Monday April 20th Boston,Mass.
Monday April 20th started early for me.If 5a.m is early,that is.No need for an alarm on this day,my body knew when to wake up and get the fueling started.This was my third Boston Marathon and I had high expectations of myself in this race.The sub 3 hour marathon in Boston!
Met some buddies at the Tremont St. bus pick-up for the ride out to Hopkinton,where we quickly set up base camp on garbage bags and space blankets.Then we were off in search of short port-a-potty lines,Gatorade,Powerbars,pace bands and gloves.
The 2+ hours flew by and before I knew it I was stripping down to race wear and throwing my bag on a bus.A warm-up on some side street in Hopkinton was next then into the corrals.Now I was alone as my mates were off doing their own thing and assembling in their respective corral.The traditional jet fly-by,national anthem and then with little ceremony a faint starters pistol.
The idea today was to run a comfortable 1:28 half and hope to have lots left in the tank for the Newton Hills.As the miles clicked off,the pace steady,I was buoyed by the shouts of “Go Running Free” by the multitudes of supporters on course.This is the best part of running Boston,the people.They line nearly every foot of the course and scream,yell clap,supply water,orange slices,bananas and even beer!
The girls of Wellesley at the half-way point make a near deafening din that is most noticeable once you have passed them.The normal cheering is almost silent in comparison.1:27 at the half,feeling good and ready for the hills!Wish I’d put on sunscreen,though cool temperature-wise,the sun was strong when it appeared amidst the clouds.
The Newton Hills behind me,I checked time and figured if I kept the same pace I should meet my goal.All the while I was thinking of how thrilled my wife back in Toronto would be when she got the text alerting her to my times.She would be as thrilled as I would to break 3 hrs.
Finally the “1 mile to go” sign and I just kept concentrating on my cadence,ignoring my aching calfs and quads.Now the turn onto Boylston,approximately 600 yards to go.And then there it was,the time clock!It still read 2:59,I was going to do it.
With as much breath as I could spare,I yelled “Yes!” as I crossed that beautiful finish line in 2:59:16.Goal achieved.20 seconds or so later and I heard a familiar voice calling me.Paul,a running mate,had also broken 3 hrs!Oh we’d be raising a pint or three in celebration later that evening.
Space blanket,water,medals and clothing retrieved I made the 2 minute walk to where I was staying and had a well deserved nap.
Yes!!
That one was for you Potters.
Cheers
Congratulations Anthony! That is an awesome time on such a tough course. The crowds are unbelievable & it is an experience to be remembered. You have such great speed, as I’ve seen from your other results. Look forward to reading some more race reports from you. Congratulations again.
Sub 3 at Boston, nicely done Anthony!
Great work going sub-3 @ boston!