Create.

My sil says that Boston is just SO crowded... you are going to do GREAT!

CONGRATULATIONS on the awesome 8 miler!! That rocks! You are AMAZING!!!

You will be slower at Boston that at SGM. Sea level is nice, but the headwind that you will inevitably get and the uphill being in the second half (16-21 miles) rather than the first half like SGM will take its toll. The energy of the race is amazing and you can run a great time, but don't expect to get a SGM time.

Marion -- Thanks!!! I am really looking for the excitement the big crowds bring.

jtshad -- Thanks for the info. My fastest time at SGM is 3:34:59, but I think I could run it around a 3:29 today. So ... considering there is decent weather at Boston what time of goal would you set if you were me and feeling good come race morning? Or ... is it better not to have a goal when it comes to Boston?

Great run today.

I don't think 3:35 is unreasonable, assuming good weather (which is a huge assumption for Boston) . I think Boston is about 5-10 minutes slower than SGM.

Isn't just qualifying for Boston enough.....YA RIGHT! Set high goals and go for it!!!!

SSF ~ Trying to call you a second ago. You must be in the shower and heading to school!

WAY to run 8 miles an hour! You're getting so fast, running so strong and smart!

K, I think you can run 3:30 at Boston. Make a cougar's course graded pace chart and see if you can't keep those pace. Play it smart by not going out too fast, enjoy the crowd and save your legs for the hills which you're good at. Keep the focus and you'll be able to PR.

I know most people agree that SGM is a much faster course than Boston. Remember what happened to me? I ran SGM'07 in 4:03, then ran Boston'08 in 3:57. Andy ran both with the same time (3:09, I think). You're in much better shape now. You're running faster and stronger and smarter. I'd say go for the PR!

Kristi -- I'm not quite as competitive as you!!! ;)

Andy -- If I could hit 3:34:58 it would be a PR, perhaps that should be my pie in the sky goal if everything lines up right.

SSF -- I wish I were just getting in the shower. I have to be done with my workouts by 7 because my first class at the U starts at 8:30 (and it takes over 30 minutes to get here at that time). I am just sitting in the biology building trying to study ... but my eyes keep wanting to shut! Hence, I keep getting on the blog in the hopes of it waking me up!!! :)

You poor little sleepy head hard working student, you! I LOVE YOU!

wow, amazing workout this morning Teena! I'm with Smooth on Boston (however, I have no experience whatsoever! Just an opinion :) ) But I think with all the training you've done these past weeks and months you're ready to hit a PR even in Boston!

I hope you get some sleep, I can't believe you did that workout so early! You are amazing - running, school, home, family - wow!

I think you can definitely get a 330 at Boston. I didn't even train (I was injured) and ran it the 100th year in 3:48 chip time (it took 14 minutes to get to the starting line) with the most people ever there (over 40,000) and an intense headwind. It snowed at least a half a foot the day before and....need I go on? Seriously you are doing so well!! Pace yourself for a strong finish. The winds into the city (if there are some this year) can take it out of you so you have to save up and there are NOOOOOO hills nearing a 3% grade. Heartbreak hill is just that, a hill, a divot, a small mound, it is all mental because of where its at. It is nothing at all compared to your hill TM runs. YOU are going to run well. Keep telling yourself that. Hope this helped : D. BTW GREAT SW!!!!!

What I also think is amazing is that you only require one warm up mile to get in the groove. I am so wimpy, I have to gear up for miles. So AWESOME!!

Okay, Teena, I have no Boston experience, BUT your St George time was two years ago and then a year injured (with a very decent time) and you are no longer injured. You are MUCH faster and stronger than you were when you ran the 3:34. That year I ran a 3:38 and look at me now. AND you are faster than I am so I know you can do very well. Here is what I think: do not set a goal. Go and run it as fast as you can, when you get tired slow down a bit, then speed back up when the kick comes back. I have heard this plan of running really works well for PR's!!! ;o) You will do fabulously!!!! I still think no matter what it will be a PR!

Awesome run on the treadmill. I do not think i have ever run 7 miles in under an hour outside of a race, I am super impressed. You are such a strong woman and runner and have more determination in your little pinky than I have in my entire body!!!

Have fun this weekend!!

T NA NA - Boston is running party - my suggestions from running Boston - ran a 3:24 - 14 minutes slower than STG time the prior year - so 15 min. right on.

1. Do not waste energy weaving around people the first 7 or so miles, just run with the pack, don't get tripped or go crazy, save something for the hills to come and tough last few finishing miles. It is easy to get caught up in all of it and go out way too fast.

2. Stay off your feet the day before, stay off your feet as much as possilbe waiting for the race to start. It is often cold, take warm clothes and an old sleeping bag and ground cover. Really think, stay warm and calm before the race.

3. Don't drink green beer along the course

4. Eat orange slices, wear your name on your clothes

5. Read the history of the Boston marathon before hand.

6. Pray to the Boston running gods, Boston Billy, Joanie

7. Win your dual in the sun

8. Take many pictures, not pictures of green beer, photo pictures

9. Don't kiss the girls at Wellsey college like I did.

10. Don't go out too fast

11. don't go out too fast

12 thru 100 - don't go out too fast

Stay Kool, Have a Blast, B of BS Rools out

You were smokin' fast today! Fantastic job!

Nice one hour time trail. If I only have an hour to run on the TM and have some energy left in me I will inevitably end up turning the speed up and turn it into a 1 hour crit (cycling race usually one hour long).

Very nice workout. Yes, you are fast, and you have really been getting in some good miles this week. Hope you have a great weekend.

Good luck this weekend. And I think you are more fit now than you ever have been at SGM.

Congrats on the 8 miles in 1 hour. You are is great shape right now.

At Boston, everything depends on the weather. We could have a strong head wind. It could be very humid. etc.

If the weather conditions are perfect you should have a good chance of beating your SGM time since your fitness level is so high right now.

Good luck tomorrow and have fun.

Go for a lofty goal. If you don't go for it, you'll never hit it. Period.

I think I was about 5 minutes slower at Boston than ST G (though I can't remember). I felt good going up the hills in Newton but started to fade on the other side. BUT who cares Boston is one great big, ginormous, mega, running party from the time you get to the airport til you get home. Train hard but enjoy the moment.