Boston Marathon...Check!

I did it!  I completed the Boston Marathon yesterday and though I've only run 2 marathons, it was by far my slowest with a finishing time of 5:00:19.  That's not the most impressive time but running yesterday's Boston Marathon, one of the hottest ever (temps in the upper 80s), I had no plans for a fast race. I'd characterize this as more of a training run/survival effort.  My goal, perhaps a bit conservative, was to finish and not hit the medical tents.  Goal accomplished!

Today I feel good overall; legs are a bit sore and stairs a little slower, some blisters that will disappear, but considering the difficulties and challenges that others experience in life, these are temporary aches achieved while doing something that I enjoy.  Running in the Dana-Farber singlet and everything it represents was the most motivating and memorable aspect of the day.  The entire length of the course people were thanking and cheering for me and other DFMCers.  The thoughts of those that I was running in honor of and in memory of spurred me on as much as my body would allow yesterday.

In addition to the DFMC experience, I tried to take in as much of Boston as possible. Aside from remembering the heat and large amounts of water that I dumped on myself, the many times I filled my hat with ice cubes and running through the numerous hoses, fire hydrants and other spray stations, I have many other positive memories that I'll carry with me.  The first 11miles of course were all new for me, and some surprising aspects along the way.  The biker bar in Ashland was an enjoyable sight at mile 1-2, the fan support as we hit Framingham and Natick and of course the girls of Wellesley College around mile 11-12.  I figured that it was only appropriate to get 2 kisses for the 2 marathons I had/hoped to have completed by the end of the day.  Really I was only going to get one, but the science geek in me wanted to make sure that the girl holding the "Kiss me, I'm a chemist" sign wasn't left out all day :)  Unfortunately no biologists were out or else a 3rd kiss would have been in order.  After that it was great to see the fan support throughout Wellesley and the familiar territory as we hit the roads we had trained on so many times.

Coming into mile 15/16 I felt pretty good and tackled the first hill (95 overpass) head on.  After that, I continued to feel good and made the turn at mi 17 to tackle the Newton Hills, which is where my energy waned.  I started to feel the exhaustion that comes with 3+ hrs of intense activity in the heat, sun beating down, etc.  I made it over the Newton Hills, though at a much slower pace.  Around this time is when I also got my first experience with beer during a marathon thanks to the Boston Hash House Harriers...A few quick sips and it was onward.  The sight of BC and approaching college kids was great; they were out if force supporting us runners. From BC onward, every time I slowed to walk, someone was cheering me on and trying to motivate me.  Honestly, by Coolidge Corner (mi 24) my brain kind of turned off and was on autopilot - yes I ran it, but I think my head was down most of the way and I was just trying to power through it all.  The best and most disappointing part of the marathon awaited me at mile 25.  As I hit the I-90 overpass, I was looking for the DFMC cheering section and saw some of it.  I was looking for my patient partner RJ and so focused on looking for my sign that I ran by RJ.  As I slowed to find him, his sister jumped out and said something like "Let's go Chris."  My first thought was "Great, Robin is taking me to RJ and everyone else" but as we ran off the bridge, I was confused and talking with Robin realized that I ran right by everyone.  I was so disappointed at 25.25mi with everything I had worked for, a difficult day and all the support RJ and others had given me.  As disappointed as I was, having Robin run 1mi with me spurred me to the finish.  Without her support, without thinking of RJ, my grandmother and everyone else that I ran in honor or in support of, the last mile would have been a mixture of running/walking and trying to survive but I finished the last 1+ miles running at a pace faster than I thought I could.  It was a very bittersweet ending, but the inspiration that I needed over the last 3+ miles to finish a brutal Boston Marathon.

Thank you to my family, RJ and his family, the 130+ donors, DFMC teammates and all who supported me and making my first DFMC experience possible!  Not sure if I have the "marathon bug" but I also don't want to finish my marathon career with a 5hr finish...hmmm, what to do? :)

E-mail from the BAA Today...

Oh joy!

 

The forecast for April 16th is calling for higher than normal temperatures on the course.  If a cold front does not come through the region by mid afternoon, temperatures are predicted to reach into the low 80's.  Combine these temps with a south west wind, you may be running in a moderate level of heat and in dryer than normal conditions.

All forms of heat illness (heat cramps, heat exhaustion and heat stroke) can be exacerbated by distance running in warmer climates.  Heat Stroke is a life threatening illness.

