Advice out of Boston

WANT TO GET A LOOK AT THE BOSTON MARATHON COURSE, through the eyes of someone who has run it? Brian Metzler has a piece in Competitor.com "Beware of More Than Just Hills In Boston"  in which he offers advice (about bringing toilet paper and other necessary items), paints a picture of the course's famous features, and generate thrills and chills of anticipation for future participants and onlookers alike with dire warnings about uphills, downhills, tempting sirens, and Red Sox fans.  He also calls on us to remember the victims of the 2013 terrorist bombing incident.

His piece should teach at least ONE LESSON to all runners who hope to race anywhere this year: the importance of "learning" a course before you race it, especially if the distance is longer than that over which you are accustomed to competing. I cannot imagine planning to run more than 26 miles and not knowing what to expect along the way. Other runners can tell you about their experiences, but I expect its not the same as running, walking, or running/walking it beforehand, perhaps even before training starts. Doing so might provide the type of inspiration (fright?) that could power you through the weeks of workouts. It also might lead you to choose a training plan of longer duration that begins earlier than you had anticipated.

Below is also a link to the BAA Boston Marathon Course Map

RUN HAPPY!

http://www.baa.org/races/boston-marathon/event-information/course-map.aspx

http://www.running.competitor.com/2016/04/boston-marathon/beware-of-more-than-just-hills-in-boston_148217