Here we are, back in sunny Cape Town, and I’ve started my Boston Marathon training cycle. The big day is April 21 and this time I’m trying something new: instead of sticking with Coach Sean, I’ve decided to try out the Garmin Run Coach.
I’m already regretting it.
For the past few weeks, I’ve been testing Garmin’s approach, and let me tell you, it’s intense. Garmin’s system is adaptive, which sounds fancy and futuristic, until you realize you’re in a bizarre co-dependent relationship with it. If I don’t hit my paces during intervals, Garmin doesn’t just let it slide. Instead, it raises its digital eyebrow and quietly recalibrates, suggesting slower paces for next time – leaving me wondering whether my time goal is still realistic or if I should abandon it altogether.
And then there’s the execution score. After every workout, Garmin grades me like a disapproving PE teacher. So far, no matter how hard I try, I’ve never scored higher than 75%. It’s driving me nuts!
But the real kicker is Garmin’s obsession with my biomarkers. I used to joke about Garmin making me live like a monk, but now it’s gone full monastery. If I’m not in bed by 9 p.m. with the lights out, Garmin cancels my planned speed session for the next day and downgrades me to a 15-minute toddler shuffle instead. Worst of all, it then gleefully adds two minutes onto my Boston goal time.
The peak of Garmin’s tyranny occurred during our two weeks in Switzerland. Late nights with family and friends, and yes, the occasional glass of wine – Garmin was not impressed. My training slowed to a crawl and my predicted Boston time got progressively worse. Now that I’m back in Cape Town, I’m obsessed with not letting anything upset Garmin’s delicate data balance.
It nearly feels like I’m auditioning for a sequel to that Netflix documentary Don’t Die. You know, the one about the guy who swallows 130 supplements a day and sleeps on a temperature-controlled mattress in his quest for eternal youth? At this rate, I might as well start drafting my own blueprint protocol.
Still, I think I can handle this madness for three months. After all, Boston is calling, and if selling my soul to a watch is what it takes to run a good race, so be it!
In line with my new Garmin regimen, this “Get Back into Shape” gym advertisement in Zurich felt oddly fitting. Over the holidays, we completely skipped strength workouts (gasp), and I’m definitely feeling it!
Finally, I wanted to share this lovely drawing by Elke, a German running blogger. It’s based on a photo I used in my last post, and I’m absolutely blown away by her skills. 🤩
- Are you glad to get back to your routine in January?
- Do you have any artistic hobbies?
I’m joining Runs with Pugs and The Running Teacher’s link-up, Tuesday Topics. I’m also joining Runner’s Roundup with Mile By Mile, Coach Debbie Runs, Confessions of a Mother Runner and Runs with Pugs.
Liebe Catrina,
oha, da hast du dir ja was “angetan” mit deinem Garmin-Despoten! Warst du mit der Vorbereitung von Coach Sean nicht zufrieden? Das Ergebnis konnte sich doch sehen lassen! 😉
Toll ist natürlich, dass die Uhr das Alltagsverhalten miteinbezieht, aber lass dich trotzdem nicht von ihr versklaven!
Von diesem (leicht irren?) Typ habe ich noch nie gehört – auch kein Versäumnis, wie mir scheint. Vor einigen Jahren habe ich mal ein Buch gelesen, das hieß “Der 4-Stunden Körper”, das ging auch so in Richtung Selbstoptimierung und war mir auch schon etwas suspekt. Aber solange die Herren selbst ihre eigenen Versuchskaninchen sind, sollen sie machen. 😀
Liebe Doris,
Hilfe! Coach Garmin ist streng und kennt keine Gnade! 😬
Coach Sean war zwar ok, aber manchmal hatte ich das Gefühl, dass er ziemlich abgelenkt war. Ich bekam selten Feedback von ihm. Und dann hat er das Datum meines Marathons verpasst. Es hat ein paar Tage gedauert, bis er überhaupt bemerkt hat, dass ich den Lauf schon hinter mir hatte. Jetzt habe ich dafür das genaue Gegenteil: ein Coach, der mich nie in Ruhe lässt!
Ach, meinst du “The 4-Hour Body” von Tim Ferriss? Das habe ich auch gelesen – und ich gebe dir vollkommen recht, das Buch war nichts wert.
