Never Forgetting The First
Every year I look forward to the Boston Marathon, whether I am running or spectating. Ok, I'll be honest, the running bit kind of ended about ten-years ago. But still. Held on Patriot's Day on the third Monday of April, the event marks the real beginning of spring for us Bostonians. In the weeks leading up to the race, the air changes from biting cold to mild (and by mild, I'm talking about 40 degrees. Really). The sun sets later in the day, making the days feel languorously infinite. Tulip leaves sprout from the earth while landscapers park their trucks along the neighborhood streets ready to christen lawns in desperate need of care. And the Passover and Easter holidays underscore the importance of reflection, rebirth, and reminiscing about running Boston.
The 118th running of this year's race takes place on April 21, 2014 marking the first anniversary of the marathon bombings. As Bostonians, we have always been Boston Strong. Only now we are stronger, more determined and more fearless. Yet, the Boston Marathon is a beast, a 26.2 deceptively downhill, sometimes chilly, often windy and definitely blistery road to slowly demolish your quads. This year's race is also the 17-year anniversary of my first Boston marathon run on April 21, 1997 (also known as Ancient History). As a four-time Boston finisher, I provided some insights and tips to get your through your first Boston because as they say, you never forget your first.
Rookie Mistakes #1 and #2. Do Not Repeat
#1: Sleep in Someone Else's Bed (or floor) the Night Before the Race
Any marathon guide book, or Runner's World employee, will emphasize the importance of getting a good night's sleep the night before the marathon. Pre-race jitters aside, they key to a good race is a good night's rest. While sleeping in your own bed is preferable, we all know that not everyone lives in Boston. So even if you are shacking up in a hotel, hit the bed early (emphasis on BED). For my first Boston, my friend Debbie invited me and a few other runner friends to stay at her aunt's home in Hopkinton, the town where the race begins. Without a flinch I said "Sure" and apparently forgot to read the runner's guide book. I decided to make a big challah bread to bring over to Debbie's aunt as a thank you gesture for allowing a slumber party for us first-timers and figured we'd snack on it with gobs of butter while eating heaping bowls of pasta.
So I finished my bread, packed my bag and headed out the door. At the Hopkinton headquarters, I learned a few things: (1) everyone ate dinner already and (2) we were sleeping on the floor in sleeping bags. I held back tears and just went with it. When it was time for lights out, we slathered on Ben Gay, threw some extra couch pillows on the floor and did our best. The morning came too early and with a big stiff neck. Luckily, we still had plenty of Ben Gay to apply. We were like walking antiseptic zombies. Thankfully, Debbie's aunt had coffee and bagels waiting for us at 5:30 a.m. And since the goal of staying in Hopkinton was to get a ride to the start, we had more time to relax, even with stiff necks.
#2: Assume Your Friend's Aunt Has Rotini
The runner's manual recommends to carbo-load the night before the marathon. And if you were invited to hang out with five other girlfriends the night before the most famous marathon in the world, one would assume dinner would be included in the plans. In an era before texting and dependency on emails, talking on the phone is a better way to solidify plans. Somewhere along the way, the phone didn't ring. I assumed we'd all eat together in Hopkinton.
A few hours after the shock of the sleeping arrangements sunk in, I sheepishly asked, "Are we having pasta?" Debbie's aunt paused, then politely said, "We ate already. But I'll go out and get some rotini." Thinking that you may end up running 26.2 miles without the requisite pre-race carbs is like laying out in the sun without sunscreen. You will burnout. So one trip to Stop & Shop and a pot of boiling water later, I was handed a large bowl of pasta with red sauce. And everyone loved the bread.
Biggest Myth: The Boston Marathon is Hilly
I will debunk the myth that Boston is a hilly course. In fact, it's mostly downhill. Boston is a fast course. The course descends 457 feet from start to finish. It is a point-to-point course going from west to east, meaning it frequently has prevailing winds at your back.You think this is good, no? It's not. What makes Heartbreak so challenging is not the elevation, but the point in the race at which the hill comes. Heartbreak Hill comes after runners have traveled over twenty miles, much of it on grueling down hills that wear out the quads. Your quads will hate you even more right after mile 21 when you turn the corner on Chestnut Hill Ave. I remember seeing runners legs literally crumble around this turn.
Other Tips and Observations
The Theme from Rocky Will Undoubtedly Trigger a Fist Pump
After the start gun fires, you ironically stand in place for several minutes. Think of it as "ready, fire, freeze." Ribbons of heads bob about a quarter mile down the road as you prepare you for your turn. And as your feet start to move and you step over the start mat that beeps to record your "net" time, something begins to happen. The theme from Rocky starts, faint at first, then revs up as your head begins the inevitable bob by the big white house who knows how to get your fist up.
The Framingham Part: Still Not So Great
I really have nothing against Framingham, but as far as the race is concerned, the stretch along Route 135 between miles six and eight in the heart of Framingham is boring. You run by a bunch of run-down shops and the commuter rail station. There is a lively Irish Pub that will definitely get your fists pumping again, if you can get past the townies drinking beer in their lawn chairs.
Leave Your Wigs at Home
Each year people seem to confuse the marathon with Halloween and run the race in ridiculous costumes. Some notable ones include Howard Stern, Superman, Wonderwoman, Gorilla and the Blues Brothers. The marathon is not a spectacle, it's a race. A road race. Your uniform is running gear which includes shorts, tights, t-shirts and sports bras.
