WARNING: VERY LONG My proudest achievement as a runner occurred when I qualified for the Boston Marathon last year when I completed the St. Louis Marathon in a time of 3:13:33. This marathon is the world’s most prestigious marathon and now that I had qualified, I wanted to experience this event firsthand to see what all the fuss was about. The 2008 race would be the 112th time this marathon would be run. This race was special in that a number of my running buddies joined me in this endeavor as we got a taste of just how steeped in tradition this event truly is. As always, I had a three-pronged time goal that I thought was attainable based upon my perceived fitness going into the race. A: Sub-3:12 B: Sub-3:13:33 (my PR) C: Sub-3:16 (BQ) This was the best I have ever felt going into a marathon. I was no longer intimidated by the distance and my training the final two months leading up to the marathon was just about ideal. I also felt good about my carb-depletion/carb-load phase the week before the marathon which put me on the starting line ready to run the full distance without fear of running out of energy. My only concern prior to the race was the amount of time I spent on my feet the day before the marathon as I did miles of walking to watch the Women’s Olympic Trials Marathon, go to the marathon expo and just get around Boston. In addition, traveling to Boston took a toll on my sleep schedule as I was only getting four and five hours of sleep the last few nights before the race. But despite those concerns, I was planning to implement my plan to run as close to a 7:20 pace as the course would allow in my quest to run a sub-3:12 marathon. Arriving in Hopkinton on marathon morning was special. This quaint little country burg was bustling with activity, which seemed at odds with its natural setting. I was especially grateful of the hospitality of a local couple who allowed our running group to hang out at their house. What a treat it was to be able to lounge on a couch, use an indoor bathroom and munch on fruit in those final moments leading up to the race. I started in the middle of corral 6, which meant that approximately 5,000 runners would be starting in front of me. I heard the race start and we pushed forward toward the starting line. It took me almost four minutes of walking before I crossed the line. Everyone around me was pumped up and excited. I guess I was too. When I got to the starting line, I started my watch and began running. I would run for the next 26.2 miles. Mile 1: 7:32 It became quickly apparent that the crowded course was going to be a factor in this race. I had absolutely nowhere to go other than to protect my small space amongst a sea of runners. While I had wanted this first mile to be a 7:20, I took solace in the fact that I was very comfortable and would ease into my goal pace. I’d just have to make up some time in the next 25 miles. What a great sight it was to see all of the bouncing bodies flowing down through the woods of the New England countryside, not to mention the numerous runners pulling off on the left side of the road to relieve themselves in the first half-mile of the race. Mile 2: 7:17 The terrain continues to slope ever-so-slightly downward as the pace of the pack quickens just a tad. I continue to be boxed in on all sides but am pleased to see a pace more to my liking. The scenery is very beautiful through this part of the course. I don’t even try to navigate either of the drink stations as I try to find some room to run through here. Mile 3: 7:13 More houses now line the two-lane road as we approach the next town. The road continues to slope downward and I have almost completely regained the time that I lost in the first mile. I stay towards the left side of the road as most of the bends seem to be going in that direction. Mile 4: 7:22 I began to pay more attention to my watch at this point in the race as I now have a little bit of wiggle room to run at my own pace. However, I was a bit surprised to see my time on this mile as this downhill portion should have allowed for a bit faster pace. In my head, I thought “Uh oh!” I was going to need to start pushing things a bit harder if I wanted to nail my goal time. Mile 5: 7:20 I realized that I was sweating quite a bit during this mile and the sun didn’t appear to be going anywhere. The wind that I thought might be a factor was barely noticeable and actually felt good in keeping me cool. I was happy to be back on pace and hoped to keep things steady for the next several miles. Mile 6: 7:18 This mile offers another subtle decline and I was able to take advantage. These first six miles just flew by and I was enjoying this race. Mile 7: 7:26 I felt like I lost a bit of focus during this mile which caused my pace to fall off just a tad. The crowds along the course got fairly thick through here. As I was running on the left edge of the road, I happened to see an angelic-looking creature bouncing up and down pointing directly at me. It then registered who this thing of beauty was: my wife Elly. I also noticed Robin May with her. I weaved slightly to the left and gave Elly a high-five as I flew by. Her encouraging screams of delight brought tears to my eyes and really gave me a jolt of energy. I then noticed how slow this mile was and was determined to get back to a 7:20 pace. Mile 8: 7:20 I was energized by seeing my wife and felt strong though this mile as I downed my first Gu at the drink station. I also noticed a burning sensation in my left armpit. I had applied BodyGlide there. It was WAY too early to be feeling chafing