Short version: clock time - 3:30:35 (first half in 106:12; second half in

104:23)

emotionally - happy that I completed my 21st marathon, but frustrated

with sore heel (tendon attachment ?); happy to have met so many deads at

Big City, Cambridge Common, etc.

Long version:

My biggest difficulty was finding my way in Boston. No one seemed to be

acquainted with Friend Street (North End). As I proceeded in my journey,

I would receive enough information to allow me to proceed a little

farther, but not quite to my destination. It was almost a fluke that the

last person who assisted me in finding Friend St. pointed to it at about

the same time I found it myself.

Fortunately, Shawmut Inn is located close to the North Station (green and

orange line). As I found later in my tour, Shawmut was what the area was

called prior to Boston.

I was looking forward to the Big City, Cambridge Common, and bagel

encounters so I did not want to get lost while trying to find these

locations in or out of Boston. Riding the green line provided me with

some confusion initially. I was waiting for the "B" line at North

Station and eventually found that it would not ever make to the North

Station. No problem. I was able to pick it up at Kenmore station.

Eventually, I made it to Big City and met the other deads on the second

floor of the establishment. I met up with Sally again. I met Joe Bator

(playing the role of photo jock Kevin), Prescott Balch, Kitty & daughter

(Michigan), Harriet Kang, Julia Kim (interesting night time tour of

Boston) and other deads whose names escape me at this time for the first

time. The food and drink were great.

Fortunately there was no A, B, C, etc. variation on the red line so I

managed to find Harvard Square then on to Cambridge Square, no, I mean

Cambridge Common. All talk of squares, commons, plazas (oops, wrong

country) get me confused. I found the common and a coffee shop, but not

one that served any other variation of coffee (i.e. Kenyan, Costa Rican,

etc.). My kingdom for a coffee shop (other than a Starbucks).

The tour guide for the morning jaunt through the fair city of Cambridge

then Boston then Cambridge was quite adept at pointing out the historic

aspects concerning the area. It was a beautifully comfortable day for an

easy run along the river. I enjoyed talking with another Michigan dead

(forgot her name). Afterwards, Doug took me to the homestead. It was a

great opportunity to learn a little more about the area. Doug and

significant other were great teachers from that aspect. It gives me a

better perspective concerning residents in the area and problems they

face.

Thanks Val. The bagels were great especially those you sent with me on

my way to the expo. I saved them for Tuesday. Amazingly, they still

tasted fresh. Whenever I purchase bagels, they seem to become rock hard

on the next day.

Thanks Robin for organizing Big City and for the ride to the expo. It

really helps to place images with names and words that I read in drs

posts. It helps to gain another person's perspective on an area.

At the expo, I wandered around as a child might wander around a toy

store. I wanted to take in all the sites and potentialities (though not

realistically possible). I found a place that would traded the socks I

wore for a fresh pair of smart wool socks. I need to connect to their

(smart wool) web site later to enter the drawing for twelve pair of

socks. I purchased the jacket. I wanted the jacket. I needed the

jacket. I had seen it so much in my running life. Others had the

jacket. I needed to get one, but I had to earn it first. Yes, I got the

jacket. I belong. I belong to the club.

After the pasta meal at government center, I went back to the Inn to get

ready for the morrow and to rest as much as possible. As I recall at

present, based on my number, I did not have to hop aboard a bus until

7:30 - 8:00 am so I wanted to sleep till 7:00 am. It was not meant to

be. An odd wake up alarm occurred at 6 am. The smoke alarm went off. I

woke up in disbelief of the situation. Would the Inn schedule a fire

drill for such a weird time as this time? I dressed and went downstairs.

A couple of fire trucks were waiting in the narrow street. I waited on

the side walk as other guests filed out, went to the neighboring Dunkin

Donuts or across the street. After some confusion, I found out that a

water line (sprinkler system) broke which then triggered the alarms.

Hmmmm? The firemen allowed guests back to their rooms to retrieve stuff

in order to make it to the buses. Some guests were diverted to other

accommodations. I was fortunate in that my room was not affected

directly by the water.

I made it to the buses for the long trip (which seemed like two to three

times the distance of a marathon to get to the start). I don't recall

the St. George or Wineglass trips being quite so lengthy. I managed to

lose the disposable camera that brought with me to record the experiences

along the course. Bummer! :-{

The stay at tent/porta-potty city was good for me. Needed several stops

in the porta potties and the water/gatorade and bagels were good

sustenance for my body. I chatted with a lady from Idaho and a friend of

mine from brownsburg who had also qualified for his first Boston.

I had plans to run my first Boston with my friend, Mike Crowder. We were

to meet at the corral, number five. We met then got separated again. I

had to make a quick stop along the way prior to the first mile which made

for a slow mile split of 8:20. I felt good initially. It was slightly

cool, but starting to warmup. I met up with my friend somewhere between

mile two and three. I had been crusing along at a comfortable pace.

There was plenty of water/gatorade for the course. It was great. I had

no problems whatsoever with hydration.

I stopped a little past the ten mile marker to pose with my friend for a

photo. I had hoped to stop for other poses, but did not see or

experience any other kodak moments.

I enjoyed the Welsely (sp?) spot on the course. I could not conceive of

that many women, ladies, girls, etc. getting so excited/excitable for so

long as runners passed by. I high fived my way down the line. It was

definitely a highlight of the event.

I managed to locate another hoosier runner. She and I chatted for a

while until I took off to catch up with my friend. Deads spotted me

along the course (Dennis was one and there was another dead also). I saw

Harriet (spectator) as I veered to the left (I think).

I had moments where I doubted whether I could maintain pace because of

heat and because of a feeling in my mind that my heel pain would get

worse (torn achilles). The heat subsided due to some circumstances

involving terrain and prevailing winds and sea breeze. The feeling of

imminent pain would go away and I would cruise. I pushed the last 1.2

miles in 9:03 as I was feeling great.

I am glad to have completed my 21st marathon (13 states plus DC).

I met up with some hoosier friends for an evening meal at a place near

Park Plaza. One of the friends managed to achieve a PR of 2:58 then

proposed to his girl friend at the finish line who finished in 3:03.

Wow! What a couple! My friend, Mike, is contemplating a run at 3:10. I

am wondering if I have the moxie to go after a 3:10 or the balls to go

after the unthinkable - 3 hours - gasp! hardly seem possible for me -

better sleep on it.

The night time party in the alley (near the plaza) was hardly worth the

effort of even showing up. It was cool to see the whole event being

played out on the big screen, but that was the extent of the party life.

Fortunately, I was able to sleep in my room though it was quite warm

since units were turned on to dry out the carpet from the water earlier

that day.

I toured a bit the next day by hiking my way around bunker hill, and

other sites along the freedom trail. I wish I would have had some extra

time to have made it to rowes wharf to take the water taxi to the

airport; maybe next time.

running tomorrow:15k at Noblesville

np:Styx - Mr. Roboto

mark c. stoddard

brownsburg, in

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