Boston Marathon: 3hrs 47mins 11secs
- philsoderberg
- Apr 30, 2017
- 2 min read
Well this year, I was pretty fortunate to be even on the starting line. Training had been hopeless but as its Boston I had to come and collect that Unicorn medal.
I still get goose bumps going to the Expo to collect my number. There simply is no other marathon like Boston.
It`s truly unique for many reasons – not only is it because you have to earn you`re right to be here, its also about the fact the whole town gets behind the marathon weekend. Runners in “the jacket” are all over town; in bars and restaurants, happy to share their experiences and a beer! Runners and non-runners congratulating you just because you are here.
It is also steeped in history and great stories – this year the BAA retired the number 261. The number worn by Katherine Switzer in 1967 as the first woman to complete the marathon as a registered entry (Bobbi Gibb having run it the year before unofficially). And there was Ben Beach running his 50th consecutive Boston….50th!!!
At the runners village in Hopkinton, I met a scouser (Liverpool fan of course) making a documentary in Boston. We had a quick chat and he wished us luck. When I came down Boyslton Street I heard a booming chorus of “Everton, Everton, Everton” and there he was in the grandstands cheering me home with a big ironic laugh. My dad being an Everton fan, would have loved that.
The course itself is legendary - its tough and unforgiving, as I found out this year. I ran with Matt for the first 7 miles but then had to let him go - it was just too hot for me to run 7:30 pace. At mile 15 I saw Missie and Liz who were waiting for Chloe to come through - that provided a much needed boost.
You can`t cheat the marathon and if you are not prepared you will suffer and boy did I suffer. From 30k in it was brutal. They say “every mile is earned, never given” and I earned every one this year.
Still, its another Unicorn medal in the collection.
