ASHLAND — This is the second in an eight-week diary series following 28-year-old Amy Compston — a fulltime nurse, wife and mother of four — during her preparation for the Boston Marathon on April 15.



MONDAY

I worked last night, 8 p.m. to 8 a.m. Despite only about three solid hours of sleep, I knocked out six miles at 6:52 pace. Felt good, felt strong. Even had a couple of good hills incorporated into the pace. Now preparing mentally and physically for tomorrow’s 20-miler by increasing my caloric intake today. Increasing the carbs and mentally psyching myself up. I enjoy the long runs — challenging but always rewarding. At this point in the game the long runs are 90 percent mental, 10 percent physical. Philippians 4:13!!

TUESDAY

Started day at 4 a.m. with coffee, Bible study and now running! I truly praise God for my run today. Twenty miles completed at 7:41 pace, including 13 big hills. My last hill was Ashland Avenue at mile 19 and the last mile was one of my fastest at 7:12. I felt good and strong and felt God’s strength. I drank about 20 ounces of Gatorade during the run and ate some energy gummies at miles 8 and 17. It’s amazing how something so gross can taste so wonderful when all you need is sugar/energy. Now my favorite part, recovery … this is when I get to replenish all the carbs I burned. I basically get to and NEED TO eat every 2-3 hours all day — my favorite part of the long run.

WEDNESDAY

I started my day at 4:30 a.m. I had the alarm set for 5 a.m. but couldn’t sleep. Had my usual routine — coffee, Bible study, run! The time in God’s word always comes before my run. I don’t want to get my priorities out of order. God must come first … otherwise the rest will will fall part. Today was an easy, relatively flat, seven miles at 7:30 pace.

The weather was awesome; I actually ran in a tank top. I love how it’s starting to warm up. Still had gloves and tights on but that’s fine with me. Today was a recovery run. The point is not to go too fast but promote blood flow to the muscles that were broken down in yesterday’s long run. The increased blood flow decreases soreness and increases the speed of recovery.

God has brought me so far in my running. Last year I would be so sore after a 20-mile run. But today only a little soreness in my hamstrings. Praise God for his goodness, love and faithfulness.

THURSDAY

Excited today I got to try out my new running shoes … I think these will be my official Boston race shoes. This is the third pair I’ve gone through in the 18-week training. I broke them in with a good 10-miler at a 7:28 pace. I felt very tired. Worked last night and then had my 2-year-old today. I’m running on about three hours of solid sleep but got in my run and strength training.

God’s convicting me today over my poor attitude during my run. Every car on the road was irritating me — either drove too close, too slow, too fast, etc. I was just full of complaints then I suddenly was like, “God, please forgive me and my horrible attitude.” I decided then to start counting my blessings and it’s amazing how quickly my attitude changed. God is good all the time … That’s how my focus needs to remain.

FRIDAY

Wow! Today was intense! I started with a 1 1⁄2-mile warmup, then off to Ashland Avenue for a strong hill-climbing session. Up and down Ashland Avenue continuously for five miles. Eight times total I went up Ashland Avenue and back down. It’s very challenging both physically and mentally … but extremely beneficial for strength and endurance training.

I ended with a nice flat one mile cool down. I’ll be honest, I had to call out to God a couple of times during the hill session. “Give me your strength Lord, give me your power.” And yes God always supplies exactly what I need. Seven miles completed. Very thankful it’s over and injury-free. What a way to spend Friday evening.

SATURDAY

Ten miles completed this morning at a 7:06 pace. One of my best runs! It was 28 degrees, flurries with a brisk chill in the air. I felt good and strong toward the end though I was praying for God’s empowerment. I felt weak toward the last mile, called out to him and ran one of my strongest miles at 6:49 pace. Sixty miles completed this week by the grace of God. Feeling strong, enjoying my new shoes and counting my blessings.

SUNDAY

Rest day! Yea!! After this week’s training I’m not sore but my legs feel tight and even my arms feel tight. I’m going to fully enjoy this rest day. Getting ready for church is about as active as I plan on getting! Church … nap … church. That’s my plan!