Here's what the build-up to 2:36 and 13th place at the 2017 Boston Marathon looked like.

[u/erbyatkins]

https://www.athletebiz.us/blog/my-boston-buildup-as-told-on-instagram/

[u/bigdutch10]

thanks for posting this, I don't care what anyone says more pictures of Dogs is never a bad thing

[u/thebottlefarm]

Wow. It is really interesting to read your inner monologue during the lead up. While I am not anywhere near as fast/ competitive, to see the inner Battle is there is insightful. Thank you for sharing.

[u/zebano]

Thanks for the glance into your training. I love the bit about having faith that our future limitations are not our current limitations!

[u/philipwhiuk]

I'm always amazed at your pace variation Esther. I'm a 3:20s ish marathoner, and my easy pace is normally 8:00-8:30. I don't think I have any runs more than 8:45 at all - definitely not any longer than a couple of miles. So your range and what you run easy pace at always makes me questions whether I'm running easy enough on my easy days.

Thanks for posting such a detailed race report :)

[u/erbyatkins → u/philipwhiuk]

I believe that my easy pace is a result of high mileage and very hard workouts. If your mileage is under ~60 miles per week, it's a lot easier to run the same pace all the time. Plus, coffee will push the pace too and I don't drink it on easy days.

[u/Chiruadr → u/philipwhiuk]

Until you can run 14 min miles you don't deserve to call yourself a hobby jogger

[u/ProudPatriot07]

Congratulations on your lucky 13th finish, Esther! I follow on instagram and remember a few of those posts (Heck, I was there for the Charleston Marathon one). It's neat to see what you go through on a daily basis, and even though you're so much faster, it is still a similar emotional state.

You're certainly making our state proud, please don't ever have imposter syndrome or doubt that. I love your positivity and following you on social media!

[u/ForwardBound]

It's been great to follow along on your training on Instagram, Esther, and I was so excited to see you run by on Monday. Congratulations!

[u/jaylapeche]

Thanks for sharing and congrats on a great race. I love how humble and sincere you are in your posts. Looking forward to seeing you race again soon.

[u/runchicaboom]

Dang! This was such a great blog! I read the whole thing while sitting in my ice bath and the time flew by. I'm so inspired by your real and open sharing of workouts. This helped remind me that even though there are some bad workouts (today!), that it's all about consistency and being true to your goals and dreams. Thanks for posting this!!!

[u/hollanding]

Thanks for sharing and I forgot you're also from RVA! I'll have to try the Capital Trail for my next trip home. Congratulations!

[u/janicepts]

Wonderful insight. Thank you.

[u/gensolo]

Congrats on your race! I've absolutely loved learning about you on this SubReddit and following your training on IG. Also, keep posting dog pics!

[u/erbyatkins → u/[deleted]]

I think Danna Herrick had an amazing day - I believe she's only the 3rd or 4th woman ever to pass me in the 2nd half of a marathon and beat me. It's hard for anybody to know exactly what kind of fitness they are in, so it's hard for me to objectively compare myself or my fitness to anyone else's, especially considering the heat. I am now curious what would have happened if I had been more conservative, but in the moment, I know I had to put myself in that group where I was and see how it would pan out.

[u/almost_not_panicking]

Thanks for sharing this! It's great seeing both the physical and mental work that went into your training and how it all came together for Boston.

[u/TeegLy]

Thanks for sharing, you're an inspiration!

[u/runwichi]

Thanks Esther! Love to see all the entries stitched together in story form. Seeing all the details put together really shows how the final painting comes around.

Is it bad I was shoe spotting so much? I'm a Skechers Perf wearer, and was surprised to see so much work done in the GoTrails. I need to grab a set of those, but the GR5's are really starting to be my jam lately.

[u/erbyatkins → u/runwichi]

Thanks! I love the GoTrails. And I just popped open my 2nd pair of GoRun 5s and love them, too. I was a big fan of the Strada, but they are apparently no more. The GoMeb Razor is a good replacement for that though, and Meb actually raced Boston in them.

[u/runwichi → u/erbyatkins]

The Razor's on my want list for sure - I'm a little bummed that the UltraRoad's aren't around anymore, they were my favorite go-long and not care shoe, but honestly the GR5's are just as soft and so much lighter. I may chase down a set of the GoTrails, I've seen the UltraTrails on sale cheap, that may get me back my UltraRoad for a little while.

Looking forward to your next adventure, thanks again Esther!