Anu's Boston Race Report
I love the Boston marathon. There is the history and tradition. But what really makes it so amazing is the people. Its the flight attendant who wishes all runners on board good luck. Its the cabbie who drives you to your hotel and asks if you are in town for the race. The cabbie that drives you back and asks how your race was and knows that Meb won. The policeman who asks if you are running, thanks you for running and says he will be there cheering. "We will all be there, you will have tons of support".
Love that spectating the race is a tradition for the people of Boston and the towns it goes through. For the drunk college kids at Boston college, the screaming girls at Wellesley. For the families in Hopkinton, Ashland, Natick who set up makeshift aid stations and hand out ice, cold towels, orange slices and water. The tons of little kids who stand hands held out. Its the old lady who cheers you when she sees your struggle. Its the man who yells, relax the shoulders, baby.
Its the crowds on heartbreak hill willing you up the hill with their cheering. The amazing volunteers. All doing what they can for strangers. The camaraderie of so many runners gathered together from all over the world. Love it. This year was special and I am glad I was able to go. Aubrey is a friend who was on Hereford last year when the bombs went off. I shared a room with her this year. The weekend started off meeting with Aubrey and two other friends. We caught up over big beers and then hit the expo. It was crazy crowded so I didn't buy much. Everywhere people would thank you for coming out to run the race. I managed to get myself to Dillon's and met Coach P which was great.
Later than night I hung out with Aubrey at the Hal Higdon dinner and met Katie who had taken Aubrey into her apartment dring the time she could not go back to her hotel room. Katie was going to run her first marathon and has raised $11,000 for Dana Farber. It was great to hear the stories.
Next morning I did a shakeout run and my legs felt like lead. Was hoping they'd get their act together by Monday Then lunch with some friends. My friend Victor told us about the Marathon scarf project. A whole bunch of people across the country knitted scarves for the runners. It was such a wonderful thing, very moved when the woman put it around me saying " be safe" . The memorial was also very moving and tastefully done. .Dinner with some other friends at. PF Changs (couple of gluten free folks). I was a bit sad the fun was over temporarily, and it was time to do the work.
Race morning, we got to the Commons early, onto the buses. It was well organized. The security measures were mostly unintrusive. It was a bit sad to see the men in fatigues at the start and extra security personnel etc, but these are the times we live in. Though a friend of Aubrey's, I was able to hang out at the home of these amazingly wonderful and generous people who opened their house to strangers and filled it with all the stuff a runner might want! Met some other runners there, peed umpteen times and then headed out. Was slightly chilly standing around but already sun felt warm.
Miles 1-3
Did not wait in the corrals for long. We started at around 11:03 I think. Based on temps in the 50's, I'd taken my good gloves instead of throwaways with me. I started off easy enjoyed the crowds. Two miles in I had to toss my gloves and knew that I had to be careful. From them on I dumped water on my head at most aid stations. My mouth felt dry. It was odd in that it did not feel very hot, but you felt you needed the hydration. I had figured the crowds would slow me down. But it did not, everyone was moving about the same pace - i.e a bit too fast.
3-6
I was enjoying the early miles, the people sitting outside their homes. An early mile offering of beer. A clearly sozzled woman standing on a guard rail and cheering runners.
The miles were clipping along nicely. Noticed some people breathing really hard. I was pretty much running with my hands extended to high five the little kids, most of these miles. So many kids along the route. Even the little ones still in their mom's arms would have their hands out. 
Around mile 6 or 7, I hear my name and its D2 and AliG's husband. So great seeing them. 6-13.
Still moving at a good clip. I knew the temps were not forecast rise a lot during the four or so hours I'd be on the course and as long as I stayed hydrated I would be okay. Before long I started to hear that high pitched hum in the distance. Wellesley approached. The crowds here seemed a bit lighter, but just as vociferous. Lots of the usual phone numbers and offer of kisses. I was on the other side just watching the fun.
Coming out of the slight shade offered by Wellesley, I noticed the crowd ahead seemed bigger and slower suddenly and there just seemed a collective slowing of pace. I'd been feeling fine and suddenly felt warm, I dumped two or three glasses of water on me and felt better as a slight crosswind blew.
13-20
Last time the Newton hills chewed me up. This time I did not notice the first hill going up to the fire station. I heard the fire station bell and was surprised that hill was done. One quick puff of the inhaler. My lungs were getting to the wheezy point. Next up Victor! The thought cheered me up and of course he is always so enthusiastic and awesome, I got a big bear hug and all was well with the world for a bit. The woman next me said " Oh that was so sweet, is he your husband?" I had a big grin on my face as I tackled the next hill and two guys standing there commented it was amazing I was still smiling at mile 19. But just as rapidly I started to feel crummy, like my hamstrings had no energy (which seemed so odd) and started to wonder how TF I was going to get through 6 more miles? I muttered you are an ironman, but my legs didn't care. But I remembered something from that training, don't focus on how much is left, just get to the next aid station. And with water stops every mile that was easy to so. And I always walk a few steps at the aid stations so that was an extra reward.
20-Finish
One more hill with loud crowds, I walked a little at the base and then decided no I was going to run, it was slow but the crowds pulled me up and suddenly I saw the spires of Boston College. Holy shit had I just run up heart break? Indeed I had. Last time it ws at this point calf cramps hit. This time the AT and calf felt a bit tight but nothing unexpected for the weather. I zoomed down that hill. The crowds from here on were simply amazing. They kept up our spirits, were funny, encouraging and just really incredible.
Despite what they say the last few miles are NOT all downhill. I just kept my mantra, run to the next aid station. Pretty soon I was at the Citgo sign. And down an underpass and up the other side. Oh I was pissed, at that point molehills seem like Everest, but I realized at the top of this the street sign said Hereford. Right on Hereford, left on Boylston. Almost there!
" src="http://www.runango.com/forumd/default/sml_ela.gif" /> I slowed down on Boylston to read all the banners, past the bombing sites. It could've been sombre but instead the crowds were a testament to the attitude of the people to move forward. As I saw the clock I knew I had my A goal. Sub 3:50. About what I expected. On a cooler day or an easier course maybe a PR was possible, but given my training and the day we got, it was good. I gave it all I had. 5K 0:25:52
10K 0:51:58
15K 1:18:02
20K 1:44:25
1/2 1:50:05
25K 2:10:35
30K 2:38:21
35K 3:06:54
40K 3:34:24
Final time 3:47:03. Three minutes off my PR. I also beat my bib number quite handily (21393 placed 14485
) Post race I felt crummy for a long while. Two med personnel stopped me and asked if I was okay, one asked me asked me my name, day of the week etc. 
I told her I was okay just moving slow and in need of more electrolytes. Some gatorade and a recovery protein drink later I felt human again. It was a good day to be there. Finished the day with friends at Jacob Wirth's followed by some desserts at Finale.
So many spectators yelling we love you runners, you are loved, it will always remain a wonderful memory. Rooming with Aubrey also allowed me to be part of the wonderful connections she made last year. All in all a great weekend.
Thanks for all the support and thanks for reading.
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Comments
Congratulations on a great race, and thank you for coming in to run Boston!