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Heartbreak Schmeartbreak...
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Thursday, 14 April 2011 03:00
MN Triathletes Not Afraid of Heartbreak
By Darin Wieneke
Endurance athletes love to train, love to race and love to endure pain. If you are reading this article, you know what I am talking about. Accordingly, you will not be surprised that a number of Minnesota triathletes, including myself, are heading out to Boston to take on Heartbreak Hill and run the 115th Boston Marathon on Monday, April 18....
The Boston Marathon is considered one of the most difficult marathon courses in the world because of the Newton Hills, which culminate in Heartbreak Hill. The hills began at mile 16 and end with Heartbreak Hill between miles 20 and 21. Heartbreak Hill is an ascent of more than .4 miles. Before departing for this challenge, I thought that it would be fun to share why a few Minnesota triathletes, Jared Smith, Andy Henderson and David Swanson, signed up for this challenge and what they are looking forward to in Boston. (Side Note: I am looking forward to running the marathon in order to burn enough calories to try numerous pieces of real Boston Creme Pie. Yum!)
Jared is a cool guy that hangs out with other cool guys (see photo with Craig Alexander) and enjoys great burgers (see photo at In-N-Out Burger). When he is not doing cool stuff and training, 27-year old Jared is working as a Product Manager with MLT Vacations in Edina. Here is my Q&A with Jared:
MTN: Why did you decide to qualify and sign up for the Boston Marathon?
JS: The challenge, prestige and history of the race (its celebrating its 115th anniversary this year!). Plus, I've always wanted to visit Boston, see Fenway, Harvard and just to be in the city.
MTN: Where did you qualify for the Boston Marathon at?
JS: Qualified twice, initially in 2009 at the inaugural Rock 'n' Roll Marathon in Las Vegas (3:07:34) - cool race, got a little boring on the second half as the course went out into some residential areas and the bands weren't set-up by the time we went through. Either way it was a great tour of the strip. Second qualifier was 10.10.10 in Chicago (3:05:46) - a warm and humid day, flat and fun course with little shade in the second half.
MTN: What is your running background?
JS: I've been running pretty much my entire life, although I can trace my first running experience back to lunch during first grade when I "practiced" the 1 mile run for the Presidential Physical Fitness Award that we were being tested on that afternoon. What 1st grader in practices a 1 mile run during his lunch break? (This guy!) I played soccer throughout middle school and high school ran track throughout high school 400 and 4x400 relay but didn't run my first "race" until college when I did a 5k in Philadelphia during an academic trip. After that I was pretty much hooked. A year later I ran the Twin Cities 10 mile and the following year in 2008 I ran the Twin Cities Marathon, my first, in just over 4 hours. After a painful first marathon and recovery I felt that it was absolutely necessary to have a better training plan for my next 
marathon and joined the Calhoun Beach Running Club in the spring of 2009 to train for Twin Cities again that fall. Unfortunately that fall I came down with a wicked cold two days before the race, still ran, (probably against any doctors advice) didn't qualify for Boston, but learned a lot about my limits and how I can push myself. After a few quick months of training I ran Vegas in December of 2009. So, to bring it all together I've run 4 marathons thus far: #1 & #2 Twin Cities (2008, 2009), #3 Vegas Rock 'n' Roll (2009) and #4 Chicago (2010).
MTN: What excites you the most about the Boston Marathon?
JS: I'm really looking forward to the course itself, up until now the marathons I've run have been relatively flat while Boston's course is net downhill with some rolling hills around the Newton (mile 18-20) with the well known "Heartbreak Hill" at mile 21. Finally the finish on Boylston Street the massive crowds and the party at the finish line (from what I've read and heard) you can't beat that type of atmosphere and am really looking forward to it!
MTN: What non-race activity are you most looking forward to doing while in Boston?
JS: Going to a Red Sox game, walking some of the Freedom Trail, Samuel Adams brewery tour (if we can get in), walking around Cambridge/Harvard area, Cheer's bar and of course taking in as much Boston fare as possible!
MTN: How has training for Boston affected your triathlon training?
JS: My training for Boston has been a great and has kicked-off my tri training a little earlier than normal but I'm doing it in style! Despite a minor injury scare (potential stress fracture in my Tibia - overuse injury in late Jan.) that prompted some intense aqua-jogging throughout February I feel that my fitness has come back around and I'm feeling great less than two weeks out from the race.
MTN: What is your triathlon race schedule for 2011?
JS: I'm still trying to tweak the schedule a little bit but this is what my coach, Kris Swarthout, with Optum Health Performance and I have planned as of now:
May 22 - Gear West Du
June 12 - Manitou Sprint
June 26 - Waconia Sprint
July 9 - Life Time Olympic
July 24 - Chisago
