Sweet Disposition

It wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be and I’m on track to log 35 miles this week. The rest of this week will be easy, tempo, and then long.

Really hoping for that BAA 10K PR in 10 days…

I kind of stopped being interested in tumblr during all the craziness that was happening during the month of May. It was nice to be away for a little while and take some time to enjoy all the exciting things that were happening. Here are some updates:

1. I graduated from Boston College. 

Yep, there it is. It feels so strange to think that this time in my life is over, but my time at BC is technically not over…I have officially decided to stay there for my Masters Degree for another 2 years. It will obviously not be the same as my undergraduate experience, though. I have moved back home and I’ll be commuting to campus because I cannot afford an apartment right now (especially in the BC area). It’s not ideal but this way I can save some money. 

2. Went on vacation for a week to Hilton Head Island, SC with my boyfriend and his parents.

It was so incredibly beautiful there and I couldn’t have asked for a better time. Every day the weather was gorgeous (80 and sunny, no rain, not too warm). The beaches were amazing because the sand was flat and hard so you could run and bike right on the beach near the water. We played tennis, lounged at the pool and hot tub, got drinks at this great bar by the pool, ran on the beach (and at sunrise!), biked everywhere, worked out at a great gym, etc. I want to go back!!

3. Started work for the summer at BC.

Since I’m a graduate student now, I am able to get a summer graduate stipend ($6,000 for the whole summer which will go towards tuition). I’m working full time between two different research labs that I have been involved with the past 3 years as an undergrad. Today I got to sit in on an fMRI scan at Harvard, which was kind of exciting. Unfortunately traveling in every day is proving to be an interesting experience…I found someone to car pool with and it usually takes at least 40 - 50 min with all the traffic. I am already exhausted at the end of the day - feeling sleepy as I type this!

4. Training for the BAA 10K. 

This race is on June 23rd and I am starting to get serious about my speed training in the hopes of a PR (under 51:30 perhaps?). My boyfriend helped me with speed work on the beach in Hilton Head, but I did it at 7 am on an empty stomach and it was incredibly rough - I nearly vomited after .25 mi at a 6:00 min pace (there were also tears. lots of them). Tonight I seriously worked on speed work again for the second week in a row and already noticed a huge difference:

.305 mi at 6:00 min pace

.75 mi at 7:00 min pace

1 mi at 7:26 min pace

I finally feel like I am maintaining proper form and hopefully building up my cardiovascular fitness. I have never pushed myself to run these paces before because it was not really required during my marathon training. I had never actually tried to run at a 6 min pace up until a week ago….I didn’t even know what it felt like or what to expect and I definitely panicked when I felt like I couldn’t breathe. I’m hoping now I can really work at possibly getting myself to hold a 6 min pace for a mile in the future…

Yesterday I did the 12 round workout at the Ring Boxing club. I’ve done it before, but it was different this time. I take it with “Big Tom” and that class seems to be a lot more cardio intensive (sprints, running up stairs, high knees, etc.) with more punching of the bag. 

But this time it was with a different trainer, and it was really difficult…so many weight exercises, push ups, tricep dips, ab exercises, etc. My arms were shaking from barely being able to do all the reps he demanded and then I was told to get up and punch the bag. 

My back and triceps are killing me today. I know this is good for me and these are the kinds of workouts I should be doing for tone, but I feel like I barely survived this workout. I’m not sure how many more of those I can do…I really hope it gets easier. 

It was really cool and definitely quite a workout! I’m excited to go back and use my monthly membership.

I think the hardest part for me is the conditioning - I’m not used to doing circuit training much anymore, and push ups are tough for me. I hope I definitely improve over the next month. 

My boyfriend went with me today and it was fun :)

Even though I was stopped at 25.5 miles and told to turn around because there were explosions at the finish line. Even though what was supposed to be a day of celebration and tradition turned into devastation and horror. 

I was having a hard time trying to find the words to describe my experience yesterday. There are so many layers of heartbreak to this tragedy. 

The race was tough for me before the tragic events even occurred that afternoon. Due to what I think was a glycogen depletion, I was severely crashing at the half marathon point. When my legs started to get tired at mile 10, I was concerned. When I got to mile 15 and they felt even more like cement blocks, I was even more concerned. My calf wasn’t really bothering me until mile 22 or 23, it was more that my legs felt like they were giving out. My entire body was being drained of energy more than I have ever felt. I felt better last year even though it was 90 degrees. 

I knew I had to at least push myself to BC, so I did. I was so relieved to see my friends cheering me on, I wanted to cry. I wasn’t sure if I’d make it to the end, but I needed to try. Anything past Cleveland Circle was really tough. I felt like I could power walk faster than I could actually run, so I did that every once in a while.  I was getting closer and closer, past the 1 mile sign, approaching 26 when people shouted, “Stop! the race is over!” My heart sunk, I was stunned and confused. I never wanted anything more in my entire life than to see the finish line at that moment. 

My first reaction: “What do you mean the race is over?! NO, I’m almost there!! This can’t be happening!” 

I said, “What happened?”

“A bomb went off at the finish line.”

Then panic set in, because I knew my family was at the finish line waiting for me. We went over to the side of the road and I immediately tried to get in contact with my brother. Thank god I was with someone who had a cell phone. Eventually I found out that everyone was fine and they were not too far from me, but the moments spent waiting to hear from them was terrifying. Turns out they were in the exact spot that the bomb went off, but decided to walk 2 blocks down the road to get something to eat while waiting for me get closer. 

I was so touched by all the people who reached out to me, people that I have not spoken to in years, to make sure I was okay. I am so grateful that I am safe and those that I love and care for are also safe, but I am upset for those who are currently suffering due to these terrible events. 

But I love my city and the people in it. We are strong and nothing will change that. These events will not overshadow the hard work that 27,000 runners have put in over the past few months. Doesn’t matter if we finished or not, NO ONE will take that away from us. 

Please keep Boston in your thoughts and prayers, especially when you go for a run this week. 

If you’re looking to destroy the human spirit, marathoners are the wrong group to target.

I need some advice on which one might be better to run the marathon with. 

I am seriously considering this because my calf/shin did not feel good today at all only doing 1.6 miles. I think it helped on Sunday that I was wearing tights, so I’m wondering if a compression sleeve or KT Tape would be good to use. 

What is your experience, if any? Which one would you advise doing?

I would really appreciate any advice.