Executive
Summary:
3:56:22
chip/4:05:23 net (chip delay 9:01/bib #12656)
1:48/2:08
halves, a disappointing run.
I
missed my goal of 3:30-3:35 by a wide margin.
Slower
than last year's 3:46.
I
was undertrained, overdressed, underhydrated,
and
mentally out of it by 8 and physically
out
of it by half. This was my 5th marathon, 2nd Boston.
Details:
I
got a waiver slot from my running club
and
entered. My speed work (Yasso 880's) was OK
(10@3:30),
but I didn't get all the distance in.
1
20M race, Stu's 30K, and a horrible 20M that I
bagged
at 16M.
I
wore a singlet on top and shorts over tights on the
bottom.
While this may have helped me stay warm and
loose
at the start, it probably contributed to overheating
en
route.
I
had had 2 extremely successful races this season, both
at
or under my goal marathon pace of 8:00 miles. My goal
today
was NOT to freak out at the early congestion, NOT
to
be concerned in Wellesley if I ran a slower than goal
first
half with a tough second half, but to maintain focus,
stay
tough on the hills, and aim for even or negative splits.
I
did less weaving in the first few miles, and ran through
the
first half close to goal pace.
5K:
25:53
10K:
25:13 51:06
15K:
25:26 1:16:32
20K:
25:51 1:42:24
Half:
--- 1:47:56
I
had missed a water stop or two, but I was drinking water and
Gatorade,
taking Gu, and had a salt tablet at 8.
My HR, however,
forewarned
of the meltdown to come. I was
running a little high
(over
164) and hot, and rose to 168-171 around Wellesley.
I
kept the pace up even though I had a bad feeling about my
high
HR. It came down, but it had been too high, too early, and
for
too long.
25K:
26:00 2:08:24 (still roughly 8:15
pace)
At
mile 16, my wife and kids said I looked good, even though inside
I
had lost the focus and discipline that would be needed just ahead.
30K:
27:47 2:36:11 in the hills, but
still running. The fire I
had
at Stu's powering up from Clinton center like a man possessed
was
Not Here. I suspected that I would have to walk before the end,
but
hoped to finish the hills before breaking form.
35K:
30:17 3:06:28 I ran over the top of Heartbreak Hill, vowing
to
keep running until at least the 35K timing mat. Once I crossed
the
mat, I vowed to keep running until the 22M clock. However, I
didn't
think I could fool myself with 4.2 more miles of "just a bit
further."
From
here to the end, I mixed walking when I had to, running when
I
could. I felt bad that my walking was a silent rebuff to those
fans
who were calling me by name, "Go Sam, you can do it."
Note
to self: it's a long way from where the Citgo sign *emerges*
to
where it *is*. It's even longer if you're walking.
40K:
36:23 3:42:51
finish
-- 3:56:22
In
the last few miles, I could feel the beginnings of cramps, that did
not
respond to changing my stride. Coming down Boylston Street, I thought
a
cramp would send me tumbling to the asphalt, but thankfully none came.
I
did manage to pass the guy wearing the beer-can-on-a-stick hat, and
finish
strong (last 0.2M in 8:41 pace, HR 180). I did not cramp up into
a
pretzel after the finish line.
Aftermath:
I had some difficulty later that day and Tuesday regulating
body
temperature, and was extremely tired and a little sore in the
L
knee. Today I can do stairs and have some soreness in the legs.
I
was disappointed with my performance, although all my
non-running
friends and relatives gushed with pride. I conclude that
running
Boston as a back-of-the-pack (relatively) inexperienced
non-qualifier
is too difficult for me. I have failed in 2 attempts to
run
this tough course at a sustainable pace. I do not think I will return
to
Boston until/unless I gain more discipline in this skill. It's
pleasant
to be part of the spectacle, but I could also enjoy it from
the
other side.
Sam
in Worcester