The day started at 2:30 AM, that's when I woke up. By 3:30 we were on the road, and arrived in Boston at around 5:00. The buses were not loading yet, so we waited about a half hour for our Massachusetts State Police friend. He's the one that invited us onto their buses. Now I mention the bus because when you travel with the police, you go in style. I'm talking a police escort for the 18 bus caravan. Four of these buses contained active military that have served in Iraq & Afghanistan. Some of them during the last year. We arrived in Hopkinton about 7:30... now to kill four hours before our start.
The schedule for the day starts at about 9:00 with the mobility impaired. The elite women start at 9:30, followed by the elite men and wave #1 at 10:00. We were in wave #4.
While we waited we had several conversations with other individuals on (and off) the bus. Without realizing it, one of the individuals on the bus was Jeff Galloway. For runners, this is a real treat. To listen him talk about some of his adventures was a real treat.Finally it was time to head to the start line. We worked our way towards the front to corral #3... our starting point.
As the gun fired to start our corral, we began to move ever so slowly forward. Once we crossed the start line, the running began. The crowds on either side of the road at the start were deafening! I honestly can't ever remembering a crowd this loud.
The first 10 miles were great. Legs felt good, breathing was right, and I was enjoying each and every moment. During these miles, we averaged less than 10 minutes per mile.
Miles 10-13 were a little slower, but we were still making good time. During these miles, we passed a friend (Amanda) who was watching the race from her normal spot. Also during these miles we passed Wellesley College. This is an experience that every guy has got to experience to believe it. Hundreds of college girls cheering you on holding signs saying "Kiss Me I'm _____", or at very least wanting "High Fives". Talk about an energy boost. Sometime during these miles (it might have been mile 13, we also passed former Patriots Quarterback Doug Flutie.
As I hit the half marathon point, this is where I started having a few problems. My knee started to ache. We took a couple of extra walk breaks for me to work it out. At mile 16 is when the hills began. Now I'm usually good at hills, but after running 16 miles, and the heat now approaching 70 degrees, I started cramping in my calves. This is when our State Police friend caught up to us. I told Kyle to go ahead, and I'd see him at the finish.
My goal for the day had been 5 hours, and each mile, the more I walked the closer it was coming. Once I hit mile 24, I realized that it wasn't going to happen. But as long as I kept moving forward I would beat my time from Disney and set an over 40 PR for myself.
Coming by the famous Citgo sign, you have the crowds from Fenway cheering you on. This give you another shot of adrenaline (not enough to run the whole way, but it helped). Finally the last two turns on the course... Right on Hereford, and Left on Boyleston... 3 tenths of a mile to go... you can see the 26 mile mark, and the finish line.
I promised my self two things at this point... first, finish the last two tenths running, and second, pay respect (in my own personal way) as I pass the bombing sites. I did both. Finishing time was 5:03:35... just 12 minutes behind Kyle.
I promised my self two things at this point... first, finish the last two tenths running, and second, pay respect (in my own personal way) as I pass the bombing sites. I did both. Finishing time was 5:03:35... just 12 minutes behind Kyle.
Yesterday's totals - 26.2 miles / 386.35 total for the year.
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