When my local running club was forming a masters team for Boston, I was

asked to provide my predicted finishing time. Based on the time, I would be

slotted in either the A team or B team. I gave a conservative 3:32, what I

did in New York, six months earlier. But I had just done a 1:30 half in

windy, hilly conditions and just came off a 19:02 5K, so I had hopes of

doing better

Marathon weekend starts by checking into he Radisson in Cambridge and

heading to the expo for number pickup. An emotional moment for me was when

I was handed my chip & bib number. Finally made here to Boston. Also

bought the jacket, but as I write this, it is to hot to wear it. Following

the expo, it was off to the Dead encounter organized by Robin. Met up with

some familiar faces I meet at the world conference in New York the previous

August. There were also runners there I met in New Orleans, Philadelphia

and Lexington, Ma. After pasta, beer & pool it was off to the hotel for a

good night of rest.

Sunday morning bought on Doug's 3 mile run along the St. Charles River and

through Harvard followed by a quick change of clothes and Val's bagel

brunch. After some delicious buns, it was off the unfriendly confines of

Fenway Park. An opportunity to introduce my kids to a true piece of

history. Scored tickets outside the stadium and took our seats in the

grandstands up in back of 1st base. Strange feeling to have Yankees hit

home runs and be in a venue that is totally silent. I knew Red Sox fans

hate the Yankees but I couldn't believe the degree of animosity.

After the game, we boarded the underground subway which soon became the

above ground subway. Sat next to a runner who was returning from the expo

and who parked near us. Small talk led me to ask him what is thought he

might run the race in and he replied he expected to run a 2:20 or 2:21. I

almost slid out of my seat. He showed me his bib which had a 37 on it. It

was evident the town has turned into a running carnival, with runners

treated with respect everywhere.

Back to the hotel which is now full of marathon runners. Couldn't step

through the lobby or board the elevator without running into someone from

around the world who is running the race. Dinner at Pizzeria Uno in

Cambridge and then to bed. At 2:00 a.m., the fire alarm goes off and we

are instructed to evacuate the hotel. Just what I need, to be roused from a

deep sleep and go outside for an hour in the middle of the night ten hours

before a marathon.

Sleep from 3:00 - 6:00, recheck the weather forecast which still called for

a headwind and a wind chill of 25 degrees. Didn't pack any gloves so I find

some socks to bring in case I need them to keep my hands warm. Guzzle some

coffee and board the subway to Boston Commons. Big drawback of

point-to-point races is the ride to the start from the finish. Seems to

take forever as I realize I have to run the whole distance back. Exit the

highway and pick up a police escort into Hopkinton. Exit the bus and we

all head to the athlete's village where I find a spot to relax with some

coffee and the morning edition of the Boston Globe. Once in a while, I'll

see a familiar face from NJ and we would wish each other luck. Around

11:15, figure it is time to check my bag and find my corral. On the road to

the bus, I find many more runners from New Jersey and we stick together as

we enter our respective corrals. One is in my corral who has run Boston

many times before and gives me tips on the course. Fighter planes are

flying over head, tipping their wings to the runners, showing the way to the

finish.

Noon comes, the gun goes off and in a moment, I'm transformed from Boston

qualifier to Boston runner. Four minutes later, we cross the mats and by

friend takes off as he set out to be aggressive in the opening downhill

miles. I let him go and tried to find my pace in the crowd. The road is

only 29 feet wide and packed with runners. Fortunately, most of the runners

in front of me were faster then me and there was little lateral movement to

go around the slower ones. Weather forecast is nothing like what was

forecasted. Must be in the fifties as it was sunny with little wind.

Afraid to throw away my shirt I was wearing under my singlet as I thought I

might need it a couple hours later. It wasn't too deep into the race, when

Dennis from Texas sneaks up on me. I'd say we ran close to each other for a

good part of the race, maybe for an hour or two. Nice to have some company

to run with in a road full of strangers.

Went by the 5 mile clock with a net time of 38:24, ten miles at 76:34 and 13

at 99:51. Nice pace but I had to make an effort to hit those numbers. In

my qualifying race in New Orleans, I hit better numbers with ease. OK, I'm

here to enjoy the weekend, not run a PR. Can remember one kid saying

"You're the man if you slap my hand". Somewhere around here, Mark from

"Indiana wants me, Lord I can't go back there" goes by me.

Can a report be written without mention of the women at Wellesley? True to

what I heard, they are one enthusiast, noisy group. Can't see how they can

keep it up for so long. I was just amazed. Soon, clouds appear overhead,

the temperature drops to a more computable level and the head wind pick up a

notch.

Mile 15 brings on my first mile over 8 minutes but I'm back to sub 8's going

into the hills, last one for the day as I flirt with a nine minute mile in

the mile that contains Heartbreak Hill. At 20 miles, with 10K to go, my

watch reads 2:36. If I can run the final 10K in under 50 minutes, I should

be able to break 3:30. However, the hills depleted my legs of what it takes

and ran the last 10K in 53 minutes with a struggle. Harriet helps me with

a cheer and a high five. Last 10K also bought on some dreaded cramping in

my right calve. When I would push it, the cramping would appear, but only

for a moment or two. Not enough to cause me to walk. Thanks to the

crowds, I made to Boylston St where I saw the finish. A sub 3:30 appeared

to be there if I could just pick up my pace a bit, but I just couldn't and

have to settle for a net time of 3:30:52, not bad for my first Boston and

third marathon in 6 months. Under what I had predicted and 44 seconds

faster then NYCM.

In my car at 5 o'clock and back home at 9. What a day!

Favorite memories: Hot coffee in the Athlete's village, fighter planes

dipping their wings, acoustic band in the opening mile, updates on the

Yankee game, women of Wellesley, seeing Heartbreak Hill for the first time,

seeing the infamous Citgo sign, making the final turn and finishing my first

Boston Marathon. THE WHOLE WEEKEND!!

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