Boston Marathon - RunMarathon

The gun went off and we started the shuffle, it took a full 3 minutes for me to hit the mat. I must have been nervous even if I didn't feel like I was, my heart rate wouldn't drop below 175. I kept telling myself to calm down, relax and hold back. My goal pace was around a 7:26, I was hoping for a 3:15 finish but I wasn't sure how the hills were going to affect me since I didn't do a lot of hill training. I tried to stay with the crowd and not pass anybody, but I still ran a 7:00 first mile. I chalked it up to start line jitters and just kept telling myself to calm down and hold back. Didn't do a lot of good though, second mile was a 6:50.
I started to feel my quads start barking around mile 4. All the research I did on the course prepared me for this, I just wasn't expecting to feel it until much later in the race. I did my best to ignore it and drive on. I was clocking a pretty consistent 7:08 pace for the next couple of miles. I knew this was faster than my plan, but I couldn't seem to hold back anymore than I already was. It must have been the crowds and the charged atmosphere, it was unlike anything I've ever experienced. Just past the 12 mile marker I started hearing screaming. I'd heard about the Wellesley College scream tunnel but it was loader than I expected. When I finally got within eyesight of the college I saw all the girls and their "kiss me' signs.
I hit the halfway point at 1:33:33, a little ahead of pace. I even had a foolish thought that I might actually be able to PR this race. I stuck with my plan of hitting every other water station since the course had one every mile. This seemed to work well as I was never thirsty. Around mile 17 I spotted Heidi on the side of the road cheering me on so I ran over and gave her a quick kiss. Then I started up the hills. Like everybody says, the hills weren't that bad, it was nice to be able to use different muscles for a while. I thought I was pretty strong up, even the famous Heartbreak wasn't that bad, but going down was a different matter. It seemed like every step on the down slope was going to snap my quads in half.
From mile 22 on my legs were in agony, every step seemed to be an act of sheer willpower. The crowd was awesome though, it was like they could sense I was hurting so they started shouting encouragement even louder. Any thought of a PR vanished at this point. Although my original goal of 3:15 was still in sight, I knew it would be close. I downed my last gel in hopes that it would help a little. At mile 23, I grabbed 2 gatorades and walked the water station, it hurt to start running again but I did.
A mile from the finish line they have the "one mile to go" marker. This was a nice boost, except that right after it was a small "valley" passing under a bridge. Although it was a very small downhill/uphill, I think it hurt the worst of all of them. The crowds were simply phenomenal here, constantly shouting and cheering. A right turn, up a block, a left turn and there it was...the finish line. I was never so happy to see one in my life. I reached down as deep as I ever had and tried to finish strong. When I looked at the clock I realized that I made it under my goal.

Try to hold back on the downhills at the beginning even more.

Walked through the cooldown area drank some water, collected my medal, mylar blanket and food bag. Then walked another 2 block to the bus with my clothes bag freezing. After I collected my bag I worked my way to the meeting point were Heidi and here mom met me.


Not enough hill training.


This was by far the best ran marathon I've ever seen. The volunteers were outstanding and plentiful. Drink stations every mile on both sides if the road. The crowds couldn't have been better. This is definitely a "must do" race.