Boston Experience!

My Boston experience started last Thursday when we flew to Boston. We had a great flight, got our week long Charlie pass to ride the (fantastic) Boston subway system and made our way to the Hotel. It was such a kick to be in Boston and see all the runners around, I felt like I had to pinch myself every now and then to confirm I was actually there!

We did all the tourist things in Boston and had a great time being there. On Saturday, we headed over to the Runners Expo to pick up my race number, and tour the booths of running products and give aways. The Expo was crazy big, but there were some good freebies so we made our way through. We (I) also shopped the clothes sections for more Marathon bling, I bought the 2011 jacket (The Jacket is the one thing that seems to unite all Boston runners), a pair of shorts (I spent HOW much on those?) and a few more trinkets (Pint glass!). One of the highlites of the expo was watching the film of the race course - it was good to get a feel of what I was going to see.

I wasn't too nervous for this race, I really didn't know what the hills, or the crowds would be like so, I was keeping my expectations for a fast race time low. My goal was to run under 3:30 - or a 7:55 pace (that gave me bit of a cushion for 3:30). I slept well and made it to the bus meeting point. I paid a few extra bucks to get on a coach that a nearby running store leases for Boston. It's a nice deal because it gives you a place to sit before the race (if the weather is bad at the start) and most importantly a bus potty to use before the race instead of waiting in long lines with 25,000 other runners.

I had been training with a lady from my club, Jodie, we had the same qualifying time for Boston and have been training together for the long runs, we rode the bus together and hung out before the race. We decided we would try to pace each other for the race and stay together, but if we got separated, no big deal. About 40 minutes before our wave started, we made our way over to the start. We walked with thousands (I couldn't believe the people!) of others to the start - it felt like about a mile walk. BUT, we timed it just right and got to our corral right on time and in a few minutes we were off! As we crossed the start line I said to Jodie "We're doing it! We're running Boston" - There was not much more to say than that!

It's hard for me to think of specific things or when what happened during the run. I've been telling people that Boston was 26 miles of distractions - my brain was racing with runners, fans, paces, pain assessments and so on, here is a sample...


Mile 1 - 7:49 not as crowded as I had thought - not much slowing me down. But, so much for pacing with Jodie - it was just way too crowded to stay with her.
Mile 2 - 7:42 I know, “don’t go out too fast” but I feel good, and pretty close to goal pace
Mile 3 - 7:40 should slow down a bit
Mile 4 - 7:41 now I really need to get serious about slowing down a bit
Mile 5 - 7:53 feeling a blister start on my right foot – Stop and tie the laces a little tighter
Mile 6 - 7:35 whoops – too fast - Probably thinking I needed to make up time from my stop
Mile 7 - 7:43 feet feeling better
Mile 8 - 7:54 in cruise mode now
Mile 9 - 7:49 really only 9 miles down?? long way to go...
Mile 10 - 7:55 double digits! yeah!
Mile 11 - 8:01 a little slow, but my average is right at pace
Mile 12 - 7:56 Wellesley sign – so where are the screaming girls?
Mile 13 - 7:51 There they are - Cute signs! A girl from Alaska! OK – 1 lucky kiss!
Mile 14 - 7:54 a little deaf in my right ear (Girls only on right side in Wellesley)
Mile 15 - 8:03 OH yeah, over half way! Time for my mid-race Aleve!
Mile 16 - 7:50 Ten miles to go – no excuses, perfect day, cool, tail wind, boston - have to really push this pace!
Mile 17 - 8:07 Newton – here come the hills…
Mile 18 - 8:14 JIM!!!!! There's Shawn!! I never heard her yell so loud - what a huge boost it was to see her!
Mile 19 - 8:06 2^nd hill - Government hill? (It has a name?) not bad at all!
Mile 20 - 8:20 third hill – this is longer, is this Heartbreak?
Mile 21 - 8:30 Nope – this is heart break – not horrible though.
Mile 22 - 8:04 “The heart break is over” – Sign at Boston College
Mile 23 - 8:08 The Boston College Students are Fantastic!! Love those guys!
Mile 24 - 8:03 no excuses, perfect day I really, REALLY have push this pace!
Mile 25 - 7:53 so tired, but I gotta – my time is so close!
Mile 26 - 7:56 keep bustin' a gut – the blisters on my feet will recover! press on! Hey There's Jodie!! It only took me 25 miles to find her!!
LAST .44 miles 3:24 - 7:36 pace!!! (Fastest part of the day!)

