First off, thank you for all of your well wishes going in to Boston. I ran 2:42, was 22nd and 6th American. Not exactly what I was aiming to run, I was training and ready to run much faster,  but we are working together to figure out why it wasn’t  my day. I know that I can run better! I am so happy to be back running, healthy, and ready to tackle my next training cycle. I have realized in the last few months, that I need to relax and just let things happen. I need to work hard, but not be such a worry-wort. I put so much pressure on myself that it is suffocating me during my races, so I will be working on relaxing and having more fun with my running. I think that being aware of that character trait in myself will help me not be
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I have to admit, I was as nervous as can be for the simulator. In the days preceding I was reviewing my mantras and telling myself that I was just going to go do it. Simple as that. I was preparing for the hurt, I knew it was no easy workout, but I felt like Keith and Kevin had prepared me well for it and that I was going to stay tough no matter what. Well, we ended up having very less than ideal conditions. I knew it would be very hard to hit my goal paces on the exaggerated Boston Marathon course. There is really nothing else you can do but have a good attitude and go give it your best shot. I have to admit, the weather and icy roads caused some cranky patches, and I *may or may not* have said a few curses in my head
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About 12 hours after arriving home from Arizona, I was on a plane with Coach Kevin to Boston to do some running on the Boston Marathon Course. I am so thankful for the opportunity to do this. My friend Kerry says “Fear lies in the unknown”, and going to see the course definitely gave me a boost in confidence for the marathon. I have run Boston twice before, but it helps seeing the course on foot while you are not concentrating on racing. You notice a lot more of the small technicalities of the course. We arrived to Boston, picked up a rental car and drove out to the race start in Hopkinton. It was pretty windy out. I completed an 8 mile tempo from Mile 1 of the race course. We then drove more of the course, had lunch, and drove the rest of the marathon. You would be
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A few weeks ago, Matt and I went out to Arizona for a visit. Matt’s friend Brad was in town from the Ukraine and we figured it was a good time to get out of the cold and visit family and friends as well. We had a great time seeing everyone, but man, the week flew by! Between running 122 miles that week and  visiting with everyone, I was completely wiped out by the end of the vacation! I needed a vacation from my vacation! Does that ever happen to you? I ended up running a lot earlier in the morning out there than I do here in Michigan…it’s the Arizona way!(Re: No luxurious mornings of sleeping in past 5am)  I had so much fun running with JT and my former Bandido teammates. It was so great seeing everyone. My Hanson’s-Brooks teammate Lavenna was also out there at the same
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EDIT 3-11-13- I never, ever, run with music. This playlist is just for me to listen to before workouts, pre-race, in the car, etc…. Sorry for the confusion! I finally got around to making my playlist for Boston. Some songs remind me of people, some of good periods of training, some inspire me and some I just like. I have songs that pump me up and songs that relax me. I have received plenty of eye rolls from Matt at more than a few of these songs, haha! Here it is! American Baby- Dave Matthews Band Die Young-Ke$ha Do Not Pass Me By- MC Hammer (!!) It’s a really good song!!! Dog Days Are Over- Florence I Cry- FloRida (I cry every time I think about running the marathon…I kid, I kid…:) ) I should Have Known It- Tom Petty I Won’t Back Down- Tom Petty Killer Queen- Queen (Killer
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