I'm not sure what you guys are expecting since I didn't run in the marathon. Ironically, my entire weekend was devoted to various marathon related activities. Saturday night was my club's annual marathon pasta dinner. The club headquarters is at the local Irish American Club because it is the Shamrock Running Club. This year, there was a snafu and they double booked the place. We found out about it an hour before the dinner so we had to book another venue quick. We ended up at the Elk's Club. Does anyone know what they do? I don't, but their banquet hall is real nice. The dinner was free to all members and it was nice to the usual marathon faces, and some that I haven't seen in a while due to injuries. Sunday, I was up early and drove to the expo with a few folks from my club. The expo alternates between two venues in Boston. This year, it was in the Hynes Convention Center. The entire place was packed. At times, we stood in the isles not moving for minutes at a time. The same vendors were there so I didn't even know why I went. After what seemed like an eternity (about an hour or so), we had our lunch before assembling in front of the volunteers' office. My club was volunteering that day, and BAA had us handing out the goody bags and shirts. There was another snafu the day before and they gave out all the large shirts. Only mediums and smalls were left, along with a handful of extra larges. However, the medium shirts are actually the size of large, like most men's egos. The medium shirts were so large that a 6' man can fit into it comfortably. With each guy that came to pick up his bag, we had to convince him that the medium will fit him just fine. Most didn't really care about the shirt. Some grudgingly took it. A handful were lashing out at us for screwing it up even though we had nothing to do with it. The large shirts were all gone by the time we started our shift. We were supposed to be there until 6:30 PM, but BAA let us go by 5. All volunteers received a beautiful orange Boston Marathon volunteer's windbreaker. I also took a goody bag for myself too because there were still crates of them left (ssssh!!!) While I was handing out bags, I met Orange Man, DaddyLongLegs, TJRunner, HouseOfDixon, and KevinYoder. We talked briefly before they headed into the expo proper to help boost the economy. After the volunteering gig was over, I headed over to the North End. This is Boston's Italian district reowned for the Italian restaurants. Orange Man invited me out to dinner with his family at Artuand I told him that I would be a little bit late. When I got to the restaurant, there was some 10 people waiting for me. DaddyLongLeg's FIL fell ill at the restaurant so he escorted him back to the hotel so I didn't get to talk with him. The restaurant was loudy and rowdy. Most of the tables consisted of large parties, and were probably out of towners, probably running the marathon the next day. After dinner, I rushed to Sasso for another marathon related party. On the front doors were notices that the restaurant was closed to the public for a private event. The restaurant was dimly lit and I can see that it was packed full of people. I cringed at the thought of having to interact as I pushed open the door and stepped in. I checked in at the front desk as they asked for my name, and whether my date was here. I didn't have a date for this event, which made me even more out of place. I asked for the bathroom as I haven't gone since the expo. When I came out, there was a man standing outside waiting for me. He was wearing glasses and a biege bow tie. He introduced himself as Warren Greene, the editor of Runner's World, and this was their party. We talked briefly and he brought me to the main area and introduced me to other folks from Runner's World, including David Willey (Cheif Editor), Mark Bloom (Editor), Carol Goodrow (webmaster of KidsRunning.com), Josephine Parr (Executive Director of Brand Communications), and other fine folks that I couldn't remember their names. Warren also introduced me to Amby Burfoot, the 1968 Boston Marathon winner. He is also the execute editor at RW. Despite his fame, Amby was very down to earth, not a hint of air of superiority in him. We talked briefly about RA and how he enjoyed using it. There was a man in a full 2007 Boston Marathon track suit limping around. His right leg was obviously troubling him. He had a tract of stitches on his right eye brow. He looked very familiar to me. He's someone that I should know. The thing was that there were so many famous people there that I didn't know who was who. I finally mustered enough courage to walk up to him and say hi. He took my hand with both of his and shook it lovingly. He turned out to be Johnny J. Kelley. Amby wrote an extensive article about him in this month's Runner's World. It gave me a glimpse into this runner's life. He said of Johnny that he was always welcoming, usually hosting runners