I shall be there too (not running obviously) so will give you a cheer.
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With apologies for going off the christening topic - I'm heading off early tomorrow morning so this may be my last forum visit til next week.
Easy jog tonight and again on Sat/Sun then race on Monday. Forecast cool and rainy - cant wait.
Good luck bestathlete. Fingers crossed you hit your target time.
Remember, any running you do now will not make a difference to your finishing time, so take it very steady, drink lots on that flight and enjoy the race.
Good luck Best Athlete. Weather lovely and sunny over here today with the warm weather forecast up till Saturday.
I am heading down to Boston in an hour or so - enjoy the city it really is a great place
results are in...
my friend Graham did 3:24:04 :)
well done to all.
2hrs 51mins 15seconds
Not my best ever performance - was hoping (and expecting) 2:49ish. Still, not bad considering it was 26miles of headwind and much hillier than expected. Just because it finishes lower than the start doesnt mean that there arent significant uphill sections that reduce the overall average pace.
As for the event itself - Fantastic, possibly better than New York. The crowds were enormous in Boston (although only the final few minutes were actually in the main city) but the towns along the course were also packed with vociferous support.
At halfway there was a girls college and I think every single student was at the roadside screaming at the top of her voice. It was incredibly loud- could hear it half a mile in advance due to the headwind. Once i got up to them I could see many were holding up signs saying 'kiss me' as well as the screaming. I resisted stopping to oblige and was in some ways glad to be past so my ears could readjust back to normal loud cheering.
Heartbreak Hill at 20miles was nothing compared to the earlier upslope (will get pulled to bits if i call it a hill on this forum) at 16miles. In fact, Heartbreak Hill is not so called due to breaking the runners hearts with its incline but in fact its down to a famous duel between two runners of yesteryear when the race was decided at this point.
The transport to the start town was well organised and quick. The baggage transfer arrangements were spot on. The finish line routine was well thought out and efficient - (a large lady pysically manhandled many of us out of the way of a puddle of sick). Thankfully the helpers didnt all say 'good jahb' which was tiresome in NY after the 15th time of hearing.
The post race free massage was down two flights of stairs though:eek:.
Paced myself really well, starting easy, letting hundreds pass me ( I was in the very front line after Elites) but then easily cruising past folk in the final few miles. Probably didnt run quite hard enough to be honest - average pulse was not as high as I thought it would be and know it could have been. I think I may have reached a stage in life where I enjoy the experience for 3 hours more than I have the urge to flog myself for 2 and a half.
Berlin next (after a summer on't fells)
Overall I would certainly recommend Boston to anyone wanting a great international marathon experience. Expensive entry though - 140 odd quid.
Well done bestathlete, only 2 ish minutes outside your target, sounds like you had a good time and enjoyed it, that's the main thing;)