Zale Tabakman

As anybody who has read my postings they know I have this 15 Month plan that started last June to get me to the Boston Marathon in 2011.

The first major milestone was last Sunday’s Toronto Marathon.

My goals were:

1. to complete in 4:30 and to not cramp up.

So I had been planning and running and following the Running Room schedule. Everything was great – except for three things that effected my plan.

1. I did not take into account the Jewish Holidays which all fell on the last 4 weeks before the run. So guess what that did to my long runs! Lesson Learned: Plan around the Jewish Holidays so that the training works. I will have the same problem next year.
2. I fell when running and hurt my rib. I fell because I got caught in my dogs leash when he started playing with 2 dogs NOT ON leash. Lesson Learned: Stop and don’t worry about a training run time when their is chance I can get hurt.
3. The temperature dropped. I did not know that the temperature drop will make you so sore. I talked to other people and found out it is quite common. Lesson learned: Expect soreness when the weather turns
4. I didn’t dress properly for it. I ended up carrying a really nice jacket I bought and hat from 2KM spot. Lesson Learned: next time – I will buy something something used and throw it away when I am done.

My results:

• Completed in 4:40 – which is close enough to my 4:30 goal

• NO CRAMPING! – In the end I used something called endurance. I started with Accelerate – it worked to stop cramping – but I found I was having stomach problems if I drank to much of it. I am a little lactose intolerant and on long runs when I drink a lot of it – my stomach acted up.

Maybe Milestone On The Way To Boston : Tiberius in January 4:15 – I am waiting to see if I land a specific contract so I can afford it.

Next Milestone On The Way To Boston: Ottawa 4:00

Summary

The weather was great.

The people were great!

And the best of all?

Two of my kids were at the finish line.

One of them ran with me for the last 100 yards – yelling in my ear…..

“You can do it! You are on your way to Boston!”