2/20/09 The Big Event-The Boston Maration

Because I am always early, I got up at 4:30 a.m. and caught the 5:00 shuttle to the subway station, me and 8 other impulsive compulsives. We got to the station and got on the train. Getting off the station, myself and a few thousand other runners walked up to some school buses lined up along the street. There must have been a hundred buses. The ride up to Hopkinton was quiet, some runners sleeping or at least pretending to sleep. Others eating and drinking. Still others like myself, got to know our neighbors. I met a guy from Reno Nevada and another from Texas. Both likeable guys, we had a lot to talk about.
Arriving at Hopkinton, we wandered onto a big grassy field, about half of which was covered with a tarp overhead. The man from Texas had thought ahead and hard a poncho that was big enough for the three of to sit on. We spent the next three hours chatting and drinking coffee as we shivered and waited for the start. Being smart for once, I hit the porta potties earlier and only had to wait a few minutes in line. Soon the lines were an hour long or so I was told.
Herded into our corrals, I kept my sweats on until the actual start because I still had time to take them off before the crowd started moving. Careful not to go too fast at the start, I saw that I had done the first mile in 8:15. Not exactly a stellar beginning.

The course was as tough as advertised. I had managed to get back at my goal pace by miles 12-13. There were lots of little hills. Easy by themselves, but after awhile, they took their toll so that by the time I reached Heartbreak Hill, my pace slowed down. The weather was windy and cold the entire race. Not as tough as the 2007 San Francisco Half Marathon, but it had an effect on my pace. I also had to take two bathroom stops because I had hydrated too well. I probably should have drank less. The jelly bellies seemed to help keep my glucose level up and I did sip Gatorade as well.
My unofficial watch time was 3:44. Not great, but not my worst e ther. Overall, it was a great experience, something I’ll never forget.
After the race, I limped to a Sporting Goods store and bought a sweat shirt because I was freezing!. Then a slow walk to the subway. Once at the station by the hotel, I thought I was set, but noooooo I had a 40 minute wait in the cold before the bus showed up. Back at the hotel, I changed in the bathroom and caught a shuttle to the airport. I tried to check into my Jet Blue flight and was told with a smile-“your flight’s been cancelled, maybe you can catch one tomorrow.” I remained calm and she told me my only recourse was to get a refund from jet blue and book a flight with Delta.
40 minutes later, after a bus ride to another terminal and a long walk, I arrived at the Delta counter. I was told that I could get a flight to JFK after paying an additional 35 bucks for buying the ticket at the airport. Jeez I walked to the gate and was told my flight had been cancelled and directed to another gate at the other end of the terminal. Arriving at this gate, I was told that the flight was delayed and there was a possibility that this flight would also be cancelled. A easy two hour wait, I was listening to my ipod and reading while the other passengers screamed, and we were loaded on the plane. We sat for an half an hour before taking off. Easy flight to Jfk.
Arriving at JFK, I was tired but on familiar ground. I take the usual train to Forrest Hills and wait for an W or N train. No such trains arrive, but plenty of E trains arrive. I got on the 4th E train and discovered that tonight, it was stopping at Steinway where I had to get off. Climbing up Steinway, I see it is raining hard. I flag a cab and pay 10 bucks for a 5 block ride. I don’t care, I am too tired. I let myself in. I take a quick shower and pass out on the bed.

The Epic Day is Over!