2021 Boston Marathon – Week 1
I caught COVID-19! A few days after running the 2021 South Lakes 10K, I tested positive. I spent a week recovering before I resumed training but due to travel and testing complications, accepted that I shouldn’t attempt the London Marathon. As the British say, I was “gutted” – extremely disappointed after all the training that I’ve done to miss out on the inaugural Wanda Age Group World Championship! But, the Boston Marathon is a pretty nice consolation prize.
Training Schedule
September 5th - September 11th
Sunday: Off
Monday: Easy Run. 5 miles + strides
Tuesday: Interval Run. 6 x 600m @ 5K-10K pace w/400m recovery jog
Wednesday: Easy Run. 5 miles
Thursday: Medium Run. 12 miles
Friday: Easy Run. 6 miles
Saturday: Easy Run. 5 miles
Total: ~40 Miles
Notes. After taking a week off to recover from COVID-19, I wanted to resume my training but thought a long run might be too much. I kept my usual speed work and medium long-run, though, but decreased the mileage for both.
Training paces
| Recovery | Easy | Marathon | Threshold | Repetition |
|---|---|---|---|---|
|
? |
? |
? |
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Health
Illness. COVID-19. In late August, my boyfriend and I had been notified that a friend had tested positive for COVID-19. We both tested negative and were fully vaccinated, so we figured we were in the clear. A few days later, I ran the 2021 South Lakes 10K, (which was completely outdoors.)
On Monday, I felt too tired to run and noticed my throat was dry. As the day went on, I felt worse but my only new symptom was a runny nose. The next day, I took another COVID test during my lunch break, crying at times during the drive. I knew I had it and worried how sick I might get. Sure enough, the next day, I got a positive test result.
On Wednesday, I felt awful and stayed in bed watching Top Chef re-runs. At its peak, my fever was 103 degrees! I couldn’t reach my doctor’s office to ask for advice, so I just took Advil and Tylenol to lower it. My fever finally broke overnight and I felt better by Thursday. Although I felt better, I wasn’t completely recovered because, over the weekend, I lost my sense of taste.
The next Thursday, 10 days after my initial symptoms, I was released from isolation.
The UK requires a negative PCR test to enter the country. Unfortunately, people who’ve had COVID can test positive for up to 3 months (despite not being infectious) and the CDC recommends they not get tested during that time unless they feel ill. Fearful that I would test positive in one of the four COVID tests required to run the London Marathon, I decided to switch plans and just run the Boston Marathon, which only requires proof of vaccination.
As the British say, I was “gutted” – extremely disappointed after all the training that I’ve done to miss out on the inaugural Wanda Age Group World Championship! But, the Boston Marathon is a pretty nice consolation prize.
Workouts
Interval Run
The South Lakes 10K was a week ago. I felt recovered from COVID but unsure what toll it took from my body. I didn’t have a cough while I was sick, but I didn’t know whether that mean my lungs were completely unaffected. I decided to go with short intervals – 600m – and aim for just five.
To avoid any potential contact with people, I ran the workout on the W&OD Trail, wore a mask, and carried a water bottle. I ran my warm-up to Bluemont Park without incident – the trail wasn’t very crowded. I ran west on the trail towards Falls Church. My body felt over-rested but good! Usually, my pace is around 8:00 but today it was 7:49. I turned around shortly after passing the junction for the Custis Trail. My next split was close to 7:00! I assumed it was a Garmin malfunction, though.
I ran a very easy cool-down home feeling satisfied with the workout and confident that I could train normally.
| Distance | Set 1 | Set 2 |
|---|---|---|
|
600m (pace) |
7:49 |
7:49 |
|
Set 3 |
Set 4 |
Set 5 |
|
7:25 |
7:09 |
7:36 |
Medium Run
Today, I was officially released from isolation! Excited by my newfound freedom, I left the house a little after 7 a.m. And, the temperature was under 70 degrees!
From home, it took a little over 4 miles to reach the Mount Vernon Trail running through Crystal City. I averaged 9:25 pace, which seemed great! But, when I reached Gravelly Point, despite the beautiful views, I felt my energy was waning.
Over the next 4 miles, I averaged 9:40 pace, which was still pretty good.
In Rosslyn, I started climbing the Custis Trail. But a mile in, I stopped. I was exhausted and didn’t want to go on. I allowed myself to rest for about a minute, telling myself that I had to do this run if I was going to be fit enough to run the Boston Marathon. I also told myself, “You’re recovering from COVID! You’re allowed to feel tired!” I resumed running and realize, at that point in the course, I realized that the route I’d chosen was the quickest way of getting home anyway. I averaged 11:29 pace over the 2.50 miles.
I left the trail in Ballston and for the next 2.71 miles, I averaged 9:41 pace. It wasn’t a good run, but I felt so grateful that I finished it.
Cross-training
Strides. On Monday, I did my usual stride routine at Thomas Jefferson Community Center. My legs were a little stiff but it was good to put them through the range of motion.
Gear
Stridebox. This month’s box didn’t have a theme but it contained Nature’s Bakery Fig Bars, Nature’s Garden Trail Mix Snack Pack, Gu Energy Drink Tabs, Hammer Endurolytes Fizz, 2Toms Sport Shield Anti-Chafe Towelette, and a collapsible silicone cup.
Media & Motivation
Podcasts. “Episode 420: Live with Molly Seidel, Olympic Bronze Medalist,” Ali on the Run. What a fun interview! Molly’s excitement from winning the bronze medal at the 2020/2021 Summer Olympic marathon was infectious. I particularly enjoyed the part where she relayed the physical and verbal intimidation that happened during the race (51:35 mark).
News. “Construction to Realign Columbia Pike and Expand Arlington National Cemetery to Start Soon,” ArlNow. I run through this area to get from home to the Mount Vernon Trail and this construction is going to permanently impact my running routes.
Racing Schedule
Future races. 2021 Boston Marathon. With everything going on in my life in the past year, I never booked my hotel in Boston! Unfortunately, I waited so long that there weren’t many options but I found a room at a hotel just north of Boston Common – a great location for catching a bus on race day morning.
Runner rankings. RunWashington’s DMV Distance Derby. My best times are:
- Teddy Roosevelt Island (1.4 miles): 10:08 (7:38 pace) on May 12, 2020.
- Custis Climb – Key Bridge to Glebe (3.1 miles): 25:47 (8:47 pace) on October 6, 2020.
- Hains Point (2.5 miles): 20:37 (8:13 pace) on November 26, 2020.
Next race: 2021 Boston Marathon on Monday, October 11th. Goal is 3:54:59 (8:59 pace).
