Training Insights for the Upcoming 118th Boston Marathon - by dennis mccrea

Star Alpine Physical Therapist Dennis McCrea shares his training insights in prep for the upcoming Boston Marathon.

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I finished the last long training run a week ago, and since then it has been recovery and tapering. Since my last blog the longer training runs have been 20, 22 and 24 miles with shorter runs in between. I was glad to have the last long training run under my belt. It was a cold and windy run, so I may be prepared for Boston, where the weather may be just the same.

The Boston Marathon course starting line is at 450 ft above sea level, and the finish line is near sea level. It seems all down hill and an easy 26.2 miles from Hopkinton into Boston. This is not the case as there are rolling hills throughout the course that make up for the gradual down hill. And the biggest hill is between the 20th and 21st miles, the famed Heartbreak Hill. Not a spot where you want to see one. But I have included hills in the runs: up the Rattlesnake, Pattee Canyon, South Hills, Big Flat Road, and O’Brien Creek. Not necessarily rolling hills, but hills nonetheless. So hopefully that will be enough. I will know in a week.

I am looking forward to experiencing this historic race, the 118th Boston Marathon. And I am also looking forward to seeing some of the historical sites in Boston and seeing a Red Sox baseball game in Fenway Park.

I will keep you posted as to how the Boston Marathon experience goes.
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Dennis McCrea, PT