DFMC Long Group Run (22.47mi)

Today was the climactic "long" group run for my Dana Farber Marathon Challenge team. So anyone who is somewhat following Jack's original "official" training schedule, this would be the longest run they would do. As I've somewhat discussed before, I don't believe (and Jack would say this as well) that there's really any one schedule that's correct for everybody, so I've basically been doing my own modified version of things. So the route was an out and back along the actual course, starting out from the Boston Sports Club in Wellesley, from which you run about 1.5mi to get out to rt. 16, just about at the 1/2 way mark along the marathon course. You then run backwards a little over a mile, turn around, and head back running all the way up over heartbreak hill, a little bit beyond Boston College, to where the final turn back point is, and then head back to the start point.

I picked Fred up at 7:15am and we headed out to Wellesley. Fred planned to do 16mi today, so that meant we would basically be running together out until the final turn back point just past B.C., where he would keep going straight back home, and I would turn and head back the way we came. The run started off a bit on the cold side, as temperatures had dropped down to the low 20's overnight, with a steady wind making it feel closer to the low teens. But by the time we got out to the Newton hills, the sunshine had come out in full force, and definitely started to warm things up. Fred and I maintained a great even pace through the first 12.5mi, and so when we parted ways, I was actually feeling fantastic. I slowly picked up my pace, and actually had negative splits over the last 10mi. In the end, I had a really great run today, and I'm feeling pretty confident heading into my taper over the next few weeks that come Marathon day, I'll be ready.

I had made the conscious decision even before we started that I would be really trying to simulate how I expect things to go on race day, so I didn't want to spend too much time at any of the water stations, eating my gel shots, or anything like that. I also busted out the "D-Trains" (my AWESOME kicks pictured at the top of this blog, that my wonderful girlfriend Nicole so graciously purchased for me) to test how they would feel on a longer run. I've been slowly breaking them in, using them at track runs, a few shorter runs here and there, all spread out over the past few months. I must say, they are pretty fantastic and I do love running in them. So I'm sure they also contributed to how well I felt today as well. And I also need to give a HUGE thank you to all of the awesome Dana Farber volunteers, who come out and man the water/gatorade/refuel stations along the routes we do for these group runs. They really do make *ALL* of the difference in the world. Not having to carry water or gatorade with you for these training runs is truly fantastic.