My beloved Boston Marathon Race Recap

In loving memories of the too many fallen bystanders following unexplainable attacks on Monday April 15th 2013.

This Monday morning started like any other race morning for me. I do my usual preparation pre-race. It is my 10th marathon and my second Boston Marathon. This year was a redemption year for me as I wanted to re-establish my finish time of this prestigious Boston Marathon. 117 edition, lot's of history. I am so happy to be here. I know how much sweat and sacrifice I have put in to be there.

Back to my marathon morning. I'm usually not nervous anymore before a marathon. I have jitters and high expectation but way less nerves than before. On this morning, my night sleep was not good and I was quite tired, actually I like to qualify myself as to lethargic. My past experience tells me that when the gun signals the start of the race, everything goes away and my focus zooms in.

Weather forecast is exceptional actually, it is almost a miracle as last year inferno is still fresh to mind. I'm coming in Boston with a qualifying time and pb of 2h55m28s. I was awarded bib 1909. I'll be right in front at the start line.

Morning race means coffee for me, I see no issue in drinking lots of coffee ( I'm no expert) before a race. I'll eat lite, I did my carbs load up in the last 2-3 days. I'll also limit my drinking of fluids. I hate chaffing therefore I use Vaseline for my thighs, toes, lower back and I also protect my nipple. As funny as it may sound, chaffing is useless pain, therefore I tend to minimize it.

I'm electing to run the lightest possible carrying no drinking bottles. Dressing as lite as possible also. But on this morning at early dawn it is close to freezing point 0C. The Boston Marathon differs from all the others I have run where as we are driven from in school buses 2-3 hours prior to the start of the race. All runners are set up in the Athletes village in Hopkinton. Sitting for 2+ hours at 1-2C can be quite cold and it was. I was still feeling lethargic. Not worrying but thinking about it.

Now fast forward to the standup in the coral, I'm in Wave 1, Coral 2.

0945 I'm standing there, focusing on my race plan, enjoying the moment, looking around, watching the elite field coming to the front of the pack. I wanted to see Kara Goucher but only male elite got by, Ladies left earlier. I'm thinking of my blog, trying to remember details so I could share afterward. At this moment, the rays of light are starting to heat us. Absolutely no shade when standing in the coral. I verify my Garmin watch to make sure I get a quick access to satellite signal. I give away my long sleeve sweater to charity and am all set.

0954 The adrenaline builds up, mostly seasoned runners are in front, vast majority of under 3 hours runners. I'm one of them

0955 US National Anthem is played on this Patriots Monday.

0959 We are about to start, cords are now set away and we will all walk closer to the start line. It will not be long for me to cross the starting line.

1000 Start of the race, as usual it is precise, 10 o'clock sharp

I start my garmin, I have crossed the starting line 27 seconds after gun start

I'm all in for Boston, focus on my race plan

Fast pace to start as we are rolling down a bit, a 4 minutes pace is quite comfortable in those narrow street of Hopkinton. My first km is fast but I'm okay with it. 3:58 pace, it is mostly downhill.

I'm about to hit the 5k marker. With dozens if not more online followers, I'm thinking of all the ones that will se my first 5k split. Website will now indicate a ETA for the run and followers will be able to see if I'm doing good or bad.

1021 5k -- 20min10

I also start my calculation, I set my mind to 3 splits of 15k. All of them around the hour mark. Those first 5k's were easy and I'm very happy to be out of the crowd. In the marathon, I elect to drink gatorade at every station in the first half of the race. After a 5k split, I tell myself 1/8 of 5k, 5k are easy, keep up the pace. I could go faster but I know I should not and will not. I'm thinking of my mom, she's following. My #1 fan. She's probably secured with me at this pace. She knows what I'm aiming for and knows it is less likely I'll blow a tire near end of race with this pace. I recognized the scenery as I go through, but I have a poor visual memory and can't foresee what is coming.

1041 10k -- 20min24 -- 40min34s

I'm now regular like a clock, pacing at 4min05. I regurlaly verify my pace through my Garmin. It is quite sunny and even warm. Perfect day…for now. The Marathon travels through various cities before getting to Boston in the 5-10k stretch, we move from Hopkinton to Ashland. Everytime we hit a new town, a bigger crowd awaits for us. The Boston crowd is wonderful and very valuable. It does make a huge difference.

1101 15k --20min10 -- 1h00m44s

Yes, I'm through my first 15k, it was quite easy and I'm very happy with this. I am nervous of my pace, which I feel is a bit fast. The first 10k are mostly downhill and I figure I didn't do any mistake. My fastest lap was 3min54s and my slowest was 4min11. Just after the 15k mark, I see the first signs of the Baseball game that is just beginning. Still 0-0..in the first inning. I can also hear the sports commentators on one loud radio. I smile and actually love it. I know I'll write this part in the blog. With my 1/3 of the race completed. I analyzed where I'm at. from 15-16k, it is a bit uphill and I feel it, I need to push a little harder to keep a pace. The lap would eventually end in 4min10s. 16-17k is also uphill, it is not qualified as a hill but slows my pace at the same energy level. With 4min10-4min07-4min05. I'm worrying a lot. Have I broken or am I on the verge of breaking. with some 25+ k's to go, I'll find this to be a very long road to Boston. And the worst, the hills are not there yet. I focus on my half-marathon time. I don't want t cross under 1h26min.

1121 20k--20min23s--1h21m07s

I'm a bit fast, I'll beat the 1h26m mark for the 21.1k, I'm slowing down a bit, but it is also downhill, my 21st k will be at 4min01. I'm about to hit the half-marathon mark. Finally, distance remaining will start to be less that distance ran.