Die Netflix-Doku über Bryan Johnson ist allerdings echt unterhaltsam. Total crazy, aber trotzdem faszinierend, was sich dieser Typ alles so ausdenkt! 😂
Back to South Africa, so schnell geht es, man bekommt es nicht mit – und schon ist Catrina wieder in den warmen Gefilden, kaum zu glauben, wenn man euch so sieht in wenig Klamotten ! Nein, nein, nein, ich bin nicht neidisch, nein, nein, nein !!!!🙃
Habe auch schon mit dem Gedanken gespielt. mir das gleiche Modell von Garmin zu leisten, weil meine schon in die Jahre gekommen ist, aber meine Ansprüche sind natürlich längst nicht so hoch wie deine, ich richte mich nie nach der Uhr, brauche auch keine Trainingsunterstützung, weil ich immer schon ohne Trainer und ohne ” Überwachung ” laufend unterwegs war und bin, aber du hast ja ganz andere Pläne und Erwartungen an dich und an die Uhr.
Jetzt geht es also los : Boston ruft, die Uhr läuft – im wahrsten Sinne des Wortes ! Viel Glück auf all’ deinen Wegen, pass gut auf dich auf !
Würdest du mir die Uhr als Freizeitläuferin auch empfehlen ? Nachts bleibt sie ja bei mir bekanntlich aus ! Ich trage sie nur während sportlicher Tätigkeiten !
Liebe Grüße von der grauen, eisigen Ostsee, ich kann nicht so ” nackisch ” herumlaufen wie du !😉
Mir ging es auch so, liebe Margitta – zack, und schon bin ich wieder hier! Damit uns nicht langweilig wird, haben wir in den nächsten Wochen jede Menge Besuch aus der Schweiz. Gerade heute Morgen waren wir mit sieben Personen auf einer Wanderung unterwegs. Es ist wirklich schön, aber natürlich auch ein bisschen „busy“.
Zu deiner Frage wegen der Garmin 265S: Für mich hat die neue Uhr einen Mehrwert, besonders wegen der vielen Statistiken – ich finde das total spannend! Aber wenn du die Uhr nur während des Sports trägst, reicht deine jetzige völlig aus. Du hast die Garmin 235, oder? Die fand ich immer super.
Ja, Boston ruft – laut Garmin sind es nur noch 13 Wochen. Das ist wirklich nicht mehr viel Zeit. Ich bin schon gespannt, wie der Plan aussieht, wenn nach dem Marathon der Ultra ansteht. Wie das Training dann wohl aussehen wird?
Liebe Grüsse zurück – du wirst es nicht glauben, aber es regnet hier gerade wie aus Eimern und ist richtig kühl!
😅💦 Too funny with that watch. Run with Hal is a bit like your Garmin master. Ugh… After every run you get graded with letters not numbers. And it only takes the running volume & time into account. Right now I am not an excellent student. C+ 😱
Just too busy w a thousand obligations and the running seems to get out on the back burner. But I need to change that soon. I prefer working out at the gym more too.😅💦
I agree that drawing is indeed well done! Looks like a pencil drawing?🤔 i suppose my artistic talents would be in the wood workshop. I can build almost anything!😅💦
Haha, I can totally relate! 😅
These virtual coaches have a way of making us feel like we’re slacking off, don’t they? Graded with letters sounds brutal – at least Garmin just throws numbers at me. But hey, a C+ still means you’re showing up, and that’s what matters, right? 😅 By the way, is Hal an electronic program like Garmin, or is it more of a paper-based plan? I’m curious how it works!
It’s understandable that running takes a backseat when life gets busy. Gym workouts count too! They are more important than running overall. Staying strong is key to long-term fitness! If you need to make the choice, rather go with a slower marathon time than sacrifice the gym.
Your woodwork skills are amazing. All those cabinets and boxes you made looked so neat and professional. Looking forward to seeing your new project grow!
Run with Hal is a free app and there is a paid version too. It is synced w Strava! There is lots of advice given. Check it out. It is good I would say.
You are correct in that I am still showing up. However, I do feel guilty for missing a session here & there. Ugh…
I was curious as why you don’t just use the previous training plans from your coach. They are all the same more or less unless you are an Olympian.
Ah, this sounds interesting! I must make sure to try it one day.
Don’t feel guilty! I think your approach is healthy. No need to get obsessive (like me, ha!)
I was thinking about using the old plan, but then I would need to manually input everything into my Garmin and I’m too lazy for that. The Garmin Coach is all automated 😊. Plus, I get to try out a new approach!
