The 2008 Boston Marathon

Hi All,

I was inspired to write my own running report of the marathon. I was surprised at how much I did remember. Hope you enjoy it!

Sally

Prologue:

My running plan- Would like to finish in 4 hours or less. Or do I really want a plan?

Mike analyzed my training run times and thought that I was running too fast in the beginning and dying out at the end. He suggested I try to keep as close to a 9 minute mile throughout the race to get me in at 4 hours.

I also wanted to force myself (and I mean force) to drink and gu enough to keep my energy up. Most of my running buddies know that this is Very hard for me to do as I never feel the need to drink during runs (unless it is EXTREMELY hot) and besides, how can you drink from a paper cup, and run at the same time without choking yourself?

Race Day Report:

If you had started the race at 10:30, Scott, there would have been NO question that you were not going to be cold. I shed my long sleeve t-shirt 10 minutes before the start.

Not really sure how long it took me to get across the start line but it felt like forever. The announcers were talking, and talking, and talking about all the people who were running for charities and how much money they raised. OK- that's great but where's the start line?

OOPs. Almost missed seeing the start line as it was so crowded. Started my watches. Did I start them too soon? Too late? I really want to be accurate.

During mile 1: Lots of men going into the woods to pee already. Didn't they plan ahead? Wish it would be that easy for girls.

I spent most of the first few miles dodging people, running on the edge of the road and trying not to twist my ankle.

How's my plan going? Running too fast. Should I try to slow down? But I feel really good and comfortable. The crowd is just flowing me along.

Entering Ashland- One town done. My Dad is suppose to be here somewhere around the 4 mile mark. Is that him? No. Is that him? Yes. HEY DAD! Oops- that's not him. Is that him? No. Is that him? No. Why am I wasting my time looking for him? I don't even know what side of the road he will be on. Finally he see's me and shouts to me as I am running by.

How's my time? Still too fast. But feeling good and don't I just want to get to the end as fast as I can?

How's my Heart Rate? OMG- WAY TOO HIGH!!! I better try to slow down. Also happen to notice that my watch is a tenth of a mile off (not in my favor) from the mile marker signs. Not so bad. I'll just make note of that.

I started out running with a medium sized water bottle (with a sport top to prevent choking). Ok. I think I have just enough water left to use when I take my gu at mile 9. First Gu successfully taken. Wow. I am just about done with this water. Sometimes this bottle lasts me for 20 miles. I guess I am staying hydrated. Mike said his Mother would be in Wellesley Center and would pass me another water bottle. Can I wait that long? No. Not really. Better stop at the next water stop even if I have to walk so that I can get the water down.

No Way! I am getting a blister on my foot. I have not had a blister for 20 years now that they have these coolmax socks. Probably not a good idea but I try to alter my running so not to aggravate it. I've lived thru blisters before. I can get a band aid at the medical tent at the finish if I need to.

Wellesley College- The girls are loud. I love the signs- "Kiss me, I am Single". What a great idea to meet someone! Maybe I'll do that in my next life.

Finally, Wellesley Center- There's my Mother-In-Law! She hands me a small water bottle. I'm a bit bummed that it is small and also warm but better than nothing. I am thankful to have the water so that I can take it with my next gu at mile 14.

I saved my spout from the last bottle and put it on the new bottle. I'll just have to use the water stops. Maybe I will see Sue Levenbaum at mile 16-17 with some water.

Now I notice that my watch is 3 tenths of a mile off (not in my favor) from the mile marker signs. This is not fair! What a psychological downer!

I see a woman holding a sign that says "Go Michael O'Connor" . Don't know who the woman is. Maybe she is cheering for some other Michael O'Connor or maybe it's someone Mike works with.

Mile 16, Mile 17. Didn't see anyone. That's ok. The best is yet to come. I'll look forward to mile 19 where I can see my kids, Mom, sister. I know I am slowing down but my heart rate is still sky high. What's going on?

Water bottle finished. I need to take my next gu at mile 18. Can't do it without water. I have to stop at the next water station. I stop and pour 2 cups of water into my water bottle. That will be enough to down this gu. Keep Stopping at water stops. Feet getting stuck to the ground by spilled Gatorade. Ok. Chug. Keep chugging.

Mile 18.5- start looking for my family. Where are they? They said they would have a balloon and I know they made lots of signs.

Mile 19- I think I stopped at this water stop. No sight of family. Maybe they are further up the road.

Mile 19.5- I think that's Jennie Bugos. Yes. And there's Laurie. "Laurie! Hi!" Laurie see's me and shouts some encouraging words. Where's my family? Maybe they decided to hook up with the Peternell's at mile 20. I know Alison will be there to run the rest of the race with me.

Mile 20- Alison spots me and jumps in. By now I have given up hope of seeing my family. I am so frazzled and sore but how nice it was to see a familiar face and know that I would have company for the rest of the torture. Alison is all equipped with plenty of drinks on her fuel belt all for me. Who could have a better friend? Alison checks her watch. "Do you want to finish in under 4 hours? I think we can do it." I am thinking what a piece a cake it would be if I hadn't been running for 20 miles already! " Let's see how it goes."

I try to pretend that we are both just starting out on a 6 miler but this fantasy easily disappears as one of my calf muscles start to cramp. Then It starts spazing. I try to run thru it. It comes and goes. Finally can't take it any longer and pull over to the side to take some advil. This was probably not a good idea as I had an empty stomach and started feeling nauseous. I am supposed to take my last gu now. CAN'T do it. I just can't take anything else in right now except few sips of water.

Feels good to walk but Alison pushes me along.

I see another woman holding a sign that says "Go Michael O'Connor". Alison sees it too. OK. What's going on here? Don't recognize her either. David Katz thinks it is a secret girlfriend such as Uta Pippig. Mike did meet her at the PMC last year.

The First View of Boston appears. What a beautiful sight!

Onto Beacon St. The fans are getting really rowdy and loud. There is no way in hell that I will stop to walk. I've been a spectator at many Boston Marathons and I know how brutal some spectators can be, shouting at walkers to "Run, run, run!!!" until you give in and run. That is not going to be me.

Thank God, it's the finish line. It looks close but I know how looks can be deceiving. Keep going, keep going. Yes, we made it. Thank You so much Alison. I didn't come in under 4 hours but got to the finish with a smile on my face!

Turns out that my family was at mile 19 and didn't see me either. They had 6 signs and a huge obnoxious clown balloon. How could I miss them? I guess I was in "the zone."

Judging by the way I feel right now (Pain- Much More Than Expected at Times), I know that I did the best I could do. Thanks to all my running buddies for helping me get through this. I love ya.

Sally Ann O'Connor