Can less really be more? (I feel like Carrie Bradshaw)

As my BFF, Steve, so kindly pointed out this afternoon, the Boston Marathon is in 93 days.

Gulp. Swallow. Gasp. Breathe.

OK. I will be OK.

The good news: I ran 14 miles today! Hooray! At 8 am, I met up with my Dana-Farber teammates at the Greater Boston Running Company in Lexington. There were lots of familiar faces and some new ones and it felt good (and motivating) to be around my running peeps. After the usual announcements (many by me about my upcoming fundraisers, see below) we headed out toward A-town on the sketchily-icy bike path.

After the first water stop, I said to Steve, F*&$ this S#$* — let’s run on Mass Ave. So, trading the ice for the traffic, we climbed the stairs behind Trader Joe’s and ran on the street. I heart running that way on Mass Ave — it’s downhill and we were clicking off sub-9 miles. In the center of town, we picked up the bike path again and ran toward Alewife, adding a little more on to make 6.5 miles before we turned back.

Mass Ave the other way is a bitch. Hello, gradual 4-mile incline!

Dodging ice, snow and cars, we made it back to the Trader Joe’s water stop where lovely Apple was still waiting for us with snacks and Gatorade. Here, we picked up a newbie named Genevieve and I ran back with her (while BFF, in his svelte shape, ran ahead). Genevieve told me about losing her father to kidney cancer at age 53 back in 2002 and how they had talked about one day running the marathon together.

Eight years later, here she is — alone.

This is why we run.

Back at the store, we got gratis Adidas beanies and kudos from Amy Jo and then headed off to shower and then to the Rattlesnake to consume eggs, grilled cornbread (swoon!), potatoes and a drink (or two).

As I told a teammate this morning, 2010 is about the less is more training routine. Since Nov. 15, I’ve run about 10 times. A few have been short runs and the long runs have gone: 7, 10.25, 12 and 14. Next weekend is the big Kahuna of the winter racing season, the Derry Boston Prep. It is 16 miles of hills and hell.

I’ve run Derry three times before — 2007, ’08 and ’09. Each year, I’ve run faster and faster, a testament to my growing endurance and tolerance as a runner.

This year, I am actually having some doubts about Derry. My friendly neighbor and B-list celeb, Jeff Larson, is strong in his opinion that I shouldn’t run it — that I am not ready and that the less is more training plan could backfire on me with injury. My friend Angie wants me to run it with her. BFF thinks I should do what feels right. (Why is he so smart? Oh yah, because he was born when JFK was alive…)

I’m pretty much in — unless this week totally sucks running-wise. I have mapped out my times to run/hit the gym and if all goes well, then, I’m headed to N’Hampshah on Sunday. At least there’s Domino’s pizza at the end of the race. (In case you haven’t noticed, I’m taking a slight hiatus from my extreme dieting — for a few reasons — but mostly to keep myself sane during the training).

I ran strong today — not crazy fast — but with good form and a mind at ease. (And I only dry heaved three time post-run!) That seemed to be good enough for me.

In past years, I would have focused on a negative split or making sure I crossed off the mileage in all four of my training logs or making sure I had exactly 1.7 packets of Gu. This year, that’s all out the window. This year, it’s about finishing and going to Shifter’s post-marathon party It’s about raising $10,000 and making a difference to the researchers at Dana-Farber.

This year, it’s for all the Genevieves out there — running alone.

For that, less can be more.

FUNDRAISER INFO:

It’s hard to believe that my fundraisers are coming up so soon!

Numero Uno — Friday Jan 29 at The Rattlesnake, 384 Boylston Street, Boston. Join me and BFF from 530-9p for great food, cool drinks and dee-licious cake all in the name of Dana-Farber. $10 at the door, cash bar. We’ll be there all night so come when you can!

Numero Dos — Tues Feb 9 at MiniLuxe (Newton, Lexington, Newbury Street). The awesome peeps at MiniLuxe are donating 10 percent of all their sales from all three locations to my Dana-Farber fundraising! WOO HOO! So, book your manis and pedis STAT at www.miniluxe.com or call one of the stores. You know you want to get all pretty before Valentine’s Day!

To date, I’ve raised $1,050. Only $8, 950 to go! Donate online at www.rundfmc.org — click on Support a Runner and Enter my Name.

With big xoxoxos….

Judith

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