Oh looks like I have a new account name. Hmmm. Yves
Oh! A fitting one, too! 😂
I am not sure why this popped up as I created this several years ago & it was dormant. Not sure where the other account went? So confusing!😱
WordPress does some weird stuff. “Ice in my veins” sounds good though – just go with it! 😄
Oh my gosh. Garmin sounds evil. Too much “artificial” and not enough “intelligence” — or just not enough humanity!
Hopefully you will get what you need from it!
Ha, exactly, Coco!
I’m curious to see if and how a fully “AI-powered” training will translate into a good Boston time!
Ouch. Good for you sticking with it.
Hopefully it will help do well in Boston.
I hope so too! Right now, I’m sitting at my desk, snacking, and thought to myself, ‘Good thing Garmin can’t see that I’m eating salty nuts right now!’ 😂
Ooh, your Garmin Overlord does sound.. strict. I can’t wait to hear how this plays out for you! I can’t decide if I would hate it, or love it. It should definitely keep you on the right track.
Beautiful drawing!!!
I’m wondering, too. Maybe Garmin is going to change my lifestyle forever? I have to admit that I feel much better with the healthier regimen (although it’s much less fun!!) 😂
Ok, mich würde sowas mental runterziehen, du kennst ja meine Einstellung zu Trainingsplänen. Aber du wirst wissen was du tust, ich bin gespannt auf das Ergebnis in Boston. Bis dahin: ab ins Kloster mit dir und volle Konzentration um dem Garmin-Algorithmus gerecht zu werden! Tschüß Kai, ihr seht euch dann in ein paar Wochen wieder 😜
Ich könnte ja auch noch in den Strava-Kommentaren mitmischen, das wäre ein großer Spaß 🤣
Bleib dran und zeigs der Uhr!!
Haha, bis April darf Kai jetzt unser komplettes soziales Leben übernehmen, während ich das Eremiten-Dasein perfektioniere! 🤣
Ich muss sagen, dieser Garmin-Peitscher tut mir irgendwie gut. Früh ins Bett und kein Alkohol – das war längst überfällig. Mich stört es schon lange, dass ich überhaupt Alkohol trinke. Passt einfach nicht so richtig zu einem gesunden Leben, oder?
Ach, und apropos Strava: Hast du gesehen? Heute habe ich endlich mal über 80 % geschafft! 🙌😃
Ich bleibe dran – Schritt für Schritt!
Liebe Catrina,
neinneinnein, diese Uhr würde bei mir nur Widerwillen erzeugen. Woher nimmt der Blechotto sein Wissen, dass das alles so sein muss? Ok, du gibts ihm eine Chance und ich bin sehr sehr neugierig, wie sich das auf dein Resultat in Boston auswirken wird. Ich würde ja eher dem erfahrenen Coach trauen. Aber du wirst dann auf diese Weise in einigen Wochen den Vergleich haben. Ich drücke dir die Daumen, dass diese Art der Kasteiung Wirkung zeigt!
Aaaaahhh, jetzt gibt es wieder Sommerbilder zu sehen bei dir! Das kann ich gerade gut gebrauchen, wir haben zwar heute Sonne gehabt, aber es ist so gruusig kalt dazu..
Danke für die Ehre, meine kleine Zeichnung hier zu präsentieren! So direkt nebeneinander ist es ein witziger Vergleich, ich hatte nur vom Bildschirm abgezeichnet.
Liebe Grüße
Elke
Dein Bild ist wunderschön! 🙂
Danke Doris!
Liebe Elke,
haha, ich glaube auch, das wäre so gar nicht dein Ding, dich von einer Uhr herumkommandieren zu lassen! 😄 Ich bin wirklich gespannt, wie das Experiment ausgeht. Dieser kleine Dämon hat definitiv mehr Daten als Coach Sean – jetzt bleibt nur die Frage, ob all diese Algorithmen das auch in ein brauchbares Training übersetzen können.
Es tut so gut, endlich wieder die warme Sonne zu spüren! 🌞 Wobei, gestern hat es bei uns richtig geschüttet, und heute Morgen sind wir auch schon klatschnass geworden. Mit 17 °C ist es zwar kühl, aber immerhin nicht bitterkalt.
Deine Zeichnung ist wirklich fantastisch geworden! Ich habe sie dem MapMan geschickt, und er war von den Socken. Super gemacht! 👏🤩
Well I never got very far when I tried to use Garmin that way a few years back. Look forward to seeing how you adapt to the training and If you end up pivoting to another plan
Let’s see how far I get with it – maybe I’ll snap in a few weeks and phone Coach Sean! 😅
I used the Garmin coaching plans a few years ago, too. At the time, the plans that I was using weren’t adaptive. This thing now is a whole new game for me!
