Boston Marathon 2012 Deferment, Breakfast with Joan Benoit Samuelson and lunch with Desiree Davila

So, I flew to Boston on Saturday, with this little e-mail zinger From the Boston Athletic Association waiting for me when I arrived:

"Those who have only trained in a cooler climate and who may not be acclimated (for at least the last 10 days) to warm weather running conditions should also consider not running.... 
This will not be a day to run a personal best.  If you choose to run, run safely above all else. Speed can kill."

Needless to say, I had not trained in weather anything like the conditions which were forecasted for the Boston Marathon Monday 4/16/2012.  The thought of slogging 26.2 miles in 85+ temps did not sound very appealing and certainly the possibility of death was also not appealing.  So, I strongly considered taking the deferment to the 2013 race that the BAA was offering.  On Sunday, the day before the race, I woke up and I ate in the hotel breakfast room. Olympic gold medalist, Joan Benoit Samuelson and her daughter sat at the table next to mine.  However, I just gawked at her and did not venture to say anything.  It's always a dilemma when I see a celebrity whether to respect their sphere of privacy or be intrusive.  Anyway, after chickening out and saying nothing to her,  I headed over to the Marathon Expo at around lunchtime.  I picked up my bib and tech shirt.  I then walked over to the Runners World booth, and got to see future Olympian Desiree Davila who was on some sort of panel discussion.

Desiree Davila at the 2012 Boston Marathon Expo

After listening to Desiree talk for a few minutes, I went to the Boston Athletic Association's booth.  There I talked to a BAA official about what the deferment process was.  He explained to me that I simply needed to pick up my bib and then not cross the start line.  They would e-mail me in a few weeks with the details of registering for 2013 with a guaranteed spot reserved for me.  With a forecast for Monday now near 90 degrees, my mind was made up, I would return to Boston in 2013, for another attempt at the race when temps would,  in all likelihood, be more reasonable.  So, I slept in on Monday, then turned on the television and watched the female and male leaders finish the race on the local broadcast.  After they had finished, I wandered down to the finish line to watch the real runners cross.

If you have never been in Boston for the Marathon weekend, it is incredible.  The whole city is full of what seems is only marathoners.  The bright orange Boston Marathon jackets were seen on at least 50% of the people wandering the streets and almost everyone was talking about the race and the weather.  The pilot of my American Airlines flight back to Chicago also made an announcement congratulating the finishers, because I would say 80% of the passengers were wearing marathon garb.  I hope to be one of those finishers in 2013.

Rolled Ankle + Sick + Hot Temps = New Boston Goal - Just Finish!

I rolled my ankle on the lakefront trail nine days ago.  The ankle felt okay immediately after the roll, and so I continued running, and barely thought about it after I was done.  I had a delayed onset of ankle pain the next day (Thursday) after my last seven mile run.  I came to the realization I would need to take at least a week off of training to let the ankle heal.  Then an intense three day fever started on Friday and did not end until Sunday.  I basically slept the entire time, and I still do not feel fully recovered.  I did not run again until today.


I went out for a one mile run this morning to test my ankle and running does cause pain.  I will see if it can put up with 26.2 miles of grueling up and downhills in Boston.  In any case, I have dialed back my goals from 7:05/mile to 8:00+/mile.  Mix in the high temps (forecast for Monday is now 80) and I'd say that  my goal is just to finish.  A disappointment for sure, as I wanted (obviously) to toe the line at a marathon and feel close to 100% and have ideal conditions.  Maybe kissing all of the college girls as I run through Wellesley College campus will give me needed energy and magically make everything all better....

Surf's Up at Belmont Harbor

7 mile run to the lake (Belmont Harbor) and back. Saw the waves crashing into the break-wall.  Got some nice pics.

Last Double Digit Run Before the Boston Marathon

10 mile Lakefront Run this morning with perfect temps about 45 degrees and sunny.  Pace was at 7:33/mile.  Not too bad considering I was at the Bulls game on Monday night and the Ting Tings show at the Metro last night.  That was my last run in the double digits until the Boston Marathon in a week and a half! The taper continues...

The Ting Tings: That's Not my Name!

Free Television and Air Conditioning! and a 7 Miler

Ran 7 Miles up the River Trail to Lincolnwood.  Passed by one of the several 1950s hotels along Lincoln Ave.

Here is the sign close-up (can you believe FREE television and a SWITCHBOARD?) Looks really cool at night however: 

Runners along the River trail: 

Plenty o' trees in bloom:

Boston Marathon Two Weeks from Today and a 25 Minute Swim

I will be toeing the line in Boston two weeks from this hour!  Took a swim at the park district pool.  After 37 miles run over the last 3 days, it was nice to stretch the legs.  Run tomorrow.  The taper continues...

Chi Town Half Marathon: Videos and Pictures

Went for my 8 mile run along the lakefront trail today and stumbled across the Chi Town Half Marathon in progress.  I assume the 50 degree temperatures and overcast sky made for perfect half marathon weather. I pulled out my camera and took a bunch of videos and pictures from various stages in my run:

Picture taken near mile 3 near Belmont Harbor

Videos:

At Irving Park Rd and the Lakefront Trail

At Irving Park Rd and the Lakefront Trail (along the golf course)

Lead male runners (please get out of the way!)

Lead female runners and a view of the sailboats

More Pictures:

Afternoon run. 5 miles around Welles Park.  13 total for the day.