It was a great feeling to be finishing Boston! I gave it all I had at the finish - it felt so good to be done though! As I lined up behind all the runners to collect the warm-up blankets and runners medal (Yes please! I told the lady that gave me mine), I checked my watch - 3:30:04 - dang! but I did take a few steps before I stopped my watch - maybe I got it! I wouldn't know until I get my official results.

It took a long time to get my gear at the finish line and then even longer walk back to the hotel - my muscles had stiffened up and those curbs I had to step over - they were killers! When I finally got to my hotel room, Shawn greeted me at the door "Great run! 3:30:16!" I thought 16 seconds?? what the?? I was looking for 29:59...Well, after talking to my running friends, I realised what the difference was - I had my Garmin(GPS) set to "autopause"...When I stopped to tie my shoes, my watch stopped and my elapsed time was off - DANG! Auto pause has been removed from my Garmin now!

I am very happy with my run! I really enjoyed Boston and I feel I made the very most of it! I slapped hands with lots of kids along the way. I high fived a Guy from Boston College that pointed to his up-raised hand and said "Right here, right here dude". And yeah I kissed a quiet looking girl at Wellesley with a sign that said "Kiss me - I'm from Alaska" - I figured there was another quiet girl in Alaska I'd like to kiss right then, and I that was as good an excuse as any. (and, it was a very quick cheek kiss anyway!).

Boston was as wonderful as I had imagined, the crowds, the runners, the hills (not too bad), the wonderful feeling after topping Heartbreak hill and knowing it was all down hill, seeing the Citgo sign coming into town, Turning the corner at Boylston street and seeing the finish line, the roar of the crowd. I am afraid it is in my blood now - I hope I can come back!

I pushed hard at the end and was happy I could string together some sub-8 miles at the end. The conditions were so great, I kept thinking I con't let this get away from me!! It was a struggle, but I made it in. I don't know if an accurate time piece would have made a difference, it's good to have a goal, and I will probably be back out there in a fall marathon trying to find a few more minutes. With good coaching, good camaraderie with my team and the support of my wonderful wife, I know I can do it!

There are photos of my finish at www.marathonfoto.com - Rathbun, then 13651 and boston 2011 and you'll see me (look hard!)

Today's Run

4 weeks to the "thon"

Round Pencil at the Hotel!

Grand Rapids Chic

We saw this crazy car today when we were out and about doing errands. I
think Sue and Ron need a similar accessory for their Honda!!

hats and cubans!

We have reached a pinnacle!

Waiting in line for beer and food de deutchland

Many of the countries set up "welcome" houses for Olympic visitors. We are
waiting at the Saxon House a winter olympic tradition.

Steam clock near Walt's (very) cool place.

These guys Rock!!

Moo (!)

I love hand writing under wall paper!

This was under the cow spot wall paper. Ha!

Driving doggy dog crazy!!

So's I'm storing the dog's food out in the open. She spends her days in
the kitchen and I know she knows her food is right there all day long, it
must drive her crazy! If she could just learn to use a can opener!!

A hog in the living room!!

Our groundhog party guests surprised us with a stuffed groundhog!! He's so
cute! Of course he's been named Phil, and will become the center piece of
future celebrations! The cool thing ? Phil was born, raised and stuffed
in Houghton Michigan! Happy Groundhogs day Cats!!

Costa Rica breakfast

Gallo Pinto, baked plantains and Cas (fruit drink) - yummy!

Getting ready for the Olympics at the house!

Clean shavin' weekend!!

New vegan treat: platacones - YUM!

So how are the balls of your feet???

As a tribute to “positive” splits, here are my times:
8:44 - 1
7:52
8:07
8:11
8:01
7:52 – good band!
8:13
8:17
8:00
8:24
8:20
8:35
8:17
8:52 – half way – slowing, but on pace to my goal! (barely!)
8:17
8:52
8:19
8:46
8:46
8:51
9:19
9:30
9:30
9:40
10:09
10:09
9:50
1:54


Well, I tried! I ran the Columbus Marathon on Sunday, hoping to get a Boston qualifying time of 3:35:59. I knew this was a lofty goal, but you have to start some where. I needed to keep up an 8:14 pace, and I was there for the first half (the easy half!) - Plus SHawn was able to cheer me on two times in the first half! But, as you can see, second half was not so good!

At mile 15 or so, my feet started hurting - like a muscle hurt (from flexing a gajillion times!) - probably due to the fact that I do a lot of cross training (bike and elliptical machine) to save my knees. Then I could feel I was getting a blister on the ball of my foot. The miles certainly took their toll…

I modified my goals as the day proceeded and my last and final goal was to run the entire way, no walk breaks – I managed to shuffle through and get this goal. In the end I was happy. I crossed the line at 3:50:19 – not great, not my goal – but my best marathon time in 25 year! It was sooo great having Shawn there, last time I ran it ('99), she could not get down to Columbus, maybe cause Aimee was swimming?? - we wern't sure.

