Saturday, April 14, 2012

Monday's Goal: Don't Be "That Guy"

The National Weather Service now is calling for a high of 88 degrees in Boston on Monday. Time to be realistic. Looking at my last post that means Plan A, which is running it easy and assuring a safe finish.

No heroics. So, the whole theme for Monday is... Don't Be "That Guy".

Pushing it will only lead to being "that guy". There will be plenty of them on Monday, I suspect. Hobbled, cramping, exhausted runners who took a chance and lost. Maybe it'll work out okay for a few of them who still try to crank it, depending on the definition of "okay".

But I'd be willing to bet for the vast majority of them...it won't. I would rather run easy and pass the zombie masses towards the end than become one of them. For me, cranking out for a slight chance of doing "okay" wouldn't mean much more than running it easy and assuring a safer finish, so the latter makes more sense.

I'm at peace with that decision. Sure, I'd rather be going for a sub-3 with temperatures in the lower 50s and a tailwind, but I'm still very much looking forward to Monday. It will hopefully be fun to feel no pressure and just enjoy the run. The crowd support will no doubt be even more awesome because of the weather, so that'll make it even more memorable. It'll just be a 26.2 mile long running party, albeit a hot one.

I'm already qualified for Boston again in 2013 which helps take the pressure off, and I still may decide to do Sugarloaf next month, but I'm going to wait until next week to make that decision.

Final run this morning. Lower 60s felt pretty warm, assuring me that running it in weather that will be 25 degrees warmer will necessitate an easy pace.

Ran 2.0 miles @ 8:46/mile pace.
Trails.
Mostly flat.
Lower 60s, sunny, breezy.
New Balance MT110, shorts, short sleeved shirt.

6 comments:

Running With The Girls said...

Best of luck to you on Monday & yes, don't be "that guy" - it's not worth it. My husband and brother-in-law are running it on Monday as well and everytime we check the weather, the temperature increases! Ugh.

Jamie Anderson said...

Thanks Jen! Best wishes to your husband and bro-in-law. Monday will be a day to remember!

Blaine Moore said...

Been there. Done that. Hot conditions in Boston aren't so much fun. At least you'll be in much better shape than I was...I bet you run faster than I did in 2005 with less effort.

unstrung said...

Okay: I'm a wittle tiny bit bummed because I have so enjoyed sharing the spirit of your enthusiasm/dedication/kickassitude as you work toward such a damn awesome goal. But I am also inspired by the gonads you are displaying in light of the lame forecast. Be well, be safe, kick ass and don't get melty = a solid plan. And above all: savor.

Jamie Anderson said...

Blaine, thanks. It's all about having fun and ensuring a safe finish on Monday. Time is irrelevant.

Thanks Xar. Appreciate the kind words. Savor, I shall!

David said...

A runner who trains with the discipline of a monk, races like an absolute beast, and is still ready to kick off a "26.2 mile long running party" despite all obstacles is a runner who loves the sport all the way through. Wishing you a great race tomorrow Jamie. Looking forward to hearing all about it-both on the blog and on the trails.