planning to be about a half mile from the finish, so I was looking for them, but never saw them. They actually got a spot to watch on Boylston and saw the winners and other elites — so cool!

The turn onto Hereford and then Boylston was electric. Saw the photog at the corner and hammed it up and got some of my favorite race photos ever! Then gunned it to the finish line, which is further away than it seems once you’re on Boylston.

Official time was 3:26:36, my third fastest Boston out of six.

And yes, I’ll be back next year!

So, what’s next? Well, last Sunday I ran the Pittsburgh Half on the 11th anniversary of running the Pittsburgh Marathon, which was my first marathon! I had no idea how I would feel less than two weeks after Boston, but I ran a 1:36 and felt strong.

And believe it or not– it’s almost time to start another marathon training block! I am running my first international marathon, the Reykjavik Marathon, on August 22. I have wanted to go to Iceland for at least 15 years and I am so stoked for this trip. Training starts on Monday and I am really hoping to crush this flat, fast course!