Last Monday, I ran the 115th Boston Marathon. It's hard to describe the experience, but it was amazing. Maybe I was a bit more awestruck than others because I have never done any large competitions. There were 27,000 runners, and the largest road race I've been in had about 7,000. I surprised myself with my time of 3:33.06, which was about a 6.5 minute pr (personal record for those non-runners). I had no goal going into the run, my goal had been to get there (you have to qualify to get to Boston), so I've pleased with my results except, why couldn't I have ran 7 seconds faster and got 3:32?!
It was just an all around brilliant experience. The crowd of runners and the crowd of supporters really made it feel like something big and special was happening, and not at all like everyone is bat-sh** crazy for running 26.2 miles. This was my 3rd marathon, and the second half entailed me shocking myself every mile when I continued to see my splits under 8:30. I usually die a terrible death for a few miles in the second half and was waiting for what would be my black period of the run, but it never came. Not that those last miles were simple, but I just kept trudging along and not fading too badly. Maybe I kept rolling off my continued surprise of how well I was doing, but I like to contribute a lot of that success to the crowd. It really did amaze me how from start to finish there were people non-stop cheering. And I started about 30 minutes behind the first wave of runners, so they were out there for hours supporting the runners. I think their cheers kept the negative thoughts from entering and lingering during the run. I focused on staying positive and relaxed.
(crowd at athlete village)
They say the course is hilly, and it is undulated with rolling hills, but anyone who runs in Arkansas would not think Boston is hilly. The uphills were fine, including the one referred to as Heartbreak Hill. The downhills are what tore me up. My quads are still recovering. Everyone warns not to go out too fast at the first with all the downhills, but I like to give myself a big cushion the first half, so in the last 5 miles I can say, "it's ok, you can run 10 minute miles now and still break 4 hours" (which is always a goal when I do a marathon). Overall, I'd call Boston a good course and one to easily pr on.
As far as the rest of the trip, Boston is a great vacation destination, especially if you like history. It's where our Revolution was planned out and our country was formed. Plus, they have amazing Italian food in the North End, including cannoli's that put you in an euphoric food coma. Also, Sam Adams beer runneth over. So, as long as your love of history and food is bigger than your hate of rude Northeasterners, you should put it on your destination list.
bus lines to get to starting line in Hopkinton, the line was longer than fit in this picture
Faye by a canon on the U.S.S. Constitution - the oldest commissioned warship afloat, "Old Ironsides"
Paul Revere's grave, the Boston Marathon is also ran on Patriot's Day
The Declaration of Independence was read from this balcony
Boston has built a Freedom Trail through the city where you can walk to all the historical sites, you can also have guides dressed up like Revolutionaries give you a tour. I walked/hobbled along it the day after the marathon and stopped at one of the old taverns called the Green Dragon, where the Boston Tea Party was planned. I had a beer and bowl of clam chowder there with a guy dressed like Paul Revere. I think it was the most patriotic moment of my life.
