two weeks
I am half way through my self-imposed two weeks off from running. I did this after San Diego to regroup and recover fully before entering into the intense quest for a BQ. It paid off huge, and I’m pretty sure that from now on I will follow any race-effort marathon with a two week hiatus from the running scene.
So, what am I doing with all my time? Well…. Jazzercise, of course! We have a new instructor at our little center, which is terribly exciting. I’m toying with the idea of bumping up my weights that I use to shock my muscles into new growth. Oh, and I’ve been looking for another cardio activity to add into the mix during this, my off-season. My brother has been doing the Insanity DVD’s and LOVEs them.
The other thing that I’m going to do with my time is map out my training plan for Boston. Here’s my dilemma: I know that Boston is a challenging course so I’m not sure that going for a PR is within reason. So, I want to have a spring marathon that I can run all out and hopefully get a 3:35 (yes, I’m addicted to goals). Morgan from Red Head Running is planning on doing the Cleveland Marathon and going for a BQ. I would love to train and run it with her, but I’m not sure how to balance the two marathons. Cleveland is three weeks after Boston. Right now my idea is that I will do a full 18-week training cycle for the spring, but I’m not sure if I should start it so that it ends at Boston, then just “maintain” in the weeks in between time. Or if I should have the 18 weeks end on May 15, and run Boston as my final long run towards Cleveland? The drawback to doing that is that I will be at my peak mileage when Boston happens, so I’d be running on tired legs. The plus would be that I would be in prime condition for Cleveland. UGH…what to do…
The final thing that I am planning on doing these two weeks is developing a budget for our trip to Boston. We’ve been discussing the possibility of going to the Boston Marathon since April of last year. Knowing that it’s going to hit our bank accounts hard we’re trying to be as economical about it as possible. At the same time, I’m not sure if I will ever be returning to run the most famous marathon, so I want to take full advantage of the opportunity. I do better when I have all the numbers in front of me. Then I know how much to set aside so the trip isn’t a burden and I sleep better at night. Have I ever mentioned how much I love Google docs? Mr. Dawn and I do all of our budgeting on there so that we can both see and edit the spreadsheets. Its fabulous.
From my armchair position, I would say: have the training end just before Boston and then maintain for Cleveland. Since you’re not sure you will ever go to Boston again, and it is such a big deal, I would go for the peak at this one.
Since I am in no way qualified to give advice on this subject I will just say that whatever you decided to do I am sure you will do great!
) P.S. I am running Cleveland, too!! My first Marathon! 
)
If I were going to Boston and amazing as you, I would bank on the training ending before Boston and then maintain for Cleveland. Shoot for a PR if you can in Cleveland but don’t count on it. If your not going to go to Boston again, or at-least not for a while, give it all you’ve got even though its challenging. If your tired after Boston, run Cleveland for fun. We can talk more next week. I want to pick your brain!XOXO
I think if I were you, I would figure out what was more important to me – running fast and strong in Boston, or hitting a big PR in Cleveland. If you focus your training to aim for your most important goal, it will all work out.
I agree with all the above, what is more important to you? FWIW – My own personal opinion of Boston is this: It’s my victory lap. When I finally make it there someday I plan to run it for fun so I can take pics and enjoy every step of it even if it takes me 5 hours.
But that’s me.
I’m excited for Cleveland, actually I should probably formally announce it, it’s going to be a blast!!!
Are you sure you don’t want to take a break after Boston? Maybe run a nice visual marathon like San Francisco in July, may be harder to set a PR because of the hills…though my Dad ran a 3:30 there when he was younger. Doing Cleveland would put 5 marathons on your legs in about a 12-13 month period. Remember part of the reason why Ryan Hall dropped out of Chicago? He had done too much and just couldn’t get his legs to where they needed to be, to do what he wanted to do. Those are my thoughts.
Chad
p.s. you can PR at Boston! Set your mind to it and you can do it!