Boston Marathon - RunMarathon

And we just stand there. Finally, you see people up ahead start walking, then us, then a shuffle, and then a jog. It takes almost 11 minutes to get to the start line, and now we're jogging a good warm-up pace.

My goal was to hit 3:35 which is my BQ time and an easy 8:00 pace would get me there with room to spare. Everything I'd read about Boston, was go "slow" in those first 3-4 miles of downhills and don't get caught up in a too-fast pace.

The previous 3 days of rain had cleared off and we had perfect weather; low 40s at race start and 50s at the end, along with a good breeze.

I was keeping a 7:30 pace, feeling great, and nothing was hurting. I had told myself to be sure and enjoy the day, the course, and the crowds. This may be my only time here and if it came down to it; I'd let my time goals suffer and soak up as much of the race as possible.

I tried to interact with the crowds when I could: slapping the hands of kids as I passed and acknowledging their cheers. I had worn a race shirt that has a good outline of Texas on it and it got a lot of attention during the race; people would holler out: "Go Texas" and "Yay Texas" as I passed.

The middle miles came and went without too much issue and I had settled into a 7:40 pace. The constant ups and downs didn't allow me to get into my perfect breathing pattern because of all the adjustments being made, but I was still doing well and hitting my splits. I had banked about 3-4 minutes but nothing outrageous.

Got past the 13.1 mile marker and into Wellesley College with all the screaming girls. There was only girls on one side of the road instead both as in years past. Not sure why, but I didn't care. I didn't take advantage of any of the free kisses being offered (probably my only chance to kiss a college girl), but I did high-five a bunch of out-stretched hands. Now it's on to the Newton Hills and Heartbreak.

I had been hitting the drink stations regularly and slamming a gel every 40-45 minutes. At the 25K (15.5 mile) marker there's a significant downhill and as I held back some going down, I felt my right hamstring tighten up. Oh crap, not a true cramp, but I could tell this might be the start of something.

It was this next 2 miles that I started to feel the onset of some minor cramps and the pace started to slide into the 7:55-8:00 range, still OK, but definitely slowing down. About in here is where I passed Team Hoyt as he was pushing up a small hill. I was really close to them as I passed and turned to get a good view of them; felt like I was seeing royalty.

As I got into the Newton Hills, past the first major uphill and then at the second hill at mile 19: Boom! I got my first bad cramp and came to a fast walk while I worked it out.

Started up the third hill at mile 20 and fought my way up that one while still being able to run slowly. I saw lots of other runners struggling; walking, and stopped on the sidelines, so I didn't feel so bad about my slower pace.

As you top out, you're entering the Boston College area and the really rowdy crowds. It was right in here that I heard someone yell out that we'd just finished Heartbreak Hill. I didn't know that I was on it much less, done with it. Awesome.

I was done going uphill, but the next 2-3 miles are a steady downhill and that really messes with your tired and crampy leg muscles. Here is where I really slowed down, fighting off misc. cramps and anxiously looking for the next mile marker. Walked each drink station getting full cups of water and G-ade. I had warmed up and the sweat was really flowing.

Somewhere around mile 22, people were offering baggies of green grapes and I grabbed one. There were about a dozen in there and each one tasted great; helped get me through the next miles.

By mile 24 I was gutting it out to maintain a 9:00 pace and trying to keep steady. Had a pretty good idea I wasn't going to make my BQ time, but kept at it. At this point you can see the big Citgo sign letting you know that you are "close", but close means another 2.2 miles.

Told myself I could do this; hang in there, it's less than 20 minutes and I'll be done with this self-induced pain. Make the turn and get into the downtown streets and thousands of noisy spectators. I know my wife is in here somewhere, but I don't know where. I make a decision to run down the right-hand side, and of course she was on the left-hand side.

I hear her call my name as I passed by and now I'm 1/4 mile from the finish line. She manages to snap a pic and get my foot as another runner passed in between us.

I smile for the camera and raise the hands as I cross the finish line; I'm done.

Not much. I ran conservatively at the start and hung on when the hills and the cramps hit.

You read so much about this course and how deceptive it is. It's just flat enough to where a good athlete can put up a fast time, but it's just hilly enough to where you'll pay a heavy price if you're under-trained or make a mistake.

I only missed my goal by 9 minutes, but I felt slightly disappointed because I have the ability to do better; I just didn't have a perfect race.

Shuffled through the post-race lines with the hundreds of other finishers, feeling OK, but stiff and starting to get chilled from the cool wind.

Met up with my wife pretty quickly because we had planned a meeting point. Slowly walked down the subway stairs and took the train back to our parked car.


Maybe doing 3 hard races in 12 weeks prior to this one may have been too much.

Maybe if I had just focused on this as an "A" race I could've performed better.

Maybe if I had followed a professional training plan to the letter and done the 20-mile long runs with some hills at mile 18, I wouldn't have cramped.

That's a lot of maybes and that's not the way it happened; I did it the way I did it, and I have zero regrets.


As they say; it's BOSTON, and it doesn't get any better/bigger.

The race is very organized for its size, the people were friendly, and we had a great time.

I'm glad I changed my mind and ran it when I had the chance.