Boston Marathon 2009

The Boston Marathon was everything that I hoped it would be. The entire city was buzzing with excitement. Everybody was a runner and all the talk was running. There was a ton of bright yellow jackets and shirts to let you know who was in the "in crowd". I was fortunate to take part in it, surrounded by my family and friends.

Now a quick race report.

Monday started at 5:00 am with some oatmeal and coffee. MD, GS, and I took a shuttle to the bus pick up. I didn't have any pre-race jitters since I had no expectations of running well. We took the long ride out to Hopkins in the yellow bus armada. It was crazy to see a caravan of buses lining the highway all the way out to Hopkins. We got to Hopkins on the 2nd round of buses so we got early access to Port-o-Johns and good tent sitting space for the long wait. It is a jolly crowd out there amongst the 26K+ runners. Dr. DB met me at Hopkins and we walked to the start together. Once in the corral we met MD and settled in for the day ahead. The plan was a leisurely run in the 3:30 range. As the race was about to begin we got a flyover from 2 fighter jets and the I got the chills.

As the day unfolded MD and I decided to hold a steady pace to get us to the 10K mark on good time. About the half way point, MD asked a very intriguing question. "Would you rather run sub 3:10 today or try to go sub 1:30 at the Columbus 1/2 in 2 weeks?" Well we decided to go for it. We came through the halfway point at 1:35 and picked it up slightly. I don't have the words to describe the entire race but it was a a joy of pain. I didn't feel labored until the Newton Hills about mile 20 but by then I was no longer just going to "take it in". I was going to run hard, suffer, and give Boston everything that I had. The Newton Hills and Heart Break Hill tore me up but we kept pace. It was a negative split and I came through in 3:09. A new PR for me and I was a beaten man. I ended up in the medical tent shortly after crossing the finish line. The wonderful nurses at the finish line thought that was a better option than my desire to lay down on the curb and take a nap. I had some hypothermia, low blood pressure, and was kind of just mumbling so they set me up in on a bed in the medical center for 30 minutes.

I could go on and on about the support...there were people lining the streets the whole way. A million people were wishing us the best every step of the way. So much to remember...the feeling at the start...the bars overflowing into the streets in every small town...the Wellesly College screams could be hear from a mile away...the late race hills...coming into Boston as the city was in the middle of a great party...the noise coming through the final 2 turns...all the kind people in the medical tent..I can't wait to come back. Here a few pictures from my wonderful day.

Thanks to Ann, Scott, Michelle, Liz, Dan, and Dad for the support and encouragement. Thanks to J-Fo for making me do more pullups. When he gets out of that boot, he will be really fast. Thanks to my running mates GS, MD, DB and Nemo for pushing me to be better. Thanks to Mrs. MD and Mrs. GS for the support of their spouse and understanding our obsession.

Sitting on the Bus at the pickup


GS getting prepped to drop the hammer


Dr DB walking to the start...he doesn't like the cold


Wellesley College Girls...those are "Free Kisses" T-Shirts


MD...enjoying the run


Just Happy to be here


This is my support crew looking city chic. My Mom would have been proud.


Dr. DB ran a 3:54 which was great considering he hadn't run in 2 weeks due to a torn calf muscle and he wasn't even sure he could race. MD kept me company all day with a steady 3:09 and GS got his revenge on the course that got the best of him a few years ago with a blazing 2:59.

Stats
26.2 mile run (3:09:19)
156 lbs