The latest from Boston

If you've been on any social media site this week, you've seen the Boston Strong logos, the photos with "you messed with the wrong city" superimposed over them.  I know you've seen the press releases from former and current Boston citizens that tell you over and over again, if you haven't experienced the city, you couldn't possibly understand it, and I'll say it with them, because, in all honesty, they're 100% correct.
It's not just Marathon Monday, it's Boston as a collective whole.  I'll be the first to admit, there are times when I have absolutely hated this city.  I spent my elementary school field trips navigating through the Big Dig.  I've been cut off by someone who decided to bang a left at the last minute, sans blinker, from the far right hand lane.  Anyone who grew up anywhere close to Boston has the same laments I do.  That much is certain.  And, just like everyone, we've all done exactly what we hate the rest of Boston for doing. No blinker when changing lanes? Asshole. Forget the fact that you did two streets back, this person in front of you clearly has no idea how to drive.  Yankees in town for the weekend? Forget about it, you can't walk two feet without hearing Yankees suck, even when, let's be honest, they most definitely didn't. The people at the bar are too drunk at 3 am, but really, wasn't that you at some point as well?  Chances are, if you were college aged and in Boston, you were at one point, stumbling around the streets eating $1.00 teriyaki from Hong Kong's. That's Boston life.  Loathing and loving all that you are, in immediate succession.
Maybe it's classic younger sibling syndrome.  We know we're no New York and we're damn proud of it, though maybe slightly jealous.  For what reason though?  Boston is the heart of America.  You cannot argue with that logic.  It was one of the first cities founded, the first to start the fight to make America the land of the free and the home of the brave. The minutemen, a hodge-podge militia hid behind rocks and took shots at a well trained army and eventually, drove them out of town.  Doesn't that tell you something about the spirit of Boston, of Massachusetts?  It should.
Perhaps it's because we know we are a smaller city, we feel like we have more to live up to.  We are the children of Irish and Italian immigrants.  We are hard-headed and stubborn, to a fault, if you ask the rest of the world.  If we are sure we are the best, we are, and we don't need any championships to back that up.  (Let's be honest, the Yankees suck chant proved that more than anything.)  Boston is like the Bantam cock strutting around the hen house.  Small in stature, but loud and proud, always ready for a fight.  Screw with this city and you've earned a one way ticket to hater-ville.  Just ask Whitey Bulger.
This is why if you're not from Boston, you just wouldn't understand.  Where else can a city collectively hate, and collectively forgive one man for a simple baseball error.  Seriously. Boston drove a man OUT, for letting a ball roll through his legs.  (I'm not proud of that, sorry Bill Buckner.)  Just one simple error, it didn't even hurt anyone, just left an emotional wound on a long suffering cursed city.  Imagine if you will then, two people who actually did hurt the city.  Not in a metaphorical sense, but actually wounded people, killed people.  These two young men, as we've come to find out, seem to be under the impression that they will get away with this.  Maybe they believe that they can actually hide.  HIDE.  From Boston.  A city that wouldn't forgive Billy Buckner until 2004.  Hide from a city who is collectively, with the world behind us, looking for them.  Hide from a city built on stubborn Irish and Italian, and many other national prides.  To you two disgusting examples of human beings, I have just a few words. Good luck, love Boston.
Here are the pictures for anyone who thinks that they can help.
http://boston.cbslocal.com/2013/04/18/authorities-release-images-of-boston-marathon-bombing-suspects/

