Boston Report

[Kimdawg]

I had a great time in Boston and thought I'd share my race day experience with you.

I was running with 2 of my friends and we weren't sure if we were going to stay together or run our own paces but we all had a 4 hour goal on our minds. I ran it in 2008 and finished with a time of 4:00:45 so felt that it was a realistic goal.

I felt it was doable again because I believe that I went into this race in the best physical shape I’ve been in in years. I trained really well for this marathon as I knew it was going to be my last (I have chronic kidney failure and the long runs really seem to knock my electrolyte balance out of whack).

Right from the beginning, I knew something wasn't right. I had been experiencing a weird "knot" in my stomach for a few days and wrote it off to nerves. I guess it wasn't.

Somewhere around 10k, I lost one of the girls and then shortly after that, my other friend decided she was going to see what she had and took off. I started to panic a little inside because I wasn't sure what the heck was happening with my feet and legs and then out of nowhere, my friend that I lost finds me!! I can't tell you how happy I was to see her!

I had some serious electrolyte issues from the 12k mark on. I started cramping in my toes and soon it was in my calves. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. I was dizzy and felt like I was going to throw up most of the race. I didn’t cramp when I walked but as soon as a ran for a couple of minutes, the cramping came back. It was like I had little aliens in my calves!!

I kept telling my friend to go ahead as she was feeling good and I could tell she was holding back but she wouldn't hear of it. Someone gave me a couple of salt packets and although the cramping didn't stop, it didn't get any worse. So we muddled through the next 15k or so, taking in all the support the crowds had to offer. Crossing that finish line with my friend, was one of the best feelings ever. She totally gave up her time goal for me and says she would do it all over again just to cross the finish line together; how do I ever thank her for that????

I said it in 2008 but I have to say it again, the spectators at Boston are simply the best. They make you think they are out there just for you. Whether it's the 5 year old kid waiting to high-5 you or the drunken college kids wanting the fist pump, they make you want to keep going. When they look you deep in the eyes and tell you that you can do it, you have to believe them!

I feel great today, only a little tightness in the quads but you’d never know I just ran the Boston Marathon. I’m going to take a few days off from running, and am seriously considering signing up for the Mississauga half (after I check in with my doctor for some bloodwork tomorrow).

Thanks for taking the time to read my report.

*I believe our finishing time was 4:18:54

[tri princess]

I'm so sorry to hear that you didn't feel well for your race. That's a long way to go when you aren't at your best!

Congratulations for making it to Boston in the first place, though, and for pulling off a really nice time in spite of it all!

...and your friend is amazing! What terrific support you had!

[Tori]

That did not sound like a fun day with the cramps. I hope you are feeling better now. Still a very decent time considering!

[Hermes]

You are my hero!! It takes a lot of guts to keep going when your calves are cramping (I love your description of the cramps as little aliens!!)

YOu're so right about the crowds at the Boston marathon. THey are simply the most amazing and supportive spectators and truly send out fantastic vibes. I think it's almost a good enough reason to try to qualify again!

So happy you found your friend - a true friend indeed! - and that you made it across that finish line together! WoW!

Good luck with your health. Though this may have been your last Boston, I'm sure you'll cherish it all the more for that reason.

[Ken B]

Great race. I am very impressed that you struggled through and finished in a still respectable time. The fact that your friend stuck with you is fabulous. Friends like that - PRICELESS!!!

[RayMan]

Fantastic report! I know exactly what you mean about the crowds - when they shouted "run Ray run" I really felt like they knew and cared about me.

You did a great job toughing it out and making it to that finish line - I hope you find out how to avoid that the next time.

Godspeed!

[Robbie-T]

crazy race, glad you ended it on a positive note. What a great last marathon race too

Congrats!

[Marg]

Wow... I am so glad you pulled it off with your friend beside you, huge congrats!

[Strider]

crazy race, glad you ended it on a positive note. What a great last marathon race too

Just what I was thinking - if you have to run your last, making Boston it, is the BEST. Way to be tough. Love the Boston Crowds. Enjoy the recovery.

[La]

Well done! Glad you had the experience you were hoping for!

[Doonst]

Seems you made the best of it on a tough day. Great experience!

[mas_runner]

You are one tough cookie! Congratulations on toughing it out and getting to the finish line in such a respectable time. Great to know you have a friend like that too. Good luck for the future...

[ratherBrunning]

Great job out there!! Congratulations to you and your wonderful friend!!! Good luck with your bloodwork and the 1/2, and thanks for the report.

[Robinandamelia]

Sorry it was a tough race, but congrats on finishing. That's a great time I think.

[Kimdawg]

Thanks everyone.

[militarybrat]

Wow, what a day you had - congratulations on your accomplishment!

[barebuns1]

Congrats on running another Boston. Too bad about the cramps. But your health should be your priority.
Good luck.

[gnu]

You are my hero!! It takes a lot of guts to keep going when your calves are cramping (I love your description of the cramps as little aliens!!)

YOu're so right about the crowds at the Boston marathon. THey are simply the most amazing and supportive spectators and truly send out fantastic vibes. I think it's almost a good enough reason to try to qualify again!

So happy you found your friend - a true friend indeed! - and that you made it across that finish line together! WoW!

Good luck with your health. Though this may have been your last Boston, I'm sure you'll cherish it all the more for that reason.

+1

[Kimdawg]

Thanks everyone!

Good news, about 10 days after Boston I had some bloodwork done. My GFR (kidney function) is the best it's been in years, but my magnesium was quite low. I'm pretty sure that was the cause of the cramping. I've been taking a supplement and will have my bloodwork done again in a couple of weeks just to check things out again.