Running Mania

Wingfoot wrote:Me too and it was.

Marg wrote:OK, so we'll play 20 questions then.

Was this your first Boston?
It was my fourth Boston. I ran it as my second marathon in 2000, PB'd in 2002 and joggled it in 2006.
If no, was it as awesome this time around? Did you PB the course?
I really enjoyed it this time around. The first time I bonked big-time, the second time I ran my butt off to a PB at the time (2:31:57 - how the hell did I do that?) but was too focused on running hard to have fun, and the third time, I was joggling and couldn't see much past my giant balls.
Did you pause at Wellesley college?
Ah, Wellesley! Yes, one brief kiss stop and many, many high-fives.
Did you notice the wind?
There was a gusty cross-wind and sometimes a headwind. I was on my own for a lot of the second half and noticed the wind at that time, but it was often refreshing since the sun was beating down. I stayed with a pack of 2:34-pace runners for the first half, but had to let them go as I faded.
Who was the most impressive person you ran into?
It got to meet Meb at a Nike event the day before the race. That was very cool. I also enjoyed cheering the hand cyclists and Team Achilles runners along the course. I only saw one woman runner in the whole race - one of the elites who had faded badly and was really suffering, but she refused to give up. The crowd was going nuts cheering for her.
Did you fuel on course? If so, what did you take in?
I drank some Gatorade and water every four miles and ate a gel at mile 17 (or wherever they gave them out, I can't remember exactly). I drank a little more Gatorade than usual since the sun was pretty hot.
Are you happy with your splits?
I would have preferred not to have such a positive split, but I don't think I had enough training to keep up the 2:35 pace. The Boston course is unforgiving. Once I knew I wouldn't break 2:40, I decided to really savour all the moments of the last few miles. I still pushed it, but didn't destroy myself and wasted a lot of energy waving to the crowd and hamming it up like an idiot. Judging by the spectators' reactions, I think I was one of the first runners to acknowledge them.
Did you get the jacket?
I've never bought the Boston jacket. Because I'm broke. I did get a nice Boston jacket with my media kit, though.
What would you change if you were to do it again?
Kiss more Wellesley girls. Also, I had to make a pit stop at the 8K mark to relieve myself and thought it would take about 30 seconds, but it turned into an Austin Powers-esque session that cost me at least a minute-and-a-half. I couldn't stop laughing.
How on earth did you get so hellishly fast?
I was 36 minutes behind the winner. It's all relative.
Do you have any idea how in awe we are of you?
No, please tell me!

(maybe not 20 questions...)
ok over to you!

canalrunner wrote:

The Joggler wrote:I ran the Boston Marathon yesterday and it was AWESOME!

You should submit that race report to a Canadian Running Magazine. Do you know of any?

NIce you were able to focus on doing one thing at a time and get it done.

Trail Child wrote:Michal, you are freakin' cool. Thanx for the Q&A!

I really enjoyed it this time around. The first time I bonked big-time, the second time I ran my butt off to a PB at the time (2:31:57 - how the hell did I do that?) but was too focused on running hard to have fun, and the third time, I was joggling and couldn't see much past my giant balls.