Marathon Training: Week 5 - Friday

Week 5 - Friday - February 24, 2006

Today was my biggest test. Aviva dropped me off at about the 12.3 mile point of the actual marathon route. This put me on the western side of Wellesely, near Wellesely College. It was 14 miles from here to the end of the marathon in Boston.

It went well even though mentally, my legs already felt a bit stiff.

Four miles went by, crossing over route 9 in a fairly steep downgrade only to be greeted by a 3/4 mile stretch, going over 128, that slowly inclines into Newton. I knew there were 4 hills to battle through in Newton and I thought that this was the first. Nope....this one isn't even considered as one of the 'hills'! The non-hill hill crested at Beacon Street in Newton and then turns into a slight downhill past the Newton Wellesley Hospital for a mile ending up at Commonwealth Avenue and the Newton Fire Station.

At this point, I still felt OK. The stiffness seemed to have gone away to be replaced by a little pain. The type of pain that I find typical in my muscles after running a while. It has been over 5 miles.

At Comm Ave, the course takes a right hand turn where I was faced with the first of the legendary hills. It was a steep 1200 yard incline past the Brae Burn Country Club. I made it up that hill, although, it was an inner struggle to complete it.

I made it up the second hill, a 1/4 mile knoll that then levels out for about a mile.

I had to take a breather at the third hill, a half mile steep grade just past Newton City Hall, although, after walking briefly, I did run up the hill. This brought me to Heartbreak Hill. I thought I'd teach the hill a lesson and walked up it! It was pretty awesome being at the top because once there...you can see the John Hancock Building. The Marathon's end!

I have now completed 8 miles! After walking up Heartbreak Hill (although I did run the last few yards) I continued my running ways making it about 2 miles, through Cleveland Circle before my legs told me to walk a bit more.

10 miles done. At this point I would run about 1/2 to 3/4 miles at a time and take a 100 yard to 300 yard walk. Then I see the Citgo sign continuing my running/walking/running/walking.

Then I'm in Kenmore square. I made a point to run through Kenmore, I could hear the crowd cheering!

Walk a block...run to Mass Ave....walk a block....run a block...walk to Hereford St....turn right...!!!!.....run up Hereford St to Boylston. Walk a block...run the last two blocks to the finish line.....into Dunkin Donuts...pull out my SCRIP and buy a water. (Must always be SCRIP prepared!)

Fourteen miles done!