Thursday, April 14, 2011


901

Thats my bib number this Monday at the Boston Marathon.

This race is kind of the oddball in my racing schedule. Roads, 25,000 people... not really my thing, but I actually had a great time last year. Boston's a neat city, the spectators are along the entire course, there's a bunch of college girls screaming and willing to kiss sweaty old men at the halfway point... Pretty fun really.

Being such a big race, they actually allow you at home to track me every 5K along the course. You can do that by going HERE on raceday and either entering that number up above or typing in my name.

What should you expect/be looking for?

Great question. I don't really know what to expect either. Here's a little insight:

Things that are different going into this race since last year:
-I have ran a crapload more miles in the winter months leading up to the race
-I have more racing experience than last year, including running the course before
-I have been eating very poorly, and imbibing in a few more beers this winter and spring
-I weigh about 10 pounds more than I did last year, and it's not all beer gut (possibly correlated to the note above)
-I actually tapered intelligently this year
-I have done 2, yes 2, track workout all spring (speed work is for the birds).

Other factors:
-The weather is supposed to be perfect
-I can't really come up with a single nagging injury (I typically like to talk up an injury before races so that I have a fallback excuse if things go poorly)

What does that all mean? I don't know. Last year I ran 2:57. I bonked the last 4 miles in spectacular fashion. I didn't stop for any kisses at Wellesley either.

I'm pulling this out of my A$$, but I'm gonna predict a 2:50. Kind of ambitious, but why the hell not. When I look at the reasons above, a slower time can only be attributed to being an overweight, beer drinking lazy ass who hates track workout. No injuries, perfect weather...I'm really in a corner without any excuses. So I might as well go for it. What's the worst than can happen? I hear IV's are actually quite refreshing and invigorating.

The plan will be to run the first half in 1:24 and then watch the fun unfold. This could end poorly, but it would be boring any other way.

Posts are boring without Pictures. So here are some randoms.

A Vigilante Llama I passed going up to White Ranch Last Fall

Some friends and I pounding watery beers after the the Turkey Trot. Walsh, Tom (We're currently fighting), BB, and I.

4 comments:

  1. How exciting! Good Luck! I can't wait to read about it! On a side note if I ever make it to Boston (one day, hopefully)I have a bet going to kiss one of them screaming college girls. Ha! Has this not happened before? A few of my guy friend's last year chickened out for they had girlfriends and did not stop for a kiss. Don't wuss out this year! Speed kissing - All the cool kids are doing it. :P

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  2. Make out with 5 girls and still run sub 2:50. You got this thing!

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  3. My intention was to kiss just 1 girl wast year, but there were so many and I couldn't make up my mind and before I knew it they were all gone. I guess you just can't be too choosy. In hindsight it should have been the Swedish girl, but the Iranian was enticing as well...

    And Luke, don't you think sticking with just 1 girl would be good advice? Too soon?

    Thanks for the comments and support peeps.

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  4. Good luck! I will be tracking you! I can't wait to see you in a few weeks too!! Don't get hurt! Take care!

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