Started out conservative, part by choice and part due to the density of runners around me. I knew it would be smart to ease into things, and didn't want to waste energy zig zagging. Opening 5k = 20:21. I did want to pick it up a little from there, and found some space at times to get closer to goal pace once the course flattened out a bit. Drizzle stopped and I ditched my gloves and arm warmers. Took Gatorade at most aid stations early on. Hit 10k at 40:05 and was feeling really good. Saw Danielle and Kevin as I left Framingham, worried I missed them in the huge crowds.

Next two 5ks were 19:35 and 19:30. This is where I wanted to be if I was going to push for that outside goal time. Still feeling really good as I neared halfway. Finished my blocks and took a Maurten gel. Hit halfway at 1:23:20 (very close to where I figured I needed to be to challenge 2:45). The course flattens out for a bit here (including the insane scream tunnel), so just tried to settle into a steady groove. I was feeling it slightly more than I hoped in the 15-16 mile range, but was manageable. Had to tie my shoe around then too, with cold fingers took 20-30 seconds to do so grrr...

Then came the Newton Hills. Focused on strong form and good cadence to get up them. Individually they really aren't much, so tried not to give much in terms of pace, knowing there were downs to recover after each one. When I hit mile 20, I knew I needed to run a 38 flat 10k to break 2:45. While it was net downhill, this would be a challenge. Heading down into Brookline my quads really started screaming. Goal at this point was just to hold on for dear life. I wasn't cramping, so I figured slowing down wouldn't help anything anyway. Saw my friends around mile 24 for one last boost to get me home.

With a mile to go it starting pouring, which at that point I didn't care, and actually find kind of funny. I wasn't going to break 2:45, but I still absolutely crushed this run and was just soaking it all in. Making those final two turns and seeing the finish line, I got super excited and started to sprint hard, but then backed off slightly to enjoy it more.

What a day!



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Got my space blanket and walked through the never ending finishing chute. So happy they had warming buses for changing, was getting very cold very fast.


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Amazing event, amazing day. The crowds are just incredible. What an experience!