Runner's World Race Everything by Bart Yasso

Author:Bart Yasso
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Rodale
Published: 2017-11-13T05:00:00+00:00

Bart shared his Boston Marathon weekend experience with is father (left).

No matter what you decide to make your priority, save some time to do an important rite of passage before race day, when the street is finally shut down to traffic (usually on Sunday). Go down to the finish line and take pictures. Gaze down the famed Boylston Street and think about what it will be like to make the left-hand turn for the final stretch, with thousands of people cheering you on like you’re in first place. So many runners dream of doing what you’re about to do—you’ve probably dreamed a lot about it, too. You’ve made it, so give yourself a few moments to relish it while you take in running’s most famed finish line.

My first Boston Marathon was my fourth marathon. I had a good formula for training, beginning around January 1. The hills of Boston are legendary, of course, so after I completed my typical base training, I focused on hill training, then included some speed sessions. As you may have noticed, I’ve been a proponent of including hilly runs in all of my training, but for Boston I tried to simulate when the hills came on the course, after 14 miles. I wanted to prepare for the Newton hills around mile 16, ending with Heartbreak Hill just before 21 miles.

During the race I realized what most rookies realize at their first Boston: I hadn’t done enough downhill running in training. My quads were toast by the time I entered Newton. The descents in the first half of the race had left their mark. It’s rare to leave your house for a training run and go downhill for 2 miles, but that’s essentially the Boston Marathon course.

The following year, I ran 19 minutes faster at Boston than my first time there. Perhaps it was because we had cooler weather in 1983, but I suspect it had more to do with understanding the course a little better. I implemented downhill sections into the beginning of my long runs. It’s important to learn how to handle those early descents if you want to run a good Boston Marathon.

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