OMG This is hilarious! Are you ok??? Blink twice if you need help!
I hope that you and Garmin come to a peaceful resolution, while reaching your goals, but also, that it stops terrorizing you! That’s no fun!
Can we talk about the man pretzel/bread in that ad, though? That’s an absolute work of art!
And the drawing is magnificent! Some people are just so talented!
Haha, Jenn! I had to charge my Garmin today, and honestly, I was relieved to have it off my wrist for an hour. It’s like getting a break from having a strict coach breathing down your neck 😄
The pretzel guy is very neat! Though, as someone pointed out, he’s not exactly anatomically accurate. 🤪
Totally agree – it’s so inspiring it makes me want to pick up a pencil and start sketching too!
I am biting my nails with anticipation!!! I can’t wait to hear every last detail of what it’s like working with a real live human coach compared to The Wrist Overlord. Back when the boys were young they were really into Pokemon, and when I heard that “pokemon” means “pocket monster” I immediately started thinking of my Garmin as “Wrist Monster” – Overlord is a much better name.
I love the breadman, though I am glad that he is not anatomically correct.
Haha, “Wrist Monster” is absolutely spot-on! I might have to borrow that—it’s such a perfect fit. 😄 Or maybe we should start calling it “Garmon,” like the Pokémon’s long-lost cousin?
And the breadman… clearly been spending way too much time at the gym! 😂 Guess he sacrificed a little anatomy for those gains!
Hopefully this means that watches aren’t about to take over for real human coaches 😂 I think that would drive me crazy if Garmin just adjusted things without any context. I hope that it all works out!
I was thinking the same thing! Even if the Garmin coach is brilliant with all those stats, it completely lacks the human touch. No shoulder to cry on, no one to listen to your dramatic post-run complaints – it’s just not the same! 😂 I don’t think you’ll be losing any clients to this feature anytime soon, Lisa!
I’m intrigued by the program. do you think it’s still good despite being so dependent on short term life style changes? relative to traditional program, have you seen gains in performance from using it?
I got your same watch!!! still haven’t figured out tons of things, let me know if you have tips.
Great question, Coco! I haven’t noticed any big improvements in performance just yet, but I’ve only been using it for four weeks and I’m still in the build-up phase. My VO2max is currently at 55 – it was around 56 or 57 a couple of months ago – so I’m keeping a close eye on that to see if it starts trending upward. My training status has been stuck on “maintaining” for a while, but I’m hopeful it’ll shift to “productive” in the next few weeks.
So cool that you’ve got the same watch! I’m using the 265S, and here are the stats I keep an eye on: VO2max, training status, training readiness, HRV, HR, steps, sleep score, sleep coach, body battery, stress, intensity minutes per week, and pulse ox (I measure that weekly).
You should definitely play around with it! Try adding a race and activating Garmin Coach to see what happens. It’s always fun to experiment with all the features! 😊
LOL to the Garmin Overlord! Garmin sounds more like a military sargeant than a coach. It’s more of a mental challenge than anything, I guess. It will be interesting to follow your training and to see how well it works. If anyone can handle this, it will be you!
Haha, funny enough, “drill sergeant” was actually in the title of my draft at one point! You’re absolutely right, it’s such a mental game. One thing I do appreciate, though, is how it’s been helpful in keeping me away from the wine (but you’d better believe I’m looking forward to that celebratory Prosecco at the Boston finish line, ha!).
Let’s see how well this whole experiment pans out, Wendy! 😊
Liebe Catrina,
ich dachte das Sklaventum ist abgeschafft? 😆
Also, für mich wäre das auch überhaupt gar nie nichts!!! Soll die Uhr quäken, wie sie will, ich würde die Funktionen abschalten, soweit es geht. Allerdings hätte sie bei mir nicht auf alles Zugriff, da ich eine Laufuhr nur zum Laufen anhabe!
Du schreibst, dass es dir hilft! – Dann kommt mir nur noch mein alter Gedanke, bitte, bitte pass auf dich auf und überziehe nicht! Leider passiert das eher mal, wenn man von außen gesteuert, oder gepuscht wird! – Natürlich wünsche ich dir, auch weil du so ein sympathisches Wesen hast, dass dir nix Böses passiert, aber du hast es selbst in der Hand. ES WÄRE SO TOLL, WENN BOSTON GELÄNGE!!!
