Boston Marathon - RunMarathon

My training was a bit hampered by knee issues all winter. No excuses, I did not do enough hills in my training. Bad hydration and lack of hill work lead to my undoing after heartbreak, the tank was empty - but no regrets! Bad cramps miles 23 to the finish. However, I had a permanent smile from start to finish, this was special and nothing was going to ruin that. I really thought my 3:15 in Chicago would get me sub 3:30 here, this course is a devil if not respected properly.

Definitely more hill work, oddly I think I would focus on how to run downhill rather than up. I didn't "get it" until after this race. I did not know how much I was sweating until about mile 12 when I adjusted my hat and it was soaked. I was drinking every aide station but it was not enough. The low humidity and sun were deceptive. I dropped a few endurolytes on the course along the way too, but it was not enough hydration. You'd figure 50 deg F wouldn't be that bad, I should know better.

The post race is packed, so many good runners come in all at once. Its elbow to elbow the entire way, definitely unique to the other races I've done. It was slow going to get out to the gear pickup, I was in no rush. Cramps ended shortly after finish, stretching and big dinner at PF Changs ended the day.


I am not worried about performance on this one, I put no time goal on this race so no pressure. I wanted to run it to finish, next year will be a different story. My Oct 2009 Chicago time is good for 18 months, ought to get me there next year too I think. Now that I know what to expect, that race will be executed differently and trained to differently as well. For my 3rd marathon I am very please and still on a learning curve.


This is Boston, you feel it from the expo to the finish. The 114 years of history, the old New England environment and the crazy college students, fans, friends, and family along the way make this one stand out. I am still shocked to be in the race, and thanks my many wonderful friends and family for getting me there. I had the chance to meet so many interesting people... current service men and women, ex-marines, mothers, fathers, cancer survivors, White house senior aides (17 miles with Condoleezza Rice's senior White House aide who also does Ryan Halls "Steps" Foundation (check it out), and lots of other inspiring athletes of all ages and backgrounds. I look forward to coming back next year with differnt goals and look forward to the challenge. Thank you Boston and BAA for a great day.