Marathon Monday is here! This year we have two Philly Tri Club teammates running, Jill Cardamone and Leslie Mellet. Before the race, they both graciously shared some thoughts on the Boston Marathon and their journey to the start line. Can't wait to follow along and enjoy the experience, YOU BELONG!
First up, we have Leslie. We saw her use the phrase "race grateful" and absolutely love it. New PTC hashtag!
Tell us about your journey to getting to Boston. How long has it been a goal? What races/lessons learned did you figure out to get the BQ?
My goal to run Boston goes back to the Frank Shorter and Bill Rogers days. I think I read everything printed about Frank Shorter. At the time, I had young children so training for a marathon was not in the cards for a long time. Flash forward to my first marathon, Philly in 2012. I surprised myself with a 4:10:45 - 45 seconds over the BQ time. I was pumped. I tried again the following year and it was not pretty. I got the dry heaves in Manayunk from not hydrating enough and pretty much walked it in. I didn't run a stand alone marathon again until 2017. Again it was a rough day, I had a stomach virus and felt awful the entire race, but I finished. In 2019, I got my BQ at the Chicago Marathon.
2. During the past year leading up to getting your BQ, what training/nutrition/gear changes made an impact for you?
From a training perspective, I actually ran less mileage and depended on my bike and swim fitness to get me through. I tend to get injured so my coach and I tried this route. For nutrition, I really focused on hydration before/during/after, in other words all the time. For my gear, I would say the Nike Vaporfly Next%2. They don't make me run faster but they do help with fatigue.
3. At your last marathon where you BQ'd, any mantras or reminders you told yourself to get past the last parts of the race?
I BQ'd at Chicago in 2019. At that race, I was just there to enjoy it. Two of my sons, my daughter in law, and son in law were all running, so it was a real family outing (if normal families do that). I was totally surprised when I finished and saw my time. I had to keep checking and was texting Oliver to look up the BQ qualifying time. I guess my mantra during that race was -- ENJOY THIS AND BE GRATEFUL.
4. What will an ideal race look like for you on Monday?
For me, not going out like an idiot and progressing my pace every 3 miles. My first goal is to just have fun! I will be running the Boston Marathon for goodness sake! What could be better?!? Second goal is not to suck. The third goal is to remember the mantra my coach gave me - RELAXED IS FAST AND FAST IS RELAXED.
5. After the race, would you rather have your own chef, masseuse or chauffeur for 24 hours?
Masseuse!
Next up, we have Jill!
1. Tell us about your journey to getting to Boston. How long has it been a goal? What races/lessons learned did you figure out to get the BQ?
Boston had always been more of a pipe dream until the end of 2019 when I finished the Chicago Marathon 5 minutes shy of my BQ. After Chicago, I started working with a coach because I felt that I needed something to shave off those last 5 minutes that I could not figure out on my own. The plan was to go for a BQ in the spring of 2020 at the Tokyo Marathon but then I had a bad fall where I fractured my patella about 3 weeks before race day. Also, the pandemic happened...
2. During the past year leading up to getting your BQ, what training/nutrition/gear changes made an impact for you?
Speedwork!! Every time I trained for a marathon I went outside and ran the same pace, just trying to build endurance up and get mileage in. Now I've been doing a speed workout once a week which ranges anywhere from quick 200s to longer marathon pace intervals. Sometimes I'll do long runs with pace work too which I definitely think has helped. Of course, I have to shout out the super shoes.
3. At your last marathon where you BQ'd, any mantras or reminders you told yourself to get past the last parts of the race?
I BQ'd at the Atlantic City Marathon last fall and my last 6 miles were a lonesome boardwalk shuffle struggle. At that point I was too busy trying to do marathon math in my head to repeat any sort of mantra.
4. What will an ideal race look like for you on Monday? Goals?
I've been telling myself that Monday is more of a victory lap than a race. My main goal is to enjoy the race and try not to let the wheels fall off. It's a tough course and I'd love to PR but trying not to put any pressure on myself either.
5. After the race, would you rather have your own chef, masseuse or chauffeur for 24 hours?
Chef - give me all the desserts please.