Notes
Got a ride down to the race start with Mike and Petra. Got there before the road closed. Predictions were for temps to be in the mid-80s. Decided to change my goal from 2:50 to 3:00. It was already warm at around 8am when we dropped off the bags at the buses. Went to the Tumbleton's house before the race. I lined up in the first corral and was determined to run a smart race. First mile was a bit fast but people were passing me so I just told myself to run my pace. Despite the heat, I felt comfortable but my first 5K was still too fast. I grabbed water/gatorade at every water stop and took ice or a sponge whenever available. Felt comfortable through the 10K and still tried to slow my pace, it wasn't easy having so many people pass me. In Framingham, Jason came up on me and I ran with hm for a bit, but he decided to up his pace. By around 10 miles, I was starting to feel my quads tighten up. After last year, I didn't want to pull up again so I slowed my pace, especially on the downhills. I took a Gu at 10 miles. Despite the heat, I felt in control. Water, hoses, sponges and whatever was being offered was a big help. Usually poured a couple of cups over my head, but the water was warm in the sun. In wellesley, I saw Chris Spinney up ahead, I tried to encourage him and ran with him for a little, but didn't want to change my pace. Coming down the hill into Upper Falls was painful, but better than last year, thankfully. Going up the first hill over 128 felt comfortable and when I crossed the highway Karen Durante was there with a ziploc filled with ice and a sponge. it felt great. Grabbed a couple of Gus at the 17 miles mark but they tasted vile, I forced a half packet down me. The hills were manageable and felt better than the downhills where my quads were screaming. Mike Platt caught up to me at 18, ran with him for a bit, but decided not to go at his pace, he was looking good. Saw the family at 19, took the water bottle, drank and poured most of it over my head. At hearbreak hill a lot of runners were walking or struggling, I felt in control. Made it to the top and knew that my biggest remaining hurdle was the last downhill. Quads were burning but adrenalin kept me going. Coming into Cleveland Circle, passed a lot more runner who were obviously struggling to make it. Passed Justin Deeg in Coolidge Corner and then Jason not long after. I tried to encourage Jason on and he stuck with me for a while, but the early pace hurt him. Coming into Kenmore saw Dave K, it was so close now. Just needed to go under the Mass Ave tunnel and up Hereford. It was all adrenalin at this point. Don't know how my legs kept moving. Turned onto Boylston and saw the finish line. Decided to sprint in and my legs did respond. The finish line was approaching, I raised my arms in the air as the clock was ticking past 2:58. My goal attained with some time to spare. Jason came in about 30 seconds later. Despite my 2nd slowest marathon, I was on cloud nine. This was a feeling to savor.