We caught up with Christine as she battled a bit of a cold, almost three weeks prior to race day.
Coach: So, the big day is almost here. Are you looking forward to it?
CK: Yesterday I wasn’t because I was sick! But, I feel the winter training has gone well, although [Emerald 12K] Across the Bay didn’t show that. My ten-miler [10 mile road race on March 6] was good, even while keeping up over 70 miles in the week. Having someone in the background doing all the work to plan the training really helps a lot!
Coach: Tell us a bit about the time you are shooting for.
CK: The course record for 50+ is 2:54.21, back in 2000 by Anne Roden. So I will try and run 2:52 and see what happens. I was invited to run with the elite women, but I decided to run with the sub-elites where I have plenty of people to run with. I feel much more confident with several 2:50 and 2:51 runners all around me.
I enjoy running the PA races [local Bay Area race series]. It is the same guys every week. Doug, one of the Aggies, said at the start line of Emerald Across the Bay, “ Hey Kennedy, you sticking with me today?” He caught me at 7k and was like “Where have you been?” I enjoy competing with the familiar faces.
Coach: What are the specifics in training that are making you confident heading into Boston?
CK: Well, taking a break after St. George – something I would never do before. Taking the month of November at 35-40 miles, but still doing a bit of track work. That has made me still feel fresh. Had I not had a coach, I would have just gone back to training harder and harder. Now, I am able to do two track workouts a week, and I feel strong. Mondays and Thursdays I get ART. If anything is tight, I get extra treatment. Once you feel something, the big thing is to take care of it right away .
Coach: What do you look forward to be thinking when you start to see the banners and the finish line around the last corner in Boston?
CK: I would love to see that clock saying 2:51 and knowing I’m going to make it. After all the miles you put in, there is nothing more rewarding than seeing the Citgo sign and then the clock. I just want to see the clock at 2:51 this time instead of 2:57 like last time. It is also great to see the others who have been running alongside you around mile 20, being able to come across together and know they all are making it as well.
