in jack we trust

"In Jack we trust" is a phrase spoken often on the DFMC team: in response to hard workouts, injury advice, long runs that end up being longer than they should, race strategies, etc.

And I can't remember where I saw it, but I once read a quote by our coach, Jack: "To get something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done."

True. And sometimes the truth hurts. Case in point: last night's track workout. Legs feeling a little heavy after the weekend's 20 miler, and a little tight after two days off, I wasn't really looking forward to track. (Does anyone ever really look forward to running in circles? Not likely.) But, if I really want to run a strong marathon on April 20, track is the name of the game.

Jack's workout was a version of the Yasso 800s -- the idea that if you do a lot of repeats of 800 meters, the pace should be a good predictor of your marathon potential. For example, if I run my 800s at 3:20, my marathon time could potentially be 3 hours and 20 minutes.

Jack's workout was 12 x 800 with only a minute recovery in between. YIKES. Definitely hard. Definitely a step up from the three or four 800s that we used to do in high school track. hah! I knew I was in trouble when the fifth one started to hurt...it would still be a long way to 12.

"Just make it to 6" I told myself. "Then at least you did half of them."

Okay, 6 repeats done.

"Just make it to 8" I told myself, "then you can stop. Your legs are tired from the 20 miles anyway."

Okay, 8 repeats done. And everybody else out here tonight has tired 20 mile legs too.

"Just make it to 10" I told myself, "then you can feel good about doing most of the workout."

Most??? Since when am I happy with doing mostly a good job?

So, legs burning and mind virtually a swimming pool, Aimee and I took turns pushing each other and leading the pace. It was definitely a struggle to maintain the 3:22 pace we started at...but as I was pushing through # 10, 11, and 12, all I could think was "to get something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done." To get a qualifying time for next year's Boston Marathon (under 3 hours, 40 minutes), I have to push my body to it's limit now, and put all these good workouts in the bank. Come Marathon Monday, I want to line up in Hopkinton feeling like I did everything I could--and that hopefully the training will speak for itself. In Jack, I trust.

mind over matter

Last night was week #2 of track....ugh, track. I would rather run 16 or 18 miles than do a track workout, and I don't even pretend to keep this hatred a secret! Last night's workout was 600 meter repeats--12 of them. Because I am hoping to run the marathon in 8:20 per mile, that meant about 2:25 per 600 meters.

At the beginning of the workout, that just seemed so, well, insurmountable! That's essentially 4.5 miles of hard running, and that doesn't even include the brief "rest" (ie, easy running) in between repeats. As we worked our way though the 600s, they got harder and harder, and my legs got heavier. And by the middle of the last set, I pretty much wanted to give up.

BUT (and as I tell my students, watch out for this BIG BUT coming through the door), track is necessary if I really want to run a qualifying time for next year's Boston Marathon. So luckily for me, there are good people that run track on Tuesdays. I would not have made it through last night's workout without Katie and Aimee. I would have run a lot slower if they hadn't been there both pushing me from behind, pulling me from up front, and making me lead every few repeats! Good people running together seems to be the theme of DFMC. And I love that with track, crossroads, and long weekend runs, I get to see the same good people up to three times a week!

Up next on the agenda is a 'team' run with Katie, Kiirsten, and Mo down in New Haven this weekend--in preparation for our Hyannis Marathon Relay in a few weeks. Then Sunday is group run day (17-18 miles) and then haircuts on Newbury Street and drinks with some of the DFMC girls!

last week's theme: testing my limits

Last week saw a convergence of many things: a severe lack of sleep, the most miles I've run in a week, the longest and coldest race I've done since the Chicago Marathon, and a nagging back pain that just won't quit! Let me explain...

Thursday's regular 9 mile run at Crossroads was great...I had a nice run and chat with Gordon at a pretty good pace. That man does not stop for traffic, the T, or green lights...so it's a good thing he was leading the way! Crossroads was more busy and more festive than usual after our run, which meant that I didn't drag myself home until after midnight--on a school night. oops. 6am for school on Friday was rough. Hours of sleep? barely 5.

Sunday was the big day that I've had my eye on for awhile: The Boston Prep 16 miler race in Derry, NH. Unfortunately it was also the morning after Shifter's marathon party, which I finally pulled myself away from at 1am. oops. 6am for the race on Sunday was rough. Hours of sleep? barely 5.

At Derry with fellow DFMC-ers from Boston, Marisa
and Mike. Read Mike's blog here: http://turningontoboylston.blogspot.com/

The temperature at the starting line in Derry was just 3 degrees. I had heard that Derry is famous for being hilly, cold, sometimes snowy, and just generally unforgiving. This was not an exaggeration. During the 16 miles, we were constantly going up and down, up and down, and it got to the point where I didn't want to go downhill...because it just meant I'd have to go up again. I can safely say that my legs have never burned like that before. You know it's bad when you want to stop and walk so badly, but then you realize that walking will only prolong your misery. So you keep running, if only to end the pain sooner.

I had no clue how I would fare going into the race, but I was pleasantly surprised; apparently the hill work at Crossroads is really paying off. I finished in very consistent 8-minute miles, for a total of 2:08:40. That lent a little confidence to my quest for a sub 4 hour marathon!



With Glen, fellow DFMC teammate after the race.
Read Glen's blog: http://borntorunandraise.blogspot.com/



After a solid 40 mile week, the theme of this next week will be new things: the start of Tuesday track workouts, and the start of cross training in the pool. It's both a blessing and a curse that we have DFMC runs on Tuesday, Thursday, and the weekends....awesome because I get to run and train with great people...but tough because the socializing afterward the running only contributes to my lack of sleep on school nights :)