Journey Through Running: Boston April 21, 2014

Boston April 21, 2014

Hard to believe this is my second Boston marathon and my 10th marathon since 2009. It is a dream realized only with the help and support of the WRFB. Looking back to 2012 DVT four weeks before Boston was a blessing in disguise. If I had run Boston in 2012 I most likely would not have run in 2013 or 2014. So here I am at Boston with 6 other WRFB members. I was more nervous than usual. Even Josh commented before the race that I was more quiet than usual. Just worried about the training and was it enough.

I was glad to have run in 2013 and to experience the race before the increased security. My wife was able to enter runner’s village in 2013. Not so this year. Only runners with bibs were allowed in. The security was amazing. Local and State Police, FBI, Homeland security, Army, National Guard and dogs. The security presences was known. My children were searched several times throughout the day. Once at the start area and again at the finish area. I had them carry post run gear to the finish line and used the clear runner’s bag, but this still had to be searched and tagged as inspected.

10 of us gathered at 4 Hazel drive in Hopkinton. We took a group picture and wished the first wave of runners good luck and they departed 4 Hazel drive for the runner’s village. We did likewise 20 minutes later. We timed the connection perfect. We arrived at runner’s village just as our wave was making its way to the corrals. Stopped one last time at the porto-pots and off to corral 5. The gun went off 10:25 and we were on our way.

I wasn't sure of my pacing so I decided to try 8 min/mile which would put me at 3:30 finish time. This would be a Boston qualifier. Last year I went out too fast for the first 6 miles. Even the best intentions could not keep me at 8 min per mile. It felt like everyone was passing me, but I tried to stick to my pace. I still could not keep it at pace so the 7:50 pace was feeling good and I continued at this pace. I just wanted to enjoy the day.

The sights and sounds keep you motivated mile after mile. At mile 1 was a band of 6 playing sort of country/folk style music. At mile 2 was a group of bikers in leather drinking beer and grilling meat. At mile 4.5 the crowds were sparse and it was a wooded area. Runners were doing their part to water the trees. I even saw a woman hop behind a skid of rocks at a garden center and drop trow. The next few miles just rolled by listening to the crowd scream runner’s names. It is amazing some of the outfit’s people wear. I saw wonder woman, Tinkerbelle, shirtless man, Easter bunny, and a man in kilt. I did not ask what he had on underneath.

Around mile 6 we were out of the woods and I could feel the heat of the sun and the heat radiating off the road. I knew it was going to warm up. Around mile 10 I checked my pace and still running 7:50 and it felt good, so I decided to continue at this pace. It was here that I got chicked, but not just any chick as they had passed me all day long. This woman had on the back of her shirt "Mom of 7." Made me feel like a big Wussy. In fact I could hear Brian shouting Wussy. I passed several more bands playing, people drinking beer yelling out "hey beer man" "got your beer here" "there's beer at the finish." These are always good to keep me motivated. Shortly after mile 12 I arrived at Wellesley and it does not disappoint. My family was meeting me here on the left side of the road. This year they were at the pre-determined meeting point. In fact, they were there early enough that they snapped photos of the elites. I cannot wait to see the pictures. I stopped and hugged them and continued on my way. The next potential meeting would be at the base of Heartbreak Hill. The next several miles went by quickly. My family really gave me a boost. I was still maintaining my 7:50 pace as I came to mile 16 and started the Newton hills. I rolled through the first 2 hills in the Newtown’s and felt great. The last hill before Heartbreak Hill I started to slow a little. Heartbreak hill would take its toll. I started to feel my legs tiring as I crested the hill and arrived at mile 21. The next 5 miles would prove to be challenging. The first 20 are always easy, it is the last 10k that prove challenging. I would use the crowd for support. When I needed a pick me up, I would run closer to the side of the road to get the usual beer comments.

I was still holding pace and then at mile 22 my first hamstring cramp occurred. I kept moving for another mile but could feel my pace slipping. I grabbed my left hammy in pain and a woman passed me and said “you got this.” The explicatives I thought were not very nice, but I kept my filter on and thanked her. Through miles 23 and 24 I would stop 3 times to stretch my hamstrings in order to keep running. I did not want to walk across the finish line. The stretching helped and I would get moving again. At last I reached the Citgo sign at mile 25. I was determined not to stop again and that determination kept me running, however slow it may have been. I rounded the corner on to Boylston Street and enjoyed the sight of the finish line. I was screaming with the spectators and pumping my fists in the air. Several times I screamed Boston and the crowd would start cheering louder. It was a great feeling.

I finished my second Boston. Something I never thought I would do and now I have 2 under my belt. I am motivated now to get back to Boston in the future. I felt tired and stopped a few times to stretch as I walked through the finish area. Every time I stopped someone would ask me if I was okay. I thought "no", but answered I would be okay. I did not want a ride to the medical tent. I stretched and tried to catch my breath. I had some problems breathing and got light headed. But it soon passed. Now if I could get these legs to work, but that is the marathon.

I found Carol, John's sister and husband and Ryan's dad. The ladies gave me the updates and times on all of the finishers. We chatted a little then I wandered through the finish chute, drinking every chance I could get. This year the finish chute went straight down Boylston Street and ended at the park. It stopped right at Bob's tree where my family was waiting. They helped me sit down and remove my shoes.

They also helped me put on my sandals and had to help me stand. The cramps in the hamstrings subsided but the muscle in the front top side of the thigh started to cramp. It took some time for these to subside. Fortunately the car was only 4 blocks away. I hobbled to the car and we headed home. We stopped for food and ran into Bob. We departed and I took my turn driving for the first 4 hours. We stopped for gas and my wife took over. We stopped in Wilkes-Barre to drop off my children. My wife would take the hard part for the final leg home. I made the mistake of going to work on Tuesday and officiating 2 soccer games that evening. The quads are sore, but I am hoping to run Thursday, however painful and slow it may be.

A big thanks to the WRFB for all their support and help. I would not be the runner I am without you. Now I need someone to teach me how to bike so I can tackle the Diamondman half Ironman September 6th in Delaware.

Another big thanks to all my family and friends for your support and taking an interest in my running. It means a lot to me that you recognized my efforts and show interest in my somewhat obsessive activity.