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Boston Half Marathon

Sunday was the much anticipated Boston Half Marathon. I was really excited for this because I haven’t yet run a race in Boston. Since I didn’t start running til after college, all of my races have either been in Hingham or down the Cape. Also, in addition to being my first Boston race, it was the 10th annual race on 10.10.10. I’m a huge numbers geeks so I thought that was awesome. My dad was kind enough to drive me in, so I didn’t have to worry about finding parking or anything. The route started in Franklin Park, went on the Arborway past Jamaica Pond to the Fens, back to Franklin Park into the William H. Devine golf course and through the zoo and ending in White Stadium. Doing a mile in the zoo was pretty cool, I ran past ENORMOUS camels and make some lame joke to myself about the usual camelbacks on races are the water backpacks. 

I was feeling pretty good so I was trying to stay under a 9:00 mile without hurting myself. At the end, I realized I was very close to my PR (1:53:10 in the NYC half) and wish I had just gone 2 seconds faster each mile and beaten my PR. Oh well. I learned a lot in this race that I will apply to the NYC Marathon. 
1. Even if you’re freezing in the morning (it was 41 degrees at start) you will warm up during the race. Bring clothes to toss at the start. I also want to grab gloves to throw away because I couldn’t feel my fingers for 2 miles.
2. Always go to the end of the water station. Nobody does and you can easily keep running and drinking.
3. Wrap my ankles, I always get blisters, no matter how good the socks are.
4. Pack my stuff as early before as I can. I forgot my Nike+ iPod sensor and my wristband. Though fortunately not essentials, I missed having them.
Very glad I got to do this race, great preparation for the NYC Marathon. And, I’m very excited because like with this race, my father (and then my mother too) will be at the finish line cheering for me. Their support has been priceless and I can’t wait to do them proud.

Me holding my medal. Huge nerd, Dad made me do it.

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boy girl workouts

Today started with a nice sweaty yoga session. I had an instructor that I’ve never had before - a guy! There are usually a few guys in the class, but I’ve never seen a male yoga instructor. He wasn’t much taller than me, but spoke with a deep, booming voice. Judging by his inflections, his other job must be an actor. I had preconceived notions and expected him to really work us, but he was a bit earthy-crunchy, even compared to some of the female teachers I’ve had. It was still a great class, but it got me thinking about guys and girls in sports. 

Growing up only 18 months apart from my brother, I’ve always run around with the boys. In grammar school, I would choose playing soccer with them over foursquare or the swings with the girls. It always just seemed more fun to me. Then, I went to an all girls high school and things got kind of messed up. I got used to working out only around women. Though my track coach was a man, the trainers and my other classmates were all females. When I joined the gym nearby with my friends, I started going early in the morning, when I knew my guy friends from BC High wouldn’t be there. In college, my guy friends stuck to the weight room and sometimes treadmills, while my girl friends and I would hit the ellipticals and classes. We’d do the obligatory nods in the gym, but not much else. It seemed like there was an established separation between boys and girls in the gym. 

The gorgeous BU Fitness and Recreation Center (FitRec). Gosh I loved that place.

Fast forward to NYC. My small gym is constantly filled with both genders doing everything. I have lifted weights next to big huge (probable) juiceheads and they’ve done crunches next to me. I remember being surprised the first time a guy walked into yoga (and proceeded to text during class, I kid you not!) but then I got used to it. It’s great to see guys and girls trying all different types of workouts and seeing what works for them. 

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long run to the yacht club

I’m staying at my parents’ house for a long weekend so I had to map out a new route for my long run. From my house to the Yacht Club is about 12 miles. It’s one I have done before but previously had my father pick me up halfway back because I didn’t need to go the full distance. Because we had my cousin’s baby’s christening at 1, I got up fairly early, ate and headed out. I had new headphones that I picked up at TJ Maxx the night before so my music loving ears were much more comfortable. I did get a side stitch the minute I left the driveway. I can’t help but think about what would happen if I had one the morning of the marathon, so I had to just keep going. I paused for a few minutes at the Yacht Club to take a gel and then headed back. 

I didn’t take the above photo, I found it online, but that’s the view of Boston from the Hingham Yacht Club. I always felt so fortunate to grow up in a safe suburb but have incredibly easy access to the city. Another thing I love about Hingham is that everyone says good morning to each other out on runs or walks. I passed by at least 25 people on my long run and pretty much everyone smiled and said hello. I didn’t know a single one of them but it just felt right to say hi. So different than NYC.