Abridged version: My fifth Boston is in the log book :-))))
Novel version:
We have choices in life....run/not run, eat bad things/don't eat
bad things, bitch happily/bitch grumpily, work/don't work,
etc. You get the
idea.
For those of you that know Rick Schaefer and any part of his
medical history, you
know that this guy is a special guy. One of my good friends from about six
Bostons ago (the 100th). Won't bore everyone with the detail on why he's a good
friend since then; just accept my statement that he is. Otherwise, there would
be waaaayyyy more verbage than any good novel should ever
have!
Rick's been injured, had knee surgery, worked in lieu of
running for most of
March and April - not exactly conducive to a really good
April marathon in my
estimation.
When I talked to Rick the other night, he said he would tap dance at
the finish if he made it by 5:30, but expected a 6:00. I was hoping for
something less than 5:00.
The first choice of the day was what to wear. It was almost cold here in
northern New England last night. Forecasts for race day have been changing
almost hourly since I arrived Thursday night. My drop bag had tights, a wind
vest, a singlet, a short sleeved coolmax tee and a long
sleeved coolmax tee. I
had shorts on under my sweats. After arriving in style in Hopkinton and lounging
under a tree for a while, I had to figure out what to
wear. The shorts were a
given. It was
definitely going to be warm enough to pass on the tights - at
least for me.
There was wind at the start, and the prediction of dropping temps
and 15 mph winds by the finish. I finally decided I would start in a singlet,
wrap that long sleeved tee around my waist and have it ready
when needed. No
gloves. This
decision turned out to be almost exactly correct.
In just a few miles, I had tucked my singlet all the way up
into my running bra.
I was HOT!
There was a little wind here and there along the way - nice breezes
that felt good.
Kept me from being really, really warm. Didn't pick up anything
that could legitimately be called "wind" until
somewhere between the 21 - 22 mile
markers.
Definitely a headwind, but not a gale. I ended up finishing with the
singlet still tucked up and the long sleeved tee tied around
my waist. Never did
get cold...or even cool. Threw on the sweats the instant I retrieved my bag off
the bus - and never did get chilled.
Second decision was the place to start. Anyone that's run Boston knows about
the
corrals. The
placement within those corrals was the issue. I weaseled my way to
the front of my corral because Rick was standing at the back
of the previous one
and we had decided to start together. The start was the start. Took some 10:18
or so to cross the chip mats and start our personal
clocks. The start was
crowded, as all Boston starts are....it's that one horse
town they start in. I
have to hand it to the BAA every time I run Boston. They put a large number of
impatient people through a very small town on a narrow, two
lane winding road
with absolute aplomb.
It goes like clockwork every time.
The third decision was whether to run with Rick all the way,
part of the way or
only until I pulled away. I don't believe I ever thought it through or made a
conscious decision here. I just ran - along side Rick, a few
steps in front of
him, a few steps behind him. If I started getting too far in front, I slowed it
down unless I was coming to a water stop. At every single water stop (and I hit
them all), I had to play catch-up because I have never
developed the ability to
drink on the run.
Guess that will have to be my project for the remainder of
2001.
We ran on. I
think both of us felt horrid the first few miles. I settled into
a"groove" about the five mile mark and managed to
keep it most of the way through
to the end.
Because of the warm weather, the crowds were huge and the music was
loud. This
makes Boston for me. I was loving
every second of every yell. The
Wellesley women just outdid themselves this year. Loudest I have ever heard 'em.
If they yelled that loudly for the entire field, none of
those girls had any
voice left whatsoever.
It was truly magnificant. I
ran a long way on that noise
high alone.
Hit the half in just about exactly 2:30. We were both doing well. BUT - here
come the hills.
Running so many hills in late March this year made a huge
difference for me.
Didn't walk a step until close to the firehouse, I think.
Rick needed to walk to conserve energy for the remaining
miles - sounded like a
good plan to me.
We walked the uphills on only the significant hills. I
actually ran more of the entire marathon than I ever have
before on that course.
Pleased me *no end*!
I am sure I could have run them (or most of them), but then
I would have lost Rick. Nah.
Saw both Rich Lerman and Tim Smith before the start. Rich has already posted
that he was miserable from 15 on. Ouch. Nothing
from Tim yet although I know he
was hoping for a sub-4. Saw Roz and Danny just after the firehouse. I was
afraid to do more than yell hello.....that groove thing was
working again. Roz
made me laugh:
"It's hot. Are you
drinking?" Yes, ma'am, I
was. Stopped at *
every* water stop, whether I felt like I needed it or not. Certainly didn't need
gloves today :-))
We ran on. Saw Conrad just
after the 22. He ran with us for
a bit and then bailed.
Saw Doug Dodds on the last uphill we walked, close to the
25 mile mark (his usual spot). Whenever I see Doug, I know that "One mile to go"
sign is very close.
Always gives me that little extra push to get me to
Boylston. I
hope I didn't miss anyone that yelled at me out there on the course.
If I did, my apologies.
We ran on. Made
the turn into Hereford. Made the
turn onto Boylston. Lordy
moses, there was that big, gorgeous, blue and yellow finish
line not too far
distant! I made
sure Rick and I were in step all the way across the line.
Whoohoo.....about 5:16 or so. Not at all far off where I expected to be and well
ahead of Rick's best hopes. I MADE him do a tap dance :-))))))))
There were more than a few times when Rick told me to go
ahead and run. Several
times he told me that, had I not stayed with him, I would
have had a PR for the
course. That
may well be true. But - I had a
great time with a good friend, we
finished in fine form with a huge smile across both
faces. You know, I'm not
going to run 20+ miles with someone only to dust him/her for
time. Not the way I
play the game. I would *not* have traded this Boston for a
sub-5 on my own. I
know it was there, I learned some valuable things about how
I need to train for a
marathon, it was more important to me to spend the time and
the miles with
someone special to me.
I could have done without the sunburn though ;-))
Many times in my life I haven't had the ability to make
choices. It's wonderful
to be able to make them and have things work out just
exactly right.
If I could do the woowoo dance, I would. I'm tired.
A