Mark Frommer
I'm not sure where to start with this report. First, I guess I'll say
that this is by far my best run Boston. While I was a bit faster in
2005, I was in better shape then and I didn't run very even splits.
But, I've been running fairly even split races over the last 4
marathons (all BQs) before today, I decided (with prodding from our fast
Finn) to go for an even split. I also decided to give 3:30 a shot. My
first goal was to try to beat my qualifying time of 3:29:xx with a
second goal of setting a Boston PR. Even though I didn't get either one
of those, I'm not going to complain.
The weather really was great for me. I'm a warm weather runner and the
temps were mostly in the high 50s/low 60s with a slight cooling headwind
most of the way. The headwind wasn't a big deal and helped keep me
cool. After the long bus ride (which was even longer today because of
construction), we arrived at the Village around 8AM. I immediately went
to the porta-potties and then set up camp. Of course, there was the
usual Maniac gathering/trash-talking at the village and the time went
pretty fast. Before you knew it, we were off to the corrals, where I
saw some more Maniac acquaintances. On the way, I knew I had to use the
porta-potty again but the lines were pretty long and I decided to stop
in the woods during the first mile. I think my little break in the
woods cost me beating my Boston PR but that's life.
I was way back in the 11th corral and spent the time talking to a couple
of Maniacs in the corral when we finally starting moving after a few
minutes. It was the usual start and stop and it took me 8 minutes (a
new record for me) to cross the starting line. I did, however, get into
a good pace pretty quickly even though my first mile was my slowest of
the race due to my little break. I then settled into a nice rhythm,
meeting up with Maniacs and other assorted folks throughout the race. I
was running right around 25 minutes for each 5K, which I knew would give
me right around 3:30. I also knew that I would lose some time in the
Newton Hills but was hoping to make it up after the hills. But I just
couldn't keep it under 8:00 miles for the last portion. The worst mile
was mile 25, which has the hill right by Fenway and the Citgo sign (I
think I hate that hill the most of any hill on the course).
Here are my 5 mile splits, with more detail than usual:
8:45, 7:55, 7:58, 7:47, 8:05 -- 40:30
7:58, 7:55, 8:01, 7:56, 7:59 -- 39:48 (1:20:18)
8:06, 7:53, 8:06, 7:58, 8:08 -- 40:10 (2:00:28)
7:45, 8:20, 8:19, 7:56, 8:17 -- 40:38 (2:41:06)
8:41, 7:57, 8:06, 8:07, 8:33 -- 41:23 (3:22:29)
8:07, 1:39
I passed the halfway point in 1:45:12 so the second half took me 1:47:04
-- by far, my fastest second half of Boston ever.
Besides the race, it was a great weekend as usual. Of course, we
had the extra advantage of seeing the Trails race and Meghan. The
traditional pre-race dinner at Assaggios was perfect as was the
post-race gathering at John Harvards. The Prez was duly humbled and in
awe of my race (he talked about retiring but instead is running the
Kentucky Derby Marathon on Saturday and Oklahoma City on Sunday, along
with tp! and Chris). But I have a feeling he will be back on his horse
in no time and humble me at the 25.9 mile Newport Marathon. I had a
great time talking with Meghan, her dad, and the rest of her crew (her
friend, Theresa (formerly from Portland) who will be breaking 3 hours
very soon, possibly with tp's help, and a HS runner Meghan brought
along) at the pub. It is always fun to see them and catch up. I'm not
going to spoil/jinx it for Meghan but let's just say that 2012 is on her
mind when she will probably be the oldest qualifier (she was second
oldest after Joan Benoit Samuelson) -- amazing, if you ask me.
And, speaking of Newport, in 2005 after my 3:31:42 at Boston, I ran my
second fastest marathon in 3:19:08. While I don't feel confident about
breaking 3:20 anymore but I do feel good about going for a sub-3:25
there. First, I've got Eugene, where Deb and I will cross the finish
line around 3:43. After Eugene, I'll decide about Tacoma and lead into
a nice 3 week taper.
Of course, there was the usual whining about the post-race food, baggage
pickup, long bus ride, wait at the Athletes Village, etc, etc. But I
almost for sure will be back here next year.
I also think I have managed to already catch my post-Boston cold. I
feel fairly crappy today. I did spend the morning/early afternoon
walking most of the Freedom Trail (part of it with Maniac and Skagit
Flats RD, Terry Sentinella) and eating lunch and a cannoli (I hear it
helps get rid of colds) in the North End.
Thanks for reading.