Well... Here I Go... [again]

Thinking back to the morning of April 15, 2013... I thought I was within reach of crossing that beloved Boston Marathon Finish Line. I had made it over Heartbreak Hill and was ready for the last leg... I had dreamed about what it would be like to take that corner onto Boylston Street, be surrounded by cheering people who came to watch, and meeting up with my family after, with a Boston Marathon Medal around my neck.

Seeing my Family on Heartbreak Hill

We all know that ending didn't happen... and we all know what did happen.

My ending consisted of meeting my parents on a side street in the Seaport District by my friends hotel with tears/hugs/and thankfulness that we were all unharmed [physically].

When I knew the Finish Line wasn't an option anymore...

Fast forward. 

August 19, 2013... at 7pm... I received my confirmation of entry into the 2014 Boston Marathon.

Not only will the special-ness and nationwide meaning of this marathon motivate me, but I've got more than 10 weeks to train this time around and dammit if I don't take advantage of that. My 'projected' finish time set out by the B.A.A. is not where I wanted to finish, and I'm going to do everything I can to improve that time; so when my name gets published as an "official" finisher I can be happy with the time next to it.

It's taken a lot of self reflection to look at what my weaknesses and my strengths were in running those 24.5 miles to figure out what I need to do differently this training-go-round.

One thing I know I didn't do enough of was... Training.With.Hills... Running around the flatness of Southie did not prepare me for that course... especially Heartbreak Hill... that Heartbreak Hill literally broke my heart. It wouldn't be so bad if it weren't at miles 17-21 of the race, but good god did those 5 miles hurt. [note: your heart gets put back together times 1,000 when you reach the top though].

Recently, I've made a major change to my workout regiment and I don't know the full on effects of my actual running yet, but the mentality of it all has improved ten fold.

I'd heard about "The November Project" over a year ago, and had always been somewhat intrigued, but never had the guts to go by myself, nor could I seem to convince any of my friends to wake up for a 6:30am workout three days a week.

Insert my friend Matt.

My friend Matt had recently gotten into road races and tough mudders and is running his first half marathon at the end of September. Our conversations as of recently have pretty much revolved around running and fitness [we had just signed up for a Neon Color Run in October]. I mentioned to him in passing conversation the concept behind the November Project and he was intrigued. I had thought maybe we would start the following week, but his response was exactly the attitude I've come to find of all November Project Tribe Members... "so we start tomorrow?" he asked... with my response being an intimidated, "tomorrow?!"

and here comes the punch...
"what's our excuse?"

The truth was... I had zero excuse to not start the following day.

So we did. 

We carpooled and made our way to Harvard Stadium for 6:30am. The entire car ride over questioning if we were completely insane. The simple answer being yes; but an awesome yes.

We were immediately forced to interact with those around us.. give some high fives... learn some names... and bear hug those around us. The next thing I knew I was tackling the sections of the Harvard Stadium. By the time I reached Section 19 with all the other "newbies" I knew I would be back every Monday, Wednesday, and Friday until for some reason I couldn't. We were hooked.

Loving November Project

I don't know what it is exactly... or maybe I know exactly what it is.

I'm surrounded by people from all over Boston, coming together at the crack of dawn, to kick our own asses. We cheer each other on... we encourage each other to keep going... we share the common goal of wanting to finish the workouts set out for us.

And I can't quite explain, but for something I'm paying zero dollars for, and have no direct relationship with the two people telling me what to do for a workout...

I've never worked harder.

Monday Destination Deck Workout 

I've also never been as sore after a workout before. If you think you're in shape... come to November Project and tell me if you still think that after your first couple workouts with them.

Mondays we meet in varying locations around the city for a deck of cards/circuit workout, and if you live closer than 6 miles, you're expected to run there. Can't say I ever thought I'd play Sharks and Minnows at this age, with people my age, but I did, and I love it.

Wednesday we meet at Harvard Stadium and climb up and down each section. When you're short like me, climbing the seats part is quite the challenge, but the surrounding people motivate you to just keep going. Even when you don't think you can possibly do another section, someone is reaching out for a high five, or coming in for a sweaty hug. The power of people is amazing.

Fridays we run Summit Avenue in Brookline.. I use to avoid this hill like the plague when I lived near it. I would legit walk an extra half mile around it to avoid it...

Now? Now it's the weekly challenge.

I'm an amazing downhill runner [hmm imagine that] but it's the uphill that gets me. Right now I putter in a slow, tiny step, jog for the first part of the uphill and then I have to walk... my body just isn't there yet...keyword: yet.

Summit Avenue Hills Workout #EarnYourWeekend

[Read more about November Project Here]

I learned through my previous training that I need to listen to my body, and rest it when it needs rest. But to also know the difference between my body needing rest and me just making up excuses.

That's the best part of this whole November Project... Matt's become my accountability. We both know the other is going to show up, and we both aren't going to let the other person down by not being there. It's a motivation I haven't had before.

I've also somehow managed to get into a 100 mile challenge with Matt through Nike+  [what's wrong with us?] so this is added motivation on those days in between to get out and get some straight mileage in... He's currently beating me, but give me time... I'll catch up!

I'm hoping with this mix of cross training to really build my endurance, which is something I have always lacked with long distance running. So it'll be interesting to see how it all plays out.

You're probably going to get sick of reading about my natural highs of November Project stuff... but my response is simply going to be, I don't care. Or... just come out and try it yourself, and I'm almost positive you'll get hooked.

I'm going to do as I did in my last blog, and keep you posted on the ups and downs, pains and strains, emotional and physical highs and lows of my training.

The Boston Marathon is still a long ways away, but in the same mind set... it's around the corner.

I hope you'll keep on me, on keeping up with this blog as you did the last.
My motivation levels are at an all time high so I'd like to ride this train as long as possible. :)

~Stephanie

Upcoming Events:
October 4th- Neon Run 5k
October 13th- B.A.A. Half Marathon
October 26th- Blacklight Run 5k