Ich wäre glücklich, könnte ich zur gewohnten Routine zurückkehren! Jetzt baue ich halt an neuen Routinen! 😉 (Hab übrigens einen Termin im März bei meinem Operateur in Hamburg.)
Mein neues kreatives Hobby: die Enkelinnen ‘wissen’ von einem Wichtel bei uns. 😆 (Kleiner Spaß zwischen uns.) Jetzt ist er auf Winterwanderschaft und hat mich gebeten ein Blockhaus für ihn zu bauen, damit er bei uns dann ein Zuhause findet, wenn er von der Wanderschaft zurückkommt. Also bin ich beim Planen und dann beim Basteln! 🙂
Liebe Grüße Manfred
Lieber Manfred
Du triffst es mit dem “Sklaventum” wirklich auf den Punkt! 😆
Nein, das wäre definitiv nichts für dich – viel zu viel Despotismus, oder?
Vielen Dank für deine lieben Worte! Interessanterweise scheint mich der kleine Drillsergeant am Handgelenk eher zu bremsen. Heute hat er mir – trotz guter Werte und hoher Training Readiness – einen Ruhetag verordnet. Und mein Long Run am Samstag ist sage und schreibe nur eine Stunde.
Du hast völlig recht, Boston ist ein grosser Traum! Die Zeit ist für mich eigentlich zweitrangig, es geht viel mehr um das Erlebnis. Umso wichtiger ist es, in den nächsten Wochen verletzungsfrei zu bleiben.
Die Wichtel-Geschichte finde ich übrigens wunderbar! Was für eine tolle Idee, ihm ein Blockhaus zu bauen. Deine Enkelinnen werden das bestimmt lieben! Solche kreativen, fantasievollen Projekte bringen so viel Freude – fast wie Training für die Seele.
Ich drücke dir ganz fest die Daumen für deinen Termin im März in Hamburg und hoffe, dass du bald wieder zu deiner gewohnten Routine findest.
Liebe Grüsse aus dem sonnigen Cape Town!
Whatever you do, don’t upset Garmin! It will be fascinating to see what you think of Coach Garmin versus Coach Sean after Boston is behind you.
Haha, exactly, Debbie! I’m looking forward to seeing how this will all work out. It’s an interesting experiment!
OMG! This is hilarious!!! Thanks for making me laugh. I like my Garmin but I don’t use all the tools that come with it. The ones you mention would freak and stress me out. No, thank you!
You are still doing great and will do amazing at the Boston Marathon!!!
Haha, Zenaida, you have enough stress in your life as it is, you don’t need additional “advice” from your Garmin! 🤣
I really hope Boston will work out well.
I miss your updates, is everything going ok your side? 🤗
I haven’t been posting consistently. I wasn’t doing well mentally. Now, I have finally bought a house and will will be spending time getting ready for the move.
Oh my goodness, congratulations on finally getting a house!! This is good news. All the best with the move and keep us updated, Zenaida!
OMG, that sounds like some evil AI coach! (which it probably is, lol!) I would ignore it and go ahead with the speed session and whatever if I felt good! But I understand the benefits of a program and that it WILL modify the program after the parameters.
My trainer told me about someone (not sure if it was a client or just a friend) who would get up in the morning, feeling great and planning to go to the gym, but then looked at the Garmin and seeing poor metrics he canceled the gym session.
Before Christmas I had some sniffles and after coming back from it I had like 25% body battery every day because I had very poor sleep, but still went to the gym. Interestingly, when I think I sleep well, Garmin never agrees. When I toss and turn, I get great scores. And don’t get me started on how it reacts if I take a drop of whiskey! I ignore the thing and go ahead with my day.
Haha, “evil AI coach” is exactly what it feels like sometimes! I swear Garmin is sitting there, sipping an espresso and shaking its head in judgment.
I totally get your point about ignoring it and pushing ahead if you feel good—sometimes you just know your body better than the numbers do. I’m the same! I always go ahead with my gym workouts, even when my training readiness is low. There’s no way I’d cancel a session just because of a watch! Haha!
That said, it can also be freakishly accurate – like it was when you had the sniffles. This week, it even picked up that my husband was getting sick before he had any symptoms—conjunctivitis, runny nose, the whole package. Garmin basically called it before he even realized it himself!
Do you wear yours 24/7? I imagine it might be less reliable if it’s not tracking everything all the time. Still, I can see why some people might side-eye it and just do their own thing. For me, though, it’s almost eerily spot on—like Big Brother packed into a tiny watch!
