Happy New Year all you happy runners,
It’s that wonderful time of year again to register for the Boston Training Runs!
The Boston training runs are a very popular club activity, and a great way to meet other club members. For the runners, this is a great chance to get on the course for your training and long runs. First time running Boston? What better way to learn as much as you can leading up to the big day. And for club members looking to get more involved, we always need and love our volunteers!!
Please note: these runs are not only for Boston Marathon runners. If you are running a spring marathon you can take advantage and train with us on the course! We VERY much encourage you to join!
The runs are offered the 4 Saturdays leading to the Boston taper. Week 1 (March 2) starts in Wellesley and is about 12ish miles (but you can add miles if you need to), Week 2 (March 9) starts at Wellesley College (18ish miles). Week 3 and 4 (March 16 and 23) start in Hopkinton usually (21ish miles). However, in 2022, the B.A.A asked that all large groups not be on the course week 4, to try and give some of the local first responders and volunteers a break before the big day. With that in mind we will play week 4 by ear on if we will be on the course or not, but no need to fear! We already have a whole route planned out from the boat house in Lowell just in case!
All runs on the actual course turn around or end at the top of Heartbreak Hill. I will send out run plans each week before each run. If you attend all four weeks, that’s 4 times you should get to learn the hills of Newton (Yay for hill work!).
We’ll meet as a group at Drum Hill, get organized check-in, then head off to the course. NOTE: because of the size of our groups, we will not be meeting at the old area near Dunkins like some of you may have been used to in previous years, please plan accordingly. Thanks.
As last training season, Scott Casper and I will be organizing together. If you want to get more involved with the Boston Training runs please let us know by sending us an email to: bostontrainingruns@glrr.net
FOR THE RUNS THEMSELVES…
Volunteers –
We will need cars for water stops. We can set up pairs of volunteers, so people have some company to hang out with, unless you have a request for a friend to hang out with. If you can drive runners, please let us know how many runners you can take in your car. Each water stop will be fully supplied. Water, Gator-aide, cups, instructions, runner checklist, tissues, GLRR sign, etc…
Week 1, we need at least 3 sets of volunteers for water stops. This week runners can drive themselves, but we encourage carpooling to ease parking in Wellesley, so it is best to buddy up.
Weeks 2, we need 4 sets of volunteers for water stops. Again, we encourage carpooling.
Weeks 3 and 4, we need enough volunteers to drive all the runners (because these are typically point-to-point to runs), and we need 7 sets of volunteers for the water stops.
Register to volunteer at this link… https://signup.com/go/HFVQMPH
Runner’s –
Please bring whatever you need for your run (except for water and gator-aide).
Basically, this is your chance to practice your marathon. You want to bring whatever
you need that is not offered on the Boston Course. You want to wear what you might
on race day, although for the training I ask that you wear GLRR green or Baystate
green, so we can keep tabs on you .
Try anything new on these runs (never try anything new on race day… NEVER). Try
gels, or shot blocks, or whatever you may need.
Register to run at this link: https://signup.com/go/HFVQMPH
**** STILL OBSERVING COVID PROTOCOLS****
We want everyone to stay healthy and happy before the big day. This means, that if you are driving in the car with others, you will likely be in close contact with for longer than 15 minutes. We recommend sticking to the CDC guidelines and wearing your mask throughout the duration of the car ride. Health and Safety are MOST IMPORANT as everyone is working hard to prepare for the race.
Mostly importantly, if you are feeling sick in ANY WAY, SHAPE, OR FORM, it is best for you to STAY HOME. We understand missing a training run can be difficult, but we do not, and cannot risk the health, safety and goals of other runners as well. This goes for both runners and Volunteers.
Thanks so much! This is a fun month leading up to the Boston Marathon.
Please don’t hesitate to contact me with questions, concerns or comments.
Tara Rosetti and Scott Casper
Boston Training Run Coordinators