Notes
Exited the T at South Station and jogged over to Seaport for my warm-up.
Saw Chad (chatted), Mark Duffield, Robin and Eda prerace. Stephen Allison surprised me in the corral with a little shoulder squeeze; wished him luck.
Stripped off throwaway shirt a half mile in, but held on to it until I got to our neighborhood. Wasn't sure he would be there, but Pat did make it out to cheer, so I handed off the shirt. He had been joined by Karen Bittner and her two boys.
Big Bird in the median near BU bridge (so saw him twice). Spotted and cheered for Stephen and Chad on the opposite side of Memorial Drive. Usual inspirational line-up of police vehicles.
Felt strong throughout. Pushing and hoping for PR, but without checking splits. Took a GU earlier than usual and was being passed pretty regularly at that point, but still felt okay.
That section from Downtown Crossing on still has too many twists and turns and seems to go on forever, but at least I was better braced for it. Stephen cheered for me in the final tenth mile at Seaport. Finished shy of a record, but good outcome.
Walking home from T, random guy saw my medal and asked me what I won. I explained I finished but didn't actually win anything.
Got home by 9:30 without really hurrying and felt invigorated and endorphin high, so rinsed off sunscreen for 10:00 yoga with Aida to stretch it all out. Managed side crows and tripod headstand.
Text from Jonathan post race that Kelley was on Cambridge Street, but didn't notice him, probably because I was looking for Pat.
Appreciated extra water stops this year. Great finish line spread (bananas, oranges, chocolate milk, chips [many flavors], protein bars, plain and cinnamon raisin bagels, plain and flavored water). The only areas this race needs to improve is TECHNICAL shirts and straighten out the expo. It all seems so haphazard and poorly laid out.
Probably a few degrees too warm for "perfect" race weather, but I appreciated the comfortable temps. It was breezy enough to keep me cool the entire time, despite bright sunshine throughout and probably upper 60s at finish line.
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