Notes
10k: 47:52
Half: 1:41:51
30k: 2:29:12
Final: 3:23:28
Didn't have a ton of expections for this one. Brenda and I got in Friday and the weather report and a head cold had me thinking the worst. Went to the expo and saw a really cool Chinese lantern display that night (highlight of the trip). Spent all Saturday playing around town and I was driving Brenda nuts about what the hell I was going to wear. Finally settled in for the night. Quick note: For some odd reason the carbo-Palooza this time was a real hassle. Was taking in 700g of carbs and by Saturday night, I felt like hurling...
Got up early and did my stuff. Super nice to be 1 block from the start. Settled on shorts and a long sleeve tech shirt. Turned out to be the perfect choice. Got lined up with like 2 minutes to spare. No rain throughout, but I knew the 40mph gusts were going to wreak havoc.
Gun went off and I got up to pace pretty easy, although I wasn't feeling super great. Trusted the plan and kept going. Nice tail wind was helpful. We turned the corner at mile 9 or so and it was a wall of wind. No joke, I almost fell over. For the next 6 miles or so I just wanted to stop to be honest. We were running the boardwalk here. Was able to work with 5 other runners and we took turns breaking the wind. Finally turned off that damn board walk, but my legs were junk and it was only mile 14... I was so discouraged, I turned to the guy next to me and resigned myself to an 8:00 pace training run. He wished me well and left me in the dust. Damn. Not again.
Then something happened. The 3:25 group showed up. And it pissed me off. What the hell am I doing giving up at 16. I felt like shit, but decided to hold on to them as long as I could. Miles seemed to melt away. I passed the place I bonked last year and started to feel better. Mile 19 hit and I decided that the 3:25 group had served its purpose and picked it up. Wouldn't see em again...
Hit mile 20 and started to get more confidence. Hammy was getting tight, but I told it to shut up. 10k left and I decided to give an RA tip a try. Popped 2 mustard packets. I'll be damned, it did the trick. Had no issues with my hammy. Made the final turn at 22 and got really focused and felt great. This wasn't supposed to happen. Seemed like every step I got stronger. Passed the guy who I chatted up when feeling crappy. Wished him well and was passing people like nothing. Felt like an ass, but damn - is this really happening. I'm I going to BQ? After the shitty middle miles?
Mile 24, felt great and started to lose it Emotionally. Tears at 25. Keep it together you dam fool you're not there yet. Focused on my form and let it rip. Crossed the line and completely lost it when I saw Brenda. I know this time is probably going to be just short of getting into Boston, but what a feeling. I did it!
Where the hell my second wind came from, I don't know. Why I was able to get it together, no clue. It doesn't matter. Now I know I can do this. Now I know that Boston is a matter of time. Fuck you Shamrock. I'm ready for the next one.
Thanks CN! I knew you were with me the whole way. Thanks for the many beatings. As much as I hated those hilly Sunday cat runs, they made the difference.