Hi All,

I'm sorry this has taken so long but I don't have access to a computer right now so I have to borrow time to send this out.

Anyway, as many of you know Boston has ben a goal of mine for a long time. i have had many attempts and finally qualified last year.

I knew this race would be special, I trained harder than usual, I invited family and friends to cheer me on. The last couple of days before the race I was very concerned that I would let everyone down by running slow. I had to stay focused and run smart. I knew I would be fine. Race day came and except for the headwind the conditions were ideal. Driving to the race my wife and I followed the elite busses (with police escort)to the start and I decided that it was a good omen. We headed off along the back roads (having lived in Hopkinton was a plus) and got a very good parking spot.

  After what seemed like forever I went to the starting line. Everyone was discussing how long it would take to get to the start and the estimate was about a minute. This turned out pretty good since it took me 53 seconds. The start was overwhelming. All thie people around cheering and all the runners. I had an urge to cry, having worked so hard to get here and actaully be running, was so amazing.

I made sure to go out slow since I didn't want to be swept up in a 6 minute first mile and was very happy to hit the mile marker in 7:30. I picked up the pace a little and found myself going to fast with a 6:30 second mile. I slowed down a little and settled into 6:50's for the next several miles.

As I ran I continued to be amazed at the crowds and looking ahead at the sea of runners in front of me. I held pace through the first half and enjoyed the early cresendo that was the women of Wellesley. After 14 miles I was on familiar turf having run the course backwards to mile 14 many times during my long runs. I knew I was going to do ok. I actually picked it up a little as I saw the sign that said entering Newton. Shortly thereafter my father-in-law jumps out of the crowd with a "go joe" sign screaming and running alongside for 50 yards, the boast of energy he gave me propelled me all the way around the firehouse turn and up the first two hills. I was now very much on familiar ground and pushed the pace up heartbreak hill. I knew at the top I wold start to see family down the final stretch into Boston. Around Cleveland Cirlce my parents were yelling encouragement and I pushed on. I run this part of Beacon Street everyday. I am tired and energized at the same time. I push on into Coolige Corner and see my neighbor and my wife. I had last saw her at the start and 24 miles is way to long a wait for either of us during a marathon. A few seconds later I see the Citgo sign for the first time. It is big and I know that it was visable long ago but I just wasn't looking. I have been mananging 7:30ish miles since heartbreak and I know I will be under 3:10 if I can keep up the pace and I will be able to come back.

Out of nowhere a man with socks on his sleves goes by, I know it must be Karl. I yell out his name but he doesn't hear me. I am in Kenmore Square and my whole body aches and I say I just neeed to push a little more so I can come back next year. But I don't want it to end at the same time (after the race I find out I ran the last mile in 6:45).

I see the finish line and cross under in 3:09:17 (3:08:23 net). I get to come back. I GET TO COME BACK!!!!!!!! I get my medal (I bought my chip).

I will never forget the feeling of running this race. Everything they said about this race I felt was true. It was the best. Normally when I finish I think maybe I don't want to run another marathon. During this race I kept saying I have to get back and be able to do this again.

It is now four days later and I still feel the same way. All my expectations were met and exceeded. Next year I buy the jacket and spend more time at the encounters. Maybe I will even host one, if the house we are buying is renovated in time. :))

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