This is suspect 1

Suspect 2

Boston, you're my home

This morning I went for a run, because I can.  Because so many other people can't right now.  Because I had friends at the finish line who's lives have been changed forever (No physical injuries, but 150 feet from the bomb leaves some emotional scars I'm sure.)  Because there was an 8 year old boy and his family at the finish line, and the family will never see him again.  Because Boston is the backdrop to my run at least once a week, so it seemed important to go out and run that route today.  There are tons of reasons why I went for a run today, these are just some of the few.  As I was running, I decided to go that extra mile.  I had too.  There are people in hospitals in Boston who maybe will never get to go another mile on their own again.  This time I changed my route though.  Usually I go up to Swampscott and back, but today I went around Nahant.  The view of Boston across the bay from Nahant is gorgeous and it was a constant reminder of why I had to keep running.  It also seemed incredibly important to use Charity Miles today.  Even though I use the app almost every time I run, there was no question about it today.  I ran for Wounded Warriors, which seemed fitting.
My intent was to run at least 4 miles.  Sadly, when I was heading back down the beach, about a half mile from my car, I happened upon a dead seal in the middle of the beach.  At first I wasn't sure if it was a seal or just a giant piece of trash, so I turned course and went to check it out.  Upon arrival, I confirmed that it was a seal, and after that, I had to do something.  I wasn't sure who to call, being in the middle of the beach and all, so I opted for Lynn Animal Control.  I waited with that seal for at least a half an hour, but still no one had shown up.  I hope by now the poor animal has been removed.  It was an immensely sad sight, seeing this lovely creature beached and alone.  There usually aren't any seals this far North, so I'm not sure where it came from, but I hope if there are others out there, that the New England Aquarium is aware of the situation and can save others from the same fate.
All in all, I made it about 3.5 miles running and then added the extra .5 on after leaving the seal behind. Along the way, I took some pictures of my route, so you can see what a nice view I usually have of Boston.  I'm also including a picture of my charity miles, which I edited just slightly, to a song that I found to be incredibly fitting.  Enjoy!

The view as I came down a hill in Nahant.

The bottom of the hill, Boston in the background.  It's much clearer in person than in these pictures.

Marathon Monday madness

Marathon Monday may not be a holiday in any other part of the U.S, but here in Boston, it is historic. Not only do thousands of people come out to run the marathon, but thousands come to spectate as well.  The Sox play a day game at 11:00 and Lexington/Concord does a reenactment of the first shots of the American Revolution.  So the last thing you EVER expect to hear about is a bombing at the finish line of the marathon.
There are no words to describe the energy and excitement of the Boston Marathon.  To watch is to be inspired and I can't even imagine what it must feel like to run.  People line the ENTIRE route, not just the finish line, to cheer on the runners. Sure, many college students use it as a party day, but even that energy is amazing.  It really is a day unto itself, that one cannot understand if s/he has never experienced Boston. So it is absolutely horrifying to watch the news, see the buildings blow out, hear about the gruesome injuries, and find that at least 2 are actually dead.  I can't imagine, doing something so amazing in your life, and possibly losing it all, feet before the finish line.
Some of my friends were spectating at the finish line, but ran when they heard the explosions.  Personally, I opted out of that this year.  I almost went to Heartbreak hill and then head in to Boston, but my visit to my cousin ran over, so I decided not to go in after all.  There is NOTHING I am more grateful for right now than that decision.  If I had decided to meet my friends in Boston, who knows where I might be right now.
I have no other words for the horror in Boston right now.  I pray that everyone who is injured comes back strong in the next few years and does not let something as disgusting as this ruin their life.  To those who are still out running, who have been diverted down a different street, I hope you  stay strong and run it through as proof that Boston does not falter, and never bows down to terror. Stay strong Boston.

Frozen Shamrock

Remember that race from February that was postponed?  Today was the reschedule.  Even though it wasn't quite so frozen anymore, it was a nice race.  To be honest, I wasn't even really looking forward to running today.  I know I had too, but it was just one of those days.  But, I went out and did it anyways, which was necessary, because you know, if you spend the money, you might as well make it to the race right?  Anyways, I've been trying to do some speed training, which is as miserable as it sounds.  Basically, I take my normal pace and run down the beach.  At random intervals, usually between two telephone poles, I sprint, or at least, attempt to.  The theory is that speeding up for random intervals will increase lung power and endurance, overall making your running faster.  Supposedly running up and down large hills 5/6 times during a run will do the same.  Neither option is ideal, lets be serious.  But, I've been hoping to get my time down under 9 minutes, since I feel like I've been stuck there for a few months, so I've been out there doing it.  Not often, maybe once a week, which is not as often as I want to do it.  I'm hoping that combined with long runs, it will all pay off. (It sort of did last week in an unrelated note.  I went to the beach to run and happened to stumble into the new David O. Russell film being shot.  That's right, Christian Bale, Bradley Cooper, Jennifer Lawrence, and some others were filming across the street from where I was running.  BONUS!)
Well, anyways, the gist of it is that I've been working on increasing my speed and decreasing my time.  Here's the good news.  Today I ran the 5K in 24:40.  Yes, that's right.  From 27/28 down to 24.  That's at least a minute off each mile.  Before you ask, it wasn't totally flat.  There was a nice hill right after the first mile.  Here's my official stats, according to coolrunning.

