Half Marathon Saturday

COVID-19, “ The Rona Era”

This has been a challenging week. It was our spring break week. Instead of running and writing, I was in Iowa, visiting the Iowan. From Friday to Wednesday i was there. While there it snowed, it was cold, and we had to put his mom in a nursing. Lots of emotions and weather adjusting. Clearly, my normal habits such as Track Tuesday, were tossed out the window. But, Saturday, Sunday, and Tuesday I was able to do some running. You do the best you can with what you got. #Life. And on Wednesday, I was suppose to get in by 8:30pm. Instead I got in at 11:45pm, weather delays and flight cancellations.

Yesterday, Friday, I was able to go to strength training class and get a 5k run in.

Today, I had 15 miles to run. The hearbreakers running company were taking runners to Hopkinton, the start of the Boston Marathon to run 13.1 miles.

I wasn’t sure how my performance would be, but I would soon find out.

When I got to mile 20, the Heartbreakers running company, I saw my BGR ladies and many of the running folks that I see on track tuesday and the different running crews that I know. That was fun. It was good to hang out and be on a bus with them.

We started loading up at 7:45am. We didn’t get to the start line until 9a.m. I had my hydration vest and an outter layer because it was going to be 50 degrees today.

After coach Dan gave his words of wisdom and encouragement, we were off. Now I hadn’t been at the start since I ran the Marathon in April , 2022. I forgot about the inclines. Hopkinton, Ashland, Framingham, Natick, Wellesley. Those were the towns were ran through for 13.1.

I so appreciate my running pod. There were a group of us that ran close together. Some were ahead, others behind, but we were in the same sphere.

To my surprise and delight, my body felt strong. training is working. I did well on the inclines. Unfortunately, my legs did feel heavy. That told me that I didn’t properly fuel or hydrate well. I know it. Last night the Iowan and I had dinner around 10:30pm and I had 5 hours of sleep. I kept it going and stayed focused on me.

Around mile 6, there was a fuel station and I saw more of Tuesday’s Running crew. Happiness.

13.66 miles, 10:11pace/ 2:19:09.

With two miles left to go, Stephanie, a runner, talked to me until the end. We were each other motivational buddies. She was apart of my running pod. I was annoyed that she was talking to me but in the end I was glad she did.

On the way back to mile 20 on the bus. I was around several Latinx runners, who for many of them, it would be their first Boston. Seeing more diversity in this running space in the city.

42 days to make adjustments and get it together. Tomorrow, I’ll run 3 or 4 miles to make up the difference.