Ran according to plan and just didn't have it and that was clear as early as 10k. Almost dropped out around 19-20 as my eyes started to roll back in my head and my head tilted and my vision got blurry. Felt ill at the finish. On closer inspection a bit of mild heat stroke (or sun expose or whatever the non-lifethreatening kind is) I am guessing. I was going to write a few words and cut it short, but I don't want to be a spoil puss (or whatever the phrase is that my father uses). I want my report to contribute to knowledge on the blog about running, particularly for those looking to qualify and for who will run it for the first time next year or in years to come. That report (tomorrow) is for you. Pleased to see Joe run well at a time when other things in life had required attention. Josh ran really well, and so did Jeff. 2:39 flat? How perfect! Meb, Shalane. It's all just fantastic. Also, so many Boston accents that sound funny, even to my Maine ears.
REPORT
Got to see Megan and my mom, aunt, sister and cousin, which was great. I just wish I had more time with Megan and wasn't so worried about this running business.
had a A-goal of 2:45, but figured upper 2:40s would make me happy. I recently ran another 1:17 half PR, so I thought I was fit enough. I had some good workouts, lots of builders, and long long runs. Maybe I was shooting too high. I still need to think about that. I still ran under 3 hours and requalified, but that's not enough. It never was. I got spoiled running a strong marathon last May.
Warmed up for 5 minutes. Plan was to start slow and not run like a rookie. I ran according to plan and even a bit slower. Through 7 miles I didn't feel great. You often down that early. But I just felt flat the whole time. Started dropping splits early even on the downhills. By halfway I knew I was done. Somewhere around miles 18-20 I started to feel dizzy and I started to stagger and I could feel my head drop back. I hydrated as much as I could stand and kept water dumped over my head. Had to walk a few steps here and there through the hills because I thought I was going to pass out. I was going to drop because I thought something might be wrong. Kept "going." Side stitches at mile 24 (later than normal). Finished. Stumbled around confused for a while. After I met up with my family I felt ill. Sick to my stomach, stumbling around, not really able to answer relatively simple questions (basic logistical travel ones).
Just a terrible race, but an amazing day for Boston and American distance running. I was floored to hear Meb won. He's a class act. The ladies did incredible as well. Glad to see others had fantastic days (Josh ran a near perfect race. Jeff got a little course revenge from 2012 even though he had an amazing day in that heat).
Fact: Boston is not an aided course. Sure, by the numbers it is but it seems a ~2-3 minute positive split is what Riley has referred to as something like a negative effort positive split (I'm messing up his term but you get the idea). The hills aren't bad. Don't get me wrong, from the splits you will see I got put through the grinder but I was already toast before that. You just have to grind it out and not force it.
Ran with my Timex, which seems to help me actually run better.
Splits: 6:40, 6:22, 6:24, 6:21, 6:31, 6:25, 6:19, 6:32, 6:26, 6:35, 6:38, 6:30, 6:27, 6;37, 6:50 (mommy come get me), 6:36, 7:00, 7:06, 6:54, 7:11 (this is embarrassing but it goes in the report), 8:01 (I'm never going to run again), 7:12, 7:13, 6:52, 7:49, 7:21, 1:26 | 