pains. Mile 9: 7:18 Mile 10: 7:24 The sun is starting to feel hot on my skin so I stick to the right side of the road where there is some shade from tall trees that line the south side of the course. Mile 11: 7:23 I’m feeling pretty good through here though I’d like for my pace to be about 5 seconds faster. I’m running strictly by feel and not really paying much attention to my watch. Mile 12: 7:17 The miles continue to fly by and I’m pleased with my split here as this is the type of pace I had hoped to keep for most of the miles. I’ve heard so much about the “girls of Wellesley” and I know there just ahead. Mile 13: 7:21 Wellesley Shmellesley. For a hundred yards, there were college girls lining the right side of the road. I was off by myself on the left enjoying the space. I did find the KISS ME signs humorous though. Just about at the half-way point and have an overall pace of 7:21 so far. I’m almost 30 seconds off of my goal time. Mile 14: 7:21 My steady pace continues. As much as I would like to drop my pace about five seconds, it just doesn’t happen. Both of my armpits are now really hurting from chafing. My left one particularly feels like it is on fire. Mile 15: 7:29 Uh oh. But for the first mile of the race with all the congestion, this has been my slowest split of the race. What’s worse is that I didn’t feel like I had let up any. Not the way I had hoped to start the second half of this race. Mile 16: 7:20 This was a frustrating mile for me. I spent the first half of the mile struggling with the pocket in the back of my shorts. When reaching back to grab a Gu, I could not open the zipper pocket. The darn zipper was stuck and would not budge. When I should have been working on my leg turnover on this downhill mile, I was instead running awkwardly with both arms behind my back trying to pry open the pocket in hopes of extracting a much-needed Gu pack. I eventually moved the zipper just enough to squeeze a Gu out. I then downed the Gu, washed it down with water and was exhausted from all the mental and physical energy spent overcoming that ordeal. Just as I then focused on my burning armpits, I noticed a sign on the other side of the road which said “LUBE: Vaseline.” I swerved to the right and grabbed a stick of vaseline which felt wonderful on my chafed areas. In all of this, I wasted an opportunity to gain some time on this otherwise easy mile. Mile 17: 7:31 Welcome to the Newton hills! The first one wasn’t too bad but it did cause me to slow some. Mile 18: 7:43 The second major hill in Newton is at the end of this mile and my legs are really starting to hurt. I just can’t keep pace as I climb the hill. My heart is breaking and I haven’t even hit Heartbreak Hill yet. I’m really going to have to work if I want to re-qualify in this race. Mile 19: 7:33 As hard as I try, I just can’t get my pace below 7:30 even though this mile is fairly flat. Other than my quad muscles beginning to burn, my breathing feels pretty good. I now realize that I have very little chance of accomplishing my first two goals. Mile 20: 7:41 The discouraging splits continue as my legs continue to tire. I know there is one more hill left coming up. Even though I’m not excited about the prospect of another hill, I am eager to see what the legendary Heartbreak Hill looks like. Mile 21: 7:56 Ugh. Heartbreak slows me down considerably. My legs just don’t have any juice left in them. Midway up the hill, I see the crowds pointing and getting excited about someone in front of me. I look ahead and see what appears to be Dick Hoyt pushing his handicapped son Rick up the hill. I move a little to my right and pass them and sure enough, it’s the amazing father-son duo. What a treat it was for me to see them in this race. If you don’t know who the Hoyts are, I dare you to watch this video and try to keep your eyes dry. Mile 22: 7:30 After cresting Heartbreak Hill, this mile is very forgiving and I was able to catch my breath and get back to a more reasonable pace. I’ve got four miles to go and my legs are in a lot of pain. I see a fellow Columbia runner (Munashe) in this mile and he appears to be hurting more than me. As much as I’d like to speed up, I just want to make sure and finish this race. I am now doubting whether I will even be able to get a time under 3:16 to requalify for next year’s Boston Marathon. Mile 23: 7:50 I’m really struggling now and the temptation to stop is very real. As usual, I’m questioning why in the world I run these crazy races. Despite that, I’d love to be able to finish this race by keeping all of my splits below 8 minutes. Surely I can complete this final 5 kilometers. Mile 24: 7:29 Knowing that there’s less than 5K to go, I am able to pick up the pace a bit. I pass fellow Long Run Lunatic Raymond Paxton in this mile. I considered slowing to run the rest of the way with him, but I don’t like the idea of prolonging the agony so I just keep on chugging. I am now in the city limits of Boston and the crowds are getting big along the course. Mile 25: 7:44 Pain. The big Citgo sign is in sight but just sits there taunting me. This mile seemed to last forever. Mile 26: 7:40 I can do this. Only five laps around the track. The city is very picturesque through here and the crowds are giving me some energy as I turn down the final stretch. .2: 6:40 pace I am able to finish fairly strong and lift my hands in celebration as I cross the finish line. I gave it all I got and my time is.... 3:15:59...I requalified with not even one second to spare. Whew! Time: 3:15:59 Pace: 7:29 Fastest Mile: 7:13 (Mile 3) Slowest Mile: 7:56 (Mile 21)