The Boston Diaries: Chapter 10

A big week, off the trail

Another winter morning in Nebraska, Monday, March 6th.

I got engaged this week. Riss and I went to the spot of our first date — Mula in Blackstone — for what she thought was just an anniversary lunch. By the time we left, March 10th wasn’t just our five-year anniversary. It was our five-year anniversary and we were engaged! We were buzzing, and we hadn’t even had their margaritas¹.

Riss has been a wonder in my life. I’ve written about her at various points in this newsletter, including this moment in particular that will forever stand out to me from the 2022 Chicago Marathon:

Suddenly I was at mile 13, when I saw Riss to my right; I blew her a kiss. Is this the happiest I have ever been in the midst of a single race? Yes.

I could write thousands of words on what she means to me, let alone thousands more about what she’s meant to my running journey.

For all intents and purposes, running is a cheap hobby². Sure, I need more shoes than the average runner³. And boy do I love Tracksmith’s clothes. Oh don’t forget entry fees for races. Etc., etc. That said, I can think of more expensive hobbies one could have. Not to mention, running is good for me, both physically and mentally.

But time on the trail is just that — time. All those hours, all those miles… they build and build and build. In the summer, this means getting up before 6:00am most weekdays, before 5:00am (and sometimes even 4:00am) on Saturdays. It means it’s her turn to take care of Banks a bit more. It means I’ll be going to bed earlier on Friday nights, so it’s not like we can have an impromptu night a bar or restaurant.

It means trips to Minneapolis and Chicago — fun cities, no doubt — but those trips are built around the races I run, not sightseeing or stops at a local brewery. At least not before the race!

When our relationship began, I ran as a way to stay in shape, as a way to keep off the pounds. She wasn’t entering into a relationship with a 70-mile a week runner⁴. She entered into a relationship with a 70-mile a month runner.

Five years later, I’m interviewing a college basketball coach and after we finish up, he’s asking, “have you run yet today?” It’s apart of who I am at this point. It’s how people know me.

And she’s here for all of it.

I look forward to the many adventures we’ll go on in the years to come. I know she’ll be by my side in Lincoln, Boston, and beyond. I love you, Riss.

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One more thing before we get going on this week’s runs: How about the new logo for Chasing Three Hours?! Riss got me a medal sign with this and it’ll soon be hanging in our office. Not long after getting it I said, “I’ll have to add some color to it for the website!” Of course, she already had — in Boston’s blue and yellow no less, my favorite colors to wear while running — and here we are. Such a cool, surprising gift to get.

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The log:

Sunday: 20 minutes of weightlifting + a 3 mile walk with Banksy

Monday: 9 miles

Tuesday: 9 miles, with 6 x 800 meter intervals

Wednesday: 6.01 miles

Thursday: 11.01 miles

Friday: 15.01 miles

Saturday: 8 miles, with 8 x 10 second hills + 8 x 100 meter sprints

Total: 58.03 miles

Year to date: 606.15 miles

Day 64: The usual 20 minutes of lifting, but the star of the show was a walk of three miles with Banks. Getting oh so close to shorts weather and I really can’t wait to take him for one when it’s that nice outside.

Day 65: This was a nine-mile “general aerobic” run. For me, this means slower than I usually run at this distance or longer, as my goal is to keep my heart rate a tick lower. 138-154 was my hopeful range for this run (compared to 143-158), and I did that for all but about three of 72 minutes. The wild thing for me was my average HR was 145 and I still had a pace of 7:58 per mile.

Nine miles, March of 2023.

This bested the exact same training run from last summer by close to half a minute per mile. Was so fulfilling to see this type of improvement seven months later.

Nine miles, August of 2022.

Day 66: We’re entering into the part of this training cycle where I’ll really start pushing myself with interval work. It began with this one — four miles comfortable before knocking out 800s six times, with two-minute cool downs between each. Finished the run with one more mile as an extended cool down. My goal was to keep each 800 at 2:50 or faster and I was between 2:49-2:51 for the first five. The last one clocked in at 2:57. Began the interval at an uphill and was never able to make up the time. A great, tough run. I look forward to challenging myself more.

Day 67: Nothing too much to report from six miles on the treadmill. Usual 9:14 pace. HR averaged 119, so I wish it would have been a little lower.

Day 68: Went out on Thursday for 11 miles with snow swirling all around me, but at least it wasn’t sticking. An incredibly frustrating run in terms of snow. Every direction I ran, the snow flew right in my face. Figured when I turned around it would be at my back, but nope, still going into my eyes.

Thankfully, that was the only real frustrating part. My HR averaged 147 and did so in the midst of a 7:45-per mile pace. On tired legs, my fitness showed itself very strong once again. And the snow? Well, I guess a challenge like that is welcomed sometimes, as you’ll never know what race day will bring⁵.

Day 69: A nice way to finish up the morning of our fifth anniversary. Moved up the weekend long run to Friday so we wouldn’t have to worry about staying up too late that night. 15 miles, 7:43-per, with an average HR of 150. Went out a bit too fast early — I was feeling so good, but I should have slowed down — and that caught up with me at the end, as my HR rose past the edge (158) of where I want it on a run like this. Those early miles though? Hoo boy. From mile two through ten, my pace hung between 7:35 and 7:42. I was humming out there, and my HR was usually in zone two. Probably just a little too excited with what the day would bring.

Day 70: Like Thursday, we were getting snow. Unlike Thursday, we were also getting rain and ice. Decided to put the spikes on my shoes for these eight miles, especially given I’d have hill and speed work. As I made my way past mile’s one, two, and three, I regretted putting them on. They added to my perceived effort and the ground didn’t have much stuck to it. By the time I finished the hills and headed back north though, I knew I made the right call. Especially for the 100 meter sprints as I might have slipped otherwise. A solid run — 8:13 per, 147 average HR — and a good way to finish up week ten of training.

Eight weeks until Lincoln. 57 weeks (and one day!) until Boston.

Thanks for reading.

Saturday, March 11th.

1. I got one to go and had it during #OneBeerFriday at work.

2. I’m guessing she’ll laugh pretty hard when she reads this.

3. Go to Peak Performance in Omaha and be sure to drop my name!

4. Which is what’s on tap next week!

5. Put that slogan on a t-shirt with my new logo!