The Event
COVID didn’t stop my running, or marathon training, but it sure changed the process. To begin with, since I usually run early mornings, in addition to laying out my shirt, shorts, socks, and running shoes the night before, I added a mask. I had a mask with me at all times, wearing it properly as I approached people on the sidewalk or road, and wearing it as a chin strap when no one was nearby. It’s just not easy to run that way.
I tried them all – surgical mask, cloth mask, 32 degrees running mask, Under Armour running mask, and more. Just like finding the right running shoes, I thought the perfect mask must be out there somewhere. If it is, I haven’t found it. With longer runs, stopping at a convenience store to replenish my water required a mask as well. After a while, it became a habit – I put on a mask without even thinking about it.
My group runs ended early in the pandemic. I usually run with a group on Thursday mornings and for some of the longer training runs. That was hard to give up. We had been running together for years and I really missed the camaraderie. It’s hard to get motivated when I’m not meeting someone for the run. I also stopped going to the gym to use a treadmill on mornings with really inclement weather because I just couldn’t get comfortable wearing a mask on the treadmill for an entire run.
Getting closer to marathon day, the emails from the BAA started coming and they were rather cryptic … not a lot of detail about getting to Hopkinton, or how the start would work, or how they were planning to manage potential COVID exposure. They let out a little information at a time and it was confusing waiting for the plan. On the other hand, it was such a relief to know we were finally going to be able to run Boston again!
Eventually, the details emerged -- showing proof of vaccination or a negative COVID test at the medical tent screening was required before getting a bracelet. The bracelet was required before getting a bib number. And the only way to the start at Hopkinton was on the Marathon bus with the bracelet and a mask required to board. It seemed like the BAA thought it through and marathon day worked out well. I think runners are pretty cooperative and it seemed everyone was willing to do whatever was necessary.
A mask was required in Hopkinton until crossing the starting line which was doable. The rolling start was mentally challenging. I missed hearing the National Anthem and the support of a group start. The idea that I could decide when to start was pretty intimidating. One more porta-potty run?? One more piece of a bagel?? With no deadline, it was hard to decide when to start.
But it was so great to be back in Hopkinton. The crowd at the start was not as big as usual, but their enthusiasm made up for it. Once we got going and into Framingham and Natick, there seemed to be the usual numbers of spectators though. And if you can believe it, the Wellesley women were louder than ever. I think everyone was so happy to be able to celebrate the marathon again that the excitement was incredible. And along Boylston the crowds were cheering and motivating, which always helps.
A few notable things at the finish. They were pretty quick to give a mask to runners once we crossed the finish line. And the volunteers handed us the medals – no putting it around our necks as in the past. So good to be back!!
The Training
I requested a training plan from Fernando for a 4 hour marathon -- probably a stretch, but I wanted to challenge myself and get back into a training mode. The first few workouts sounded doable on paper. A 9 minute mile for 5 laps at the track, 2 minutes at 8:45, etc. No problem, right? But I couldn’t do it. Either the pace was off or I couldn’t get the distance/time done.
I had been running throughout COVID, but all easy runs, no races, no pushing myself since there didn’t seem to be a reason to. Not happy about it, I emailed Fernando to say I couldn’t get it done as written. He sent back a revised plan for the next workout, and I had a much better outcome. It took about 4 weeks for me to get an entire workout and week done as written, with Fernando checking in along the way to see how I was making out. It feels like such an accomplishment to run the week “as written”. Needing to tweak the schedule and the goal wasn’t my first choice, but feeling successful in the challenge is more important.
[Although not a marathon PR – her PR is 3:34 – this Boston for Carol was a major victory. She is qualified to run Boston again next April. For more on Carol, see her interview at this link.]
