3) What are some of your favorite marathon-specific workouts?
My favorite marathon workout is the long run! I've always loved them. I usually break my long run into thirds, picking up the pace for each section. Those and the long tempos are what give me the most confidence going into a marathon.
4) For the marathon, both the training and racing can be quite grueling. What are some of your tips for combating that pain and staying motivated? What keeps you focused in those final miles leading to the finish line?
Running is a tough sport, but that's why crossing the finish line is so rewarding! There are always going to be tough times in training and in the race, but if you stick with it, a better mile will come around. You never know when the good miles or the bad miles will hit. To stay motivated in training, keep a running log (the Believe I Am training journal is a great one!)—marking down what you accomplished each day can keep you motivated and excited to be able to mark it down the next day.
It also helps you understand why you may feel great one week and terrible the next. Sometimes a tough week of training or life stresses won't show their effects until a couple of weeks down the road, but when you can see a pattern and know what to expect you can also see that you will get through it!
5) What advice do you have for runners of all levels either toeing the line in Boston this year or have plans of racing it in the future?
I would say don't lose sight of why you decided to run Boston and what got you there in the first place. It might be the biggest race you have done to this point but it's still 26.2 miles. Stick to what you know, and if you run the smartest race you possibly can, it will probably be your best race.
More: Conquering the Mental Marathon
6) Finally, you've progressed through the distances up to the marathon. What do you love the most about the distance and the event itself?
The thing I love the most about the marathon is the unknown. At this point, I am still a little bit new to the marathon and I haven't had that one amazing race to propel me forward. In the 5,000 and 10,000 meters, I know I can still improve, but I can also see my limitations, whereas in the marathon, right now anything still seems possible.
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