CrossFit Boston

Yesterday was the day of execution.  My first Half Marathon.  For those who are unaware, I have never ran over 7 miles before and that was back in 2004.  Since then I would estimate that I have run a total of 7 miles since then.  If you would think that running is a weakness in my fitness, I would say that you are very perceptive.

Jessica and I woke up at 5:30am to make some breakfast, hit the showers, and brew some cowboy coffee.  Coffee is key people, c'mon!  Being our typical selves we had to begin rushing to make sure that we had plenty of time to get to the race.  Good thing we did because every route into Boston was closed from our usual route.

We parked at the gym and then taxied over to Clemente Park in Fenway.  It is amazing how many people line up for these races.  I believe the registered number was 5000 but there were far more than that standing around.  Of course Jessica and I needed to use the facilities a final time before the race started and of course there were long lines for the 30 portojohns that were available.  I don't understand who thinks 30 will suffice for 5000.  Anyways, we finally were able use the facilities at 7:59, the race was to start at 8:00.  Would anyone expect any less than that from the two of us??

We made our way over to the horde of people to get in line for the start of the race.  If you have never ran a large race like this let me tell it is quite amazing.  I became hypnotized by the sea of people all rolling out to begin the course.  I literally had trouble with depth perception and had to move all the way to the far right so that I could get my bearings set.  So we were off.  Jessica decided to run with me for support, more later, instead of her normal pace. 

I kept my pace at 10 minutes with the goal of working it down to 9:30/9:00 minutes as I warmed up.  The run started very smoothly.  I was able to maintain POSE and I did not feel labored.  I had some concerns going in regarding my calves.  I have a history of straining my calves and this year I did so again early after registering for the race.  Acupuncture treatments with Steve Cina, Total Wellness, and purchasing a set of SKINS socks saved me from blowing out during the race.  The 10 minute pace was maintained throughout the first 10k.  This was right around the turn around point at the Franklin Park Zoo.  Here Jessica and I picked up the pace for the downhill portion coming out of the zoo and ramping back up to an uphill as we approached the Arnold Arboretum on 203.  The uphill portions were actually much easier b/c to maintaining POSE is just a matter of leaning into the hill.  I am not a little guy so leaning comes easy for me.  We would always pick up a few spots on the uphill.  Now, the down hill portions SUCKED.  I could feel all of the gravitational force pulling me down and fatiguing my quads.  Once we hit the flats I would begin to recover.  As we left the Franklin Park Zoo I increased my pace and Jessica happily sped up with me.  That was my strongest mile and I am not sure what the pace was but it was significantly faster.  It was the only way for me to survive the downhill and allow my hamstrings to keep working instead of loading the quads exclusively.

Unfortunately, this was the last of the race feeling good for me.  Once we crested the hill near the arboreutm I began having some cramping in my hammies and my running technique fell apart.  I had to resort to a run/walk or more of a shuffle walk.  Every attempt at pulling the leg up resulted in the hamstrings spasms.  My pace fell to a 12-14 minute mile and I lumbered to the finish humbled and disappointed with myself finishing in 2:30 and an official pace of 11:31.

I have to confess I was not a very appreciative runner to the many people out there cheering and encouraging the runners on the course.  I do appreciate what they were doing and I thank you all for your efforts.  To me it is very similar to my reasons for CrossFitting in solitude.  I suffer alone.  I did really enjoy seeing CFB longtime member Linda and Northshore CrossFit member Steve at the last water stop.  You both were awesome and did lighten my dark mood at that point.

Jessica was a champ in that she ran the entire race with me despite it being an hour longer than she would have ran and freezing herself.  I was not too kind to her attempts at to keep me going.  At one point I barked, 'Just stop talking to me, I am trying to concentrate!'  She was more of a help than she realizes.  Thank you.

I wish that I could tell you that this was huge positive experience.  I wish that I can say that I enjoyed the accomplishment of finishing.  I am humbled and more determined to work at this.  I am going to really put in the training time of CF Endurance.  Build up my running and hit another 1/2 Marathon.  My goal is still going to be the 2 hour mark.  My goal will to have the feeling I did in a previous post after reading 'Born To Run'.  To enjoy running.  To destroy my "Goat".