Short story, 2:46:01 - my 7th sub 2:50 and a very satisfying run on very inconsistent training (6 days from my 48th Birthday). When I ran Philly, the song going through my head was "The Impossible Dream" (The Andy Williams version believe it or not).... For Boston on Monday, I couldn't shake "Yesterday, When I was Young (The Bobby Bare version) from my mond.... "I ran so fast that time and youth at last ran out..." My training was going great in February, but hamstring problems knocked me out of Napa and left me feeling old and washed up - wondering if Boston was even doable.... But my wife really wanted to go to Boston and I did have one decent long run to go on, so I figured I'd give it a try. At one point my goal was to beat LanceArmstrong , but I was backpedaling to the point where I was setting my sights on presidentisal candidate (and fellow bassist) Micheal Huckabee (did any notice if he started or finished?). My hamstring had consistently gone haywire around 18 miles into faster long runs, so I was really worried about having to walk into Boston... I decided to run as conservatively as possible staying as close to 6:20 pace as I could... This turned out to work well for me as I had just about as close to even splits as you could run...by the time I hit the hills in Newton I was feeling much more confident about finishing and started slowly passing runners - by heartbreak hill I was feeling real good and surged ahead of many runners who had gone out a bit faster..... By the last mile I was passing runners like they were standing still and zipping along like Rosie Ruiz. I Felt good all the way to the finish (2:46:01) and was suprised to hear Lance was behind me as I never saw him on the course and figured he was long finished by the time I got there. All in all, it was a great weekend.... Not having the training to hit a PR took some of the pressure off and made it fun to just run, slap 5s with the kids on the route and enjoy the day. My hamstring feels like crap today - but I'm going to give it some time to heal and come back and take another thwack at sub 2:40 next fall....that windmill is just too tempting for a me - and I feel I owe Lance another shot at me. Ray

WOW!!! Excellent run Ray My goal used to be 3:50 but I've given up so I can't imagine running 2:50. Lance called and wants a rematch in NY

Ray, Wow. What an excellent race. I can only dream...To run that kind of time at 48 with poor training and a twitchy hamstring...hmmm you sandbagger you. Honestly, you have been through so much over the last year that I am very very happy for you to be able to run this time and have a great time. Maybe you can coach me on my attempt at near 2:50....(not sure it's possible but I think I can come close). Might be the first every 200+LB to achieve it.... You rock Ray and if you go to Boston next year...I am there. Tall

Good job......I was trying to keep your times posted on the daily thread here along with the 32 other people listed from this website and you were so fast at a couple of stages that I missed you passing the next 5K mark before I could post it. In other words, everyone else was running 5K while you were clipping them off at 10K. Mike Huckabee apparently withdrew from the race sometime on Sunday. I did not hear why. That's okay, to beat Lance boy is a lot cooler anyway. Great job. I stand in awe. Thanks for the race report. Joey

What can I say, except, "Wow!" And Lance who???

Yeah, and besides that, I saw that guy in yellow blow a snot rocket on tv. Yuck! Congrats on a terrific race. Line me up with the others who are in awe of you!!

Good Greif that's fast! Zipping past runners in the last mile is kewl.

Great race and report, Ray. Given your injuries and training, you adopted a fantastic attitude and smoked the course. A big congratulations. TomS

We're all in awe of your time Ray. 48 and a 2:46 and hoping for a sub 2:40? You are a machine! That even paced race plan really carried you in. Smart move. Congrats Ray. Spareribs