Yes, it certainly can be accurate at times – like with your husband, but definitely not all the time. Right now my Garmin is being nuts about my sleep. And on Wednesday this week I went to the gym with 22% body battery, and that was the best gym session I’ve done in months!
I wear mine 24/7. I do think the metrics will be more reliable that way, plus I’m interested in how sleep etc affects other metrics. I got my watch mainly to track walking distances, but also for certain fitness parameters – but I don’t let it decide what I do. If I feel good, I go to the gym and that’s it. But I have a simpler watch than most runners so I don’t have the training readiness and all that jazz.
I like your level-headed approach. You’re absolutely right – it’s not 100% accurate all the time! The sleep tracking can be hit or miss, and I’ve had a few “Garmin is nuts” moments too. You crushing that gym session with 22% body battery is proof that we know our own bodies better than any watch!
Wearing it 24/7 definitely helps with consistency in the metrics. I’ve noticed some interesting patterns in how my sleep and recovery affect other stats too (or at least how Garmin thinks they do!). It’s great that you’re using your watch in such a balanced way – getting insights without letting it dictate your plans.
I think simpler watches have their perks! Sometimes all the extra features can be overkill. At the end of the day, it’s all about how you feel, not what the watch says, right? 😊
I would never be able to handle a watch like that. Though I very rarely activate my GPS tracking on my old Garmin Forerunner 235, I get quite annoyed when it instructs me to “Move”. Which it does at the most random places and times. Such as when I am at the highway on crossing guard duty or at the front of the church while preaching or just having supper with my wife. 🙃
Oh, I know! That “move” command is so annoying, especially after you’ve been on your feet all day, like during crossing guard duty, and it still has the nerve to tell you to move! And as you said, it always seems to pop up at the worst moments.
I loved my Garmin Forerunner 235; it’s such a solid watch. I don’t think you need one of those fancy models with all the extras. You already live a healthy, balanced life—you don’t need a watch to tell you that, Carl!
Your execution of workouts is definitely better now Catrina. Loved the comparison of Monk to Monastery 😀
You’re on a great trajectory to your upcoming Marathon. I’m sure you’ll do brilliantly.
I’ve kept up the usual routing through January, it was a little shakey around Xmas time with the extra food around though! And yes, I have a bit of an artistic side. I excelled in Art at school and through my tertiary studies (I studied and completed a diploma in Graphic Design), though I never took it further than a few years in the industry. I preferred to do art for myself. Elke’s renditition of the photo is fantastic. I fear if I got out the pencils again I would be very rusty!
Graphic Design! I’d have guessed you were more in the software engineer corner, but your flair for graphic design definitely shines through in your photos. I’m sure your pencils aren’t as rusty as you think – artistic skills feel like riding a bike; they tend to come back once you get going!
I’m slowly getting the hang of the Garmin Execution scores, though, as you’ve noticed yourself with the workouts, they don’t leave much wiggle room. Meanwhile, I’m thrilled with how my body stats have improved. Yesterday, I hit a 7-day average resting heart rate of 39. My lowest ever! It seems the early nights and living the teetotaller life are really paying off. 👌
Enjoy your trail runs under the South African sun – nice to know that you’re here!
Wow your Garmin does sound like quite the overlord! Haha! That is really cool though that it can offer coaching and adjust your training plan according to the way you are performing. The extent to which you choose to follow it is your choice!
Back when I ran my first Boston Marathon (15 years ago, yikes!) I followed a training plan, roughly but always listened to my body rather than follow exactly what was written. Sometimes I’d hit my paces and sometimes not but it all worked out in the end.
My best advice for Boston is train hills when you are tired. The heartbreak hills start at mile 19, exactly when one gets tired.
You’ll be great! I can’t believe how quickly it is coming up!
Thank you for the advice, Marcia! Training hills when tired is such a great tip—I can totally see how it would make a huge difference for Boston. Those heartbreak hills at mile 19 are legendary (and more than a little intimidating)!
My Garmin is driving me nuts. It seems to think I need to rest constantly! My weekly mileage is stuck at less than 42 km. That’s less than a marathon distance – and Boston is only 90 days away!
Fifteen years since your first Boston—that’s amazing! It’s so inspiring to hear how well listening to your body worked for you. I’ll definitely try to take a page out of your book when I’m out there. And yes, it’s coming up so fast—I’m equal parts excited and nervous already!