Boston Marathon training – Week 13

Yeah, this happened

The hardest part of today’s long run (18 miles) was the post-run ice bath. Yes, I was on my feet for almost three hours, but those 2.5 minutes I managed to spend with two bags of ice seemed a whole lot more brutal. But my legs already feel better than they did after the Love your Liver run and the half marathon last weekend, so I really do believe the benefits outweigh the temporary pain. Do you use ice baths in your training? If so, I’d love to hear your strategies – feel free to post in the comments below. 

Boston Strong at El Pelon

So, how did I manage to run 18 miles and finish at El Pelon for a pescado burrito? I mentally broke it up into three segments, starting with the yuge (on the river from the BU bridge to the Museum of Science), then running the course on Beacon Street, and finally out-and-back on those infamous hills. While the BC area was my least favorite part of the course on marathon day (too many obnoxious, drunk college kids yelling at you to run faster), the BC chapel is a welcome sight when I am ending a run at El Pelon. I also got to try out my new Boston Strong headband, a pressie from Julie McGee!

I think this was also the first time I really noticed the Johnny Kelley statue. The plaque reads:

Johnny Kelley statue

Young at Heart, by Rich Muno

This sculpture immortalizes the spirit of Johnny Kelley, Boston’s Marathon Man. The two runners triumphantly holding hands represent Johnny Kelley when he first won Boston at age 27 and again at age 84 when he finished his 58th Boston Marathon. Johnny Kelley won the Boston Marathon in 1935 and 1945, finished second seven times, and placed in the top ten eighteen times. Beyond the personal achievements of one man, this sculpture is a dedication to the spirit of everyone who is YOUNG AT HEART.

Total distance covered
32 miles

Donors of the week
Robin Swanson
Jill and Greg Yurasek
Nada Cuvalo
Kim Dong
Nick Bolt