Boston Marathon: 3hrs 21mins 21secs
- philsoderberg
- Apr 20, 2015
- 3 min read
The first thing to say is that I was really lucky to have Jasmine and the kids, Prav and Debbs plus Matt and Amanda all in Boston to support the marathon. It is a such a special race I don’t think I can put it in to words. When I looked at the back of the race program I realised I didn’t have to. The words had already been written for me...
“Boston. It’s more than a marathon. It’s a dream come true. When you lace up on Marathon Monday, you will join the best athletes in the world at the starting line. You will face challenges, overcome obstacles and feel overwhelming joy. Give it your heart. Leave it all on the course. There’s only one Boston.”
I get emotional just typing it now. I never thought I would be here but here I am, qualified on merit. No fun runners just 26,000 hard core athletes. Even when I collected my number with Jess, the guy handing it to me said to Jess “Do you realise what your dad did to get here? Aren’t you proud of him?” almost another weeping moment as she shyly replied “yes”.
Another expo high was getting my copy of “Born to Run” signed by the author Chris McDougall (tall bald guy on my right). He stared at me for a long time and then said “Robert Carlisle?” I put him straight and we had a good chat about his movies (Robert Carlisle”s that is!). He wrote in my book “Run wild!” and that is how the weather turned out!!
After the expo, we walked down to the hallowed finish line which is scorched in to the tarmac on Boylston Street. The lamp posts adorned with blue & white ribbons and messages to those impacted by the bomb in 2013. The “Boston Strong” messages in the shops windows, bumper stickers, flags and T shirts made you feel part of something very special.
Race day finally arrived. I hardly slept the night before a. worried my alarm would not go off and shere bloody nerves. This was a big deal for me.
So, I was first in to breakfast and sadly the forecast was right. It was 5c and really windy. I met Matt across the street and we agreed to stay warm in the hotel and get a late bus. A good call - once we finally left the bus headed out to Hopkinton, about a hour ride, and it was grim. It darker and colder.
Hopkinton looked like a refugee camp - seasoned runners wrapped in blankets and baco foil waiting for the call to their corral. Matt was first at 10:00 and then my wave went at 10:25.
The start was downhill and quick. Cold and gusty but dry at least. The crowds were pretty thin as we headed through Ashland and Framingham and then by Natick the crowds were immense and noisy. I needed that as the rain had started (mile 10) and there was to be no let up.
Wellesley was hilarious. The tradition is the College girls line the route with banners saying “Kiss me” - they have a comp to see who gets the most - I just kept running as most of them looked under age and you can shot for that in the US right?? ;-) Although I was tempted by a sign that said “Kiss me. I’m a Georgia Peach” and she was......
Then came the first of 4 small hills, the last one, Heartbreak Hill at mile 20. In itself not that bad, but after 20 miles of undulating road your legs are gone (well, mine were). I just held on to the thought that mile 21 to the finish was pretty much downhill. I could not feel my fingers at this point and my muscles were tightening from the cold and wet. The Boston College kids were amazing and I collected a lot of high fives just to keep my motivation up.
As I headed through Brookline at mile 23, I just wanted it over. I had never hurt like this before but I never felt such pride - I was going to finish sub 3:25 my second fastest marathon time, in Boston.
I crossed the finish and saw my support crew screaming at the side - that was it. The flood gates opened and I wept like a baby. I was frozen but it was done. All 6 majors. I wish my dad could have seen me.
