Wow, the Marathon Must-Haves {giveaway} was a huge hit!  Thanks to everyone who entered and shared their must-haves.  A few of my favorites: socks, sunglasses, iPod (or music), family and/or cheering section, a good sports bra, flip-flops (for post-run), a good training partner…

The winner of the Marathon Must-Haves {giveaway} is Kate @ www.runwithkate.blogspot.com.  You have one week to contact me at willrunformargaritas@gmail.com before a back-up winner is choosen.

Good luck to everyone with upcoming marathons, half-marathons, 10 milers, 10k’s and 5k’s.  DIG DEEP and rock it!

It’s one week, post Boston, and I’m feeling good.  A {huge} thank you for all of your comments, kind words, encouragement and support.  Like I mentioned in my Boston Marathon {recap}, I know I was being ridiculous but I needed to write those words – and I appreciate you letting me vent!  After I went on my 1st post-race run, my whole mood changed.  Thankfully, I’m in a much better place (it’s amazing how running can do that) – and given the circumstances, I’m happy and proud of my performance on April 16, 2012.  I never (and I mean, never) thought I’d be saying this, but I can’t wait for my next 26.2…

In the meantime, I’m taking the summer to focus on shorter distances and speed work.  5:30 mile, anyone?! 

Do you have a favorite 5k, 10k or 10 miler?  Send me your race suggestions (preferably in the vicinity of DC/MD/VA)! {i’m open to distances up-to 10 miles}  

*Don’t forget to enter my Marathon Must-Haves {giveaway} – it ends this week, and you don’t want to miss it!

A couple of weeks ago, I decided to purchase a pair of lightweight racers for Boston.  To be honest, I was planning to run the race in the shoes I train in – a traditional running shoe, if you will.  I ran my first marathon in the same style and had no problems, so I figured I’d do the same for marathon #2.  It wasn’t until a work event and a talk with my coach that I was convinced to wear something more lightweight for the race.

I bought the shoes, and was excited to test them on the track.  I had a great workout – I felt really strong & ran faster splits than “projected”.  But it wasn’t until I got home that I discovered why this shoe is the perfect Boston shoe.

The shoelaces read DIG DEEP – my Boston marathon mantra.  I’ve been digging deep since January, when I started training for marathon #2: logging over 600 training miles, countless 800m and 1200m repeats, two 20+ mile runs and a handful of 16 milers, a new 8k PR, on tired legs, full of excitement and doubt, with one BIG goal in mind.   On April 16, I’ll be digging deeper than ever as I line up to race the 116^th Boston Marathon.

I’ll be nervous: dig deep
My legs will be tired and fatigued: dig deep
The hills are going to hurt: dig deep
My marathon goal is not easy: dig deep

Boston Marathon, I’ve trained hard for you.  I’m ready for you. I’m going to DIG DEEP – and I’m not going down without a fight!

What’s your DIG DEEP?

 facebook/tweet about your DIG DEEP with #digdeep

don’t forget about my marathon must-haves {giveaway}:

The pre-race dreams started about one month ago.  I wish I had better news to report but they aren’t dreams about me winning the race or running a 2:45 marathon-trails qualifying time.

No, my pre-race dreams are ridiculous.  And even in their ridiculousness, I still wake-up panicked and uneasy.

The first dream was all about the finish line.  That thing that I’m supposed to cross after running 26.2 miles.  Yea, I couldn’t find it.  I couldn’t find the finish line, even though I’d run 26.2 miles.  It didn’t make sense to me.  I was surrounded by other runners, and I knew that they were crossing the finish line, but I just couldn’t find it.

The next round of dreams involved an American History exam.  Let me start by saying that I haven’t had an American History exam since 2001 (and I have no intentions of ever taking one again).  For this reason, I have no idea why I’d be dreaming about American History, or an exam for that matter.  In my dream(s), I realize that I have an exam immediately after the race but haven’t had time to study.  I wrestle with myself: should I skip the race & study, or skip the exam & race?  I always wake-up before I make a decision.

Dreams are a very funny thing.  What does American History have to do with running the Boston Marathon?  I have NO idea.  I’m not sure I ever will.

Either way, I’m glad I’ll be drinking post-race margaritas instead of taking an exam.

Do you have pre-race dreams?  What do you dream about?

Week 13 was my last “regular” week before I begin my taper.  It was an exciting week and I’m getting nervous, excited, and ready for Boston! 

I worked the Cherry Blossom Expo (congrats to all racers) and was on my feet a lot.  I can always tell when I’ve worked an expo – my legs are just a little more tired than they should be.  I was, however, able to run 16 miles on tired legs and still feel good/strong.  

