Blog

4 weeks to Boston

It’s been a while since I’ve “treated” you to a picture of Charlie. Sunday was a comfortably chilly early spring day at the beach in Wainscott. And we took advantage of the weather with a walk on the beach.

On Saturday I did a long, hard, hilly run out there. The run went well – my back isn’t 100%, but it seems to be getting better. (I sound like a broken record with that, don’t I?) My knee was pretty sore after the run, but I’ve taken it easy for a couple days and it’s feeling better (I think), so for now, at least, I’m going to ignore that one too… Last year I was really fortunate not to really have any of these injuries. But, I have been going at this for a couple years now (at least since spring 2006 when I really started training for Timberman) without a real break, so I don’t have any right to really be surprised about having aches and pains. “Aches and pains” are fine, I just need to avoid the “injuries”. So far, so good, but I constantly feel like I’m teetering on the edge.

Last week I had a quick business trip to Southern California. I got into Los Angeles on Wednesday afternoon and after working for a few hours, I met up with Assaf to go on a run on the Strand between Santa Monica and Venice Beach. It’s a pretty nice run out there! Sun, warmth, beach on one side, active boardwalk on the other. There were tons of runners, cyclists, rollerbladers and tourists. Towards the end of our run it cooled down at little – to the low 50’s! It was funny to see runners in tights and long sleeve shirts running on the beach in California!

Boston is four weeks from yesterday. I’m still nervous about how my body is going to hold up and whether running Boston is jeopardizing the rest of my season. Maybe it is. But I’m not sure where worrying like that will get me. I could skip Boston and still get injured before Lake Placid. Or (fingers crossed), it can all work out just fine and Boston will serve as a good tune up to turning 100% of my attention to triathlons. And, as I keep stressing, it is the Boston Marathon and I still don’t see passing on that opportunity.

K-Swiss (remember them?) is coming out with their first true running shoe and has recruited pro triathlete Chris Lieto as one of their big sponsored athletes. He debuted the shoes at Kona last fall. The shoes, called “Ultra Natural Run” are targeted toward triathletes, with features like quick elastic laces and drainage holes. They also look like they would work well without socks. A friend of ours does PR for K-Swiss and she sent Elizabeth and I pairs of the new shoes yesterday. I’m excited to check them out and will post a review as soon as I’ve put some miles on them.

Swim – March 19
Distance: 1,750 yards
Time: 30 minutes

Run – March 19
Distance: 8.5 miles
Time: 1:08
Average heart rate: 142
Course: Santa Monica ocean path past Venice Beach
Conditions: Sunny, comfortable (mid 50’s)

Strength – March 20

Indoor Bike – March 21
Time: 45 minutes
Average heart rate: 111

Run – March 22
Distance: 14.75 miles
Time: 1:50
Average heart rate: 148
Course: Wainscott, Route 114
Conditions: Sunny, windy, cool (low/mid 40’s)

Yoga – March 24

Indoor Bike – March 25
Time: 45 minutes
Average heart rate: 110