Running Mania

Is it too early to obsess about Boston? I received my Bib number by email today. I am # 20812 and in Corral 3/3 ( No surprise there!! )

I am already trying to figure out the running clothes depending on several different weather situations!!

Too early would be 2011. Obsess away. I have run three Bostons: one perfect weather(2006), one high winds and cold (2007) and one super hot (2012). My advice: Prepare for each.

Obsess away so I can live vicariously through you

You're allowed to do whatever you'd like -- YOU'RE GOING TO BOSTON!! Bring it all!!

I'm excited for everyone getting the opportunity to run this great race, especially the first-timers.

Ken B wrote:I am already trying to figure out the running clothes depending on several different weather situations!!

Bring way more than you need to the athlete's village and postpone your decision until the last hour. A throwaway long-sleeved shirt and gloves are especially useful at this race for the period between checking your bag and actually getting to run. Most of your run will be in the early afternoon and you'll always have lots of people around you, so chances are better for nice or warm than for cold.

This isn't about clothing...it's about food.
Bring some snack to eat on the bus...and maybe throw in some extra to share
My bus seat mate in 2008 was very happy I had extra to share as she had not eaten much breakfast and was happy to have some orange slices, yogurt, and muffin to munch on during the ride

Jo-Jo wrote:Bring some snack to eat on the bus...

Good point. Better yet, plan to have a second breakfast at the other end of the bus ride. Unless, of course, your typical schedule is such that for a race with a 7am start, you have breakfast at 2am. I don't know whether to laugh or shake my head at the dozens of runners (who by virtue of getting to Boston should know better) chugging water before and during the bus ride (and then begging for the driver to let them out to water the grass), as if this is what they always do four hours before a marathon. There's plenty of time in the village for all that.

Thanks for all the tips. We are staying in a hotel near the start so Mrs. Tortoise will be dropping me off at one of the Parking areas and I will take the shuttle bus from there. My plan is to arrive nice and early and have warm-up clothes to wear over my running gear until the race start. I will also pack a breakfast. Also good advice regarding drinking. I will definitely not over hydrate before the race. I will have a Camelback with sufficient water for before and during the race as needed only.

Who all is going this year?

#2102 here 1/3!

just over a month!

though my training hasn't been exactly where I wanted it (ie life, work too busy), I'm still over the moon!

Very exciting! Plan away. I hope you get great weather this year.

Very exiting Ken.

If you're staying near the start then you're pretty close to where my family lives. My sister is only a couple miles from Hopkinton State Park.

Can't wait to follow the tortoise on route!

One month to go!

purdy65 wrote:Can't wait to follow the tortoise on route!

One month to go!

this

Jwolf wrote:Very exiting Ken.

If you're staying near the start then you're pretty close to where my family lives. My sister is only a couple miles from Hopkinton State Park.

We're staying in Franklin. I think Mrs. Tortoise will likely drop me off at Hopkinton State ark as they are running shuttle buses to the Athlete's Village at the start. Trying to drive anywhere near the start area will be difficult.

Ken B wrote:

Jwolf wrote:Very exiting Ken.

If you're staying near the start then you're pretty close to where my family lives. My sister is only a couple miles from Hopkinton State Park.

We're staying in Franklin. I think Mrs. Tortoise will likely drop me off at Hopkinton State ark as they are running shuttle buses to the Athlete's Village at the start. Trying to drive anywhere near the start area will be difficult.

Yes, that's the recommendation for locals and anyone else who doesn't stay near the finish line. If you try to drive closer to the start they'll likely direct you to Hopkinton State Park. That's what Robbie-T and Doonst did in 2008.

Yes it was super easy. There are some pics here starting at 076.
http://robbie-t.kicks-ass.org/2008-04-Boston_Marathon/Jody_Pictures/

Have a great time Ken.

Thanks, Sheldon. Nice pics!!

Almost two weeks away!!

so pumped! Loved the weather in Toronto today - gave me a good feeling for this race. I'm sticking with the goal of 2:55. I certainly hit it for ATB and I felt fully recovered already.

Can't wait to rock beantown.

fingerboy wrote:Almost two weeks away!!

so pumped! Loved the weather in Toronto today - gave me a good feeling for this race. I'm sticking with the goal of 2:55. I certainly hit it for ATB and I felt fully recovered already.

Can't wait to rock beantown.

Sounds like a good goal. 2:55 is well-suited to a US race, as it works out to 20 minutes every 3 miles, so it's easy to check that you're on track. My hunch is that this will feel really easy for the first half (what with the downhills and the excitement), but will end up being perfect once you get to Newton.

Yep! Getting close. After my nice time at ATB, I don't know whether to go for a fast time or just amble through and spend some time with the Wellesley girls!!!

canalrunner wrote:Too early would be 2011. Obsess away. I have run three Bostons: one perfect weather(2006), one high winds and cold (2007) and one super hot (2012). My advice: Prepare for each.

Lots of great advice posted already so I've got nothing to add but good luck! I was also there in 2006 and 2007.....two of the biggest days of my life! To anyone headed to the holy grail of running....,no matter what the weather, enjoy every second of it.

Two weeks and counting! BT ( Boston Taper ) has commenced!!!!! Excitement level is manageable so far! ( Competing with JFK registration nerves - will I get into the JFK 50 Mile or not!! )

Its soooo hard to get time to run now but I'm doing everything I can with my motivation. I'm working 6 days a week with 10-13hrs days. Had to run at 10pm. Got in 7k but I was supposed to get 10. Oh well.

Other than that it was fun - keep imagining everyone having a tough day but me and pushing thru and the announcers and crowd going wild at this unknown pushing thru and catching up to the elites and winning. It did get me to do the last 1/2mi at 11mph.

fingerboy wrote:Its soooo hard to get time to run now but I'm doing everything I can with my motivation. I'm working 6 days a week with 10-13hrs days. Had to run at 10pm. Got in 7k but I was supposed to get 10. Oh well.

Other than that it was fun - keep imagining everyone having a tough day but me and pushing thru and the announcers and crowd going wild at this unknown pushing thru and catching up to the elites and winning. It did get me to do the last 1/2mi at 11mph.

I thought I won on the lean.

Is it me or is there less buzz on the boards this year about Boston? Whoever is going, you won't be disappointed, and unless it changes dramatically there won't be the heat to beat like last year.

[quote="canalrunner"]Is it me or is there less buzz on the boards this year about Boston? quote]

Do you think Purdy, Robin and I monopolized the Boards last year??

To all those Boston-bound, enjoy -- it's quite the party!!