This was my first Marathon. And it was Boston. Qualifying time is something around 3:15. Ridiculous. I ran Bandit. Wasn't at all sure I could complete the race.
I had been running 5 mile trail runs on weekdays and stretch runs on weekends. Got up to 15 miles before my knees got sore from all the pounding. I took 10 days off and got new shoes. Stayed off the pavement and did 10 and 12 mile workouts at Macomber woods. Easy laps over rolling hills where I had a place to leave my water bottle. Soft footing. Those workouts felt good.
So with my son's encouragement, and perfect running weather, I decided to try Boston about 2 hours before the race. I live in Framingham, about 6 miles from the starting line. I studied the train routes and knew that I'd always be within a couple of miles of a commuter rail or green line train. Bandits are not discouraged, but they can't use the buses provided for the real runners. And so I parked my car in Framingham, stuffed forty bucks into my shoe and caught a ride out to Hopkinton. They have shuttles from the state park to the center where the start is.
I had timed it really well. I was the only one on the shuttle and got there about 5 or 10 minutes before the last wave of runners was being released. The bandits would follow them. I reached the Starting line 47 mintues after the elite runners had left. It was really crowded. For 5 or 6 miles it was elbow to elbow. It was fun running through the town centers with so many fans. They were still here long after the elite runners had passed.
The bandits were allowed to grab water and gatorade at all of the stations. The only problem was runners stopping wherever and whenever. What's up with that? And all the cups and containers littering the road. There had been 25,000 runners ahead of us -- What a mess! When we got to Framingham, I wished I'd worn a Framingam T-Shirt, so they'd know I was from there. The crowds were awesome the whole way. Kids everywhere. Parties along the route. High Fives. Words of encouragement The Wellesley college the girls invite you kiss them. Fun.
I did the first half in around 2:05. Felt ok. At mile 14 I stopped at the Wellesely Hills commuter rail. I stretched and considered my options. I knew this was a convenient spot to turn around. After this it'd be more difficult to get back to my car. But I felt ok. Just hungry. The weaher was perfect. I hadn't trained right, but when would I have this chance again? So I pushed on.
At mile 17 we crossed Route 128. Felt tired now. Found a power mush drink. Chocolate Rasberry. Drank a lot of water. Walked. My legs felt really weak. I thought I was done. I stopped at the intersection of Rt 16 and Comm Ave. My legs were hurting now. I figured I was spent. I called home for somebody to come get me. No answer. I laid down on a patch of grass and stretched. Called again. No answer. Pushed on. What choice did I have?
Long steep hill. But I felt a little better. I think the power mush had kicked in. I fell into a sort of 'box run'. Short strides and limited arm motion - like running in a box. We were well into Newton. I was starving. I ate everything offered. Candy, oranges, ice - an old lady was giving out homemade brownies. I woofed it down. Alternated between gatorade and water.
At mile 20 or 21 somebody in the crowd said we were at the top of Heartbreak Hill. Cool. I did my Rocky "You Ain't So Bad!" I thought I might be able to finish. So I kept at it. Walking hurt. But my box run was getting me there. Live bands now. Cruising past Boston College. I don't remember Coolidge Corner. Or mile 23.
Eventually we could see the Citgo sign. Nothing was gonna stop me now. Just keep at it. The last sign I noted was Mile 24. Homestretch. After that we were on city streets. I remember going through an underpass close to the finish. The crowd was cheering an older guy called Bill. Must have had it written on his shirt.
Toward the end I broke out of my box run and finished like a real runner. I blew by Bill and I crossed the finish line clapping like a nut. I had completed the Boston Marathon. How cool is that?
After about 20 steps I felt really tired. Sucked down a couple bottles of water. There are lots of folks helping the runners and they keep you moving along. Walking to the Back Bay commuter rail station was difficult. I stiffened big time. Cold. Glad I had snatched a foil wrap blanket from a volunteer. Needed to sit. Then I was on the train. Back to my car. Home.
The hot shower felt good and eating dinner was awesome. I was starving. Sleep was difficult that night, but I made it to work in the morning - stiff as a board. Not sure I was real productive that day. And the next day I was stiff all over again. But by the third day things started to get back to normal. And I went for a slow trail run that weekend.
It was a crazy thing to do. Not sure I'll do it again. But I did it. I completed the 2010 Boston Marathon!
Once in a Lifetime.
