Boston Watchers - Info for Tracking Racers (Read 1647 times)

OK. This is the quick and dirty version because I'm not good at long stories. First things first. Thanks for all the support. I read some of the tracking threads and you folks are really caring people. No excuses for the poor preformance. The hills really suck (Really). I tried to save something for the hills but it wasn't enough. I didn't get enough training miles and track workouts in and I knew I was in trouble before the race. BOSTON ROCKS!!!! Without exception this was and incredible experience. I've watch the race many times and I thought that was great but running it was unbeliveable. The crowds start in Hopkington and they don't stop until Boylston st. I can't begin to tell you what the crowd is like. 26.2 miles of screaming people and they cheer for us like we are all elite runners. Boston was much more than I could of imagined. I rode to the race with a bunch of veteran Boston runners on there club bus and told them about the tough training and how I hate the cold and snow and I didn't think that I will ever run Boston again because it's to hard training in the winter and they just looked at me and said "just wait until you see the party thats called Boston". They told me to just enjoy the experience and once I realized that I was not gonna make 3:30 I slowed down and just soaked it all in. As soon as I finished I swore to run Boston again and I will beat the hills next time. For anyone that is dreaming of running Boston I say do what ever you need to do to get there because you will not be disappointed. MTA. I could go on forever but it just wouldn't do the race justice. I went to the expo. I went to the womens olympic trials.I went to the pre race pasta party with my whole family and I went to the post race party at the Roxy with my wife and it was all just awesome. I meet so many great runners and volunteers. I can't wait until next year.

Shit. I am so cheap, I wouldn't PAY for the internet connection at the hotel. I WILL post and read these -- w/in 2 days. I am driving home and finally got a connection. Short version: PR met. Super A++++ of <3 not="" met.="" great="" race="" though.="" kinda="" vacation="" afterward="" (lot="" of="" driving="" {home="" is="" pittsburgh}="" i="" must="" have="" a="" problem,="" cuz,="" i="" don't="" "know"="" you="" peeps,="" but="" i="" missed="" you.="" i="" sadly="" can't="" spend="" tiime="" reading,="" cuz,="" i="" am=""></3>drinking at my sister's in the Poconos. Wish me lluck fishing tomorrow.

Loads of updates...fun to read. My problem was that someone told me to stop at the aid station around 33 k and I thought they said weight station, so I picked up a bunch of dumbbells, barbells, hand weights, etc and carried them the rest of the way to the finish. Now I know not to do that. Race report cross posted from another site is: http://www.kickrunners.com/forum/showthread.php?t=27137 Just to clarify, I'm not a Lance hater, I think he's an icon. I just don't want to be beaten! I passed him at M3 and he returned the favor at M21, looking very good. In hindsight I probably should have just run with him and enjoyed it a bit more, but what can you do? Thanks for the interest!

Oh wow this was exciting to read! Had I known we were all being tracked so dedicatedly, I'd have cranked out another second or so. Eh, maybe not. I don't know that I had any more in me. Report also going up momentarily. Thanks everyone!

WOW, I'm just seeing this thread and am amazed at the exciting mile-by-mile coverage you all provided. Thanks for the support! I didn't realize Lifesabeach and I finished so close together. We really should consider getting "RA" posted on our shirts for the next event. congrats, Lifesabeach, you truly had a photo finish! No formal race report from me, but just a comment that, even though I never was at goal pace, Boston was more amazing than I could have imagined. It really had a huge small town cheer about it --- rather indescribable. I am particularly thankful to a young spectator around mile 25 that helped calm me down with some water and encouraging words as I sobbed on the side of the street because my right quad had cramped, making me think that I'd have to quit with just 1.5 miles to go. Somehow, her kind and supportive words and gestures calmed me enough to stretch it out and then get moving again. I was glad to see the finish line and get in line for a really good thorough post-race massage. Congrats to all the great races that people had and thanks to this amazing community.