Hi
everyone,
When
I think about Boston 2001 I think I should begin on Saturday, in January. All the people who came last year to
see me run in 2000 were not coming this year. I learned that to them I had completed Boston so there was
no reason to come. Add Easter to
the mix and my Mother-in-law and her husband came for Easter but left before
the marathon.
skipping
ahead (or behind) to the Saturday before the race. I saw Tim smith at the expo a couple of times and then again
at the Dinner. Robin and Val
thanks for putting on a great time.
I didn't want to leave. I
was lucky enough to "play" Kevin Smith" for most of the evening
with the wonderful Sally, making introductions, filming everyone (including the
waitress), but don't worry Kevin I left her alone well before the Sunday night
(I wouldn't have been able to fill those "duties ") for you).
It
was great to spend some time with Julie Kim and Val and see oh so many other people. If we could only have added Teresa B.
and Connie I think we could have talked all night. :))
On
to Monday morning the trip to Hopkinton was a breeze (there is an advantage
being local). I sat around,
dropped off my bag with my running club (the BAA) to pick up after the race and
just relaxed. I saw Prescott and
Eric in the 3000 corral and was anticipating a great race given the favorable
(or so it seemed) weather conditions.
Crossed
the start line about 1 minute in and ran a 7:05 with Eric for the first mile.
Shortly thereafter I met up with a woman from my club who is an incredible
runner and great a pacing, I call her my metronome at the track because she can
click off lap after lap right on pace.
She planning on a sub three
as well. we would run together for
10 miles before we separated. At
that point we were right on pace, but she dropped back (later to drop out) and
I pushed the pace slightly to try and keep up. Only I was working to hard and it was hot.
Welselley
as always was great and picked me up a little but not enough. I went through
the half slightly slow in 1:31 but comfortable on the back-up plan re-qualifing
in 3:10. I was working hard but
keeping up the pace until mile 17 when it hit me. Cramps in both my legs worse than any charley horse I ever
had. I stopped and tried to walk
it off. There was no hope. I decided to run to try and finish under 3:10, but they
wouldn't release. the best I could
do was try and keep moving, dropping out was not an option. I see my wife at mile 19 and tell her I
am cramping as just trying to finish.
She says yeah you are behind pace I was starting to worry. In my delutional state I look at my
watch and realize I was 2 minutes slower than the time range I gave her. TWO minutes, over 19 miles!! and if not
for the fact that they were 1/2 mile past the 19 mile mark I would have been on
my time range. Wow I guess I have set high expectations. I reach 20 miles in 2:24 (remember that
time) verse 2:20 planned. At this
point I am trying to survive. I struggle over the hills, my hills. I live right by this part of the
course.
I
keep thinking about how long it will take me to finish and what my time will
be. Finally, I see the Citgo sign
and I know I will make it. With
about 1.5 miles to go a member of the Boston University Woman's Soccer team
(the goalie) see me. She jumps out
on to the course and can tell I am struggling she drops her beverage and runs
me in the last 1.5 miles in flip flops!!!
All the while taking pictures and tell me me to keep running I run a 8
minute last mile to finish in 3:24.
A blazing 60 minute last 10K.
Today
I don't feel bad, but wonder where the cramps came from. Now I will start planning my next race
again in search of the holy grail the Boston qualifier.
Great
to see everyone and congrats to all the runners. I hope you will all be back again soon.
Joe
B.