So for all the runners heading out on the 26.2 mile pilgrimage from Hopkinton to Boston this year, sleep in a bed, eat your rotini, pin your GU to your shorts and run. And don't forget to fist pump.
The 118th running of this year's race takes place on April 21, 2014 marking the first anniversary of the marathon bombings. As Bostonians, we have always been Boston Strong. Only now we are stronger, more determined and more fearless. Yet, the Boston Marathon is a beast, a 26.2 deceptively downhill, sometimes chilly, often windy and definitely blistery road to slowly demolish your quads. This year's race is also the 17-year anniversary of my first Boston marathon run on April 21, 1997 (also known as Ancient History). As a four-time Boston finisher, I provided some insights and tips to get your through your first Boston because as they say, you never forget your first.
Rookie Mistakes #1 and #2. Do Not Repeat
#1: Sleep in Someone Else's Bed (or floor) the Night Before the Race
Any marathon guide book, or Runner's World employee, will emphasize the importance of getting a good night's sleep the night before the marathon. Pre-race jitters aside, they key to a good race is a good night's rest. While sleeping in your own bed is preferable, we all know that not everyone lives in Boston. So even if you are shacking up in a hotel, hit the bed early (emphasis on BED). For my first Boston, my friend Debbie invited me and a few other runner friends to stay at her aunt's home in Hopkinton, the town where the race begins. Without a flinch I said "Sure" and apparently forgot to read the runner's guide book. I decided to make a big challah bread to bring over to Debbie's aunt as a thank you gesture for allowing a slumber party for us first-timers and figured we'd snack on it with gobs of butter while eating heaping bowls of pasta.
So I finished my bread, packed my bag and headed out the door. At the Hopkinton headquarters, I learned a few things: (1) everyone ate dinner already and (2) we were sleeping on the floor in sleeping bags. I held back tears and just went with it. When it was time for lights out, we slathered on Ben Gay, threw some extra couch pillows on the floor and did our best. The morning came too early and with a big stiff neck. Luckily, we still had plenty of Ben Gay to apply. We were like walking antiseptic zombies. Thankfully, Debbie's aunt had coffee and bagels waiting for us at 5:30 a.m. And since the goal of staying in Hopkinton was to get a ride to the start, we had more time to relax, even with stiff necks.
#2: Assume Your Friend's Aunt Has Rotini
The runner's manual recommends to carbo-load the night before the marathon. And if you were invited to hang out with five other girlfriends the night before the most famous marathon in the world, one would assume dinner would be included in the plans. In an era before texting and dependency on emails, talking on the phone is a better way to solidify plans. Somewhere along the way, the phone didn't ring. I assumed we'd all eat together in Hopkinton.
A few hours after the shock of the sleeping arrangements sunk in, I sheepishly asked, "Are we having pasta?" Debbie's aunt paused, then politely said, "We ate already. But I'll go out and get some rotini." Thinking that you may end up running 26.2 miles without the requisite pre-race carbs is like laying out in the sun without sunscreen. You will burnout. So one trip to Stop & Shop and a pot of boiling water later, I was handed a large bowl of pasta with red sauce. And everyone loved the bread.
Biggest Myth: The Boston Marathon is Hilly
I will debunk the myth that Boston is a hilly course. In fact, it's mostly downhill. Boston is a fast course. The course descends 457 feet from start to finish. It is a point-to-point course going from west to east, meaning it frequently has prevailing winds at your back.You think this is good, no? It's not. What makes Heartbreak so challenging is not the elevation, but the point in the race at which the hill comes. Heartbreak Hill comes after runners have traveled over twenty miles, much of it on grueling down hills that wear out the quads. Your quads will hate you even more right after mile 21 when you turn the corner on Chestnut Hill Ave. I remember seeing runners legs literally crumble around this turn.
Other Tips and Observations
The Theme from Rocky Will Undoubtedly Trigger a Fist Pump
After the start gun fires, you ironically stand in place for several minutes. Think of it as "ready, fire, freeze." Ribbons of heads bob about a quarter mile down the road as you prepare you for your turn. And as your feet start to move and you step over the start mat that beeps to record your "net" time, something begins to happen. The theme from Rocky starts, faint at first, then revs up as your head begins the inevitable bob by the big white house who knows how to get your fist up.
The Framingham Part: Still Not So Great
I really have nothing against Framingham, but as far as the race is concerned, the stretch along Route 135 between miles six and eight in the heart of Framingham is boring. You run by a bunch of run-down shops and the commuter rail station. There is a lively Irish Pub that will definitely get your fists pumping again, if you can get past the townies drinking beer in their lawn chairs.
Leave Your Wigs at Home
Each year people seem to confuse the marathon with Halloween and run the race in ridiculous costumes. Some notable ones include Howard Stern, Superman, Wonderwoman, Gorilla and the Blues Brothers. The marathon is not a spectacle, it's a race. A road race. Your uniform is running gear which includes shorts, tights, t-shirts and sports bras.
So for all the runners heading out on the 26.2 mile pilgrimage from Hopkinton to Boston this year, sleep in a bed, eat your rotini, pin your GU to your shorts and run. And don't forget to fist pump.
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