IMPORTANT POINTS TO REMEMBER (I selected only a few to share) 

• Hydrating properly is important...... But be careful; over hydrating can be just as harmful.    
• Heat illness is related to elevated temperatures, elevated humidity and to the speed of running.    
• Slow down.... Running in the heat should drastically change your pre-race strategy. Slowing down can significantly decrease many forms of heat illness. 
• Heatstroke occurs when the body fails to regulate its own temperature and the body temperature continues to rise. Symptoms of heatstroke include mental changes (such as confusion, delirium, or unconsciousness). Heatstroke is a life-threatening medical emergency, requiring emergency medical treatment.  
• Run with friends so that you can keep an eye on each other's medical status during the day.  If you see a runner in distress, then ask for medical assistance.

3.5 days to go!

I commented on a facebook post from my sister earlier regarding the 1/2 marathon that we ran together Super Bowl Sunday and was a bit shocked to recall that that race was 2 months ago!  How time flies and what a difference between now and then.  Before the 1/2 in LA, I was running 35-40mi per week in just 3 runs and then shortly after, I developed quad/hamstring issues that forced me to cross train more.  Mentally this took a toll and has made me question how prepared I'll be on Monday.  I'm confident I'll finish the race, but less certain about secondary goals.  In Feb, the long run was 16mi and in 3 days, if my pacing is good and body feels up to it, after 16mi I'll actually be ramping up the pace to push for a 4hr marathon.  In early Feb I had just met RJ, now we'll be sharing Patriot's Day together and as I approach mile 25, I'll be listening for RJ and others along the course at the Patient Partner cheering section.  The weather has obviously changed a lot since Feb too, though less so than in previous years.

Thinking about this tonight helps me remember that come Monday, there will be so many things beyond my control and regardless of what my everlasting internet results are, the journey to the finish has been an unforgettable one.

As the weekend approaches, and additional sources of motivation are sought, I plan to turn to a classic.  We all know the song, but I've never seen the movie, so Chariots of Fire, we may cross paths...

One week to go...

Only 1 week to go now and it feels odd to have only run 10mi this past weekend.  That said, it was nice to be home and have my last training run be with my sister.  Luckily, the nagging injuries from the last month or so have been healing up and during the run I felt nearly 100%.  Hopefully come Marathon Monday, the weather is closer to Accuweather's forecast (61, partly cloudy) than Weather.com's forecast (80, sunny).  Of course, this is New England and the forecast is likely changing as I type this.

RJ & Me, DFMC Poster Party

With the marathon approaching, I reminisce of the journey to get to this point.  From applying to the DFMC team the day after I finished the NYC marathon, to accepting a team slot and knowing that I'd need to fund raise, to becoming part of the Patient Partner Program and being paired with RJ.  The entire DFMC experience has been incredible and will be culminating this weekend with several more activities.  As I prepare to add the names of those that I'm running "In Honor Of" and "In Memory Of" to my race shirt, I am reminded of how important this program is - from providing kids at the Jimmy Fund Clinic with an activity to look forward to while undergoing their own treatment, to aiding DFCI researches as they continue research to better the lives of patients.  I'm very thankful to have had this opportunity and owe all of the 100+ people that helped support the cause a huge amount of gratitude.  Thank you for supporting me and sharing your inspirations and stories throughout my training!!


Mile-By-Mile Guide To The Boston Marathon « CBS Boston

Mile 8 to Mile 9

This mile starts with a slight climb past some office buildings, a very large Planet Fitness gym and a car dealership. There’s another incline past Speen Street, but we’re talking minor uphills here. Overall it’s a pretty flat mile.

You’ll see a sign for the Natick VFW on your left, right around the 9-mile marker.

Mile 9 to Mile 10

This mile starts quietly. You’ve got train tracks on your left and Lake Cochichuate on your right, so not a whole lot of space for spectators.

It’s flat.

You’ll hit the 15k mark as you come to the end of the lake, and you’ll enter a historic district, which is a nice switch from the commercial and industrial landscapes of previous miles.

Think pretty, quaint Victorians as you climb at the half-mile mark toward the town center.

Mile 10 to Mile 11

Time for some big crowds. This mile takes you through Natick Center, past the fire department and municipal buildings. You’ll pass the First Congregational Church with its tall steeple on your left.

