Ran the Boston Marathon and missed my qualifying time by 12 minutes. The muscle disorder I have had over the past 15 months (PMR) again has taken its toll, combined with limits on training due to 3 weeks off for shin splints. I was on course for the first 15 miles, and then the Newton Hills took its toll, as this point in the race occurred right at where the longest run I have been able to do in the past 5 weeks, 15 miles. From that point on I did keep running but it was a struggle.
Only 2 years ago I would have scoffed at the idea that I wouldn't be able to run Boston in under 4 hours if I was reasonably healthy. As long as I have been healthy and trained and ready to go, a sub 3:30 marathon was always on the mark. Last year at mile 14 in Boston I tore a muscle at the top of the left leg and it bled internally the rest of the way turning the leg purple all the way down to the ankle. At least the good news is this year that there are no injuries to report from the race. Now I can focus my attention to get ready for a reasonable Pikes Peak Marathon in August.
I reduced my Prednisone medication dosage down to 6mg a day as of Tuesday. My plan is to keep it at 6mg for the entire training for Pikes Peak. I'm also going to put in for the St. George lottery and see if I can get in this year.
Hopefully by the end of this year the Polymyalgia Rheumatica muscle disorder will be gone and I can get back to more normal fitness levels. I read the race reports of Kory and those who are young and healthy and I'm jealous of what they are doing. My guidance to them is to enjoy your accomplishments and keep working for the best you can do. When struggles do come to you, work through them, because sooner or later it will happen and your times will begin to be slower, but with your fitness levels your accomplishments will still be in the top of your age groups.
I love to run, and even though this year's Boston has left me hungry, I still loved the race and the fact that it was Boston. | 