2014 Boston Marathon recap by Bob Breighner
Sorry, this is obviously a special year on so many levels,
so the recap is longer than usual.
We (Josh, Keenan, and I) left for Boston Saturday late
morning and stopped at Wally’s Deli in Allentown. From there went on to University of Hartford
to see if we could get some shirts. The
bookstore closed 10 minutes before we got there, but had a nice walk around
campus and Josh seemed content with his decision for where he was going to
college. We then continued on to our
hotel in Westborough, MA. After we found
the hotel, we got dinner and then decided to drive into downtown Boston. We went to Mike’s Pastries in the North
End. It was very crowded and later found
out that a lot of people will buy pastries for Easter Sunday. We returned to the hotel and got a good
night’s sleep.
Sunday we met up with the Smiths and Katoras planning to go
to a nearby Lutheran church. We missed a
turn and ended up finding a Catholic church.
The priest was the chancellor at Boston College and the service lasted
just 30 minutes. Dylan Smith made the
comment that the worship service was a PR.
It brought back memories for me of 7am services at St. Aloysius in
Littlestown. After church, we went back
to the hotel and then headed to Hopkinton.
We first went to the Runners Village by the School to look
around. The one noticeable new item was
a “Tactical Operations Vehicle” with rotating cameras. Security was going to be a lot different this
year. After some nice photos, we headed
to the starting line. It was nice to
walk around the commons and see the Hoyts statue. One interesting item was a black SUV with a
NYP (New York Police) license plate.
Apparently there was going to be a lot of security and assistance was
coming from everywhere. At one point, Jul was texting with Josh and Josh texted
her that Dad is crying over everything.
So many wonderful memories of the marathon and the places and grateful
to have Josh along to share the experience.
Next up was to map out how our spectators were going to get
from our host house (Hasbrouks, 4 Hazel Rd) to some viewing locations. John Katora had mapped out an exit from Hopkinton
that avoided the roads that would be closed on Monday. I had Josh drive and Keenan take notes so
they would know what to do the next day.
We got to Wellseley easily and marked a spot for them to be. We then stopped at a Subway on our way to
Newton, Boston College, and Heartbreak Hill.
We found everything easily and they decided they would park in the
neighborhood and walk up to Heartbreak Hill during the marathon. We then got to the finish area and parked at
the Prudential building for the Expo.
The runners picked up our bib numbers and shirts and I broke
down and bought a jacket. As always,
there was a lot of free food and everyone seemed to have a good time. Notably, Dave Smith and John Katora got to
see Dick and Rick Hoyt and get a picture with them. I got a picture with Rick Hoyt as Dick had to
leave for a little bit before I got there.
We then walked down to the finish line and down Boyleston
Street to the Commons to indicate our meeting spot at “Bob’s Tree”. Funny, never noticed the tree was actually
tagged indicating it was an Elm tree. We
then headed back to our cars so we could drive to the North End for another
cannoli from Mike’s pastries. Not bad
eating dessert before dinner. We then headed back to the hotel and then had
dinner with the Smiths at Pizzeria Uno.
Very relaxing dinner to end the day.
I had a relatively good night’s sleep again only waking up
once and getting back to sleep easily.
Patriots Day was here and it was time to get to Hopkinton before the
streets closed. We get off of the exit
at 6:40am, which normally would have been plenty of time. Woops, the cars were backed up and started
getting worried about the road closure. It
seemed like every police car had a German Shepherd in it. There were National Guard members walking
around and FBI. The police car coming to
close the road literally stopped traffic right behind us, but we weren’t clear
yet. Next intersection looked like it
was closed. A quick call to Tom Berridge
and he got Andrea to route us around the back way in. Got within a block of the turn and a local
police stopped us asking where we were going.
I indicated to see family and gave the address. He instructed us to turn around and go
another way, which worked without any issue, except for the 2 armored trucks
and hazmat trucks parked in the neighborhood on the way in. Yes, security was definitely different this
year. Finally, we get to our host house about 7:30am. As always, it was very nice to meet up with
friends and relax before the marathon.
We had 9 runners there this year and got our customary picture before
sending off the wave 1 runners and then I was in with the wave 2 runners and we
would be leaving in about 15 minutes.
One main difference for us this year was having us go to the Runners
village to load into the corrals instead of going to the Start line from their
house. Said my good byes and headed to
the Runners Village. The police and
National Guard were checking for our bibs and then had us go through security
screening (just wanded us). We then
started the walk down Grove Street to the corrals. Dave Tushingham and I were going to run
together shooting for a 3:09 pacing at 7:15’s.
The problem was the original forecast of starting temps in the 40’s
turned into a starting temp of 58 and a finishing temp of 70. Too warm to hold 7:15’s on that course…
Dave and I get to our corrals and have about 10 minutes
until the start and then the reality hit, the starter/announcer let us know the
current temp was 58 degrees. Dave and I
shared the same concern about the heat.