Today I feel good, I am fatigued (for sure), my calves ache (esp. going down stairs) and I have that big blister on the ball of my right foot. I’ll survive and I’ll be back running in a few days or so.

On the last few miles of my other marathons, I was always thinking “why did I choose to do this?” after this run, I’m thinking, “I can do this - and with a little more training, I can get to my goal.” I’m pretty sure I’ll be running a spring marathon in 2010.

Fun along the way:

I liked a tee shirt that said “16 weeks ago this seemed like such a good idea!”

They had a band playing every 1/3 mile or so - some good, some not so good… my fav was at about mile 5 (note my fast split!) that was playing the Jet’s song “Are You Gonna Be My Girl”. I was applauding and dancing a bit for that! I heard two bands play Johnny be good and I wondered if anyone else had my same exact pace to hear that. At another band, they were taking a break and a runner ahead of me was ribbing the band for not playing – “Give us some guitar at least” he said, I yelled out “at least your generator is sounding good!” .

At the end I saw a lady in a Winnie the Pooh sweat shirt and I was able to give my favorite “Hey, you got Pooh on your shirt” joke – I think I heard the people she was with chuckle a little bit : - ).

Whadda ya got, a holes in your head???

. . . no dad, just one!!

Well, I didn't want 50 to mean I was getting old!! When Walt, Aimee, Shawn and I finished our pizza and beer on my birthday, I asked Aimee to drive me to 2048 C St. in Anchorage. It was a huge mystery to the group where I wanted to go - Aimee thought for sure it was the pawn shop, but nope - it was the piercing studio in town. I wanted to get an ear piercing that I had seen on a bike rider in the Tour de France had...

Unfortunately, the piercer had gone home when we got there, so we could just discuss the work, but Aimee and I went back the next day and did the deed. Yeah it hurt, but it's healing just fine, the guys at work have not harassed me that much and Shawn says she kinda likes it. :-)

I'm planning on putting something "claw-like" in it for bike racing, other than that, I won't do any thing to draw that much attention to it...

I figure 50 is as good a time as any to turn hippy!

keep it groovy cats!

Birthday Bike!

I picked up my birthday present tonight! (Shawn is such a good shopper!). Like I need another Bike, but this was just so pretty I had to add it to the collection. This is a Masi Speciale Fixed LTD. I've always had a love of Masi's (pronounced mazi) - My favorite movie is Breaking Away and the main character, Dave Stoler, rides a Masi. I haven't had a chance to ride it - just about 50 feet in the parking lot (and through the TV room and living room). It's raining out and this will be a good weather bike!

Chao Cats!

21 day challenge

So’s Shawn and I are on a long car ride, listening to radio talk shows and this lady (Kathy Freston) is on talking about a doing a 21 day diet or cleanse. We usually don’t like the crazy diet thing, but this caught our interest. Give up 5 things for just 21 days – not so much a diet – but a challenge to your “stick-to-it-ness” and proof that you are not ruled by certain foods. (Later on we found out it was an “Oprah” diet – I was not so happy about that – but we certainly didn’t glop on to this cause it was Oprah’s doing).

It sounded like a good challenge, so for 21 days, we are giving up: Caffeine, Sugar, Alcohol, Gluten and all animal products.

It was a pretty daunting list, but we are 7 days in and this is not bad at all. I dare say, I am feeling a little more energetic in the morning , and the rest of the day goes great with out all the coffee I was drinking (I was a 4 or 5 cup a day person).

This has been a really good thing, I’ve felt really good. I was worried about not enough protein, but we’ve cooked up some dang good Tofu dishes; I make a mean pablano pepper stir fry with black beans that has been a fav; we ate at a vegan restaurant and loved it; at Chipotle we had a veggie burrito (no shell) and that was great; I’m loving my PB on brown rice bread for lunch; and steel cut oats for breakfast has been a real treat!

We never feel starved. But we are happy we did this time of the year, when there are great fruits and Veggies around – that make snack time pretty easy.

We certainly won’t do this forever and frankly, I can’t wait to get a triple shot espresso on day 22! But I think it’s always going to change the way I look at vegan stuff - I will seek it out now and then. And, I’m going to try to avoid gluten products as well – except for cereal, cookies and beer!

Peace, love and brown rice cats!