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| @ 30 Km mark. Pretty much sums up my race photo by Urvi |
Goal Time: 3:00:00
Actual Time: 4:11:57
Pivo Index: 3
It was the:
Best of Times - Last year, at the Boston Marathon, I ran my fastest marathon ever - 3:12:00.
Worst of Times - This year, at the Boston Marathon, I ran my slowest marathon ever - 4:11:57
Age of Foolishness - Despite it being 67 degrees, I tried to run my race plan... That went over poorly.
Age of Wisdom - By mile 14, I figured out that I shouldn't keep trying to run fast
Epoch of Belief - Even at 15k, I thought I'd still be able to break 3 hours
Epoch of Incredulity - At mile 15, I wasn't certain I'd finish
Season of Light - There was not a cloud in the sky
Season of Darkness - Nope, there was not a cloud in the sky
Spring of Hope - I really thought I was ready for a large jump
Winter of Despair - At mile 16, I realized it was still 2.7 miles to get to the 30k mark. Umph!
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| Nichole, Brian and I before boarding the bus for Hopkinton |
I lost Megan around Mile 6. Then around mile 12, I realized this was probably not going to happen. And then at mile 13.95, I officially called my race. And then things got slightly better.
I fought to run the nearly 5 miles from that point to the SRR tent. All I could think was I can stop there for a minute. Maybe sit in the shade and hangout with Urvi. And fight I did. Every step was a battle against myself. I vacillated between trying to run fast enough to have a good race and walking.
By the time I turned the corner at the Firehouse, I knew I just had to make it to the SRR tent. It was so hard and so brutal. I tried to stay out of the way of people. I saw Neil Cronin pass me. For a moment, I thought about catching him and trying to feed off his energy; but, I didn't have it and I didn't want to affect anyone else's mojo.
Right at the top of the turn, I saw Aaron Beer, Jon Bean and a dog - who were the forward spotters for the SRR water stop. It was so great, it was the best of times.
I made it to the tent. My fast marathon was long over, but my day had just started...
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| By Newton City Hall - mile 19 photo by Paul Hammond |
Stop 1
I sat in the shade for a moment and hung out with Urvi for a minute. Keefe came over and gave me a Founder's All Day IPA. Victor convinced me to eat a turkey sandwich. After about 20 minutes of rest with the beer, the sandwich and a coke (and cheering on club members who had been behind me), I decided to continue my journey to Copley Square. I ran along the line high-fiving my club members.
Stop 2
My next stop was with Brendan Kearney at about 19.5. I talked to him for a while, had a sip of his beer, before moving on.
Stop 3
I stopped off with the Hashers at mile 20.5 and talked to Brendan Caffery and Declan while I drank some Pabst Blue Ribbon.
Stop 4
I ran over Heartbreak Hill and stopped off with Matt Story around 21.5. I high-fived the whole line of Boston College kids as I went past the Heights.
Stop 5
As I left Cleveland Circle, I made my way done on the right side, since I knew the Chaviers were watching along this stretch. I heard their yells and come into stop; Amie immediately handed me a beer: "Urvi said you'd probably want this." So I stopped and talked with Amie and Ryan while I drank a Harpoon IPA out of a red solo cup as I leaned on the baracade.
Stop 6
Officer McGinty was on detail on the stretch between Washington Square and Coolidge Corner. I pulled over to the side and talked to him for a bit. He didn't want to hold me up, so with 2 miles and a bit left, I determined to run to the finish.
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| Collage I made from Saturday's shake-out run and volunteering. |
I came through the finish and was directed to my tent. I sat in the back and had a Grey Lady. Race-wise, it was the worst of times; but event-wise, it was the best of times.
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| Eating said sandwich at 30K w/ Marc and Brodie Mac photo by Toledo Steve |
Shout-outs
Megan and Nichole both ran fabulous races for the heat
Paul Nelson, Florentien, Megan Prokop, Tom Bok and Aharon Wright had PRs
Robert Cipriano WON HIS AGE GROUP!!!!
