Boston Marathon Build Up. . . .”A work in progress”

Last night I had an awesome nights sleep in my own bed.  I slept right throughout the night.  It was the first time that I have slept all night.  I woke up at 5 and got something to eat and then headed down to the race.  I arrived downtown at the start at around 5:45.  I just relaxed in the packet pick-up area until race time. 

It was really cold in the morning but by 8:00 it was really warm.  I got changed into my race gear and headed to the bathroom.  Jeff arrived about 8:05 and we talked about race strategy and headed to the start line.  The weather was perfect.  I do not know how hot it was at race start time but I had on a short sleeve t-shirt and short.  I did not even need my gloves or hat.  The weather was perfect. 

Mile 1-6

For the first mile we were at 7:40 on the button.  I was feeling awesome.  I was determined not to talk during the race and I was really focusing.  Jeff led me forward and I just followed him.  We were running the tangents.  I was feeling very good for the first few miles.  My breathing was very relaxed and I felt as though I was strolling in the park.  Well, not quite like strolling but you know what I mean.  The course to this point was very flat no real inclines.  As we approached mile 6 we saw Josh and he joined us at this point.  At mile 6 I was at 45:28.  As we pushed forward running along the river I really did not focus much on my watch.  Jeff and Josh were keeping pace. 

6-13.1

The river was beautiful and the weather was awesome.  At about mile 7 I took my shirt off because I was starting to get really hot.  It was very flat going out to mile10.  At this point Jeff turned around and went back.  Josh took over pacing and we moved forward from there.  At mile 11 there was a little roller but it was not very difficult at all.  I kept my head up and kept moving forward. I did not really feel any pain when I was running through 13.1.  But I could feel that I needed to use the bathroom.  I don’t think that I said 1 sentence to this point.  I was keeping my mouth shut to conserve energy. At the half I was 1:39 something.  This is just where I wanted to be at the half.  So I was feeling very good.

13.1-20

It was starting to get warm and I could tell.  After 14 I said to Josh that I need to really go to the bathroom.  He also needed to go to the bathroom as well.  He said let’s get to 15 and see where we can stop from there.  So we stopped about a 800m into mile 15.  Mile 15 we did a 8:02 for with the bathroom stop.  At this time we were in HACC and pushing toward Wildwood Park.  I knew this was going to be a tough stretch for me.  Josh said that this is where we are going to have to grind for the last 10 miles at mile 16. When we left the parking lot at HACC he warned me of what was coming. 

In the park we came to a small roller and there was a nice down which was good.  Pushing toward 18 there was a very nice climb to the 18 mile marker.  There were alot of people walking on this hill.  It was about a 200M climb but it was very steep.  Moving forward into 19  there was a nice downhill.  At this point I was starting to work hard and focus.  I actually did awesome on the hill on 18 and recovered a little in 19.  There was some nice rollers on 19 but nothing to terrible.  I was passing alot of people in the park.  It was very encouraging.  I was just focusing on one person and just picking them off.  It was awesome.  At the end of 19 there was a nice down leading to the 20 mile marker.  I was at 2:31 at the 20 mile marker.  I remember thinking to myself I have a little over 45 mins to work this thing out. 

20-26.2

At mile 20 I was grinding.  I was really starting to work hard.  I was staying positive and I was tell myself that I am going to make this thing today.  I was starting to fade going into 21 but I kept focused and looking at other runners’ and trying to keep on pace.  Josh was running about 4 feet ahead of me but I was keeping my pace and trying to stay with him  I was doing great because I was keeping with him.  He told me just focus until we get to the river.  At mile 21 an emotion came over me and it was like I am going to make it.  There were alot of people around waiting for the relay and I just started to cry.  I collected myself again and saw another runner ahead of me and I picked him off.  Mile 22 I was really started to hurt.  I was starting to hurt but I kept grinding.  I saw three people walking and Josh said, “Keep going! Where not walking.”  I kept going and did not even look at the other runners’.  I felt my legs starting to tighten up.  I knew the wall was going to come but I was trying to delay it as much as possible.

I pushed until 24 and then  I got a cramp in both legs.  Josh said, “walk 10 steps and run again.”  So I did and it worked.  But I did not last long I think about 800M.  I did the same thing again and I was off again.  I mentally willed my way into 25.  Josh told me we are at 2:55 clock time.  At this point, I really was not focusing on the time as much I just wanted to grind and keep going.  At mile 25 I knew I was close because I could see the bridge and once I crossed the bridge I was there.  I had one last climb to do and once I arrived on the bridge Josh said, “You only have like 3 minutes.”  A this point we were not even halfway across the bridge.  Then I saw Jeff he said,”Come on your going to be really close you only have like a minute. 

So I do not know what came over me but I started to really push for that last 800m.  I ran so hard I did not know I had it in me.  My leg was cramping during this time and I just willed my way through it.  It was really painful the last 200.  When I turned the corner and saw the clock it said 3:20 and change.  I just gunned it.  I crossed the finish line at 3:20:30. When I crossed the line there was so much emotion.  I was in tears of joy and pain.   

Post race

As I collected my medal they asked me if I was alright and I said,”Yes!” However, the next thing I know my legs gave out on me.  I callapsed right there in the shoot.  I could not move.  The medical staff was awesome.  They wheeled me into medical and gave me an IV and lots of fluids.  The ladies in the medical tent were awesome.  It took me about 1 hour to recover.  I could not drive so I hung around and hobbled around.  It was not to fun walking around but I knew I had PR’d and made that race that ends at Copley Square.

Thanks

I just want to thank Josh Beck and the Appalachian Running Company for all your great running advice.  Josh I want to thank you for taking your time to help me today.  You were awesome.  I could not have done this without you.  Jeff Damiano, you are the best.  You took your time to help me get to this point as well.  Debbie at the store you rock as well.  Brooks your shoes are the best.  I love Brooks.  The Revanna’s are awesome.  They are like the Lexus of running shoes.  Sweat365 you guys have been awesome.  You have followed me throughout my journey.  I have met my goal. 

If I have left anyone out please forgive me. 

I am going to relax this evening and take this all in it is so fresh.  I have not had a chance to take it in.

Brooksrunner.