Rob Tagher Boston Marathon Race Report 2012
40 years old, 153 pounds, 6th marathon,vdot 50, newbie triathloner and EN member
my marathon PR and BQ was on a perfect course and with perfect weather in Las Vegas and was 3:14:39. I trained faster for this marathon and hoped to possibly get a 3:09:xx (would have allowed me to register for NYC marathon). That would have been under ideal conditions which obviously we did not have in Boston.
Once the weather report discussed weather in the mid 80's, race execution plan had to be severely changed. I added time to mile paces for the heat, with more time towards the end of the race to account for the Newton Hills and the fact that the temps continued to rise through the course of the race. New goal time was around 3:20. However the heat was just too much for even that.
There was no way to cool off. Each mile stop involved drinking gatorade (which was boiling after mile 5) and getting 2 cups of water to pour on your arms and head. This was a slow process and darting back and forth to get cups of ice from 5 year olds also added time - but was necessary for survival.
I have negative split my last few marathons, but today between the heat and the hills it was just not going to happen. Had I started slower, I'm not even sure that would have helped. It was just brutal.
It was great meeting the team in Boston a coule nights before the race and seeing some of the team at the race as well. The crowds were great and Boston is the experience of a lifetime.
But this was hands down the hardest race I've ever run!
Comments
Great job on finishing a tough race even under great conditions.