2010 Boston Marathon

Heading into Boston for the 114th running of the Boston Marathon was exciting, with a little trepidation mixed in. I made the decision in December that the Wisconsin Ironman was my priority race for the year, and I would use Boston as a way to build a huge cardio base. That meant that while I was training for Boston, I would also dedicate two days a week to triathlon. That resulted in fewer miles in my legs; in no week did my running mileage go above 50. It should have gotten closer to 100. As a result of that triathlon training, I developed at least one inflamed bursa sac in my left hip. When those things get angry, it feels like the hip joint is going to spontaneously combust. There were some very uncomfortable training days in the weeks before the race. I worked in the pool and with yoga for rehab. But when I first started doing these sports I made it a policy that if I can walk, I can run. And if I can run, there are no excuses. Onward.

In Boston, it was great to see many of my family members and friends. I even got to meet one for the first time! After a day of relaxing in Beantown, it was race day morning in before I knew it.

HOPKINTON: MOVEMENT OF JAH PEOPLE
Once a year the small, quaint town of Hopkinton is the starting point for a mass exodus to Boston. The bus ride out there felt kind of odd. Maybe it was the fact that it was 6am. Maybe it was some bad coffee (probable). But, I felt like Andy Dufrane heading to Shawshank prison. Once there, however, that feeling subsided. The athlete’s village was buzzing with people ready to race their dream...and with others prowling for the smallest port-o-potty line. Some did not bother using an “official relief point,” and were instantly harassed by bike cops. I have to say it was pretty funny seeing these otherwise law biding (and often older) people getting the business from the Hopkinton police for doing the business. I'll bet their first thoughts were always "How do I tell my kid that I didn't race because I dropped trow in public?" I am pretty sure everyone was allowed to race though, on condition of public decency.

The start corral is about a half mile from the Athletes Village. The walk over was calm but you could feel people getting amped up. It was like walking outside after a great concert when everyone is still geared up. After some warm-ups, a few trips to the porto’s and a pause for the National Anthem, I made my way over to the start. I was in corral number four, bib number 4924. As two F-15s flew overhead, I knew it was about that time. Something happens just before a race where you know that pain management is going to be the key to personal success. Your brain accepts the situation, and puts the months and years of hard work into action on the road.

AND THEY'RE OFF...OF THEIR PACE.
The first 10K went perfectly for me from a pace perspective. In the Chicago Marathon (which I used to qualify for Boston), I was a bit concerned after the first 10K because my cardio felt a little weak. That issue eventually subsided and my endurance training took over. In Boston, there was no question that I was in for a long day. My cardio felt perfect, but legs were already tweaking. I tried to put it out of my mind, and got a huge boost running through Wellesley College (which was an unforgettable experience). By mile 14 though, my calves were snagging and I could feel my muscles begin to “crack,” and my pace began to slip. Cracking is what happens when the oxygen in your blood can not clear the lactic acid build up in your muscles. Because of the lower mileage I put into training, there were other muscle tears and whatnot forming as well. Those feelings are common in marathon racing, but to get a taste for what it is like, go and do the biggest leg workout of your life; squats, dead lifts, leg presses, hammy's, the whole deal. Then wake up the next morning and run up and down a hill as fast as you can for 3 hours. I got another nice boost passing my family and friends waiting just before the hills. I stopped to give my girlfriend a kiss on the cheek for putting up with my year long training slogs. When the Newton Hills came up just after the Charles River at mile 17, it was back to reality. Survival mode. Any movement other than one leg in front of the other would result in a cramp. Scratch my head: cramp. Grab some Gatorade: cramp. Avoid a slower runner: talk a little trash and then cramp. The last five miles of the course, known as the graveyard, really put me out of achieving my goal time. The calf snags had evolved into full on seizing. I looked down to see craters in my legs, making quick stops to stretch unavoidable. As I turned left on Boylston, I knew the gig was up. 3:11:59 would be my finishing time, missing requalification by one minute.

IN SHORT: BOSTON IS COOL
The experience was awesome. Despite the issues, it was my favorite race to date. I left what I had on the road to Boston. My plan is to re-qualify and focus on that marathon as my “A” race for the entire year (whatever year that is). It will be four months of out and out pavement pounding goodness. Today is week 18 (of 36) of Ironman training and the start of when things really get serious. I’m feeling ready to get after it big time. First stop: a 100 mile ride for the hell of the midwest, (called Quadrupedal), followed immediately by a 10K run/love fest.