Boston Marathon 2021 #Runto125

So excited to get back to Boston! This would be my 10th time running the course from Hopkinton to Boston. I began the journey in 2011 and have qualified every year since. There was that hiccup in 2020 due to Covid but I ran virtually keeping my streak alive. 11 Boston marathons in the books and this is how 2021 went. Spoiler alert: Better than expected.

We came into Boston on the Friday this year making our usual stop at Morse Tavern for lunch but not so usual as we didn’t drive the course into the city. After 10 times, you’d think I’d know it pretty well. [Salmon salad and Sam Adams pumpkin ale].

We were checked into the hotel by 4:30 as I had a 5:30 appointment to verify my vaccination status to run the marathon.

We walked to the medical tent on Boylston, no line, very easy, got the bracelet which I had to wear right through the finish of the marathon, so all weekend.

From vaccination verification, we walked around a bit until dinner at 7 pm just a few doors down from the hotel at Lucie. I enjoyed a good meal of halibut with wine and an after dinner nutty Irishman. Obviously the nerves hadn’t kicked in yet. But I have to say, I was eating conservatively five days into this race.

Saturday: I was looking forward to a bit of a sleeping in but no, the alarm went off in the hotel at 6:45 am. We had no idea what was going on but my initial thoughts were I better get my running stuff on so I can get out the door and run before they evacuate. You know, priorities. Everything was fine and no one had to leave their room so I left for a 35 minute shake out run to the Charles river.

Went to the finish line as an appropriate end to my run.

Getting excited yet?

Ted and I ate breakfast at the hotel, Yard house. [egg white omelet with home fries and dry wheat toast]. We left for bib pick up at Hynes Convention Center and the expo at 10:30 am. It was very disappointing. A skeleton of an expo from what we were used to.

Can’t say there were any vendors there except for the Adidas with Boston Marathon logo apparel.

The only good point was no lines, no waiting, and no huge crowd. From the expo we decided to walk to Quincy Market, about 2 1/2 miles.

Enjoyed the scenery, meandered about the stores before finally walking back to have lunch on Boylston [grain salad].

At 4:45 we had a meet up with running coach @FixYourRun and some other clients in town for the marathon. It was enjoyable meeting his team and getting to know each other. As 6pm rolled around, we left for Mida on Tremont. We never made it as it got too late and we decided to duck into a place we had enjoyed a couple of years ago called Sorellina. We ate outside under heat lamps and, although a bit chilly, it couldn’t have been more relaxing nor perfect. [Shared arugula salad, squash ravioli in browned sugar butter sauce, and I had halibut. To drink, hot water with lemon].

Sunday: Strides in the park for a warm up run. Kept it short, 2.7 miles at 7:30 am (no alarm today). Saw two ladies dressing the ducks and had a photo taken. Legs felt ok on this shake out run but not springy and wanting to go like I would have preferred.

Once back at the hotel, the Chicago marathon was running. We started watching it then left for breakfast at Lenox while continuing watching it live streaming on the phone app. [Egg white omelet with dry rye and potatoes] I ordered oatmeal and fruit but they forgot to bring it so we brought it back to the room. This would serve as my pre race breakfast Monday morning.

At 12:30 we had a tour at Samuel Adams brewery. [About 12:15, had #Fuelforfire sweet potato and apple smoothie which was my replacement for the usual sweet potato] It was so enjoyable and we came away with 3 free Boston Marathon logo glasses and a shot glass. Recommended if you visit Boston!

From the brewery we did some shopping at Eataly and the shops in the Prudential Center. We didn’t have much time to relax before heading for dinner at Abe & Louie on Boylston. It was a very good meal. Simple. We shared a mixed green salad and both had shrimp and scallop with basmati rice. I had another hot water with lemon which seems to work well for me now.

A new routine adapted this year was to rub my feet with cooling foot cream at night. This helped to keep calluses at bay.

I know, nice feet right?!

Monday morning – Race Day: Weather was going to be 61 deg – 68 deg. Over cast but it was sunny in places and there was a 8 – 11 mph head wind.

I woke up at 5 tossing and turning until 6 am when I got up, heated left over oatmeal, adding 1 TBS #UCAN vanilla granola. Had a 5-Hour Energy at 6:45 (some people enjoy coffee, I prefer the 5 Hour energy). I was fidgety and nervous in the room until 8:15 when I left for the buses.

Marathon outfit: Yellow #Rabbitrunning tank because it had a pocket between the shoulders for my phone (which I put in a baggy to protect it from water I might dump down my back) and blue shorts with side pockets. #Injinji compression socks and #Nikealphafly sneakers. I took UCAN Orange gels x 2 and SIS energy gel x 1 with me for road fuel. I took a small water bottle and a Clif bar to eat on the bus. I was only able to take 2 small bites as my stomach was much to nervous to eat any more.

