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.

Boston

Well, I am here. Back in Boston. Great to be back with a sort of prodigal son like feeling. Lots of memories. I know many of you are going to be tracking my progress so I wanted to post some info about the race ccoverage.

Go USA! Keep an eye on Hall and Sell on the men's and Goucher on the female. It would be great to bring the cup home and get Hall higher in there Marathon Majors.

My bib number is 5675. I will be starting at 10 in wave 1, corral #5.

AT&T has set up Athlete Alert where you can track people's progress. You can get there HERE. On that page is a nice listing of the top runners, both male and female. Go USA! Keep an eye on Hall and Sell on the men's and Goucher on the female. It would be great to bring the cup home and get Hall higher in there Marathon Majors.

There is also Internet TV coverage on WBIZ and on Universal Sports.

Boston's WBIZ also has an entire section set up with all kinds of marathon info like a Heart Break Hill Webcam. Pretty cool site.

Well off to the expo to get my number and then head to dinner with the SERC runners tonight!

12th place at Spring Classic

It looks like spring time is finally here. This past weekend was the annual Spring Classic Half Marathon in Strongsville. With Boston just two weeks away, I had originally wrote this one off. After a workout this week, Vince talked me into it.

I had gotten some calls later in the week that Kevin and Rob were also going to be running it. Talking with them, we formed a basic plan: go out easy, about 6:55-7:00 min pace then pick it up in the second half. For once, that is what I did.

The race started and settled in the pace. It felt good holding that pace and was able to talk to Kevin about Boston a bit. As this thinned out, we formed a group which was Kevin and myself holding the line, and Michelle (another VR Runner who was holding 1st place Masters and 2nd female overall.) An update from Corigan informed us at that time, we were about 25th place overall.

As we made our way out to the first turn around, the wind started picking up quite a bit. But the group held. Kevin and I formed a wind wall for Michelle. As we made our way to half way, I wanted to jump the pace, but keep pulling myself back.

As we hit the second turn around which though the running path, the group started to splinter. At this time, I figured it was time to get the party started and I finally picked put the pace and started moving on folks. I passed a few by mile 7. A second update told me I mad moved to 20th place.

Hold the pace, I caught a number of folks to the next turn around. Going into mile 10, the wind REALLY picked up. I pushed even harder, but my pace seemed to hold the same. My final update as that I had passed 15th pace and was gaining on 14th and 13th.

The wind was crazy. Holding my visor as I ran, it was getting impossible to hold the pace I need to go sub 1:30. I was able to pick off a few last folks to come in just over 1:31 and 12th place overall. Sadly, 9th ,10th ,11th were all with in seconds of each other and also ages 30-34. Left me 4th in my age group! Oh well. I was happy with my placement and a new PR.

So that is it. That was my last long training run for Boston. It is taper time. 4th race of the year and my 4th PR! Nothing else I can do now, but rest and work on my race plan.