There’s a big green with a gazebo on your right – lots of room for adoring fans and kids with outstretched hands for a high five.

You should feel fresh here. If you don’t, dial down the pace a notch.

Mile 11 to Mile 12

This mile starts uphill, and after the first quarter-mile, rolls downhill until almost the 12-mile mark.

In the last half, it’s pretty quiet, with thick woods on your right side. For a quick spell, you’re left to your thoughts. But soon, you won’t be able to hear yourself think.

Mile 12 to Mile 13

As you come upon the main gate of Wellesley College, get ready for a sharp gain in decibels. You’ll hear it as you approach, and before you know it, you’re running through a screaming gauntlet of college co-eds.

The women of Wellesley are loud and proud… but here, they are mostly loud. Impossible to ignore. I remember American elite Ryan Hall playing to this crowd, putting a hand to his ear as he charged past. I actually think some men who are not trying to win the race slow down here. It’s a nice boost.

You’ll pass the 20k mark with a little drop, and then you’ll climb to Wellesley Center.

Course and Weather

Though it is 2 weeks out, Accuweather has already changed its prediction twice...yesterday's prediction was for 51-65 and sunny, today is 41-47 and rainy.  An average of the two would be nice...40-50, cloudy with a tail wind = perfect!!

Mile-By-Mile Guide To The Boston Marathon « CBS Boston 

Mile 2 to Mile 3

If you ran the Boston Marathon between its inception in 1897 and 1923, Ashland is where you would have found the starting line.

Ashland, fittingly, starts out like a party. With any luck, your jitters are gone, you’ve found your rhythm and you’re enjoying the beginning of your long journey to Boston. On your left, the crowd at TJ’s Food and Spirits will keep the party rolling. Expect loud music and raucous support.

Again, some rolling hills through this mile on a stretch of two-lane blacktop with a guardrail and woods on much of one side, but a net descent.

The T station and Dunkin Donuts mark the third mile. (WBZ/Peg Rusconi)

Mile 3 to Mile 4

A couple of iconic Massachusetts logos accompany the third mile marker – Dunkin Donuts, and the circled “T” that marks the Ashland Commuter Rail station.

In this mile, rural gives way to commercial. If you need an ATM, a fast food fix, a national chain drugstore, you’ll run right past it here.

Midway through this mile, you’ll pass a course landmark – the clock tower at the intersection of Union and Chestnut Streets. Appropriate eye candy, as Ashland was home to Henry E. Warren, who invented the electric clock.

Speaking of time, remember to rein in your pace here and stick to your plan. Don’t fool yourself by running on “feel.” Everyone feels great here because it’s early, and they’re running downhill.

At the 4.8 mile mark, you enter Framingham (WBZ/Peg Rusconi)

Mile 4 to Mile 5

This mile takes you out of Ashland and into Framingham. It’s the first mile that actually GAINS elevation – 25 feet over the course of the mile.

A couple tenths of a mile past the Dairy Queen on Route 135, there’s a decent half-mile climb that takes you past a building supply store and a big storage facility.

At the 4.8 mile mark, you’ll enter Framingham: your third town of 8.

Mile 5 to Mile 6

Over the course of this mile, you’ll hit about three little rolling hills, dropping more than you climb. The scenery begins to feel more industrial. By now the pack of runners has spread out significantly and you should be able to run comfortably.

You’ll find the 6-mile marker at Bridge Street.

At the 6.2 mile mark, you will pass the Framingham Train Station. (WBZ/Peg Rusconi)

Mile 6 to Mile 7

You’ll wind downhill at the start of this mile.

A significant landmark at the 6.2 mile mark is the Framingham Train Station. A significant inconvenience in 1907 for all but the lead pack, when a train switched tracks, stopping runners in theirs.

You should be aware you’ll be crossing tracks here. Watch your step.

A restaurant on the right called the Chicken Bone marks the halfway point of this nice, flat mile.

As the course flattens out, resist the urge to run faster than you planned. Remember, the idea that you can “bank” minutes here for the second half of the race will bite you in the backside in the late miles. It’s what the experts say, and it’s what I’ve learned from experience.

Mile 7 takes you into Natick (WBZ/Peg Rusconi)

Mile 7 to Mile 8

Get ready to say goodbye to Framingham. At about the 7.3 mile mark, you’ll enter Natick.

