Notes
2018 Boston Marathon
236 Klucznik, Christopher 35 M Needham MA USA
5k:18:26
10k: 36:57
15k: 55:23
20k: 1:13:51
Half: 1:17:51
25k: -
30k: 1:52:05
35k: 2:11:44
40k: 2:31:40
Finish: 2:40:46
Didn't know what to expect given the 4 missing weeks at the start of the training cycle (missed weeks T-12 through T-9, inclusive). I also came down with a headcold on Saturday night. Without the weather, I still think 2:37 could have been possible. As the weather turned from rainy to cold, rainy, and windy, I lost hope in being able to throw down a fast time. I instead went in not stressed out and decided to just roll with it. Weather was 38-42 degrees with rain being anything from drizzle to downpour depending on the moment. Wind was 18-25 steady from the ESE and occasionally a complete headwind. Not ideal. I dressed with the SRR singlet, arm sleeves, mizuno knit gloves, and the brooks skull cap. Overall if felt warm enough DURING the run in that I never really felt cold per say.
I decided to just go out at 5:55 or so, foregoing thoughts on sub 2:33 for a PR. I figured if it was my day, I could go all out at the end but otherwise take it a bit easier as I blew up last year. The first 8 miles or so felt great. Despite the rain and miserable conditions, I didn't feel like I was being held back that much. Yes I was waterlogged and yes I could have used a visor to block the rain off my face, but the wind was only moderate and there was enough of a pack to share the load.
Between Natick center and Wellesley college, I began to feel the wind a bit more as packs broke up and I tried to leapfrog between groups. Still not bad when I could tuck in, but wind was fierce. I played up Wellesley college with some waves for the crowds to be loud and a few high fives, in part to get my momentum back up. I passed my parents and Andrew in Wellesley Center feeling good. Liz, the boys, and Erica/Charlotte/Ethan were by Whole foods. They had dry gloves, hat, and more if I needed it by I passed on the change. My hands were starting to get a bit cold, but they weren't gone. I feel like with the wetness and cold, trying to sneak on dry gloves could be tough.
The real challenge happened about a mile later as I passed over Route 9. I looked at my watch and the effort that had been getting me 5:55's was not at 6:10. I was a bit more alone and the wind was doing its damage. I did not get the benefit of the lower falls downhill that I hoped and lose a bit on this stretch. The climb over 128 was a good reality check for what was to come.
The rest of Rt 16 should be quick towards the firehouse but again the previous effort just wasn't giving me the same returns. Patrick blew by right before the firehouse looking really strong. I knew he would go strong to the finish and I was happy that he went for it. As I entered the remaining hills starting with the firehouse, I decided to ease up on the hills and try to save some energy for the downhills. This resulted in loss pace on the ups (normally I try to crush the ups, so this was a very different approach for me), and unfortunately I just never got back to the fast pace on the downs. The energy wasn't there (sapped from the wind) and my calves were now super tight so that I couldn't even get a proper stride. Now it was survival mode.
Goal 1 was to make it to the 30K SRR water stop, which I tried to show a little life and enthusiasm given they spent so much of the morning waiting in the cold rain for us (they are awesome). Goal 2 was to make it past heartbreak. Then Fenway, then Mass Ave, then the finish. It felt like a deathmarch that entire way. I had nothing in the tank in my energy stores or calves. The goal to blast past Heartbreak was gone. I kept doing math for what I needed to go sub 2:40 and I kept getting frustrated as I continued to miss the necessary splits. I just couldn't buy that kind of pace. I tried to go faster but only ended up slower, there was nothing there. Granted it was still better than last year for time and falling apart, but the conditions were miserable and crowds thinned out. It kept going from light rain to pouring and back and forth over and over.
I finally hit the 25.2 mile mark and confirmed that sub 2:40 was lost unless I could crank out good finish. I tried but once again my body couldn't respond. I did what I could on Boylston but it was all survival mode rather than truly ending the end of Boston.
The post race involved walking about 50 yards and saw John Gorvin and Val. I passed on my thanks but indicated I needed to get moving so I could warm up. Then the water station came, another 50 yards to get the medals, then maybe another 50-100 yards for the heat blankets (finally!) which couldn't come soon enough. By the time I got the blanket, I was shaking uncontrollable and super cold. The rest of the march in the chute was me shivering and debating whether I wanted the "goody bags". I kept fearing being pulled to the med tent although in hindsight might not have been mad. I finally made it to the hotel limping in and frozen. The Park Plaza does a great job cheering for EVERY runner for about 4 straight hours. I made it to the room with Tina was a saint and helped warm me up. It took about 45 minutes before I could finally stop shaking.
Disappointed with the finish, would have been ok with 2:39:XX but missed by 46 seconds. Pat crushed it and so did a few others so tough to feel bad about the day when there was a lot to be happy about. It was fun hanging in the room with the crew, then grabbing beers with Kieran and Brian. Commuter rail home to see the boys! Awesome to see Des come away with the win!