Boston 2014 Plans & Race Strategy

I finally sat down today and did some planning for next weekend in Boston! I feel relieved that I worked out some of the details, because I had been procrastinating.

First of all, let's talk about this forecast! Since Wisconsin has been way below average so far this "Spring," I am pretty pleased with the temperatures. High 40s and low 50s make for good running conditions - and I prefer some cloud coverage, too. Last year was quite sunny and I ended up with really ugly, red sunburn. Now, let's just hope the rain stays away.

When I registered for Boston, I couldn't believe that the race was the day after Easter. I love holidays with family, so it made me a little sad to think about missing out on the festivities. I still feel weird about it - but I am trying to find "Eastery" things to do while we're in Boston. There are some Easter-themed brunch cruises, which could be fun...although I get seasick. I'm not sure what we'll end up doing, but I feel like some sort of celebration is in order. Anyone have any suggestions?

*Tangent: Speaking of Easter, I was on a run the other day and I saw a bunny stuck in a chain-link fence. His backside was too fat, so he couldn't pass through. Poor guy died like that. Being a vegetarian and a hormonal pregnant chick, I started to cry. I felt like I should get him out of the fence or something, but then I thought, "No, that's gross." I hope it wasn't the Easter Bunny. *

Anyway, we plan to explore the city when we have time. Our hotel is in a great location - close to Boston Common, Faneuil Hall and the North End. But Boston is easy to navigate as long as you figure out the subway system. (That would be my number one piece of advice to anyone who hasn't been to Boston before.) The marathon has several "events" planned, so those will also take up some time: the Expo, the Pre-Race Dinner, the Open House at Fenway, the After-Party at House of Blues and of course - the RACE! :) So much to do! 

Race Strategy: Version Running for 2.0 
I have been hemming and hawing for the last few months about how I wanted to handle the race. It was never a question about whether or not I would still run it - of course, I would. My cousin, Sarah, said something to me last week as a reminder:

"Pregnancy is not a disability."  

She is 100% correct. With that in mind, I intend to run and complete the race. As I said in my last post, I will be mindful of my body and how I am feeling. If I need to walk, I will. If I have to stop, I will. But my intention is to run well on Monday and to complete the race with results I can be proud of as a 4.5 month preggie runner. I do intend to run at a less competitive pace: shooting for around a 4 hour marathon. That puts my pace at 9+ min/mile. I feel like that is totally reasonable, and honestly, I am afraid of going too fast naturally or unknowingly (adrenaline, race mode, competitive person, moving with the crowd, etc.) I am not going to wear a watch. I am going to run entirely on feel. And I am not committed in any way to a 4 hour time goal; if it isn't in the cards on Monday, so be it. I'm just happy to be going back...I can't believe its been a year already.

*Tangent #2: I am wishing I had thought ahead and had a shirt made that says, "Don't get beat by a pregnant girl" on the back. I think that would've been funny.

18 week bump and my fur baby, Gertie