 191  14/81   F2029   ALLISON RUNYAN   24:37.9  8:13    8:19.0   16:16.4   24:44.1 

That's 191 overall, out of over 700 people, 14 of 81 people in my age group. My time is 24:37, gun time is 24:44.   Basically, a fantastic run.  The best I've had so far.  I am super pumped for this new time, but a little worried about it too. Now I expect myself to run any 5K at that speed so if I don't, I will be disappointed in myself.  Anyways, that's my brag for the day.  Here are some pictures from the race.  Ryan was loving enough to come with me and wait for me at the finish line, so he took the pictures too.  

Halfsies

As of 5:30 pm today I am officially registered for a half marathon. I'm still on the fence about being excited for it.  The farthest I've gone so far is still the 9 miles back in February.  Sure, I've increased some of my weekly runs to be 5 or 6 miles, but mostly I've still been sticking to 5ks.  But on May 26, 2013, like it or not, I will be running a half marathon through Boston.
Registration for the Disney Marathon opened up today too and I really want to register.  The problem with that is being able to make it down there next year.  Plane tickets can be expensive, plus the stay in Disney.  This is one that I have to think about and really consider, but I REALLY want to run it.
I've also signed up for the Color me Rad, coming to Massachusetts in July.  I did the Color Run last year and it was fun, so I'm pretty excited for this one.  I think that's about it for races I've signed up for recently.  Other than that I've just been running the Will Run for Beer Series and working on improving my time.  I really wanted to get it down under a 27, even if it was just a little bit down.  Unfortunately, I haven't been able to do that yet.  I ran on Sunday and I felt like I was going along great, but the finish line time told me differently.  Yesterday I did some speed training at the beach, but it actually increased my time overall....WTF?  While I was at the beach though, I did happen to see the new David O. Russell film being made.  It was a star-filled afternoon, I'm pretty positive that Christian Bale was there, and I know Bradley Cooper was.  I wasn't expecting to run into a movie set so that was pretty neat.
Since the weather is getting nicer, which means no more pockets :(, I've been looking for something to wear while running to hold my stuff.  Usually I need something to hold my phone, some gum or energy beans, and keys.  I found a running belt pack at Olympia Sports so I bought that, but after seeing pictures of it, I'm not sure I want to keep wearing it!  It looks like I'm wearing a fanny pack!!! Embarrassing.  I'm going to continue using it for now though, and just keep an eye out for something smaller but just as functional.  I'll leave you with a picture so you can see what I mean.

Seriously...basically a fanny pack.  It didn't help that I was loaded down with chili, free waters, and a t-shirt.  This is post-race as we were check our results.

This is just a good picture.

April Fools 4 miler

Yesterday was the 4 miler in Salisbury.  This time though, we weren't running the beach fighting an incoming storm, so it was considerably easier.  No wind to contend with.  I went for a 3 mile run on Friday and I had done the 6 miles on Wednesday, so I was clearly all set with this race.  It seemed a lot longer than it was though, and I think I've figured it out.  As much as I love flat roads, I also find them incredibly boring.  Especially if the race is a loop.  The same scenery there and back is just not doing it for me.
I ran with a group of people again.  There were 7 of us all together.  For one of us, it was the first time running any mileage over 3. She did pretty well too, came in around 40:50.  Three members of the group are super speedy and crossed somewhere in the 20s, and the other three, myself included, crossed in the 30s.  When I got to the 2 mile mark there was a running clock which was at about 17 minutes.  Pretty good right? If I had been doing a 3 miler, I could've had my best time ever I think.  Unfortunately, there were still 2 miles to go, and I know I slowed down a bit.  I stopped for the water because I was having trouble inhaling all the way, which added a few seconds to my time.  However, I could tell it was more than just that, because between the 2 - 3 mile stretch suddenly a lot of people from behind were passing me.  I was getting a little disappointed, to be honest.  I really wanted to go faster than I was going and it felt like it was taking me forever to get back to the beginning, which was really the end.  As I rounded the last corner I didn't think I had anything left in me, but as always, I managed to put on a burst of speed.  Mostly it was because I saw the clock and I knew I was doing much better than I thought, so I wanted to keep that up.  As it stands, this was my final time, taken directly from the cool running website.  It shows that I came in 469 overall, out of 900 something, and 39 of 92 in my age group.  My time is 36.02 with a 9.01 minute mile, and the gun time was 36.19, which is the difference from when the race started to when I crossed the starting line.

