Canada’s Reid Coolsaet returned to the marathon last week in Boston, his first time toeing the line at the world’s most famous marathon. In what turned out to be some of the harshest conditions in Boston memory, Coolsaet mustered a top ten finish in his first marathon since Fukuoka in 2016.
Though Reid feels he hung in well for the first 15K, he recalls, “My legs got really cold after 25k and I was not able to run my normal stride. Shortly thereafter I slowly faded off the back of the pack I had been running with. From that point on it was a solo mission.”
In a scenario with which many runners are surely familiar, Reid adds, “My motivation was to simple: keep grinding to the finish line.”
Much like Krista DuChene’s podium finish, Reid says he had no idea of his result until returning to the hotel. The news, “…put a smile on my face right away and put the harsh conditions into perspective.”
In the days following the race, Reid took the time to chat more about the race, training, and life in a Twitter chat hosted by New Balance Canada. You can see it in full by searching the hashtag #AskReid. Below are some highlights:
On whether a sub-2:10 marathon still matters:
My long-time goal of breaking 2:10 in the marathon (despite what anyone else may run) is still alive. I haven’t been in that kind of shape since December 2016. But, I have seen a lot of progress in my training the past couple of months and hopefully I can build on that. #AskReid
— New Balance Canada (@NewBalanceCan) April 20, 2018
On the crowd support in Boston:
I thought the crowd support was great, especially in the last km. I’m sure the crowds were much smaller than usual. It would have been miserable standing in that weather for a long time. #AskReid
— New Balance Canada (@NewBalanceCan) April 20, 2018
On his race day breakfast:
I usually have oatmeal and tea. Otherwise a bagel. I have an @endurancetap 15 min before the start and I drink @MaurtenOfficial throughout the race. Night before is pasta, chicken and veggies. Lots of pasta.
— New Balance Canada (@NewBalanceCan) April 20, 2018
On another record he has his sights on:
I would love to have another crack at the Around the Bay 30k record. This year it was too close to Boston for me to go all out (I’m not sure I was fit enough anyways and the wind was too stiff). Maybe if I don’t have a marathon in the 4 weeks after ATB I can attempt it.
— New Balance Canada (@NewBalanceCan) April 20, 2018
On coming back from injury:
It doesn’t seem that quick to me. It’s a different perspective when you’re taking baby steps and putting in the base. I started running again in Sept was training well by mid-October but it wasn’t until the past month when I actually felt as though I was close to my peak again.
— New Balance Canada (@NewBalanceCan) April 20, 2018
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