| Author |
Topic: Way different perspective Boston RR |
willdebeest
Cool Runner |
 posted Apr-20-2007 10:01 AM
   
I've hesitated all week about posting this. All of the reports are done so well, you are all so fast, and I have been kind of intimidated by it. But what the hey. Its about time this mysterious sporadic boomer poster files a race report regardless of how it went.
What lead me here ? I ran this year on a deferred entry from last year. I was in the best shape of my life, runinng in memory of my younger sister who died at 19, and a young boy from Brockton who was 8 when he passed. 3 days before Boston I came down with a serious case of bronchitis. I couldn't run for 2 months and haven't been the same since. This was the worst training year I've ever had, didn't even get in a 20 miler. Enough whining get on with the report right!Sunday evening; sinuses start acting up, kept me awake until 2am, alarm went off at 5am. Good way to start eh. Left way overpriced hotel at 6:30am to head to the busses. The wind was blowing so hard it was difficult to walk at times. There was a group of other runners walking with me and we were all laughing histerically. Like it wasn't going to be hard enough to run this course! Got to Hopkinton around 8:15. The tents were already full and field was full of puddles. I found a small hillside and huddled under my throwaway poncho for about an hour. around 9:30 they opened up the scholl so I at least had a dry place to change. I had thought all week about what to wear. It was cold in Hopkinton. I knew I would be out there more than 5 hours in the wind. Decided to go with a light 1/2 zip top, shell, and wind pants. I had enough crap in my BAA bag to spend a week in Hopkinton and I forgot my pace band. Ug. Math gets hard around mile 15 for me. Oh well, put the trash bag on and head out. While we were in the corrals the wind and rain stopped. Great I have pants and a shell on. The shell was a expo purchased $80 Boston rain jacket, no way I'm pitching this baby. Wow what a stupid mistake. Oh well its 10:30 and we're off. By mile 2 I was hot. Took off the gloves and hat. I hadn't eaten for a while so I thought it was time for one of my 5 GU packets. I reached in the pocket I had failed to zip and there was only one left, the other 4 had fallen out. So far not so good. I figured I was done already. No more gels until mile 17 where they pass them out. I had never run that far without gels before. Normally I would take a gatorade/water mix every other water stop but now I thought I should take just gatorade at every stop and see how it goes.
I changed my Garmin screen to just show time and heartrate and try to keep my heartrate in the low 140s and have fun. I had a lot of trouble keeping my heartrate there. The crowds kept me so pumped up. I knew my training sucked so I wasn't sure how long I could last. The Wellesley girls always help me(this was my 3rd Boston) re-focus at the perfect time. This is my only negative split on this course. There's something quite moving about 1,500 co-eds screaming for you, asking for kisses. I was tempted but figured I'd end up with a cold sore or on the internet the next day. The wind started picking up again and it got colder. Good call on the shell and wind pants. I'm brilliant! Got to the halfway point right when I wanted to without putting too much thought to it. Could this be a change of luck ? Felt pretty good until the top of what I think is the worst hill, the one over 128 before Newton. The quads started protesting loudly, heartrate was 175. Grabbed a couple gels at 17 and felt a little better. Made the firehouse turn and a huge wind gust slammed me in the chest and I had to walk up the first hill in Newton. People were still cheering though. I wanted to say 'why are you cheering ? I've failed, I'm walkling with a long way to go!' By mile 21 I was reduced to a shuffling blob. Shuffle 1/2 mile, walk 1/2 mile. My quads were killing me. I was sure some of my left toes were bleeding. All I could smell was beer. There were so many BC students drinking along the way you could smell it. Many offered me one and it was pretty tempting. By the time I got to this part of the course most of them were pretty hammered. A good distraction though. Then I saw the turn onto Hereford St., mile 26. Suddenly there was gas in the tank(funny how this works). I picked it up, saw the finish line and as usual started tearing up hoping that I did my sister and little Nicky justice.
Good thing there are volunteers taking the chip off for you. I could have never done it myself, I was exhausted.
I wasn't going to post this either but the hell with it, I'm proud of this. My time was 5:44:16. A PR by 8 minutes.
