A Tale of One City: Boston Marathon (4/18/16)

@ 30 Km mark.  Pretty much sums up my race
photo by Urvi

Race: Boston Marathon
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!

Nichole, Brian and I before boarding the bus for Hopkinton

Three months and 1000 miles of training led to the moment in Hopkinton when it was time to go.  I had spent the morning with Nichole, Brian and Dave.  At the start line Megan and I started on pace and within our plan.  But it was just too hot...

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...

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.

Collage I made from Saturday's shake-out run and volunteering.

From Coolidge Corner on, I was just soaking in the sights.  Last year, I hadn't been able to enjoy the "experience" that much, since I had been too busy "racing" the race.  I high fived as many children as I could.  I waved to people on passing trolleys.  I made my way into Kenmore and started raising the roof to the spectators.  What was bad weather for runners was great weather for spectators.  Full experience.

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.

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!!!!