We’re mid-Taper Time for the Boston Runners and the Spring Half Marathon season is upon us. This week is should feel like a short run, slightly slower than race pace, to work the kinks out of those muscles that are still healing up from all that training so they’re at their peak next week. Don’t Do Anything Stupid Time is in effect so run carefully and live carefully, you’re almost to the starting line.
This week we’ll be running the route that everyone complained about 13 weeks ago… most of the Melrose Half. We’ll start up Main St and head past Ell Pond where last spring a memorial was held to remember those impacted by the events at the Boston finish line and honor all those that ran that Boston who were from Melrose. The location was chosen because of a monument we pass every time we run up Main St. One we traditionally give a tap on as we train for our marathons, The Clarence DeMar monument. While living in Melrose Clarence won Boston in 1911, 22, 23, 24, 27, 28, and 30. The monument also notes another Melrose resident who won Boston, Bill Rodgers ran our streets to train for his wins in 1975, 78, 79, and 80 (the monument is a little inaccurate in that respect). A runner from Virginia, Jack Fultz won Boston in 1976. If you ask him he’ll tell you he spent his weeks prior to Boston in Melrose running our streets to get ready. So give the monument a tap then turn the corner onto Melrose St and the Lynn Fells and continue up through those hills on the Fellsway East. Be assured there are 3 guys that accumulated 12 Boston Marathon wins from running those same hills. After the hills turn right on Highland Ave and meet me at the water stop.
Once you’ve rehydrated go straight to the front side of Spot Pond. Yes we’re running it in the reverse direction than we typically do. Some say this is easier, some say its harder. If you’re running short, turn right on Pond St down to Grimsby’s. Continue straight onto West Wyoming and left on Main St to finish up. Longer runners keep going past the Zoo and turn left into the Straw Point parking lot for a little more water (I assume Jeff is helping me out this week?). After this stop keep going around the pond and up Elm Street back to the Highland Ave stop.
From here you turn onto East Boarder Road and back over to the Fellsway East. Roll the hills and turn right at Grimsby’s. Enjoy the last flat mile of your run on West Wyoming and Main Street where you finish your long run training for Boston.
Running longer then long today? Let me know your plan and I’ll see if we can support with an extra water stop.
So who’s in for the final training run before Boston? ROLL CALL!
Love the history, Jim, and thanks for facilitating the SLRs again this winter/spring!! You helped me to reach my goals at the Eastern States 20 : )
See you for a happy half tomorrow!
Back and ready for duty…
I’m in for the full…. Derek will be along to help with water stops…Thanks Jim!!
In for full
Thanks for all the support
Thanks Jim! I’m in for something?
This may be my last time ever saying I’M IN FOR THE FULL!!!!
Thanks to Jim for all his hard work and thanks to everyone who has helped along the way – stunning waterstops by Mr. Rushton, special treats from Jen Rapaport, the invention of the “you’re screwed” hydration holding station and lots of lots of support from every waterstop manager and every runner. Woo Hoo Boston and Vermont and Pittsburgh and Providence, here we come!
IFTF Thanks Jim & Jeff!!
IFTF. Thanks to Jim and all the water stop support. I’m a water stop “lingerer” so I have benefited from all the treats and conversation. And this will also be my last time saying “IFTF”. Good luck to everyone in all their future races. See you tomorrow.
I won’t be able to make it tomorrow, but wish everyone a great run!!
Thank you, thank you to Jim and all who have supported us through this training season! 🙂
I’m IFTF. Not sure about Duncan, though.
Hi! I’m so excited for everyone running tomorrow! I have to sit this one out to rest my leg so I can run Vermont City. I will be at Bruegger’s after the run to wish everyone Good Luck!
IN
IFTF Thank you Jim and everyone who helped out .
IFTF. Thanks Jim and Team.
IFTF. Thanks for all of the support!!!
Bruegger’s community fundraiser is on again this weekend!!!! I will be bringing more flyers tomorrow. Come hungry and support the Fallen Soldiers of Maine!!!!
In…..may be short ,may be long…..depending how the legs feel.
IFTF Jim!! See ya tomorrow!
In for the full. Thanks!
IFTF – following Fultz’s footsteps – thanks Jim.
Thanks so much Jim!!! In for the full or most of it anyhow….:)
In for the full. Thank you guys!!!
Lee and I are IFTF-he’s already getting his beauty sleep so he rested and ready!! 🙂
I’m sorry I’m missing our last long run together. Thank you to Jim and everyone for the support during these long runs. Good luck to everyone in Boston! Courtney and I still plan on doing long runs after this since we are training for Vermont if anyone is interested! We are taking Riley to Sesame Street live today so I have to head out now for 15. Happy running everyone!!
In for half… thanks!
IFTF + Summer route before with Winslow. Thanks Jim and Jeff and others 🙂
in for something, I think 1/2 struggling with a head cold so need to be inspired by you awesome folks!