BOSTON MARATHON – “There’s something good waitin’ down this road”

For all the Boston runners that were running down their dreams today, CONGRATULATIONS! Through some warm temperatures, a strong sun, a bit of a head wind, and the challenges inherent in the course, you all made it to Boston! Each week I’ve summed up the training miles we’ve covered to get you to the starting line, now it’s your turn to sum up your path from start to finish. First timers, what were your impressions of the run compared to other marathons? Veteran runners, what made this run different than all the others? Highlights? Lowlights? Share them with us, don’t let the big day go by quietly.

4 Responses to “BOSTON MARATHON – “There’s something good waitin’ down this road””

  1. Andrew Pate says:

    Allright, I guess I am first up. Went out waaay too fast, tried to slow down, hit the wall. I thought I still had a shot at sub 4 at mile 22 but after seeing 2 people basically convulsing on stretchers, I decided to cruise as best as I could to the end. Got a wicked sunburn on my right side (head, arm, and leg) sun came out right at the start, temp was ok.

    I still had a great time and it is still the hardest, and best, marathon!

    Thank you again Jim for the SLR!

  2. Judi says:

    Jim, I’m sure you are tired of people thanking you for all you hard work on the long run program but I must join the bandwagon. I also realize a lot of people help make it run so smoothly so thanks to everyone for all the hard work and organization.
    My day started off with some chuckles as we watched one of the marathon buses pull over on the Hopkinton exit because the BUS DRIVER had to take a pee! There was a major back up off the exit so many runners took advantage by relieving themselves on the side of the road. Then they had to run to catch their buses which were inching along. Quite comical. A little pre-marathon warm up.
    I’ve heard lots of stories about sun burns on one side of the face. My lips suffered the most as I was not prepared for the sun to come out at the start. I was probably overdressed (as usual) but thank goodness for relatively frequent cool breeze. A couple cups of water over the head also helped me keep going. Barry asked me my favorite part of the run. Without a doubt seeing Melrose at mile 20 followed by crossing the finish line. It’s always a thrill to turn onto Boylston and know that you’ve made it. Congratulations to everyone who ran, cheered, and spectated. Now it’s time for the Providence gang. Good luck to everyone!

  3. Brian Gilroy says:

    First of all I need to thank Jim and everyone else who provided so much support over the past few months.
    My plan was to run between 8:20 and 8:25 per mile from start to end. So much for plans. I went out at what I thought was a nice easy pace. I kept trying to slow down but I kept hitting 8:10’s. I knew I would pay for it and the payback started at about 25k. My left calf started bothering me and then I knew I had to slowdown or I was going to be in big trouble. At that point I kept doing the calculations of what it would take to be under my qualifying time of 3:45. I managed to make it up heartbreak. I was tired and my calf was starting to scream and my calculations were telling me that anytime I had in the bank was disappearing. Starting down towards BC my quads started killing me. I managed to make it to mile 23 wher I started considering taking a little walk. I told myself one more mile then you can walk. I told myself the same thing at 24 and 25. I finally made it to Boylston street. I keep forgetting what a long stretch that is. I saw my wife and son at the 26 mile marker and that made me feel much better. I managed to finish in 3:42. Mission accomplished!
    I limped over and got my medal. I the found the nearest curb where I sat for about 5 minutes thinking about how much of thir race in mental. I then met up with my wife and son who made me feel like a million bucks. I then had a reward of fries, scallops wrapped in bacon, pizza and cold beer. What a great reward after a lot of hard work.
    Thanks again to everyone that helped us get to the starting line and the finish line. Good luck to all the runners heading to Providence.

  4. Matt Sazama says:

    WBZ referred to them as the “river of runners” and as they flowed by me at Mile 17, I saw both Ed Torres and Roy Van Buren in the stream of runners. Then it was my turn as I joined my dad for the last 9.5 miles in to the finish. He picked up a stomach bug the night before and had become a walk-to-runner by the time I saw him.

    Then it was my turn to jump in the stream. I was warmed up by the time I saw the MRC’ers at 20; thanks for the great support, even for a 10-mile bandit!

    After that it was a succession of chills at all the familliar places; BC, the CITGO sign, the final turn onto Boylson. Even though I only did 10 miles, I still felt like I’d done the whole thing. As I approached Boylston and could hear the cheering crowd echoing off the buildings, part of me thought “this is no big deal” while the other part was screaming in my head, “omigod, omigod, I’m gonna do it!”

    This time I got a chance to see what real crowd support was like; amazing, nothing like it in the world. Dense, screaming crowds and lots of cowbells all the way in from 17. The folks lining Boylston St. and crammed in the bleachers at the finish were so loud I could hear them while still on Beacon St. by the overpass to the fens.

    I can’t wait to do it again (the whole thing this time) next year!

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