It was a long wait for the buses. Although I should have gotten on at 8:45, didn’t get on until 9:08.

It turned out to be an hour and forty five minute ride. The buses got lost. This messed with my head. I know as runners we should remain flexible but I had planned on getting to Hopkinton and at the start by 10 to 10:15. Due to the chain of events, I wasn’t crossing the starting line until 10:58 am.

About that bus: Bad situation turned funny. So we got lost and didn’t know it until we were stopped for a very long time in Hopkinton. The girl next to me had to get off to pee. She was cheered by all upon her return to the bus. The bus driver finally explained that one of the buses ahead took a wrong turn. We were all in a good frame of mind, laughing and joking although I know it added to our race day stress. When we finally arrived at the school, our bus was allowed to continue about 1/2 mile down the road toward the start before letting out.

A quick trip to the porto potties, ditched my sweatshirt and sweat pants, then walk to the starting line. What a disappointment. We simply crossed the starting line to run when we were ready. No gun, nothing. Needless to say, there was no congestion so I headed out faster than I should.

There were only some areas where I felt the wind bother me and the same for any sunshine that came out on the course. For the most part, I maintained a comfortable temperature by pouring water on my wrists, back of my neck, running through a couple of sprinklers and drinking water at most water stops. Started drinking Gatorade after the half followed by a sip of water.

Splits: I don’t like looking at my #Garmin but I knew I was going faster than was tactically smart. Decided to go for it then slow it down after the 15K past Lake Cochichuate.

9:07, 7:31, 7:56, 7:41, 8:03, 7:52, 8:00, 812, 8:09 (an 8:11 15K) The crowd was a bit more sparse than in previous years but they were out and loud, cheering us on. Kids wanted to slap hands for good luck. Aid stations at what seemed like every mile with Gatorade and water.

I took UCAN gel at 4 miles and again at 9 miles.

I couldn’t slow it down so hence another excuse: Get to the half and then, SERIOUSLY slow it down or you will regret this come the Newton hills.

8:12, 8:26, 8:18, 8:20 (an 8:18 half marathon pace) At mile 11 1/2, Marteen

Now it’s going to get gnarly because this was an excellent example of what NOT to do on the Boston marathon course. To this point, the feeling was a race effort but not so bad since every time I tried slowing it down, I’d speed up again.

Course sightings: Santa was on the course, the Boston Marathon golden retriever, Spencer, was on the course as usual and then there was a guy running in nothing but star spangled undies with suspenders. What a view!

Mile 14, Maurten Gels were handed out. I took two: one caffeinated and one no caff for later in my run.

Mile splits 14 -20: 8:29, 8:34, 8:06, 8:58, 9:02, 8:21, 8:58. As you can see, I was starting to get tired and even with all the motivational reading I had done in the two days leading into this I started walking. Shame ON ME!

Mile splits 21- 26.2: 10:07 (heart break hill really took its revenge), 8:18, 8:41, 8:46 (at mile 23. 5 I saw my coach which got me moving again but it was a run walk event at this point), 8:36, 9:27, 7:32 for the last .3 to finish.

I realized I had done too much too early and was going to pay. I allowed myself a break at the hills but lived to regret it. At least I was able to round the curb at Hereford and run to a strong finish. That finish line always seems so far away when you take the turn onto Boylston. It’s the energy of the crowd and the fact that you can see the end in sight that gets you there strong.

Finish Time: 3:42:39. 7288th out of 15374. 2670th out of 7433 Females. 64th out of 668 F55-F59

Training for this race: I had one really bad half marathon on a very hot day in July which put a huge hole in my confidence. I got some confidence back with a 20K USATF race in New Haven, CT then even more confident with a 12K Masters USATF Championship run at Sandy Hook where I achieved a 79% age graded result.

My goal for this 2021 Boston Marathon was to get an 80% age grade result and I did it with a time of 3:42:39. This is an all time marathon PR (35 marathons) and a Boston PR (11 consecutive Bostons). I should be happy with it but I’m tending to focus on the blow up at the hills, wishing I had just pushed a tad harder. I guess it’s that lack of content that will keep me going for more. MENTAL TRAINING REQUIRED!

In the words of Kipchoge: “…But at what price comes the settling? Do I even know? For can I measure the dreams lost? Can I measure the victories not won? Can I measure the joys I will never know? Can I measure the time I did not have? But should I refuse to settle, it shall be forever written in my story. I may never sprint my finish. But I will not settle. I will engage the opponent. I will run ever fierce. Plans for my big life.”

As for the celebration after the race, we went to Hanover St or “Little Italy” then walked back to the Union Oyster House where we enjoyed a nice red and some conversation with two other marathon running couples. What a great weekend!