TR: Boston Marathon

[peterslovo]

Not a ski report, but...

Did any maggots run in or watch the Bton marathon this past weekend?

My wife ran for the first time (she just qualified in February and decided to run it), and I went down with her to offer suport and to see for myself firsthand what all the hoopla about the Boston Marathon was all about. All I can say was it was intense... I've been to 5 other marathons that my wife ran in, and this was just nothing like i've ever seen in a race. Anyway, figured some folks here on TGR that run would like to read this.

I scored a seat right at the 26 mile mark right on Boylston, and could see up/down the last stretch. Holy shit - so many people, and so loud, it was infriggincredible! The street was lined with 3, 4, 5 people deep, in buildings, on bleachers, everywhere, and the place would just go bonkers when the athletes (runners and wheelchair athletes) would come down the street on the home stretch.

The weather was hot and sunny and very low humidity, and people were dropping like flies during the race and on the last stretch. The professional athletes (wheelchair and runners, both men and women) were so fast it was unbelievable. How you run 5 minute miles for almost the full race in that heat is just beyond me.

The heat and course took its toll, though - lots of people finished slower than they hoped, and some didn't finish at all. Lots of the elite women and men were hurting, as well as the average marathoners. My wife told me she saw a woman who was running just in front of her (at about the half-way mark) suddenly faceplant, and just start convulsing. She said that another had diarrhea running down her leg while she was running and didn't even seem to notice. Spooky stuff.

The final stretch down Boylston was awesome - the runners would turn the corner and come flying down the straightaway towards the finish. The cheering from the crowd on the final stretch really helped people along. Some of the runners were really hurting, cramping and just delirious from the heat. One dude was so delirious he was wobbling all over and really didn't know which way to run. The crowd cheered him and he tried to keep going, but he unfortunately crossed the 26 mile mark and collapsed - EMS was there to help real quick, but such a shame...so close yet so far...

Later, I watched another guy crawl...yes crawl, across the line. It made a shot in the Boston Herald. The loudest cheers of the whole race weren't for the top men and women finishers, but for people like that - the average marathoner just trying to finish one of the most, if not the most, prestiguous marathon event in the world! Such an awesome experiece as a viewer.

On a personal note, my wife was hoping for a 3:30-3:40 time and ended up with 3:58. She was bummed, but being her first time running Bton, it was more of a reconnaisance mission than a real race for her.

Anyway, simply an amazing experience...I've always respected marathon runners, but after this, i've got to say that the level of respect and admiration went up. Can't wait for next year's race!

[acostiga]

thanks for the TR. congrats to your wife for such a great accomplishment! i got to see the OLN footage, and the weather did look a bit warm.

al trautwig mentioned a sign he'd seen in the window of one boston pub. something to the effect of... patriots, world champs. red sox, world champs. celtics, atlantic division champs. bruins, undefeated! looked like a damn fine patriots day.

[jpcski]

Congratulations to your wife. Sub 4 is nothing to sneeze at in such a big race.

[ak_powder_monkey]

I'm pissed that the chick who won did it faster then me skiing 26 miles freaking good runners. Congrats to your wife

[L8APX]

My wife ran as well. It was her first time at Boston. She did great, ran a 2:59:34 and placed 40th among the females. I'm still pumped for her. Tell your wife congrats. It was a awsome day for spectating, but running would have been sorta hot.

[The AD]

That's awesome. I can't run for shit and respect anyone who can! Sub three hours for Mrs. L8APX? Incredible.

[peterslovo]

My wife ran as well. It was her first time at Boston. She did great, ran a 2:59:34 and placed 40th among the females. I'm still pumped for her.

WOW! That is a killer time! Was that a personal best?

[shmerham]

Awesome job everyone who did it and great TR.

The first American female finisher was from Maine, which is pretty cool (if you're from Maine like myself). Apparently she stopped at mile 15 or so, ready to quit and was inquiring about shuttles. She was told that the next one didn't start for 3 hours, so she figured she'd jog to the finish area. A few miles later and she got her mojo back, enough for 12th overall.


Some guy from Colorado got 4th place. That's VERY impressive imo. The last time an American placed in the top 10 was 1987.

[basom]

while it was pretty warm on monday, last year it was in the mid 80's for the race.

[L8APX]

WOW! That is a killer time! Was that a personal best?

Yep she ran a 2:59:58 in New York, So it would be a new PR by less than 30 sec.

[skiguide]

nice work, maggot wives!!

being at the end there on Bolyston is the best. I was down there two times that my uncle ran it.

[Stu Gotz]

being at the end there on Bolyston is the best.

It is nice to be on Boylston when you are running also. And props to said wives. Breaking three hours in Boston is nice. Breaking three in NY is ballsy.

[L8APX]

It is nice to be on Boylston when you are running also. And props to said wives. Breaking three hours in Boston is nice. Breaking three in NY is ballsy.

Cool thing is that she is only 27. She has many true marathon years ahead of her.

[jpcski]

Some guy from Colorado got 4th place. That's VERY impressive imo. The last time an American placed in the top 10 was 1987.

That guy was Allen Culpepper. He (and a few others) is the future of distance running for the US. He came in 12th at the Olympics. He is about 30 and his first marathon was only 2 years or so ago. Watch for him in the future. 3 Americans in the top 11!

[BENDOR]

Congrats to the wife that's an amazing thing to accomplish.