You’ll pass a colorfully-signed taco joint on the right called the Aztec. You’ll take on a little climb that passes a Wendy’s restaurant on your left. Then you’ll pass the West Natick train station and hit the 8-mile mark.

Boston Course Guide

In case you don't want to read the whole guide at once, I've copied the first few miles below and will add more over the upcoming two weeks.  I should say that by the time I got to the 2nd 1/2 of the guide, I was getting really excited and some chills for the upcoming race!

Mile-By-Mile Guide To The Boston Marathon « CBS Boston

It’s a legendary course that stretches for 26.2 miles through beautiful suburban streets and right into the heart of downtown Boston. It’s on many a bucket list and its uphills and downhills have broken many a runner.

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

If you are one of the 25,000+ people registered to run this year’s Boston Marathon, keep reading! There are other course guides out there, but this one was written from years of experience, complete with visual cues, crowd cues, physical cues and strategy tips.

WBZ and Boston Marathon alumnus Peg Rusconi wrote this after her 12th marathon – 6 of them in Boston. Whether it’s your first of fifteenth time running Boston, you’re sure to find Peg’s insight, which follows, valuable.

View: Course Map (pdf)

Boston Marathon Start Line in Hopkinton (WBZ/Peg Rusconi)

Start Line to Mile 1

A possibly restless night and a long morning of waiting are finally in your rearview, as the starter’s pistol sounds and you’re bound for Boylston Street. Sort of. Honestly, the road between the Start line on the Hopkinton Green and the first mile marker might be lost in a haze of emotion, adrenalin, nerves – and bodies.

The surrounding pack of marathoners makes it hard to focus on much else, but this smothering situation will save you from yourself. It will keep you from barreling off on a jitter-fueled tear on the surprisingly steep drop that’s just past the start. You’ll hit a little uphill around the 1k mark, but this narrow stretch of rural road drops 130 feet – think a 13-story building – in that first mile.

Don’t waste energy trying to zigzag around people; you can show off in the miles ahead.

Expect very big crowds of spectators here.

Mile 1 to Mile 2

Everything about that hyper-frenzied first mile moderates as you travel the second mile toward Ashland. The downhill pitch flattens out a little, the spectator crowds thin a little, the field of runners spreads out a little. Now you can get your head centered and find your running rhythm.

One thing that might surprise you is the rolling hills early in the race. There’s little of real significance beyond that monster drop in the first mile, but if you’ve earned your marathon stripes running flat courses and arrive in Boston expecting the hills to start in Newton, you might be caught off guard. Newton is just where the REAL hills start.

If you’re measuring your progress by checking off the course’s 8 cities and towns, get ready to cross Hopkinton off your list.

Hello Ashland!

Last "long" run

With 2 weeks to go until the marathon, it is bittersweet to have the experience coming to an end.  Obviously, while fund raising for DFMC and the Barr Program is a fantastic cause and well worth the effort, fundraising in general is not something that I'm entirely comfortable doing.  That said, the support of more than 110 people have helped me raise $7632 to date!  Between everyone's generosity, family members passing along the fundraising page and company matches, this has been more successful than I imagined.  I also learned from DFMC that more than 50% of the funds raised tend to be donated after the marathon, so clearly there's still time to hit my goal and raise $10,000 for Dana-Farber and the Barr Program.

After being away earlier this week for work, this morning's run was a bit more difficult that I expected.  I guess the jet lag and lack of sleep caught up with me more than I had originally thought.  That said, I met 3 DFMC teammates in Coolidge Corner in Brookline and we ran against the course for 7mi before running back in along the course (route).  This is the same 14 mile route that I ran a few weeks ago with other DFMCers.  Today was a gorgeous day for a run and I'm beginning to wonder what Patriot Day will bring.  Right now, Accuweather.com is suggesting that April 12-14 will be rainy, the 15th sunny (41F/60F) and there's no prediction for Monday yet!!  I guess that's for the best as it will change every day until the Sat before.  Just keeping fingers crossed.

It would also be helpful if the BAA posted athlete tracking information, though it is not up yet.  I was able to get my bib number though and am pretty excited about #23117.  It may just be my new favorite number, though perhaps I'll wait to see how I finish before making such a commitment. As the race approaches and the BAA changes their website, I'll update the blog with athlete tracking options.

Onto another week of tapering, reducing miles and recovering from the last several months of training to be fully prepared for the marathon in 2 weeks!