Saturday, April 25, 2009

Boston Marathon

It has been a bit since my last update. Things have been really busy since Boston. But here goes…

Wow. I don’t even know where to start with this one. This past weekend was really indescribable. Events were very surreal upon arrival. Strangely, everything I saw was how I had always pictured it: people with Boston Race jackets on the plane, banners all over the airport welcoming runners, the cold, wet spring time Boston weather.

I really don’t think it all hit me until I got to the expo and picked up my number. The room where you get your number and shirt was this long, long hallway. Along it are the numbers for pickup. Most marathons, packet pickup is just a line or two. This one had rows and rows of numbers. I couldn't believe my eyes. And that was just the numbers! In the next room, there were dozens of people handing out the race shirts. Once again, most races have one person doing this. Boston had teams of people based on size.

As for the race, it was a great time. The fans and folks of Boston are amazing. They are Bostonians though and through. In one cheer they are loving you…and ripping you at the same time. It is great. But no matter what, they are cheers and love the runners. Best rip said to me at a water stop…”Thought you guys were supposed to be the best???” Damn! Where did that come from!?!

I can’t say I am totally satisfied with my time. The course beat me up way more than I expected. Heading into the Newton Hills, things were starting to get ugly.

I had been warned by several veteran runners about this. They had done the exact same thing. I told folks after, it was like watching a train coming right at you, and you don’t move. You know it is going to hit you, and there you stand. Boom. Too late.

All said and done. 3:20 was the time. I placed in the top 5,000 people (80% finish) in the arguably most competitive marathon in the world. That makes me a solid B runner in the big picture. I will take that. Aside from my time, those were my goals. And I have a sweet jacket now to boot.

I learned a lot in Beantown this year and can’t wait to try it again. Booking my hotel now for next year. The countdown has started…342 days, 18 hours, 3 minutes and 32 seconds until Monday, April 19, 2010 at 10:00:00 AM. See you all in Hopington…again.