Notes
Drove out with Robert, Pick, Wolfgang and Hannah (Eric&Ann's friends daughter) who is staying with us. Predicted warm temps. Anxiety about which shoes to wear, Fresh Foam or 890s. Decided on 890s despite not being quite broken in. Went into corral and saw Tom Bok and Jim Pawlicki there. Decided on a pace of 7:45. It was already warm at the start. Took about 5 mins to get to the start line. I held back and by the first few miles was pretty much at the back of the wave. Still didn't feel easy. Despite the downhills, I wasn't going that fast. The good thing is there were not many people since I was at the back of the pack and 2nd wave hadn't started. Going through Framingham, the sun was beating down. Took water at every station and Gatorade at every other one. I felt comfortable but not quite at ease and anxious about whether I would finish. Took a Gu at about 12. Got to the scream tunnel and decided to high-five the girls. As I got to the half, still felt OK, but the heat was tough and my mouth felt dry. Started pouring a cup over my head at every station. As I got through Wellesley, people were starting to struggle and a few walkers and crampers. Quads started to cramp up but not as bad in prior years. The downhill to lower falls was tough. Got up the hill over 128 without a problem, more people walking and I was working my way up the field not because I got faster, but because runners were suffering. Passed Dima who looked to be struggling and tried to motivate him. Took another Gu at about 17. Firestation turn I had some cramping and glad that I had not gone out fast. Someone handed out ice and took a few pieces and put under my hat. Passed the Somerville Tent and asked Joe how the other runners were doing - he said mixed. Saw Goose and Spinney at 19. Margo and everyone were past Walnut at the start of the hill. Managed to high 5 most of them and knew I would finish no matter what. At this point, I realized I wasn't going to average 7:45, hopefully could do 8, but that was secondary. One mile at a time. Lots more walking. Medics were attending to runners at the side of the road who were laid out on their backs, getting hydrated. I could see that many were walking up Heartbreak Hill and it motivated me to keep moving. Put my head down and counted. Cramping was getting worse and I was running on an almost empty tank. It was amazing how many were walking. I got passed by some people but for the most part, I was passing others. Saw Jim Pawlicki at 22, he was struggling too. The course flattened and crowds were yelling, but I could start counting down. Each mile felt long but was happy to see the marker. I looked forward to getting to Boylston and said I would try and enjoy the crowd and finish. Still had the small hill over the pike and Mass Ave tunnel. Took the right on Hereford and my quads were dead, I really had nothing left. I got passed by quite a few people sprinting to the finish line, which seemed far away. I was trying to absorb the moment, but kept counting. Raised my arms at the finish and just sneaked under 3:30. By far my slowest, but I gave it everything. Quads very sore and the walk to the T was painful. My shoes felt very tight, not sure I made the right choice. A volunteer undid the laces to give my feet some breathing room. I was happy with the effort because a lot of people really suffered and I didn't want to worry about my time. That is 6 in a row.