111th Boston Marathon
I never really got into a groove during training. The winter was colder than usual and at times running felt too much like a chore. I did get in all of my scheduled runs despite the lack of desire some days. About 6 weeks before the race, I started to feel a lot better and started to enjoy running again. My speed picked up and I was feeling good about the possibilities. Once the weather reports started showing the likelihood of high winds and rain, I decided that I wasn’t going to focus on a specific time. Just focus on a good effort and only judge my performance on my placement.
The rain was steady while waiting to board the buses. Once we got to Hopkinton, the fields were completely soaked and there were a few tents that were jam packed with people. Fortunately, I only had about 30 minutes between the time that we got to the athlete’s village and when I had to start making my way to the starting line. I was able to squeeze into a tent and had just enough time change out of my outer layers and put on a dry pair of socks and shoes. Decided to run in shorts, long sleeve shirt, gloves and beanie. There were a couple of Canadian girls in the tent that suggested coating my legs with Vaseline to keep them dry and warm. It wasn’t too cold but I knew that if the wind kicked up, I would need the long sleeve shirt. While standing in the corrals, the wind and rain really started to pick up. I was worried that the weather was going to be as advertised: cold, windy and rainy.
Mile 1: 7:22
Once the gun went off, it only took about 1 minute to cross the starting line. Even though it was very crowded, everybody was moving at about the same pace so the first mile was slow but not as slow as it could have been. We were packed in tight enough that the wind didn’t seem to be an issue at all.
Mile 2: 7:01
Started to get in a groove and was running comfortably. Every once in a while the wind would pick up and I would find somebody to tuck behind. I followed this strategy for the first 17 miles.
Mile 3: 6:59
Mile 4: 6:52
As I approached the 4 mile marker, I could tell that I was working a little harder than I wanted and knew that the split would be a little fast.
Mile 5: 7:09
A little uphill through here but the effort was steady.
Mile 6: 7:00
Mile 7: 7:06
Mile 8: 7:10
Mile 9: 7:08
Mile 10: 7:13
Mile 11: 7:17
Can’t remember why miles 10 and 11 were a little slow. I think that this is where I was questioning the quicker than planned pace on the earlier miles.
Mile 12: 7:01
Mile 13: 7:03 (first half in 1:33:08)
After passing the 12 mile marker I could hear a noise up ahead that I thought was the wind howling through trees but quickly realized what it was. It was the Wellsely screams. When you hear people tell you that you can hear the screaming from a half mile away, you don’t believe them. I can now confirm that it is true. I probably wasted too much energy through this section high fiving everybody who had there hands out. I figured the adrenaline rush would make up for the extra energy expended. Besides, this will probably be the only time that I get to experience this.
Mile 14: 7:02
Mile 15: 7:08
Mile 16: 6:54
The last push before the Newton hills. There is a pretty good downhill leading up to the hills but I held back a little trying to conserve energy for the ensuing climbs.
Mile 17: 7:29
This was one of my low points mentally. The wind started to pick up once we got into Newton. My quads were starting to burn and I was getting a little worried. I convinced myself that my legs are supposed to hurt since I am going uphill and once I clear the hills, everything will be alright. I pretty much maintained my position in the pack.
Mile 18: 7:24
Mile 19: 7:23
Started to feel better so I increased the effort and started making my way past people.
Mile 20: 7:26
Mile 21: 7:21
Crested what I think was Heartbreak Hill (I guess that I expected trumpets, a choir singing Hallelujah or at least a sign) and was feeling really good. At this point I decided to open it up and see what I had left.
Mile 22: 6:31
I was really moving through the crowd now. I was passing a ton of people and felt really good. My only concern was that the wind was picking up and I didn’t have anybody to draft off. The crowds kept cheering “Go Pat!”. Who was Pat and why are they yelling his name? I peeked over my shoulder and noticed a guy following my lead and drafting off of me (making me do all the work).
Mile 23: 6:52
Still moving well and pulling Pat along.
Mile 24: 6:51
Moved over to grab some water and Pat finally passed me. He was going strong and I couldn’t keep up with him. He ended up finishing 1:30 ahead of me so he ran very strong to the end (I should have stuck with him)..
Mile 25: 7:07
I felt like I was still running well but my split doesn’t show it. I seem to have an issue with mile 25 in all my marathons. I think that subconsciously I back off a little so that I have enough energy to run strong the last 1.2. My hands started to get numb during this mile which is an indication that glycogen depletion is approaching. Glad there is only a little over a mile left.
Mile 26.2: 8:17 (6:54/mile)
At the 25 mile marker, I figure that a PR is within reach but it is going to take some work. I really start to push. The crowds are great and help tap into whatever energy that you have left. As I am approaching the final turn, I spot somebody wearing a singlet from Locomotion (a local running club). Knowing it is another Utah runner, I push a little harder to improve my placement among the Utah runners. Move by him and cruise across the finish line.
Fnal Time: 3:06:06 (6 seconds short of a PR) (1:33:08/1:32:58)
Overall Placement: 1,439
Gender Placement: 1,365
Division Placement: 1,001
Utah Placement: 9
I am a little disappointed that I didn’t set a PR, although it is a PR equivalent run since my PR is on a faster course run in better conditions. I wish that I had the guts to push myself a little harder. I’m so afraid of crashing that I tend to be too conservative. There is a spreadsheet created by Greg Maclin that gives mile by mile splits based on an even effort. My splits are very close to these splits so I feel as though I ran a very steady pace throughout the race. Overall I am happy with the race. Having a good run really helps ignite the fire within. Not sure what the plans are for the rest of the year as this race has been my focal point for the quite a while.
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