I've been giddy all week about this. I swore this would be my last marathon, I'm just not good at it. But I find that marathons are like beer, maybe I'll have one more.... 'Once upon a time I was running a marathon,
Now the thought makes me shiver,
Now what I'll do is a total eclipse of the liver'
IP: Logged |
Dark Horse
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 10:07 AM
Beest,You hung in there and despite adversity stuck it out to the bitter end. That makes you a winner in my book. Dark Horse ------------------
I'm a dark horse, running on a dark race course
IP: Logged |
ksrunr
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 10:11 AM
willdebeest,I don't know why you don't think you can write a race report. I enjoyed it. congrats on your pr. I have been amazed at how well the other boomers races went. I was wondering if any one really had a difficult race. You persevered and it payed off. running in memory of others is always a good motivator. ksrunr
IP: Logged |
hally
Moderator of Boomers and Beyond |
posted Apr-20-2007 10:11 AM
Definitely a different perspective. I admire your fortitude, that's a heck of a long time to be out there! Thanks for taking the time to share this with us. I know your DS and young friend were there in spirit.Barb
IP: Logged |
hermosaboy
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 10:13 AM
Sorry about the lost gels -- but greta job of sticking with it!
IP: Logged |
Ileneforward
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 10:20 AM
Holy Cow, Willdebeest, the first half of your report reads like one of my nightmares before a marathon; every bad luck thing that can happen happens. But it all turned around for you, and you made it! And came in with a PR, you rock! I am so glad you posted this report. Now I think I may actually make to Boston someday myself. 
Congratulations Boston Marathon veteran!(ps, did you tie that great jacket around your waist at any point?) 
IP: Logged |
Itchy Brother
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 10:32 AM
I am sure glad you wrote the rport, enjoyed it a lot. It sounds very human and a great effort from you. You really have the gravel in the guts to stay in there.
Itchy
IP: Logged |
busiman
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 10:36 AM
Congratulations Wildebeest! I am glad you posted too. Given the obstacles that were thrown in front of you, it took a lot to stick to it and finish. I'm sure the boy from Brocton and your sister are proud of your gutsy performance in their memory.------------------
busiman (formerly busyman)
IP: Logged |
Coastwalker
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 10:42 AM
Sometimes, it is the races in which we have to overcome the most obstacles to get to the finish line that we remember the most. You had your struggles and problems in this race, but you didn't let any of it stop you, and, in fact, you came in with a 8-minute PR! Congratulations on toughing it out for your sister, the young boy, and for yourself.Jay
IP: Logged |
egrd
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 10:46 AM
Kudos to you wildebeest.
You did a great thing out there and you did it with strength and courage. Awe-inspiring.
Thank you so much for sharing your experience. egret
IP: Logged |
LeftRightRepeat
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 10:52 AM
quote:
Originally posted by willdebeest:
Good thing there are volunteers taking the chip off for you.
I'm always amazed at how far away my feet seem at the end of a marathon. Good job sticking it out - it was a tough day out there and YOU crossed the finish line with a PR!! Way to go! Congrats! ------------------
->>> John <<<-
Go write something in the Newbie Wiki!!
IP: Logged |
pmcneb
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 10:53 AM
I enjoyed this report. So many here in boomerland are doing everything right. I would be right there with you with neglecting to bring the pace band, not zipping the pocket etc. So, it is true. Some boomers are mere mortals. It is funny how the mind works. My DD has bonked horribly on her two marathons, yet within 30 minutes of finishing, she is looking for another one to enter.... ------------------
Patty
IP: Logged |
Tetsujin30
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 10:59 AM
I'm with ilene, this is a PR marathon and PR rr but, especially from the perspective of those of us who have spent way more than even six, . . . okay, sometimes 7 hours in our marathons, I'm sorry you wrote it means failing. You honored the memory of others you love who never got the chance we have to run 26.2 miles. No matter how many hours it takes, it wouldn't matter to them so I'm happy, relieved and grateful you ended up being proud too. Keep on honoring their memory in an annual 26.2 miles if you can.
It's not about the time, it's about what's in your heart.
IP: Logged |
Lil Engine
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 11:04 AM
I think you'd have to be a beest to overcome like you did. I admire fortitude, and you showed a great deal. You sister and the boy you ran for should be honored.Congrats on the PR! ------------------
My Profile
"I think I can, I think I can"
IP: Logged |
Sans Souci
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 11:12 AM
(Tetsujin, what a beautiful response.)Will, you are my hero! I'm over the moon that you achieved an 8-minute PR, especially having regard to all the things you have been through -- and went through on the day. I think you need a personal assistant next time.
quote:
I had enough crap in my BAA bag to spend a week in Hopkinton ...
