Today was my day to give back something (help wise) to the running community and with that, it was off to "The Rez" to pitch in at the 9th annual Boulder Distance Carnival.
My "job" today was pretty simple as it was two years ago. Pace the lead runner(s) in the 15k. On my bike of course as there would be no way I'd even be remotely close on foot! you kidding me?
And with that, we were off! Earlier though as I was getting ready I saw 3x (and current) Iron(wo)man Chrissie Wellington run by me. Wow, Chrissie. And only in Boulder! where was my camera when I needed it. Oh well.
After some 52 min's or so I was back to the Rez with the lead runner and to say he was bookin' would be an understatement. The dude was flying! after everyone - friends included got back in it was time to help sweep the course and close the aid stations. It was then that I saw Chrissie running back into the Rez. This time I would not be denied as I grabbed my camera and as we were approaching the first aid station we passed her up as believe it or not, she was walking! nice, nice to see she's human as well. I asked her if she'd like some water and or gatorade which she took me up on. It was then when I wondered if she was cool with having a picture taken with me, and without a hesitation...my day was made!! woohoo. The girl by far has one of the best personalities around. Thanks Chrissie.
After clean up it was time to do a few loops around the rez on the MTB and with that, I was off.
Competing in endurance sports brings with it a strange blend of feelings and emotions on race day, and if there was ever an event to stir this up, the Boston Marathon was it!
I have raced some memorable events in my sports career including triathlons, road and mountain bike races, adventure races…now, and again finally Boston - on the 2500th anniversary (so someone told me, can’t take credit for that trivia) of the original marathon in Greece. I can say nothing comes close, of all the aforementioned events, to the euphoria of running this race. This truly is “Big Time”.
I felt a little nervous at the start wondering if the preparation or lack thereof would be enough. And while the “quantity” was there the “quality” really in my opinion left a lot to be desired. However. To stand in the starting pen with arguably the world’s fastest field of marathon runners was pretty neat. Every person at the start (excepting the 2000 odd charity runners), has had to run a tough qualifying marathon in a fast time to earn a spot at the start. That’s what makes this so special, there are no slackers (well, maybe me!) in the field, and when you run low7’s for the first 6 miles or so and the crowd of runners doesn’t thin out, this point is really hammered home.
Now I understand why Boston is truly the holy grail of marathon majors! In most cities events happen and life continues unabated. In Boston, when the marathon happens, it feels like the entire city wraps its arms around the event - the marathon and the city become one crowded, cheering entity. Running past 500,000 cheering, fanatical spectators the entire 26.2 miles is a feeling that cannot be described. Like your first rollercoaster ride - it has to be experienced to be completely understood.
My first objective in Boston was to run, enjoy and complete the event as always. The second was to run it in the time I’d set based on my training, third, today was my mom’s birthday and hopefully looking down on me. This one’s for you mom, and last but no less important was to settle it once and for all with Danny & Henry of course! I am happy to report that I achieved all my goals, thanks to all the fantastic support and well wishes from my friends. Oh, and Wellesley College, wow, what can I say? Where else does a guy get so many offers for free kisses and marriage? And while I was content to high five them all there certainly was enough guy’s taking up the offer of free kisses!
And while Boston is a hard race to pace with a downhill start and finish, and I will admit the euphoria and adrenaline tends to lift one up and often results in too fast a pace for the first half of the race. I knew this, but stuck to the plan as best as I could and felt so damn good for 23 of the 26.2 miles of the race that I decided to go big and push anyway. I run on emotion more often than not and with the thought of my mom and someone else I’ve held special too me…I lit it up as best as I could.
End result was a faster time than in 2008 and of course with the other goals accomplished as well it certainly turned out better than I could have hoped for. Clear skies and tail wind to boot as well. and limp to the finish in 3h 18m. The incredible support of all my made this possible and a big “thank you” goes out to you as well.
With REI "free money" in hand and a hefty 20% off to boot, I went down and purchased a (semi) Summer home home for Abbey and I.
Voted Backpackers Editors GOLD choice for 2010 we are now proud owners of the Half Dome 2 tent!! Needless to say, with Abbey around I needed to upgrade to a larger tent as I know my one person one may have been a little to small considering her leg room and constant stretching!
Looking forward to putting it to a lot, good use in the months to come. Stay tuned.
April 4, 2010; Today I met with the usual "Easter Sunrise" folks to watch the sunrise atop Horsetooth rez. And while the temperatures were somewhat warmer than last year it was still a little chilly! though no snow. Yet.
This was also to be my last long run before heading off to Boston as well and I wanted it to be hilly, which of course I got my wish. Today, as well as yesterday when we ran around the rez as well.
Making it to the top of the road with about 10 minutes to spare it was a cloudy, overcast morning which would put a hamper on an otherwise nice sunrise. Oh well, it's the fact we were out there that counts right? a couple peeled off from there as they had run long yesterday. From there, we proceeded North, down the dam hill up and over Bingham hill to Overland trail. On the way back we did encounter snow flurries of all things! No surprise...then it was back up the dam hill and the roller coaster that is the route. Once back at the car the one other person doing 20 and I dropped what we didn't need and finished off the last three miles. That was a tough hilly 20.
But as the temperatures got better and no sign of wind I jumped on the bike for a couple of hours and somehow ended up going back UP the dam hill!! Wow, once on foot, once on bike. Crazy, crazy...so, with that, I think I'm ready as far as Boston goes though not really an 'A' race, still would like to do my best.
My articles and interests should be a given about me. That, and wherever I go...Abbey usually tags along! She's the Golden. But yeah, running, cycling and just general outdoors is what works.
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