Wednesday, April 25, 2007

Plodding to the Garden; A Race Report (Part 2 of 2)

The hills in Newton on the course of the Boston Marathon aren't the larger than Everest aretes I heard about for years. What makes them a challenge is their placing... their timing. The last place a runner wants to encounter a series of quarter mile long, eight percent grades is between miles 16 and 20 of a marathon. Nasty, I tell you... just plain nasty.

My attack on the hills was my determination to run them all. No walking allowed here. Although my pace wasn't fast my head remained up and chest forward as flat feet plodded up the spectator lined esplanade. Everything hurt. Especially my knees and my neck.

Getting to the top of Heartbreak Hill was a small victory but the larger battle still remained. Ten kilometers, first sharply downhill, and then flat through the city. My desire to race was gone and replaced with a desire to finish.

Each mile that passed took its pound of flesh. But despite my aches I held my head up and focused on the road ahead. My mind wandered a bit. It took me to riviera banks of northern cities and warm hearths. Sustained by my thoughts each step took me towards a predetermined fate -- a finish.

With the help of the students at Boston College and the spectators remaining on the street I pounded along side of the trolley cars of the city. They called out "TriBoomer... you can do it!," and I believed them. The spectators on Boylston Street continued to shout my name and pushed me into a cold and strong headwind. Six hundred yards to go and I could see the finish line. Damn did it look sweet.

I raised my hands in victory, smiled for the cameras, and crossed the finish line.

Finally. Rejoice!

This race was the hardest event I ever finished. Unlike some races when I felt I could have gone harder or raced smarter once I finished, that was not so in Boston. Everything I had, physically and mentally, was left on the course. And for this I have no regrets.

Next task... deliver a message and live the epilogue.

Stay tuned...

9 comments:

Bolder said...

got 'er done.

great job!

Comm's said...

Any finish foto from the center of the American endurance world is a good one. I am proud that you finished.

Unknown said...

Way to go Boomer!

Brent Buckner said...

Got it done and left it all on the course. You rock!

Lance Notstrong said...

When you wrote 10K to go, the "pre marathon Lance" (like alot of others) would have thought, just 6 miles.....no big deal. The "post marathon Lance" knows, when you get to mile 20, you're not thinking "just 6 miles to go". You pulled out a tough one Triboomer. Way to bring home!!!

Carrie said...

Every part of every race report I've read from you- from IM to Boston- it ends with chills...

Fe-lady said...

Great report...glad you are OK . It must have been brutal our there-I doubt if Lance would have had it in him to even start this one!
Congrats!

Kim said...

great race report boom, so proud of you for finishing even after how crappy you felt! im sorry we didnt get the chance to meet up... i hope there will be another chance!

SixTwoThree said...

Yea, you did it! That's Boston for ya'! I remember another year when it was in the high 80s. Hope you enjoyed the rest of your trip back there! Now, more about that champagne and celebration!!