My husband and I arrived in Boston Saturday night, much later than planned due to flight delay. Next year we will plan to arrive in Boston on Friday so we can make the encounters. We spent Sunday at the expo. My husband loves to shop for running gear and supplies. I expect numerous phone calls this week from all the telemarketers that Dave filled out chances to win coupons at their expo booths. I was able to catch Runners World's talk on Women in Running with Grete Waitz and Kristy Johnson. They both stressed the importance of not going out too fast on the early miles of a downhill course like Boston. I learned this lesson last month at the Napa Marathon. Napa is also a downhill course for the early miles. Although I ran a PR of 3:41, I was dead a the end.

Sunday night Dave and I walked over to Angelos for the pasta encounter. We enjoyed the company at our table, but were not able to meet fellow deads at the other tables. Our waiter quickly ushered us out as soon as the dinner was over. I would have liked to speak more to Dennis about his ride and tie training. I would love to try this someday with my horse. Did enjoy talking to Sam Underwood, Jim Adams and his friends.

Sunday morning Dave and I walked to the bus pickup early. I managed to sit next to a woman, Christine, who turns out lives in Los Gatos, CA. She runs at De Anza track on Tuesday nights, where I occasionally join my husband with his TNT group. Small world.

My run club (Palo Alto Run Club) had planned to meet in the left hand corner of the tent in the athletes village. I searched all four corners of the two tents, but could not find anyone I knew. I was able to find space in the left hand corner of one of the tents and managed to make friends with fellow runners.

After freezing for hours, it was finally time to make my way to corral 13. Decided against the DRS singlet and wore a plain white cool max long sleeved shirt. Also worn gloves. Connie, at the time, I didn't realize it was you I was having a conversation at the start regarding the availability of potties and woods along the early parts of the race. After I read your race report regarding your pineapple and Honolulu running room shirt I remembered our conversation.

I had four goals for this marathon:

1. Run without injuries - The past two Bostons were run with painful injuries. The pain I had in my lower leg from a bike injury had disappeared by race day.

2. Have fun - The crowds, both spectators and fellow runners made this race a great event. The volunteers were also wonderful. The women at Wellesley brought tears to my eyes. It is awesome to have so much attention brought to our sport. I loved taking oranges from small children and seeing their faces light up.

3. Run negative splits - It took me almost 8 minutes to get to the start. It wasn't until the third mile that I could actually run at a pace faster than 10 minute miles. Due to the slow start and my conservative pace at the beginning, the second half of the race was 1 minute faster than the first. I also had stomach problems and had to visit the potties twice during the second half of the race. I did finish strong. The last four miles were my fastest, with the last mile the fastest of the entire race. I felt great after the race. I will have to remember this for other thons.

4. Qualify for Boston at Boston - I didn't need a Boston qualifier for 2001, because I had run qualifiers at the four marathons I ran in the last 6 months. It was great not to have the pressure, but I wanted to try anyway. I remember last year at the Big Sur Marathon discussing with Karl my method of running 7 marathons a year, with 6 at a slow comfortable pace and one with the goal of running fast enough to qualify for Boston. Karl mentioned that he had no problem running a Boston qualifier. I wanted to make that my next goal -to have my Boston qualifier pace be my normal comfortable pace. I was able to run Boston with a chip time of 3:54 which qualifies me for Boston at Boston and I felt comfortable during the entire race.

This is my favorite race and we will be back next year. I do plan to arrive on Friday so we can join more of the activities.

I am looking forward to marathon number 23 next weekend at Big Sur. We will be camping in our camper at the bus loading site of Carmel Middle School. Dave is a mentor for TNT and will be cheering for his group. I couldn't resist running Big Sur. My legs feel fine. I plan to run this one slowly and for enjoyment. I will not look at my watch after the second half and only look at it during the first to make sure I don't run too fast.

ORN: Nine miles this morning with my dogs. I have decided not to taper for Big Sur. I want to dedicate my 26.2 miles at Boston to Ruth, Dave and Joep. I am especially glad that I can dedicate my first injury free Boston run. I think about you three every morning during my run.

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