Mileage: 49

Monday {8 miles} – It was such a beautiful day and I couldn’t pass up the opportunity to run with BJ before my ladies fun run.  Both runs were easy, and I felt good post-21 miler.

Tuesday {track} – I was tired, and I think it may have been apparent (George stopped me after 8x800m).  In my defense, and after my last 800m workout, George mentioned that “quantity is better than quality”, I deliberately ran each 800m at (or close to) the same pace.  

1.5 mile warm-up and 2 mile cool-down (goal pace: 3:10)

8 x 800m – 3:06, 3:05, 3:04, 3:06, 3:04, 3:05, 3:03, 2:58

Wednesday {5 miles} – I ran 5 easy miles. I’ve really enjoyed running without music for the last 3 months (my iPod broke & I haven’t replaced it) – it allows me to really take in the run and listen to my body.

Thursday {rest day} – I really enjoyed this day off!   

Friday {tempo} – Today was a first: I ran a 5 mile tempo run on the track!  I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again, tempo runs on the track are boring – especially when the last 2 miles are run solo.  But, I felt really strong (and that was really encouraging).  Average pace: 6:28

Saturday {3.5 miles} – Today was a long day at the expo and my legs were exhausted when I got home.  I tried to go for 5-6 miles, but my legs just wouldn’t cooperate and I opted for 3.5 instead. 

Sunday {16 miles} – One of my running friends was able to snag me a Cherry Blossom 10 miler bib. I ran an impromptu 10 miler (progression run), immediately followed by +6 miles.  Cherry Blossom wasn’t the ideal place to run a progression run but it got me ready for race conditions and crowds.  It also helped prepare me for the “start slow, end fast” mentality – it’s really hard to stay steady when people are passing me (I still get competitive during a race – even if I’m not racing). It was a beautiful morning to run and I loved the race day energy (please let the weather be exactly the same for Boston)

13 down, 2 to go!

The countdown is on, and things are starting to get real.  How are there only 3 weeks left before Boston?!

It was another busy week (I have one more busy week, and then some “down” time before the race).  I was on my feet a lot but still managed to knock-out some decent-to-good workouts.

Mileage: 60

Monday {easy 5} – I ran 5 easy miles with my fun run group.  Some of the ladies had just raced the Rock N Roll DC half-marathon, so it was fun to hear race stories and PR’s!

Tuesday {track} – I felt really strong on the track, and ran every interval faster than (the same workout) 2 weeks ago.   We had interesting weather – thunder, lightning, torrential downpour, and sun.
1.5 mile warm-up, 1 x 1600m, 2 x 1200m, 2 x 800m, 2 x 400m, 2.5 mile-cool down

1 x 1600m – 6:17
2 x 1200m – 4:40, 4:38
2 x 800m – 2:58, 3:00
2 x 400m – 1:19, 1:17

Tuesday Night {3 miles} The Brooks Cavalcade of Curiosities was in Annapolis.  I spent the afternoon analyzing gaits, and then decided to lead the fun run.  It was such a nice night and I love running through downtown Annapolis.

Wednesday {5 miles} – 5 easy miles is a great way to start out the day!  It was a really nice morning.  I also spent 30 minutes in the gym working arms, core, and glutes.

Thursday {rest day} – Finally, a day off!

Friday {tempo run} – I felt okay during this run.  I’ve said it before, but tempo runs on the track aren’t my favorite.  I decided to go for 4 miles (plus 1.5 mile warm-up and 2.5 mile cool-down).

Saturday {9 miles} – This year the Cherry Blossoms bloomed about 3 weeks early and I knew if I didn’t go see them soon, I’d miss them for the year.  I talked BJ into running down & around the Tidal Basin (he’s a creature of habit and doesn’t like mixing up the run).  Even though it was really rainy and crowded, we had so much fun.  Plus, the miles seemed to pass by.  It was a great way to see the Cherry Blossoms (and an awesome afternoon run with my hubs).

Sunday {21 miles} – My LAST 20+ miler (cue excitement)!  I wasn’t sure what to expect – the weather was supposed to be terrible and I was putting a lot of pressure on the “last 20+ miler before Boston”.  I’m happy to report that I felt better than I had expected. Exactly one month later, I’m (getting) faster than when I previously ran the same workout (I’m hoping that speed extends through April 16, 2012)

{check out Jessica’s post about yesterday’s long run.  She totally rocked it, and ran her highest mileage week to-date (67 miles!).  She’s going to #rocktherun in Boston!}

12 down, 3 weeks to go!