Boston Marathon Recap

Well, now I understand what all the hub-bub is about. The Boston Marathon = an absolute blast (usually—when you’re not hill-climbing-- during the actual run itself, but definitely during the pre and post-race festivities). Crowd support (it seemed the streets were lined with high-fiving toddlers and grannies alike the entire 26.2 miles) was unparalleled, the aid stations were plentiful and well-stocked, and the course was challenging, yet faster-than-expected. Throw in a pinch of near-perfect weather and a speck of general race day giddiness and I’m not sure I could have dreamt up a much better scenario.

Now to the particulars, as they pertain to me; below are the mile splits I took during the course of the race. Due to my inability to accurately stop my watch for each split, these should be taken with a grain of salt (i.e. add or subtract a second or two here and there, though added together they do equal my official time).

Mile 1: 6:23
Mile 2: 6:11
Mile 3: 6:10
Mile 4: 6:13
Mile 5: 6:28
Mile 6: 6:20
Mile 7: 6:20
Mile 8: 6:32
Mile 9: 6:33
Mile 10: 6:41
Mile 11: 6:39
Mile 12: 6:28
Mile 13: 6:31
Mile 14: 6:36
Mile 15: 6:50
Miles 16-18: 20:28 (this averages out to 6:49 pace)
Mile 19: 6:50
Mile 20: 7:10
Mile 21: 7:27 (this is the mile that features Heartbreak Hill)
Mile 22: 6:55
Mile 23: 7:12
Mile 24: 6:44
Mile 25: 6:59
Mile 26 (+ 0.2-mile): 8:04

Total: 2:54:44 (average pace = 6:40)



And here’s how I did on my goals:

1.) HAVE FUN. It took a lot of guts—miles, time, energy, money, etc.—to get here, so just toeing the line should be smile-inducing in itself - CHECK
2.) Finish strong—the wall’s going to be there eventually, so find a way to get over, around or through it as quickly as possible - CHECK
3.) I’m seeded #1890, which means I’m supposedly slower than 1,889 people. Try and finish in the top 1,500 – CHECK (I finished as #787 overall)
4.) Keep your sub-3:00:00 streak intact—a tall, hilly order, but your legs haven’t endured all of those hump-bridge sprints for nothing – CHECK, though I feel a few more hump-bridge sprints may have been in order
5.) Set a new marathon PR (Personal Record)—that means under 2:53:40. Not realistic, but neither was my running marathons a little over a year ago – CLOSE (56 second off)

A heartfelt THANK YOU goes out to everyone that Buzz’ed, texted, and emailed their well-wishes/congrats, with an added “I couldn’t have done it without you” to Stink Bottom, Little Tip, Charles River and Jeremy for their unconditional support throughout.

And now, on to the pictures (click on any you'd like to enlarge):


Ryan Hall came before me...


...as did Meb...


...and eventual women's winner Erkesso


Keeping up "I'm having a good time" appearances


Am I out of camera range yet? Smiling uses up too much energy....


Brunch: Gatorade, gel and a finisher's medal

Next up: The Bethel Hill Moonlight Boogie, a 50-miler on 6/12. More on that (my thoughts on training, mileage requirements, etc.) in short order.