1126 21.1k--1h25m35s (My second fastest half-marathon ever)

It ain't no comfort zone, I'm not slowing down and Am in unknown territory…plus the hills are coming. So many runners have lost their race in the Newton hills and specially @ Heatbreak. This is my last stretch of 5k before the 25k-35k portion of rolling hills. It is quite warm and the cheers of the wellesley girls is quite welcoming. So many signs of "Kiss me", I of course solely focus on the run. The cheering does help and my 22nd k will be at 4min09s. No rookie mistake

1141 25k--20min17s--1h41m24s

I'm not a my best, have I ran too fast? Or am I worrying too much of those hills, nonetheless here they come. After a downhill k ran at 3min49s pace, I start climbing the first hill. I slow down a lot, fellow runners seems not to. I'm wondering, but it is my race plan. I am following it. First hill will be at 4min17s pace. My slowest lap. My energy level is still good . I'm pacing myself good and will do 4min03; 4min13s and 4min01s in the k's 28-30k. I'm about to hit the 30k mark, I see it coming, on my right

1202 30k -- 20min34s --2h01m58s

Somehow, the time on the clock seems wrong, I can't remember what it was, but it didn't seem like what I was expecting. I strongly suspect my mind and not the official timing of the BAA. Nevertheless, i'm keeping with my pace and believe that the 32k mark is where the hills stops. I really push the 31st k as I want to gain some ground, At the 32k mark in Newton, the long hill that starts at the firestation, memoirs of last year. I'm thinking this is Heartbreak. Last hill to worry. After a 3min55s k, i challenge the hill with a 4min16s lap. It does take out lots of energy. I'm not in hurting mode yet, but am quite tired. I'm very worried of the 36-38k portion. On the downhill after I'm thinking to re-gather, slow down my heart rate and push for the last 10k. When after clocking a decent lap, I see the bottom of another hill, How could I miss a calculation like this. HeartBreak is there awaiting for me to climb. Sun is at it's peak, it ain't hot like last year, but still, quite comfortable. I do feel I left a lot on the course. Heartbreak will give me a 4min21s pace. I now remember the long downhill afterward. I will catch up on this one. 3min51s. A very hard 5k portion with ups and downs.

1223 35k -- 20min44s-2h22m42s

With 7ks to go, it is now impossible to hit the 2h50m target. I would need a 27m18s 7k. Under 4min pace for the whole remaining of the course. And reality is that I'm starting to hurt. But my laps are still quite steady. 4min04 - 4min04 - 4min08. On kilometre 38, we finally see the CITGO sign, jeez, it seems so far and small, quite some ways before hitting Boston. I definitively run on low reserve of energy and feel I can break any time. As much as I don't wanna slow down, as much as I'm risking my race. The wall ain't too far. Urgent decision mode, do I save my race and let go my PB or go for it. Well, It's all in for Boston so I go for it. But clearly, I'm slower than other runners. My 40th lap will be a 4min10s. I have no more energy, only thing remaining before lights shutdown is will. And the battle with my mind is underway. At least I have reached Boston, Fenway Park, Citgo Sign. I'm now quite familiar with those streets

1243 -- 20min33s 2h43min15s

Won't make it under 2h50m. I'm solely focus on my new PB. My mind is raging, all my body signals are telling me to stop, I'm resilient, I will not surrender. With every step, trying to keep up, I visualize all of my motivation videos. I'm few minutes before Boylston street and I wanna make sure this year I sprint the last portion. I'm hurting to much to realize I'm besides Fenway Park. I don't see any spectators from the bleachers. The 41st k is a tough one. Giving it all at my max heart rate I can't better 4min13s. I'm very close to the wall,

My 42nd k brings me through the wonderful area of Boston, heading to Boylston street. A huge huge crowds is there. I'm pushing hard, passing fellow runners hurting, and being passed by runners in a 4min pace. I'm now slow and I know. No possible sprint for me. As I'm make a left turn on Boylston after a 4min12s k, I can the see the finish area. I'm starting the Boylston stretch opting for the left side. There are seldom runners and I'm quite close to the crowd. This would be troublesome afterwards. My sprint goes good and finally I hit the finish line, on my way on Boylston, I do a few fist pump. I'm happy, I will pb in a very respectable time

12h52 --2h52m32s

My second Boston is completed. Mission accomplished, My time will be registered in the Boston Marathn archives. Very proud of this time. A couple of feets after crossing the finish line. I take a break on the left side, talking with some spectators. Boston is wonderful.

Before freezing and after grabbing some Gatorade, water and other goodies. I get my bag of warm clothing. Many text's and missed phone calls. I gather myself and call my mom she's happy I'm happy!

I'll be at the Boston marathon finishing area till 1443. A few minutes before the 2 blasts. I'm extremely lucky, fortunate, grateful, sad, overwhelmed and many attributes to describe what I'm feeling.

As for me, I'm waiting in the T while the explosions occur. Will hop into a train and ride till I reach my hotel

1453 Slowly walking to my hotel, I'm thinking of tonight's celebration, My pb and my training needs celebration. Totally unaware of the unfortunate events. In my hotel room. TV is off and I'm in joy. Until friends are starting to wonder if I'm okay. It is then that I open the tv and witness an empty finishing area. A disaster zone. So many thoughts come to mind at this moment, Senseless in front of those events. I'm very very sad. Why? Would be the only question. News start to slowly come and no one can wrap their mind around the event. Who? Why? What for? What are the extents of the hurt.

1800

After 3 hours glued in front of tv. It's time to close it off.

I now have a mission to support fellow supporters. I'm unsure how I will support, but am sure I will.

I'll be back for the 118th edition of the Boston Marathon

In memories of all the victims, friends and relatives struggling with the events.