The start was same as normal with everyone running in a mass with very
little room to run and everyone just enjoying the day. As always about a mile in, we hear the theme
from Rocky playing at a house on the right side (always the same every
year). Then something new, I saw a
little boy (maybe 5 or 6 years old) holding a handmade poster simply stating,
“Take back the finish line.” Now that is
motivating. Then up ahead about mile 3
on the left is the biker bar in full party like they do every year. A large crowd is outside drinking, partying,
playing music, and grilling burgers and dogs.
Again, this is the same very year.
Then little else unusual until about mile 8 as we ran together and then
realized I was working too hard, so backed off to 7:30’s. Could still see Dave ahead of me until about
mile 11. Then came Wellseley College
and the loud roar from the cheering female students on the right side. I ran on the left side, as I always do
because of the noise, and the fact that I was planning to see Josh at mile
12. Perfect, just like we planned, he
was there and I was so glad to be able to stop, give him a hug, and then move
on. The one unforeseen negative was that
it charged me up and I was back running 7:15’s for a couple miles. Woops, got carried away and could feel the
toll on the body. Starting to approach
the Newton hills that start at mile 16 and knew I had to back down to the 7:30’s. The next 5 miles were covering the four hills
concluding with Heartbreak Hill. About
mile 18, I ran into Dave again and told him to settle in and keep going. It was nice that we were running together
when we saw his wife, Denise and two of their children. The Newton Hills are clearly one of the
reasons that Boston is tough, the accumulation of hills (up and down). Once again, I was glad to see Josh at the
midway point of Heartbreak Hill.
Thankfully, Keenan saw me and yelled for me. I was so grateful to see them. After a stop and another hug, Josh tells me,
“Now go get up that hill.” Cried, tears
of joy, the rest of the way up the hill.
And, as customary, let out a yell when I crested the hill. Now it was just a matter of continuing to run
no matter how slow and avoid leg cramps to the finish. Well, I knew I had slowed,
but also knew that if I just avoided walking, I could have a good qualifying
time for next year. Another memorable
moment was about mile 22 and saw a woman holding a sign that said, “When you
think about quitting, think about why you started.” I said, “Amen”, as I ran
by. So TRUE and so motivating. I then kept slapping spectators hands to
motivate myself and that led to my first problem. About mile 24, I wasn’t paying attention and
a participant was walking in front of me that I didn’t see until the last
minute. I had to side step him and that
was enough to send my calf into a spasm cramp and had to stop and rub it
out. Slowly started to walk and then
jog. The wonderful thing is hearing the spectators during this process. At first it is the gasp, then the clapping,
then the loud cheering as you start jogging again. Well, then about every quarter mile the leg
cramps would hit. Stop, rub it out, then
start back up. So, many things to recall
from the run that it is hard to write it all down sequentially. I forgot about the wonderful atmosphere
around Boston College and Boston University between miles 20 and 24. Well, as I progressed near the end, I kept
thinking just let me see that Citgo sign (mile 25) and then I know it won’t be
long. Finally, I can see it and just
keep plugging away. Another new
observation was that there were some points along Beacon street where in years
past the spectators were right along the road, but this year they were back
further at points and there were police and National Guard troops. Not bad, just noticeable. Well, getting near the end, turn right off
Beacon, go one block and then left on Boyleston. My plan was to slap hands down the left side,
but was cramping too bad to get over there.
The worst feeling was cramping with literally 100 yards to go and so
worried about getting my qualifying time.
I got across with 10 seconds to spare.
Good news, bad news – good news is I technically re-qualified, bad news
is it was only by 10 seconds and the past couple years you need to be 2 or 3
minutes under. Oh well, I will worry
about that another day. As I start
walking through the finishing area, my legs keep cramping up. The medical volunteers keep asking me if I am
okay and are so helpful. I know I am
okay, so smile and thank them for what they are doing. I am always amazed at the number of people
who volunteer for this event. They are
all so selfless and wonderful. Start the
4 block walk down Boyleston. First stop
is getting the medal for the accomplishment.
The volunteer who put the medal around my neck was so nice and
congratulatory, I felt Iike I won the race.
It was amazing to listen to the volunteers take the time to talk with
the runners and embrace the human experience.
Truly special. The next stop was
the “potato warmer”, a heat wrap with Velcro and a hood. I was actually too warm at times. Ok, now I am hungry! Next stop was the food bag and protein recovery
drinks. AWESOME! Up next another special moment. They use to make the finishers exit a block
out of the way. This year, we were
allowed to exit off Boyleston and right onto Boston Commons. In the last 100 yards, I heard Denise
Tushingham yell to me. She said Dave
finished less than 10 minutes after me.
I then encountered a Boston native in a distinctive New Englander
accent, “Great job, you took back the finish line.” In hindsight, I was probably looking somber
and aloof, but now glad he was sharing what all of Boston was feeling. Amen. Finally,
I get to Boston Commons and see Josh standing at “Bob’s Tree”. The tears are flowing and love having family
here to share in this moment. We get our
normal picture with the skyline in the background and then start the walk to
the car and the long ride home. Great
stories, great memories, another great Patriots’ Day. Hope to get back next year.
Boston Recap by Robert Breighner
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