469  39/92   F2029      ALLISON RUNYAN       Lynn MA            28 F   441   36:02.4  9:01   36:19.3 

Overall, I have to say, I was satisfied with the time.  It still ended up being my best time ever.  I was really hoping to get it down to under a 9 minute mile.  So my goal for the race this Sunday and the next is to get my time down to at least an 8:57.  Once I achieve that, I will start focusing more on my half-marathon training, as I believe I'll be registering for that on Friday.....Can you feel the impending doom? I can....  

I have no pictures for you today, I know, you're super disappointed.  Maybe next time.

Good Friday

Even though this day is titled for a religious holiday, it just fits so perfectly.  I'm not sure what it was about the past few weeks at work; partly MCAS messing up schedules and partly snow days but by today I really need tomorrow off.  I realized this today when I was walking the dogs and some middle schoolers started yelling things at the dogs.  You know how middle schoolers are, they're tougher than the world, so of course they thought it was hilarious.  It was the moment when I was getting really irritated that I realized it was definitely time for a break.  One of the first rules of teaching is to NEVER let what the students say get to you.  These kids weren't even my students and I was letting it get to me.  If you're not a teacher, you can't possibly understand this, and may even be sitting there thinking how lucky I am to have days off like this, stop complaining....I know, I've heard it all, and I'm not up for defending my job to anyone at the moment.  So if you haven't done it or can't understand it, just move on.  

Alright, now that I've gotten that out of my system, let's carry on, shall we?  Last night I went for a nice 5/6 mile run with some friends.  There were four of us and it worked out nicely as two were super speedy and myself and the other girl managed to keep pace with each other.  All of our timers and speed calculators had different times, paces, and mileage, which, considering we all started at the same time and ran the same route, made no sense.  That's why I'm calling it 5/6.  I know it was somewhere between the two.  Definitely more than 5, maybe exactly 6, maybe a little less.  I don't know for sure though.  I didn't feel too bad though, which I was happy with.  I think I've figured out the key to successful running.  Coffee and BelVita a half-hour or so before the run.  The BelVita gives me the exact amount of energy I need to start off, without feeling like I'm loaded up on food or going to puke.  Basically, everything you could ask for.  The run was a nice course through Beverly, not totally flat, but not too hilly.  Plus the weather was lovely.  I think I'll be running that one more often.  Here's a Charity Miles shot, but I forgot to start this at the same time as the other running app, so there's a bit of a gap from where I started running to where I started recording. 

Tonight I purchased a new pair of running shoes from Bobs.  I had a gift card, so they ended up only costing me $13.  Sweet deal.  I'm hoping that I like them as much as I like the ClimaWarms. I'm not sure if I mentioned this before, but I realized that my knee problem was coming from wearing my super light climacool shoes, so I had to give them up for running.  I've been looking for a pair of shoes with some more support, but without the huge price tag.  So these new shoes are Adidas, but they're the Clima Aerate, which is what my ClimaWarms are, so they have a little bit more cushioning on the sole.  Did I mention they were only $13? I think these will be good, though I may consider some running insoles as well.  I saw a pair while I was shoe shopping, but I decided to give the shoes a try on their own first.  We'll see where that takes me.  I also found a great pair of running capris, but they were bright pink and slightly see-through, so I passed over them as well. At home I tried to find them online in a different color, but of course, because I really wanted them, they don't exist in my size.  LAME!  

Here are the shoes (or very close to the shoes) that I bought.

To wrap it all up, I just had a conversation about running a half in May.  The plan is to sign up next week, so it looks like that might actually be happening.  All I have to say to that is, ULP.  This always seems like a good idea until the time comes to do it.  Then, it never seems like a good idea.