2018 Boston Marathon – Week 10
My last high mileage week before tapering! I had some pain in my left knee early in the week but it went away by Tuesday. Winter finally gave up its frigid, windy grip on Thursday and spring arrived! After the Roosevelt Island ParkRun, I’m reconsidering my time goal for the Boston Marathon.
Training Schedule
March 25th – March 31st
Sunday: Long Run. 20 miles.
Monday: Recovery Run. 6 miles (AM) + Recovery Run. 4 miles (PM).
Tuesday: VO2Max Run. 9 miles w/5x600m @ 5K race pace.
Wednesday: Medium-long Run. 12 miles.
Thursday: Recovery Run. 6 miles.
Friday:Recovery Run. 6 miles.
Saturday: Roosevelt Island Parkrun.
Mileage Total: ~70 Miles
Notes. The Boston Marathon falls on a Monday so I moved my long run to Sunday. I didn’t double on Monday because of knee pain, but I made up the mileage on Thursday. Pfitzinger had an 8K-10K race in the schedule before the taper but since I already ran two races, the 2018 Reston 10 Miler and the 2018 Shamrock Half Marathon, I jumped into a parkrun instead.
Workout Details
Long Run. 20 miles [Log Details].
My last 20 miler of this training cycle! I started the run going south through Arlington and Alexandria to hook up with the Mount Vernon Trail. I knew I wouldn’t hit any working water fountains on the way so I carried an 8 oz. bottle of water.
When I reached Slater’s Lane, I felt a sharp pain in my left knee! It hurt so bad that I stopped and stretched. I fell during the 2018 San Diego 50 Miler and have had some soreness since. The pain was worrisome but I continued on. I ran north on the Mount Vernon Trail. I stopped to eat a Crank Sport eGel by the Washington Sailing Marina but I didn’t drink water until I reached the fountain by Roosevelt Island. When I got to the Custis Trail, I took a Sword Energy Chew. I thought the caffeine would help me on the hills. I stopped at Nelson Street to eat another gel, take the second Sword tablet, and wash it all down with water. The fuel kept me going when I reached the W&OD Trail but I was spent for the last two miles home.
Overall pace=8:39.
VO2Max Run. 9 miles w/5x600m @ 5K race pace [Log Details].
I tried transferring this workout to my Garmin 630 before leaving the house for my run-commute, but I finally concluded Garmin Connect wasn’t working.
After the warm-up, I stopped before starting the repetitions on the Mount Vernon Trail. I started the first and realized I hadn’t hit the lap button after the rest. Frustrated, I hit the lap button at National Airport and walked the recovery.
The next four sets went off without a hitch. I knew I ran them faster than 5K pace but it felt good to let my legs fly! I felt like I was peaking at the right time.
Split paces=?, 6:58, 6:24, 6:40, 6:41. Average=6:41.
Medium-long Run. 12 miles [Log Details].
I was running late for work, so I started out a bit fast. My route took me down Glebe Road and through Potomac Yard before reaching the Mount Vernon Trail near Slater’s Lane. I hadn’t checked my pace but I was pushing pretty hard. I stopped for a breather near National Airport. I thought about stopping again at Gravelly Point, but told myself, “You chose this pace.” I finally checked my pace after crossing the 14th Street Bridge into Washington, DC. 8:08 pace! I finished the run feeling confident that I’m in great shape for Boston.
Overall pace=8:09.
Roosevelt Island Park Run. [Log Details].
I ran to Roosevelt Island as my warm-up. I left the house a little late but arrived with plenty of time before the race.
I lined up towards the front but only a few people passed me. After about a half mile, the course went on the boardwalk. When I ran this parkrun before, this part of the course was closed off so I didn’t expect it. I passed a few runners over the next two miles. After doing two loops through the Island, the course went back to the boardwalk.
I finished in 23:06 (7:23 pace). I didn’t feel terrible after the race but the time made me reconsider my time goal for the Boston Marathon.
Overall pace=7:23.
Health
Injuries. I felt a very sharp pain in my left knee during my long run on Sunday. It still hurt the next day but by Tuesday it felt fine!
Sleep. My sleep was pretty consistent but I could have used a little more of it. I was exhausted by Friday.
Weight. My weight stayed under 130 pounds this week. It’ll be interesting to see what happens when I start tapering.
Weather
The week started with morning temperatures in the 30s. But winter finally gave up its frigid, windy grip on Thursday. By Friday, it was mid-60s and the cherry blossom trees started blooming. Spring had arrived!
Racing Schedule
Future races. The trauma from the 2018 San Diego 50 Miler must be behind me because I started looking at fall stage races. Most recently, I’ve been looking at Across the Years. The event offers a 24, 48, and 72 hour option to run as many miles as you can.
Next race: 2018 Boston Marathon on Monday, April 16th. (My Complete Racing Schedule.)
