Boston 2011

Only 3 more days until Boston Marathon!

If you haven't run it or spectated there before, be sure to check out the website for details on how to get around.  Or to check out the course, see the video "Boston Marathon in 8 minutes"  for a glimpse of the course and the infamous Heartbreak Hill.

Look for the CITGO sign (7:27 in the video) to know you're almost home to the finish!

It's always exciting to see the elite runners perform and watch them cruise through the course, but this year there will be many eyes on the women's race.

Joan Samuelson, the 53-year old mother from Freeport, ME, who has completed Boston six times, winning in 1979 and 1983, will be running this year seeking another olympic marathon berth.

During last fall, Samuelson ran the Chicago Marathon ran a 2:47:50 -- just one minute and 50 seconds short of the USA Olympic Marathon Trials qualifying time (2"46:00). How amazing would it be for her to qualify again, at age 53! GO Joanie!!

Hello half marathon ....... 'good bye toenails'

Some of you have commented that you're preparing to run your first Half marathon in the coming month (either Rutgers Half or NJM Half). First of all -- good for you and congrats on your accomplishment.
During your training you probably experienced some discomfort and tough runs, once you hit the longer distances. As every marathoner and long-distance runner will tell you, is that these are critical to your training. What some people won't tell you is that you can expect to lose a few toenails in the process...

Since this will be a new distance for you, here's a couple of pointers to remember while you're getting ready!

DON'T GO OUT TOO FAST

Its easy to get caught up in the excitement and high-fives with spectators, but for a half marathon, you need to conserve some energy and try to restrain your excitement to not go out too fast.

EATING ON THE RUN?

Being out on the road for 13 miles or potentially 2 hours (or more) you'll not only need to take in the proper fluids, but to ensure you replenish and energize. I'm not suggesting you need to eat full meals but make sure you have energy gels. Some races will even supply you bagels, bananas or oranges at the latter stages of the race. We don't need to get as crazy as Dean Karnazes who orders a pizza for road side delivery during his ultra-marathon distances of 50-60 miles (his favorite? Hawaiian pie, which he folds in half and eats)

KISS YOUR TOENAILS GOOD BYE!

Really? The pounding that your feet take during a run can be devastating to your toes. Water over your head, soaking your shoes, sweating socks -- all lead to blisters and chafing of your feet. To protect your toes, be sure to apply Vaseline or Aquaphor to your feet (or any other place that might chafe) before the race.

WHAT DO I DO THIS WEEK (the week before the race)