Boston Panic???

I've never been one to panic, but maybe now is the time to start.  Let's recap the last 5 months.  In November I decided to run the Knickerbocker 60K.  I finished but proceeded to injure my knee.  I spent 2 weeks trying to run on it, 4 weeks staying of it, and another 2 weeks gingerly getting back into running.  By mid-January, I thought I had gotten past the injury.  It never felt 100%, but I was able to increase my mileage through February and March.

Team RunNYC fluid station.  Pic by Teresa DeVera

I ran the NYC Half Marathon a couple of weekends ago.  The race went surprisingly well.  I was hoping for a sub-1:28 and ended up running 1:25:08.  The problem was that I seemed to have aggravated my knee injury.  It was bothering me all last week.  That was frustrating because I was planning on doing one of my few long runs this past weekend.  (The longest runs I've done since that 60K were a couple of 15 milers a few weeks ago.)

So now I've come to a crossroads.  Should I still try to do a long (18 to 20 miles) run before Boston, which is only 3 weeks away?  I've already decided that there is no way I try to PR Boston.  Yet, I was still holding out hope that I could re-qualify for next year's Boston by running sub-3:15.  But, now, even that seems a bit optimistic.  

I've decided to try a little voo doo for my knee.  

2010 NYC Half Marathon

Today: 13.1 miles

Week: 29 miles

Workout: Clockwise loop of Central Park beginning at E. Drive and 94th Street - Exit at 7th Ave (Times Square) - 42nd St - South on West Side Hwy to West Street.

Perfect weather for the race, unlike last year. I didn't train for this race. I can't even remember the last time I ran 10 miles. My goal was to run under 1:30 so that I would qualify for next year's race. I ended up with a 1:27:06, so I was pleased. Splits were: 7:15, 6:34, 6:34, 6:41, 6:34, 6:48, 6:37, 6:31, 6:25, 6:30, 6:35, 6:37, and 7:19 for the last 1.1 miles. Average pace was 6:39/mile.

The finish line announcer gave me a shout out. He said, "West Side Y" when I was approaching the finish line.

Thanks to Josh, Stu, Tom, and Megan who came out to support runners. And thanks to Darcy and Farbod for running with me in the park.