Happy Throwback Thursday!!
As you all know I ran Boston this past April, as well as last year. With two Boston’s under my belt, I am hardly an expert at that race, but I can offer some pointers on preparing and running the Boston Marathon. I know the advice I got from others immensely helped me during my training and on race day.
First things first, it’s an amazing race but don’t let anyone fool you and say it’s an easy marathon, because it’s far from easy. Boston is a hard course!! I think what makes it easier is the fact that there are so many volunteers and spectators encouraging you and motivating you to continue. The spectators and volunteers are truly amazing. I can honestly say they have gotten me through my last two Bostons.
The first year I ran Boston it was one of the hottest days in race day history, reaching 90 degrees. The course is already demanding, then add high temps, and you got yourself a real doozy. I was just happy with finishing!!
So here’s some tips for running/preparing for a great Boston experience:
- Practice running downhill on your long runs: Boston is downhill the first half of the race. You think it’s great, because you set yourself on cruise control, and just fly, but believe me you pay for it later in the race. The downhill kills your quads when it comes time to climb those hills later in the race (and believe me those hills aren’t fun). It’s important to train you legs on running downhill, so your quads are used to it.
- Practice running uphill: Yes this race has it all: ups and downs (and I don’t mean mentally and emotionally, but it has that as well 🙂 ). After the beating running downhill, you begin to climb. The hills start at about 16 miles and they’re known as the Newton hills. You climb several hills before reaching Heartbreak hill shortly after mile 20. Now, in my opinion, Heartbreak hill isn’t that steep or tough; what’s tough is the placement of Heartbreak, and the rolling hills before it. Heartbreak gets you at your most vulnerable moment: you’re about to or have hit “the wall” and you’re quads are feeling it from the downhill, mixed with the ruthless Newton hills. I suggest putting a big hill in your long training runs at about mile 20, to practice running a hill at that point. I did this both years, and it helped!!
- Be prepared for heat and cold: You never know what the weather’s going to do, and sometimes you can’t fully prepare for it (as in my case Boston 2012). However, you can pack the right clothing. Make sure to bring running gear for a hot race day and a cool race day. Also, have warm clothing to wear at the start while waiting at the runners village. It can be cold in Hopkinton and depending on your start, you may be waiting for a couple of hours. You can shed it upon starting.
- Bring an old pair of running shoes: Sometimes at Hopkinton, it’s muddy in the runner’s village because of rain or the dew. If you don’t want your race shoes to get all muddy, I suggest bringing an old pair and leaving them there. They take donations right there at the start!! You can put your race shoes on right before the start, and don’t have to worry about getting them all muddy while you walk around.
- Have garbage sacks or cardboard: This is useful when at the village. Nothings worse than sitting on the cold, wet and muddy ground. You can sit on the garbage sacks or cardboard to keep from getting cold or wet. It has served me well both times. Boston is one of those races you sit around and wait for a long time before starting.
- Bring your “A” game: Boston is tough mentally and physically, so you need to prepare long before race day. Start saying little mantras, and get rid of any negative thoughts. It’s a FUN race and such a great accomplishment, don’t let negative thoughts or self doubt change that or defeat you. Marathon running is just as much about our mental state as it is about our physical training. Prepare yourself mentally. When your legs are too tired to go on, all that’s left is your mental stamina, so you better have positive thoughts!! 🙂
- Train Hard, but relish your accomplishments: Qualifying for Boston is huge. It’s the “holy grail” of races. When you say you’ve done Boston, you get wide eyed stares and looks of amazement. Be content with yourself for making it this far. Train hard. Even qualifying for Boston requires hard training for most, so be PROUD!! I am too hard on myself and was mad with my time the first year, so I had to come back to “redeem myself.” You might not PR, but just getting there is a big enough achievement, so in the words of Bob Marley, “don’t worry, be happy” !!
- Have Fun and don’t forget to Smile: Above all, make it fun. The crowd definitely helps with this. If you write your name on your bib or arm, the crowd will call you by name. Nothing feels better than having others cheer for you by name; it’ll put a SMILE on your FACE and push you to keep calm and run on.
I am sure I have missed some other tips, but these are big ones to remember!! I loved running Boston and always want to go back, even though the course beats me up!!
Read more about my Boston experiences here. And here
Does anyone else have any tips for running Boston?