Holy crap! What an experience.
I took the redline to the Boston Common and checked my gear bag. Probably about 30 minutes later I loaded onto a bus bound for Hopkinton. Once in Hopkinton at Athletes Village, I headed right for the Port-O-Johns and then scurried to the tent to relax and stay dry.
At 10:25 and after a .70 mile walk to the start, my corral was released for a great journey. I was definitely swept up in the adrenaline and just rolled with it. I went through the half in 1:31 but was already feeling the downhill punishment on the quads. I believe that I was fueling well, but it was concerning that things were deteriorating so early. I was taking solice in the fact that I would see my family soon right around mile 17. As I approached Newton Wellesley Hospital at the 17 mile marker, I was scanning the crowds frantically looking for my wife and girls. "Damn!" I was saying to myself, how did we miss eachother? I was just hoping that maybe the streets closed before they could get there and that I would meet them at our old spectacting spot....... mile 19. As I approached the mile 19 marker, I spotted my youngest's pink winter coat and put on my best fake smile. I stopped and kissed my family and told my wife that I was falling apart. She said "You're still running a 7:03 pace!" and sent me on running. I had felt my hamsting twinge a few times along the course, and I was hoping the cramps that I have experienced in other marathons would hold off, but it was not to be. As I was heading up the hill before Heartbreak, my right hamstring locked up reducing me to a skip/walk. I immediately jammed my fingers into the area and after about 20 or so seconds, I was able to carry on at a reduced pace. Then, as I was heading up Heartbreak, my right hamstring locked and I repeated the process losing more time. I knew right then and there that this was going to be a 5 mile slog to the finish.
In terms of the weather, it was cold, windy and raining. I definitely think I had a touch of hypothermia and it didn't help that I was pouring water and gatorade down my face and chest every time I attempted to drink.
The damn Citgo sign taunted me for what seemed like forever! I tried pushing as hard as I could as I turned right on Hereford and down the final stretch. I had nothing though. In the finishers chute I was wobbling a bit and one of the million amazing volunteers wrapped me in the mylar hooded blanket like a Jedi Knight. The FORCE wasn't with me though, as my hands couldn't open anything and I was having uncontrollable cold induced tremors. I shuffled back to the Boston Common and amazingly my wife found me and helped me to my dry clothes. I love my wife and family so much for the support and love on a nasty cold day. Amy, Maggie & Paige...... You were the MVP's of our 2015 Boston Marathon!
1 |
6:59.5 |
1.00 |
6:59 |
2 |
6:54.0 |
1.00 |
6:54 |
3 |
6:50.2 |
1.00 |
6:50 |
4 |
6:51.9 |
1.00 |
6:52 |
5 |
6:56.8 |
1.00 |
6:57 |
6 |
6:50.7 |
1.00 |
6:51 |
7 |
6:50.5 |
1.00 |
6:50 |
8 |
6:59.7 |
1.00 |
7:00 |
9 |
6:57.0 |
1.00 |
6:57 |
10 |
6:59.5 |
1.00 |
6:59 |
11 |
6:58.7 |
1.00 |
6:59 |
12 |
6:56.8 |
1.00 |
6:57 |
13 |
6:57.3 |
1.00 |
6:57 |
14 |
7:00.5 |
1.00 |
7:01 |
15 |
7:11.3 |
1.00 |
7:11 |
16 |
6:54.2 |
1.00 |
6:54 |
17 |
7:20.8 |
1.00 |
7:21 |
18 |
7:34.0 |
1.00 |
7:34 |
19 |
7:36.3 |
1.00 |
7:36 |
20 |
8:24.3 |
1.00 |
8:24 |
21 |
8:34.7 |
1.00 |
8:35 |
22 |
7:39.5 |
1.00 |
7:39 |
23 |
7:51.1 |
1.00 |
7:51 |
24 |
7:50.4 |
1.00 |
7:50 |
25 |
7:59.3 |
1.00 |
7:59 |
26 |
8:04.8 |
1.00 |
8:05 |
27 |
3:04.2 |
0.49 |
6:18 |
Feeling good at mile 11-12
![](http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab264/Derunzo_bucket/Boston%202015_zpstilvtgsr.png)
Pissed off and cramping on Heartbreak
![](http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab264/Derunzo_bucket/Boston%202015%20-%202_zps7srg1iga.png)
Wow..... tough day.
![](http://i870.photobucket.com/albums/ab264/Derunzo_bucket/Boston%202015%20-%20Finish_zpsqzlslinl.png)
I'd like to wrap this up by saying thank you to all my running friends on the "Fast Running Blog" and thank you Sasha for creating such a valuable and motivating tool. Happy Running!
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