Notes
Chip time - 3:00:57
The start: woke up at about 4am - 1am Pacific time - where we gathered our gear (and whatever mental composure I could at that hour hah). We took the cold bus from Boston commons to hopkinton. My shoes were already wet. Hopkinton looked like a prison camp the way we all huddled for warmth under the grey abyss that was the sky as it pissed cold rain on us. There was still snow in the ground and the grass soon turned into a mud pit. But being there with all the ISU guys made it seem worth while nonetheless. By race start my feet were pretty muddy and wet and the bag I had on my left foot to keep it "dry" had torn. I was still generally warm by the start, but when we shed the sweats at the start, it was wicked cold. The most of us were rocking shorts, singlet, arm warmers, and some sort of head gear. And a lot of vasoline to trap heat.
Mile 1-10: went out with Anthony. We went out around 6:3X pace. A little faster than planned but we were in control taking it easy on the downhill and still getting passed like crazy. Mac and schrantz caught us early from a couple corals back and they went on to have a great day.
Mile 10ish: had to poop. This was a bummer (p00p spl!t = 75 sec). I pooped at the start too, minutes before the race. this was a bad omen, but alas, I made it the rest of the race. Tossed my gloves at this point. Kinda regret that. Its also here where we saw mark from cnw. Nice to see a familiar face.
Mile 13: a huge regret from the last 2016 Boston marathon was not kissing a lady at wellsely college... so I had to this time around. I smooched the gal with the sign that said "kiss me, I'm Australian!"... but my face was so cold, it felt like I just mushed my face against hers lol.
Mile 13.1 - 14: Anthony drops back. This turned out to be for the best as he was dangerously close to hypothermia. some time spent in the med tent and, later, a jacket from his family member may have slowed him down a bit but allowed him to finish an awesome race. Around this time kevin (pancho) caught me from corral 3. We rolled some solid miles together. Before he too had to use the bathroom.
Mile 17 (maybe?): the cold has really set in. It was bad before, but I was manically cold. Lips numb. Teeth occasionally chattering. Wind relentless and rain heavy, with just my skimpy race kit to keep me warm. My hips are so sore on the front side of my body because (I believe) my muscles were so tense from the rain.
Mile 21: pancho is back. We attacked heart break hill together and we did so with ease. But pancho soon began to drop me and this was when I realized my splits had been falling off slowly but significantly. From then on, the race became more about surviving than finsih time. I think heartbreak felt easier this time around because my mind was so occupied by the elements and the pain in my hips and then pain in my right foot.
Mile 22-24: hell. My pace was slower but I didnt matter. I was so worried about my body temp, nothing besides me putting on dry clothes mattered. I was watching ppl pass me and I felt like I wasn't even in control of my movements, my body was quitting. I remember thinking at one point "Things cant get worse", and like something out of a movie, the rain intensified trumendously. I was praying to see the citgo sign.
Mile 25: the citgo sign. The most beautiful sight. serving as my lighthouse yet in a nother painful boston marathon. This was accompanied with a surprise cheer from Alex Hille (BU friend who studied in Grenoble). Seeing him may have been just enough to push me to boylston.
Mile 25.5: I love my brother. Standing on top of a cement barrier, a body's length above everyone else, was kevin. All of his travel bags and many layers from were sopping wet as he cheered in the rain. The streets were lined with layers of people but on his own podium with fist clenched above his head, I heard his distinct voice amongst all the rest. With the finish in sight and Kevin's voice pushing me towards the end, I was verklempt. Together, those two things were enough for me to find another gear and finish at a speed I didn't think i was capable 5 min prior.
The finish: back in hell. I couldn't walk. The front part of my hips just stopped working. Too sore. Blankets were at the end of the never ending finish chute and I just couldn't get there fast enough. Even with the blanket, I could feel myself getting colder. I was leaning on tables to get of a heavy rain, but eventually stayed leaning on the table because I needed to brace myself. My gear was at the furthest pickup station too. It felt like an eternity to get there too. I was asked several times if I was okay or needed the med tent, and retrospectively, maybe I shouldn't have been so stubborn. By the time I got my gear I didnt no what to do next the changing rooms were on the opposite side of the finish and that took me so long to walk down the first time. I was shaking and couldn't even unlock my phone. Idk what I would have done if I didnt find Jason's family. They helped me put on my raincoat and got me to the Airbnb. Awesome ppl.
Happiness: thawed out with kevin pancho in the shower (short shorts still on ha), had several cold beers, and passed the time with amazing friends.
noteworthy mentions: big PRs from Maccoy, Scrantz, and Meg. Will G took 29th place overall and was a minute off PR. And despite several med tent visits, we all finished a historically shitty race haha.