Okay, that made me supersnork my coffee. It did feel like a camping trip out there.You truly did honour your sister and Nicky. What a superb RR. I'm giddy for/with you.
IP: Logged |
arf 1
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 11:24 AM
I admire you for running this, I admire you for finishing this in the wind and the rain and for everything that went wrong, you pushed forward despite everything because you have guts and determination and tons of heart. Sensational RR and race....congrats.arf
IP: Logged |
Canfit
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 11:49 AM
Thanks for sharing such a great RR! It was obviously a tough day, but you persevered. Running in memory of your sister and the young boy also speaks volumes about you. Congratulations ...and better luck in 08!
BTW ...I must admit that I was chuckling throughout ...you are quite funny! I've got to get to Boston just to run past Wellesley College! I'm glad I wasn't drinking coffee while reading your report!
PJ
IP: Logged |
TammyM
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 12:02 PM
ya know what beest - I thought that was a beautiful RR and I'm so glad you wrote it. You not only honored your sister and that child (can't recall now if you said that was a relation or just someone you knew?), but you achieved what so many others won't achieve. I know for me, I would never in my wildest dreams qualify for Boston, so reading your perspective on the race really touched me. There are many many people that run Boston and have wonderfully speedy times and cross that finish line with room in the tank for more. I love those stories, but I also like hearing the stories of people that are really pushing themselves past their limits, past what they believe their capability is - your quads were screaming, you were undertrained and not 100% after your spell with bronchitis, and yet you pushed yourself past your limits and achieved that wonderful goal of running Boston and despite the adverse conditions, you PR'd on top of that. I'd say you had a very successful day indeed!!------------------
Tamaskirtalina
IP: Logged |
jdmom3
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 12:04 PM
I was looking for your report beest so I am very happy to see that you decided to post it. And it truly is an excellent RR. Congratulations on toughing out the last part of the race and finishing with an 8 minute PR! That is awesome. I think you did an excellent job of honoring your sister and that little boy and you should be proud. Thanks again for this fantastic report.Meg
IP: Logged |
bobscamman
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 12:15 PM
beest, what a pleasure to read your report. You did your sister and little Nicky proud. It really isn't about the time especially when you are running in memory of someone as you did. To tough it out like that is incredibly inspiring to me and you should be proud of your time there ain't nothing wrong with that at all.Congratulations on a great run! ------------------
My User Profile "Keep on Running"
Bob
IP: Logged |
Spareribs
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 12:17 PM
Cheer up WB! You were on a mission and without much preparation and sinus problems you gutted it out. Good for you, I say. You outworked everybody out there. You will be back for another one when you are well-trained for it, but you got the job done on Monday. Hope you feel better soon. Spareribs
IP: Logged |
willdebeest
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 12:24 PM
Wow boomers. I'm overwhelmed by all the positive response. You are the best! Remember to zip your pockets and put your pace band on the night before!
IP: Logged |
tselbs
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 02:49 PM
You did the right thing by posting this wonderful report, wildebeest. Your willingness to tackle Boston in spite of your health setbacks (and therefore less training than you would like) and running in memory of your sister and Nicky are admirable. You showed a lot of guts and determination and are a winner by any standards. Congrats on a great race and your PR.TomS ------------------
My Profile
IP: Logged |
PBJ
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 02:55 PM
WB-I consider your running at the Boston marathon much more remarkable than mine. Seriously. 3 to 3.5 hours of running is much easier than 5 plus hours. I don't know how you do it. Awesome effort, and an excellent race report. I enjoyed every paragraph. Please post more often. And congratulations!
IP: Logged |
evanflein
Cool Runner |
posted Apr-20-2007 03:24 PM
Tet and everyone else has said it all so well. Don't have much to add except thanks, and I'm glad you're ok. From your postings it the Healthy Eating Challenge I knew you'd been sick (even before that bronchitis/sinus mess!) and your training had suffered. I was watching for your finish on Monday and it was "whew!" when you were done. You did yourself and those you ran for proud and I hope we'll see you out there at it again!
(glad you avoided cold sores...!)------------------
evanflein
IP: Logged |
