It seemed like the perfect plan. Two college friends and I agreed to join forces in Chicago to qualify for Boston. Knowing there’s strength in numbers – and that I need someone to chat with for 26.2 miles – I was thrilled that the planets were aligned, seeing how Chicago is famous for being fast, fun and flat. But alas, even the flattest road has speed bumps and potholes.
The first bump in the road came on August 15, when I was nearly 13 miles into a brisk 16-miler. First my left knee felt tired, then like deadweight, then the ice-pick sensation struck. Being a not-so-smart person (who happened to be 3 miles from his car), I ran through the pain. Two weeks later, another 16-miler was cut short – this time after only 7 – when the ice pick returned with a vengeance on the side of my knee. After resting, icing, compressing and elevating for a week and a half, I sought medical help. After just one visit to Dr. Sarah – and paying close attention to my Forerunner 310XT’s lap pace so as not to push too hard – I was able to do 18 miles in the first leg of our 9-hour, 11-minute relay on Patriot’s Day. I was cured! But three factors loomed large: 1) My knee still gets tired faster than the rest of me. 2) I lost a pivotal month of training. 3) My plan for Boston qualifying was falling apart. So I’ve adjusted, and I call my new plan “Ignorance is Bliss, but Stupidity Really Hurts.”
Because I have no idea how I’m doing endurance-wise, there’s a chance that I’ll be able to stick with my training partners and qualify for Boston. And I’m going to try, until my rogue knee tells me otherwise. We’ll start slowly, running negative splits as we go. With Forerunner 310XT telling me what I’m averaging over the course of the race as well as each half-mile (yep, I go overboard with my auto lap), it will be easy to monitor my progress and not get caught up in the rush at the start. If my knee speaks up (and it’s not subtle in its hints), I’ll slow down and soak in the spirit of Chicago. And if the ice pick is brandished again, I’ll stop and gladly accept my first DNF – and a Chicago hot dog at the nearest street vendor.
It’s actually a fun feeling having no idea what race day will bring. I already know it’s going to be a great race weekend, as we unveil the new colors for the FR60 and cheer on marathon favorite Deena Kastor, the American record-holder and avid Garmin user. I’ll get to relive the sights and sounds of my marathon debut, but in temperatures around 40 degrees cooler than 2007. And not only will I get to reconnect with my friends, I’ll get to spend time with my Windy City colleagues at the expo booth and at Garmin’s flagship store at 663 N. Michigan Avenue, the only retail outlet dedicated solely to giving curious customers hands-on experience with devices across each of Garmin’s various product lines. So even if I don’t have a great time, I’m bound to have a great time.