Just after arriving from the shuttle bus from the State Park dropoff - I arrived about 8:10 a.m.
This is where I spent the next 90 minutes - it was deserted because everyone was in Athlete's Village. I sat in the sunshine against a wall and drank water while munching on health bars. Count all the porta-potties!
This is the view from Corral Nine, looking back to corrals 10-14...almost everyone you see is a runner! Mind boggling!
And...they're off!! After walking for 7 minutes to the start line, we can finally run a little bit!
Blue skies!
Look at all the healthy, fast runners around me - and isn't that a pirate sneaking up on me? Where the heck am I?
Boston volunteers make the marathon - but look at the mass of people - running in a crowd for 26.2 miles was something new to me.
Stopped by to thank the police for being there...the old guy asked me "Why do you want a photo with us?" to which I replied "Look officer I am running in a race here, I don't have time to explain!" so they all lined up for me!
Ahh the girls of Wellsley College...sigh...how could I pass by without a single kiss?
More of Wellsley College - see you next year, ladies!
Who would expect to meet another maniac in that crowd?! It was such a great feeling to share the experience of Heartbreak Hill with Strider (Wingfoot). He isn't even touching the ground!
The Citgo sign, off in the distance (almost hidden by the tree). Once you reach that sign there is a mile left to go!! Look at all the people!
The view from the bottom of the Citgo sign - these people were astounded that I actually stopped running to take a photo! I could see from the official time that it was only 3:21 on my clock - 9 minutes to finish that final mile!
Come around two corners and there is the finish line, 600 yards away...it's the best feeling I have had as a runner to stride along that final stretch and know I was going to complete the Boston Marathon.
Strider (Wingfoot) and I just across the finish line - look how fresh this 50-year-old looks - he is an inspiration to me!
