Boston recap

[cinco]

This is not exactly the race report I wanted to write, but it was a great day to be in Boston and I'm thrilled I got the chance to run this year.


As usual the race pick up and the buses were organized and easy. The village was packed and the port a potty lines were way longer than when I ran in 2011. I spent a good hour in lines, but tried to rest my legs best I could. I was in corral 9 of wave 2, so by the time I walked the 3/4 mile to the start everyone was already off running. It was a bit unnerving and anticlimatic, but then I was running as well.


The first 10k was great. I stayed in the 7:25-7:30 range for training runs, and thought I would be conservative and go with 7:30 to 7:35. Somewhere around the 15k mark I had my first calf cramp. It was sharp, but fleeting so I kept on pace. I was also feeling really warm and thirsty, even with water every 2 miles. My pace tanked pretty quickly after mile 12. I was okay with backing off and taking in the whole experience, but I was not prepared for how hard it would get. By Newton, I was taking it mile by mile. I kept on running, but stopped at every water stop. At this point the calf cramping was coming every mile and the top of my left foot felt badly bruised. The crowds just kept getting bigger and bigger, and my calf cramps were becoming more and more intense. I willed myself to stay on my feet and keep on running. My goals went from a 3:25, to a BQ, to just running the whole thing (minus the water stops). Running down that last stretch is amazing no matter how your race went. It is one of the best moments of my life (x2), and I can't wait to do it again. 


Boston is now where I've had my fastest (3:21) and my slowest (3:49) recent times. It is a course you can totally dominate, or one that kicks you in the ass (or quads or calves). There really is no ryhme or reason why this time did me in, and last time I ran it well. My training was stronger this cycle, I had solid PR's in shorter races, and I went out more conservatively this time. The marathon is a weird beast indeed.


I'm trying not to ramble too long, but wanted to share my favorite moment of the race. It was mile 18ish? Sometime after I was in pain  Right by the Newton Fire Station they were playing Sweet Caroline, and all the spectators and runners were singing along and dancing or fist pumping. It was so fun! There are little moments like this along the whole 26.2 miles. 

[Deleted]

Sorry you didn't have the race you want but man, what an amazing experience. I only hope to spectate some day!

[hannahb]

Sorry you didn't have the day you wanted. It's a tough course.

[fryjack2]

Aw, man. It sucks having a crappy race after training so well. It feels a little better when you just let go of expectations and try to enjoy the crowds and race. At least that's what I told myself when I ran NYC and had to throw my goal out the window. Sounds like you did that too

That said, holy smokes you are fast I haven't run a consistent 7:30 mile in 10 years

[clseale]

I'm so sorry that you didn't have the race you worked for, or deserved, but we are so damn proud of you!! You inspire all of us to push a little harder & be a little bit better. Best marathon, worst marathon, when I grow up, I still want to be fast like cinco. I'm glad you still had an enjoyable experience. Congrats on being a Boston Marathon finisher x 2!!!!

[bostonmichelle]

Congrats on finishing again! I hope you are able to come back again to run it again and get a redemption.

[psyri]

Oh that marathon beast, it is a tricky trickster. Boston is my worst marathon time too, but whatever. I got to be out on the course to enjoy the atmosphere longer. Congrats on sticking through it!

[emuni04]

I'm sorry that it wasn't the race you wanted, but I am glad that you found it enjoyable! What an amazing experience!

[water*drop]

I'm sorry it wasn't the race you were hoping for, but congratulations anyway!

[gt7301b]

Congrats on finishing, even not at your best you are still pretty bad ass!

[runaways]

Gah I'm so sorry it didn't go your way. You worked your ass off and deserved a big race. It sounds like you had a pretty good experience though, and like clseale says, I still want to be fast like you when I grow up!

[sadlebred]

Congratulations on finishing!!

[taratru]

I'm sorry you didn't do what you could have, but you are still an inspiration to all of us (especially us slowskis with little ones!)! I'm excited for you!

[MrsE]

Congratulations on finishing another Boston Marathon! Sorry it wasn't your day, but yay for finishing!

[chitownbelle]

You'll always be a kick ass Boston qualifier! I understand the disappointment, but still an amazing feat!

[gncorman]

Congrats on finishing!!

[runblondie26]

I'm sorry you didn't have quite the race you were planning on. You had some really impressive PR's leading up to it, so I'm sure it comes as a slight disappointment. You still held it together and did well.

It was warm and the late start is always a bit disconcerting. So many factors are out of your control, I'm glad you have that perspective.

Oh yeah, on the Port-O-Pot thing....they were lying liars! I missed the start of my coral as well waiting to use the bathroom in the village, when they did indeed have a huge bank of Port-O-Pots near the corrals.

[shauni27]

I'm so sorry you did not have the race experience you were hoping for, but you still had an amazing race and what an experience! I teared up reading it, especially the memory you have from mile 18. I love that.

[mrshandy]

You trained your ass off so I don't blame you for being disappointed. I'm glad you had a great day regardless. Congrats on powering through and still finishing with a very respectable time!

[no0b]

Congrats on finishing!

[jillybean222]

Great job, cinco!  I'm sorry it wasn't your day but that is still a great time...I probably couldn't run 26.2 that fast on a perfect day!!!  

I wish I knew your wave/corral before the race...I was SO close to the start in Hopkinton that I probably could have picked you out if I knew what you were wearing!!!  

[lovesherheels]

You did great, cinco! I'm sorry that you got calf cramps during the race, but you still totally kicked ass. Way to go!

[jamalynn]

Great job cinco. I know it wasn't the race you wanted but glad you were still able to enjoy it.

[thom]

I'm so proud of you, cinco. Holding it together when you feel rough, it's getting hot, and you know you've missed your goals is a very hard thing. You still finished in a very respectable time (one I would love to have!) and better yet, you soaked up the power & energy of being in Boston this year.

I didn't realize what a late start it was, as you girls running have all mentioned.

Hope you're starting to walk & feel normal again. Congrats on a great training cycle full of PR's and being a Boston marathoner!!

[andrealynn]

I'm sorry you didn't get to run the race you wanted, but I'm still really impressed by 3:49!

[kams]

I'm so sorry that you didn't get what you deserved on that day, but I am so impressed by your positive attitude about your race. You are so admirable in so many ways. I know we will see many more Boston recaps from you. You are made of something special!

[beckbech]

That's still an impressive time and what an experience! Congrats!

[shorewife]

I understand your disappointment since I had similar feelings throughout the race. It was a tough day and that course is brutal. You really did kick ass though!!

[breezy8407]

Late here, but congrats! I am sure it was disappointing, but I'm glad you still had fun.