Boston Marathon 2013: Mind blowing.

It's taken some time for me to piece all the events that happened pre and post race. The clash of adrenaline pumping through my veins and total devastation as I sat a Wendy in Wellesley was heartbreaking.

As most people that afternoon myself and Brittany both went to the phones and social media sites make sure our friends who were in town were safe, and to let our families know we were safe. Utter disbelief over the next 5 hours as family, friends, and even our landlord called, text and messaged us to make sure we were ok. Thank-you to everyone.

I'm not sure really where to start, but I think in order to show these B*stards that we (our nation)  won't stand for this incredibly selfish act, we need ponder and reflect on our achievements from this day.

Supporting the families affected by this horrific event and  events such as the one in Texas should always be a reminder to everyone that this world isn't perfect, but by picking each other up during hard times we can stand stronger than ever before.

I'll do my best to recall the achievements of Monday Morning and leave the afternoon where it belongs.

Pre-race (morning)

I previously posted  goals going into Boston this year. I felt like it was achievable but I also didn't want to get stuck in a similar position like last year where I ran 3:29. I decided to play it safe and run at least the first couple of miles, if not more with a group that included Ty, and Reno who were planning on 2:50-2:55 pace. Seemed right in the ball-park for me.

The night before as we finished dinner, Ty invited me to join him at Reno's friends house where we could stay warm have bathrooms without lines a mile long and just relax only 2 blocks from the start. How sweet that was indeed. 9:30am rolls on by and Gary Allen passes by. Ty and I don't waste a moment and flag him down. He goes on to tell us he was just heading down to the start line to wish Shalane Flanagan good luck. He just gets to roam around the elite wave just like he was one of them, how cool is that.

Race Time

Starting in corral 3 instead of corral 2 I was thinking I might be able to take it out a little slower, how wrong I was.
Mile 1- 6:38: Ok a little fast, back it off. Stay controlled, this could make or break it. Reno and his group quickly disappeared in the crowd. Ty and I had found Matt and Tim and we non-verbally decided to stick together.

Miles 2-7: Ty and I kept running together. Took my first Honey Stinger at 6. The pace felt controlled but it should have because of the net downhill. We were rolling off 6:20's like nothing. Dam!

Miles 7-13: Lost Ty around 9 maybe 10 miles in. Tim still around but he was looking good and I soon began to fade averaging 6:30's. Great...First half in 1:24:59, little fast. I didn't see this split and really didn't pay attention to any split during the race except the first mile.

Miles 13-20: I was by myself at this point. Tim was within grasp through 16 miles than got away from me. I was feeling tired by 15  but didn't fade all that much still consistently in high 6:20's. The hills at 17 and 18 were a bit nerve racking as I did slow down and I was afraid that might do me in.

Miles 21, 22, 23 - 6:49, 6:32, 6:36: I could have been more aggressive on heart break hill but at this point I almost wanted it to be over with. The crowds were starting to get on my nerves, dodging other runners was beginning to be a pain in the ass and a real nuisance at water stops. Somewhere during the long downhill I passed Marathon-Junkie and thought to myself, "well dam I should say something, he looks like he's in pain."I was too shy and just kept on pushing ahead. I do remember this photo he posted the night before. He still went on to run really well with a 2:55. Finally the CITGO sign appears in the distance and it's the only god-dam thing i see. Tunnel vision has set in. Legs still feeling tired but no crash.

Mile 24 and 25 - 6:39, 6:42: I'm passing more people than people passing me. That's a good sign, but i'm starting to slow and really starting to worry if the small cramps in my calves and hamstrings are going to blow up on me. They never do.

Mile 26.2: 6:34 + some (my garmin had another .44 at 5:58 pace): Going under the overpass and coming up the last little climb felt tough, but passing some more people felt great. I kept pushing. At this point you might want to skip to the end. Fair Warning;  As I made the turn onto Hereford Street right before the final stretch onto Boylston. I passed a man who has Sh*t his pants. Aaarrg, the smell was horrible even from a 100 feet away. Running down his legs, I chuckled and than pushed hard at that point and just wanted to get past him. Thank you dude who ever you were you made me work just a bit harder.

Although Official results haven't come out yet I ran a 2:52:13 which is 1:50 personal best. Amidst all of this
chaos, triumphs and accomplishments happened. The events that unfolded over the hours afterwards were terrible and ruined the day for many. By letting these terrorist, terrorize and take away a celebratory holiday such as Patriots day and all of our hard work we aren't gaining anything. Let us celebrate our accomplishments and come back stronger than ever.