Update

Ok.... on Thursday and Friday I just ran 3.5 miles. Originally the 10k I was supposed to pace was scheduled for Friday evening/afternoon. I got an email from Ethan on Friday telling me that they decided to move it to Saturday morning on account of the poor weather. Even though this worked out well, I think it's sort of bush league to switch up a meet like that. Additionally, why was the 5k scheduled for Saturday afternoon (and not Friday evening)? Why was the last race of the "distance night" scheduled for 5:15? Considering the success of the meet last year, and the fact that it doesn't get dark until 7:30 or even later these days, I don't know why they didn't stick to the way it worked last year. Oh well.

Anyway, on Saturday morning I headed over to Tufts to help out with the 10k. To those who don't understand pacing or rabbiting, basically a rabbit works to keep the race on pace for the first section. Sometimes, especially in longer distance races, the race can turn tactical, as no one really wants to lead. If it's windy, it's a pretty big advantage to follow someone through on pace, rather than leading yourself. A pace-maker ensures that the pace stays honest early on, and helps to block the wind a little. For the 10k, Chris Kantos and Josh Kennedy were hoping to run right around 31:00, which is pretty serious. Adam Fitzgerald, a Conn. College alum, and Jimmy Butcher from Middleburry were also in the race, hoping to run about the same time. The weather actually wasn't too bad... it was about 45, cloudy, and a little breezy. After warmup with Kantos and Kennedy we lined up for the 25 lap race. I went to the lead about 100m in and went through the mile in about 4:55. I stayed on this for the next mile and came through in 9:52 before stepping off. I was glad I came through right on pace, as I didn't know how difficult it would be to run this. I was hurting a little for the last lap, but overall I felt pretty good. Kennedy and Kantos are in pretty sick shape considering they held this pace for another 4 miles, finishing in 30:56 and 31:02 respectively. Good for them... those are pretty nasty early season times.

Today I ran 11 miles with Tufts alums Jason Burke and JR Cruz. We went around South Boston. I felt ok... we were going a little bit fast, but overall it was a pretty good run. JR, Bromka and Burke have all run Boston, so it was interesting to hear their advice for the race. I also can't believe that it's only a week away. I'm getting pretty pumped. During this week I'll do a more comprehensive outline of the taper, and my plan for the race. I think I'm ready to rock... this week is all about tapering and making sure my legs feel good.