Full Marathon
April 21, 2008
3:41:46 Net time
Boston, MA
This was the Boston I was least looking forward to. I qualified last year in Virginia Beach, and felt like I had to run. I'll say it was worth it, starting up in the 6000's, rather than the 20,000's I had run with before. All morning before the race, it was perfect running weather. Cool and cloudy. As the gun went off, the sun came out to greet us. Perfect...Boston...figures.
I know the route very well, having run the race twice before, and training countless times along various sections of the course. I have my nicknames for different sections, and checked them off as I went. Parkerville, where my friend used to live in Hopkinton. Assland, because I know it is still so far from Boston. The Framingham doldrums that seem to go on forever in a wide-open road along and over rail tracks. The Sirens of Wellesley College - honestly, I can't imagine any sporting event with a more deafening crowd. Then there's the hills of Newton. Yes, they are as bad as you've heard. Followed by the downhill to Boston. Every time I run this stretch I think it's the hardest section of any race I've run. After 21+ miles, and just off some big up-hills, my legs just didn't need any more beating. It seems like the last 4 or 5 miles are all downhill, and it's the reason this course it so difficult.
I finished the race with some long waterstops the last few miles. I keep thinking, I get what I deserve, undertraining for marathons. That's why they hurt, but I still love running them.
I've run Boston before, and someday, I may run it again, but this one will always be memorable.
