Training/Beforemath:
My left knee had been bothering me for 2 months. I had only gotten in a few
weekend long runs. But I ran a good 23 miler about a month before the race.
Then with about two weeks to go my knee really started to hurt . I had a
noticeable limp even walking. So I doubled up on Celebrex and got a
Cortisone shot the week before. I hadn't run a step in the week and a half
before the race. About two days before the race my knee started to feel a
little better. So I wasn't really sure how to run Boston this year. Figured
I'd just start running and see what happened
Weekend:
I drove to Boston on Saturday morning. Went to the Expo where I ran into
members of my local running club and lots of Dead runners too. One of the
Dead runners I met was Adrienne "Water Goddess" Forsythe from St Louis. She
had never been to Fenway and I had an extra ticket to the Sox game that
afternoon. So after lunch Connie, Adrienne and I headed to Fenway to meet
Connie's daughter Malia. Had a great afternoon at the game. Weather was
great and the Sox won. After the game we all went to Niketown where Fatuma
Roba was sitting on a couch talking with people. I love the energy in
Boston on marathon weekend. Most other cities tolerate the marathon, Boston
embraces it. From there we headed to the Saturday night Dead encounter at
Big City Brewery. Thanks Robin for planning that event. It was great as
usual. I really enjoyed meeting runners and renewing acquaintances.
Sunday morning I went to, but did not participate in, the Charles River
run. After that I went to the bagel brunch hosted by Joe Bator and Julia
Kim. Great food and company. Met yet more Dead Runners from near and far.
I really enjoyed chatting with a lady who was accompanying her daughter.
Just there to support her. Thanks Joe and Julia. Then I headed to Fenway
for another Red Sox game with Parker Morse, Andy Katz and friend. Marla
Runyan and Johnny Kelly, now 95 years old, threw out the first pitch. The
Sox came from behind 0-5 to win 6-5 on Nomar's home run in the bottom of
the 9th. Thanks to speedy Andy Katz for the ticket. Then back to the Expo
to get a *large* poster of Connie from the Nike booth. It just happened to
fall off the wall as we walked past ;-) After a great Easter dinner at an
Afgan restaurant in Cambridge it was finally bedtime. Slept very well after
a busy weekend. Maybe too busy ;-)
Race:
Race conditions have been well documented elsewhere. Started off at a
moderate pace and things just went downhill from there. Legs were heavy
from the start. Kept trying to find a stride where the knee didn't hurt too
much. Switched from left to right side of the road and that helped some.
Crowds were amazing this year. I felt the best when I high fived kids along
the course, but the crowds just became a blur when I had to keep going
within myself to deal with the knee pain. I think changing my stride
induced some calf cramping also. I have never experienced calf cramps
before. The pain started to subside a little in the second half so I
decided to cruise in and just have fun since hopes for a qualifier (3:35)
had long passed.
Two of my favorite sections of the course are on the hills. For some reason
making the right onto Comm Ave by the fire station in Newton always gives
me a lift and makes me smile. And I went off course briefly to pay my
respects to Boston's history by tapping the Johnny Kelly statue by the
Newton Town Hall at mile 19. I saw lots of struggling runners here. I just
tapped them gently on the shoulder as I pass to let them know I notice and
appreciate their struggle. Continued up Heartbreak Hill feeding off the
energy of the crowds.
On the downhill after Boston College into Cleveland Circle I could feel my
left calf on the verge of a lockup so I could not take advantage of the
downhill. I saw the welcome Citgo sign at about 23.5. Looked forward to
meeting my son Gregg and his girlfriend Kristi at mile 25. Stopped for hugs
and kisses. Missed seeing my daughter Sara who had to work this year. It
was the first time she missed the race in 7 years since she was a student
at Boston University.
I managed to pick up the pace for the last mile and the finish on Boylston
St. is always very rewarding. Saw Robin "Comrades" Cain after crossing the
finish line and chatted with her briefly. Got my stuff, changed and waited
for Connie at her baggage bus. It was great to see Deads Maria and Alex
from LA, Tony from across the Pond and Janet Jordan from Cape Cod during
the wait.
Connie *made* me walk to Cambridge again this year, Sally will attest to
the 5 mile distance although Connie insists it's only a mile or so ;-) I
tried to hail a helicopter that was circling overhead for a ride and
threatened to throw myself in front of a cab, but she insisted that the
walk was good for me. I am still not convinced ;-)
My net time was 4:06 and chip time was 3:59. Not what I hoped for but
probably what I should have expected. Like lots of runners on Monday I
walked the fine line of trying to finish in a respectable time, dealing
with the temps and wind, managing pain and making sure I had enough left to
cross the finish line. I am already qualified for next year, but thought
it would be cool to actually requalify at Boston. Maybe next year when I
turn 55 and have an extra 10 minutes.
Aftermath:
After a quick shower, I met my son and his girlfriend at Vinny Testas in
Brookline. It was Kristi's 21st birthday to we toasted that and Connie's
finishing her 12th straight Boston. After beer, calamari and shrimp parm I
was starting to feel human again. Also met Dead Jennifer Browning and her
sister-in-law there. I had met them Sunday morning at the brunch. After
dinner I stayed up till midnight watching a tape of the race. Channel 5 did
a great job with Joannie and Bill and some slick graphics that showed the
wheelchair and women's and men's leaders in separate windows
simultaneously.
On Tuesday my legs were *very* sore. You know, when you have to use your
arms to lower or raise yourself from a sitting position. I couldn't tell if
me knee was hurting cause everything hurt ;-) Drove the 100 miles home and
went for a massage.
Well I have to say that in retrospect I had a decent race and a *great*
weekend. Thanks to all Dead Runners for their contributions to me enjoyable
weekend. See ya in San Francisco.