Bret

Boston Marathon

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Location:

Milton,GA,USA

Member Since:

Jul 27, 2010

Gender:

Male

Goal Type:

Other

Running Accomplishments:

PR's -

Mile - 4:38    (High School)

2 Mile - 10:12 (High School) 

3 mile - 15:51 (High School)

10k - 35:19 (High School)

Marathon - 2:59 marathon (London -2013)

Half marathon - 1:25:18 (Deseret News 2013)

Completed all 6 of the World Marathon Majors 2024

Completed each of the 5 majors (NY, Chicago, Boston, London & Berlin) at least twice.

8 x Boston Marathon (1999, 2000, 2005, 2007, 2014, 2020 (virtual due to covid) 2021, 2022)

13 x NYC Marathon (1997, 1998, 2010, 2011, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, 2023)

 

 

Short-Term Running Goals:

Sub 3 hour marathon

Long-Term Running Goals:

Continue to enjoy running and racing as long as my body permits me.  

Personal:

Old guy - (grandfather even) been running for 40+ years.  

Favorite Blogs:

Click to donate
to Ukraine's Armed Forces
Miles:This week: 27.00 Month: 116.45 Year: 385.30
Race: Boston Marathon (26.2 Miles) 03:29:59, Place overall: 9335, Place in age division: 1308
Easy MilesMarathon Pace MilesThreshold MilesVO2 Max MilesTotal Distance
0.0026.200.000.0026.20

So this was an event that I truly planned in the last few weeks that I would not really "race," (due to a slight injury, sickness, and general lack of sufficient training to expect to run my best) but instead be a participant to support this year's running of the marathon.  I am pleased to report that I had a mostly wonderful time on the course - although it was not "easy" by any stretch of the imagination - and was moved by the outpouring of support particularly at Wellesley and Heartbreak Hill and of course the last few miles and the finish area at Boyston Street.  

Early on I thought I would be able to maintain a pace of around 7:15 to 7:30 but I realized around miles 8-10 that the temperatures were acting a good bit warmer than predicted, and frankly, I wanted to enjoy this race than try to gut through a tough course.  So, I gradually backed off, and started taking everything in.  To say I was taking it easy, would really be bit inaccurate, because the course really beats you up.  As the miles went on, I did some quick math, and eventually I had in the back of my mind, that I would like to come in below 3:30 even though that's a far cry from where I was last year in London, it seemed like I resonable and respectable time for a mid-race "goal."  As it turns out,  I could not have trimmed it any closer - 3:29:59.  

All in all, I believe this to have been my last ever marathon as runner.  I have done 25 of them over the last 17 years.  And as we all know, the training doesn't get any easier on the old body, mine is no exception.  And the races themselves lately have tended to give me fits of anxiety that I really should not be having - because after all, I run because I enjoy it. When it stops becoming enjoyable, it requires a different approach.  So then....I am proud to have been a part of this marathon, my 5th official Boston finish, and proud to call it my last.

Comments
From dugco on Mon, Apr 21, 2014 at 14:49:12 from 68.35.217.251

Very nice, Bret - congratulations. I'm thinking 25 is plenty... although I dont see the Great Wall Marathon on your list ;-)

From Rob Murphy on Mon, Apr 21, 2014 at 14:53:59 from 163.248.33.220

That's what I decided after my last Boston in 2012.

Now I'm fired up for 2015. You'll be fine. It's in your blood and who you are.

From Bret on Mon, Apr 21, 2014 at 15:08:40 from 96.45.118.12

Thanks guys.

Tracy says I cannot be done at 25, and that I need to do one more. On my 50th birthday (in 2 years) which happens to be Des News - with my daughters!

From Jake K on Mon, Apr 21, 2014 at 15:39:18 from 199.190.170.30

Tokyo is a World Marathon Major now, so you probably have to run there.

Glad you had a good day out there.

From jtshad on Tue, Apr 22, 2014 at 05:45:36 from 64.134.67.42

Great that you were here to be part of this event. If this is your last, what a way to go out in glory!

From Jason D on Tue, Apr 22, 2014 at 11:56:52 from 198.228.201.165

Glad you were able to run and be a part of the race.

I don't think because you are getting to a certain age you should stop running marathons because it's what you think you are supposed to do. Do what you want to do. But do keep running, keep blogging!

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