the night of the marathon. Here I was, talking to this famous marathoner and he was thanking me for talking with him! It turned out that I wasn't the only one without a date. There were many others and I seeked them out so I won't be standing along in a sea of people. Amongst the guests were various advertisers. I talked with representives from different running related companies, including one from CW-X and the president of a supplements company. I also talked with two booth babes for a designer sunglasses company. I can't recall the company's name. All I remember was that it was something beyond my price range (they charge $300+ for a pair while I like mine below $35). I also met Emily from the Hartford Marathon. I told her that I ran it several years ago. She asked what I thought of it and I ever so bluntly told her I hated it. I hated how I have to see the finishline at mile 20 only to be set out again. I told her how I hated how all the hills were in the last 6 miles. I hated how I can see people finishing but I have to keep going. She agreed to all those points and said they changed the course for those reasons. The one person that made the biggest impression on me was someone by the name of Ashley Powell, mostly because she was so darn friendly. As I walked around, she came up and introduced herself. We happened to be leaving the party at the same time. She also worked for Runner's World and that she was running the marathon the next day. As we walked through the maze of halls in the shopping area that leads to her hotel room and the garage, she complained about her high heel shoes. She stopped, took them off and walked barefooted. All the while, I was contemplating whether it was better to walk in her shoes or barefooted, considering she has to run the next day. She also told me that she ran a 3:03 marathon! Holy Patron God of Running Sneakers! A 3:03 marathoner. Ok, I know faster runners, but this is the first 3:03 female that I talked to. I was in complete awe. That night, the winds were howling outside. The rain drops pelted the windows and sounded like sleet. The trees bended every which way. If I was running the marathon, I wouldn't even bother to get out of bed. The next morning, I met up with my friend from the club and we drove to mile 14.5 and waited for the runners to come through. We estimated that the female elites would arrive at around 10:50 and shortly after that, they did. The front pack consisted of 4 runners. A little while later, two more came through, and then a little more later, Deena Kaster flew by. She was so tiny yet muscular! She was alone with no one to block the gusty wind for her. By then, she was about a minute behind and I knew that she won't be winning the race. The elite men passed us at around 10:20. The two front runners had bright yellow sneakers on. Their bibs were 42 and 54. I was a little surprised that they were in the lead. The main pack came through some 20 seconds later and I knew that they'll suck the front runners back in. At first there was a trickle of runners, then a few more, until the entire road was packed. I was there to cheer my friends on, but it was hard to pick anyone out. I resorted to looking for the uniform but since it was so cold out, most of them had jackets on, which covered the singlets. I did see a few of my friends, but not the 30 or so total that I was waiting for. The rain stopped and the winds died down. It turned out to be near perfect running conditions.

Perfect, Eric! Just the kind of story I was hoping for!!! Sounds like you had a great time - so amazing to be meeting so many different elite runners! I think you should have gotten Ashley's number too!!! I doubt I will ever run a marathon - but I think I would really like to help out at some! Thanks! Cheryl

Sasso was a really nice restaurant. There was a review of it somewhere and it says that it averages about $50+ a person. Wow. RW must have shelled out big bucks to rent out the entire place. The staff was really good too. I was standing around chatting to various folks. The waiters and waitress were walking around. One approached me on several occasions and asked if I wanted another glass of water. I said sure and handed her my glass. She came back a minute later with a full glass of water in hand. How the heck did she find me in the sea of people was beyond me. Maybe this is standard service, I would know since I don't go to too many of these events. I thought they only take away glasses. Yeah... I should have gotten her number. I don't know if she's single, but anyone that runs a 3:03 marathon and walk barefooted in public while in a fancy dress is ok in my books. She probably thinks I'm a nut job though. Oh well. Maybe I should buy a house and have my own pasta dinner for all the RA folks before every Boston Marathon. That would be neat. If you guys are coming to Boston, be sure to let me know. I would love to meet you all!