It's time for cruise control and bubble wrap, just gotta stay safe and sound and make it to Hopkinton now. March is the first time I've broken two hundred miles in a month. Partly attributable to more running, but also due in part to a thirty one day month with five Sundays. Yesterday's Eastern States 20 was so bad it was funny, nothing like sloshing along for twenty miles. At least the temps remained bearable, if it had dropped five degrees or so we would have been hurdling frozen runners left and right. I ran it with Fireman Bob of the Shamrock Running Club, he is the one that suggested the race. Giving him grief about that for two hours and forty one minutes made me feel much better. I know most folks really don't care for the taper, which makes me an exception. Finishing any long run is great (like hitting your head on a wall, it feels good when you stop), but finishing your last long run is really great. I love backing off, knowing that the hay is in the barn. I hope things are going well for all, especially those that have been battling illness and/or injury. Hang in guys, the end is very near.

I learned something this week: I'm a coward After going out really slowly on my last 20 miler (just to be safe), I realized around mile 17, that I didn't have to be going so (@#*$@#&$ slowly. I cut a minute to a minute:30 off the pace for the final portion, and it felt completely fine - better, even. I wish I'd realized earlier that I didn't need to be such a chicken when it comes to pacing - guess I need to start using my HRM again. Ended my run (thoroughly soaked) at a Marathon Sports, and, since my windbreaker was being held together by safety pins, picked up one of the (dry) Celebration windbreakers (15% off, thanks to local club membership - I also have a couple coupons if anyone else wants the discount for the marathon gear - they give them out like candy). It's really nice quality, embroidered on the back instead of printed. This time, I couldn't be happier that taper has rolled around. This has been a rough training cycle, and I am so, so busy with school and boards right now, it's been hard to justify the time spent running. Hey! Looks like I'll also get a record 200+ miles for March. High-five! Can we get a secret handshake?

Is the price (before discount) at Marathon Sports about the same as the expo?

I would imagine so - the price was permanently affixed to the jacket by Adidas, and it's the same price as the Adidas website ($90).

Hey all...some really nice runs out there. I just wanted to post my results from yesterday's Eastern States 20 Mile Border to Border Run. I went into this with no intention of racing which is no easy task for me. But I knew after running 18 miles last Sunday at Marathon Pace, 12 miles last Friday with the bulk of that at Marathon Pace and then working in the yard with my son-in-law on Saturday cutting down a large tree that had been damaged by the ice storm this winter. Well I pretty much knew that my legs wouldn't be in for an all out 20 miler. So I figured I would head out and try to hold onto a 7:20 pace for at least 10 miles and then ease on back whenever I felt I needed to which would be a pretty good run on tired legs. As it worked out the weather was pretty lousy, rain, wind and very cool temps in the lower to mid 30's. I ended up running about 13.5 miles pretty much dead on 7:20 average pace but could really feel my legs tiring during that 14th mile and pulled it back and eased on in to finish at 2:35:59 for a 7:48 finishing pace. Overall I am very happy with that even though it was over 7 minutes off last years race...that is the difference I didn't race it and was acutally able to pull back and run some pretty slow and easy miles and walked away at the finish satisfied...very wet and very cold...but satisfied. Oh and no injuries, my back was fine, my right hamstring was fine and the weather really was a non-factor. Luckily the wind, which was brutal was at our backs for about 99% of the course, otherwise it could have been a factor. Now for the taper and of course I won't mimic anything close to this past week of running prior to Boston and will hit the starting line well rested and ready to RACE...at least that's the plan. BadDawg, I thought I saw you once and I was talking with someone and then looked up and you wree gone. Erica, since I know I'll be buying some of that Adidas marathon stuff I would love a coupon if you could get one to me I would appreciate it - you can e-mail me at rscamman@maine.rr.com if you want.

I'm glad I'm not the only one who had to suffer through a long run in the rain, snow and wind. Here's an off topic question - This is my first Boston. I'm staying with the parents of a friend. They want to drive me to the start in Hopkinton. They want to be part of the action. I read on the BAA website that the only way to assure you get to the start line on time is to take one of the offical buses. Should I decline the ride and take the bus or should I let them drive me out there? Thanks for the input.

Finishing any long run is great (like hitting your head on a wall, it feels good when you stop), but finishing your last long run is really great.

I love that... sums it up perfectly. It really does feel good when you stop! But... I'm like Missy and will be finishing my last long run next Sunday. I'm sure hoping I can hit 20... I had to bail on my long run yesterday as it was just not my day. Only made it 9.1, although my pace was pretty good while I was running. That was a major confidence shaker yesterday. Now I don't want to run, at all. Need a kick in the butt or something. Good job on your weekend races, you guys. I do envy those with a good HM or 20 mile race nearby when Boston is 3 weeks away. Perfect timing, as long as you don't push it and get hurt, which it sounds like was not a problem. Erica, you could be sending out lots of coupons... could you e-mail me at erika dot vanflein at alaska dot edu? T-Bone, you can get a ride, don't let the "official bus" scare tactic work! However, you won't be able to be dropped off right by the start. They close the street into the starting area to all but the "official" buses so you'll need to walk about a mile in. That's what I did last year, and it served as a very nice warm up. My hotel offered a shuttle, but they wouldn't let the driver go past a certain point and we had to walk in. No big deal, just allow enough time.

Thanks Erika!!!!

Need a kick in the butt or something.

Erika, perhaps you should get one of these? A kick your own butt device.