Diary of a Boston Marathon Weekend: Part 2

Monday, April 17, 2000:

The 5:30 AM weather showed Boston at 44 degrees, cloudy, and with northeast winds 15 mph. Hopkinton's noontime temperature would be 47 degrees. Dana-Farber runners met as a group at 6:30 to go together on the hour long bus ride to Hopkinton. Once there, we gathered at a church parish hall about a half-mile from the Athletes Village where the mass of runners gathers until the noon start. At the parish hall, we enjoyed the amenities of being indoors, chairs, two televisions to watch live coverage of the pre-marathon activities on two channels, real bathrooms, telephones, fruit, bagels, water, Gatorade, ibuprofen, and just about anything any runner could think to want or need. We had ample time to play catch-up with friends since the previous years gathering, meet new D-F runners, and relax. At 10:30, announcements were made to take our drop bags to the baggage bus; 11:00 was group photo, and then we were on our own to say goodbye and offer good wishes for those who would be in different starting corrals.

Once the gun went off, it took 9:37 before my chip registered at the start line. Charity runners are the last of the official runners, and with fifteen official charities recognized by the BAA, there is a respectable showing of those running for others. But, even way back in the pack, the crowd still dictated how long it would be until it was possible to take a walk break. Because of my imposed two-month "rest" and the fact that I was just back on the roads by four weeks, I had downsized my usual 4 minutes run/ 1 minute walk to 3/1. It worked out comfortably at the Skunk Cabbage half-marathon two weeks earlier. At four miles, it still was not viable to take a walk break although I could have forced it by jumping onto sidewalks. I didn't do so, remembering November 1998 when I fell going up onto a sidewalk. This was not the time and place to fall.

I was looking forward to the first water station where my friend Deb was a volunteer. I stopped long enough for a quick hug and moved along to avoid the congestion of runners. I didn't miss a water station along the route and planned my GU (a staple of my running diet) at 5k intervals (as I did the year I qualified). Ultrarunner editor Don Allison was waiting for me just beyond the Framingham train station and he was the only other person I expected to know along the course until mile 25 where the D-F contingent awaited us. I was able to comfortably start the walk intervals by mile 7. Up until then, the pace felt comfortable, and I slowed at every mile water station. By 15k, I knew GU was no longer an option. This was my 50th marathon, my 6th Boston, and I have never had any problems with GU or anything else in any marathons or ultras. Today it was not agreeing with me. From the halfway point, I tried Gatorade diluted with water, as the lemon-lime flavor is the most offensive to my GI system. I have always been able to tolerate it diluted and in limited quantities, but, again, not today. By mile 15, I knew that Gatorade would no longer be an option. Just before the 30k mark, I had my first ever Boston Marathon pit stop. Even though I picked the one with the shortest line, I lost four minutes. By then, I was not even able to tolerate water although I continued to take sips just to keep my lips moist.

I knew that without any intake of anything I was going to be in big trouble. The big "D" was looming on the horizon, coming closer with every step to the finish line. I also knew I'd be in bigger trouble if I maintained the pace that netted a 2:06 first half. I remember thinking this is how and why people DNF but it never occurred to me that I might do so. I knew Joe Henderson and other friends were tracking me on the computer and that helped keep me going. It was definitely a mind over matter day. Ironically, except for GI rebellion, I felt good and even the pace seemed comfortable considering my recent lack of training. The hills felt the most comfortable of all the times I've been on the course, thanks to my more intense Wednesday morning hill workouts. The weather did not seem to be a problem for me. And the mile markers seemed to be materializing fairly quickly. I have a mental block about the stretch on Beacon Street from Cleveland Circle to mile 25. But, knowing that the Dana-Farber contingent would be waiting for me kept me going fairly strong, at least stronger than last year when I struggled in the 70 degrees temperature.

Friday's visualization run helped me through Kenmore Square and up "Mount Olympus" on Hereford Street. Turning left onto Boylston Street, I know the 26-mile mark is in front of Walgreen's. It's a matter of that last stretch. Instead of focusing on the finish line, I focused on storefronts, just passing one to the next to the Lenox Hotel, to the Boston Public Library to the finish line. Finally, 4:39:52 from the gun, 4:30:19 chip time. Since my goal was to finish upright within the official six hours, I was content with the day's effort, although I couldn't help but wonder what I could/would have done if I had not had such stomach distress. But "what if's" and "if only's" are the basis to return for a later day when everything goes just right, or at least better. Statistically it was my turn for such an experience.

Dana-Farber, being the "home town" charity, has the most numbers given by the BAA. There is incredible support from the crowd and shouts of "Go, Dana-Farber" can be heard continuously along the course. It helps that our uniforms are brightly multi-colored. The only way a spectator could miss a D-F runner is not to be looking! There are D-F volunteers waiting at the finish line to escort D-F runners back to the Westin for food and massages. Although I truly felt the worst I have ever felt in any marathon or ultra, I was still able to carry on a coherent conversation, but with concentrated effort. Once I checked in at the D-F desk, I was free to enjoy the company of fellow runners, food, and a massage in a grand, opulent ballroom. The soup was winning a battle with my stomach but the sandwiches and pasta salads were not in contention. Besides dehydration, I suspect that I was also on the verge of hypothermia (finish line wind chill was reported at 20 degrees) and although the massage felt good, I couldn't relax and enjoy it. Although I'd noticed the crystal chandeliers upon entering the room, it wasn't until I was lying on the massage table looking up that I noticed the mirrored ceiling. It provided an overview of many runners relaxed into a semi-somnolent state by the magic fingers of the massage therapists. As soon as the massage was over, I gathered up my belongings and started the half-mile trek back to my hotel via the shopping center walkway, so I didn't have to go back outside. Now 7:00PM and back at the room I had barely enough energy to pull back the covers and crawl into bed. I slept fitfully and forced myself to drink water whenever I woke up. It was midnight before I entertained the idea that I wanted to live (mainly because I didn't want the hotel maid to find a dead body in the morning).

Tuesday, April 18, 2000:

I survived the night and woke before the morning alarm. I felt a bit more human and would have preferred to stay in bed. Of course, Boston DOMS, the worst kind, set in overnight and I knew that I had to move the legs before rigor mortis set in. I walked the two miles to Faneuil Hall Marketplace to buy my sale items at Bill Rodgers Running Store. Bill himself was there signing autographs so I had an opportunity to chat with him for a few minutes. It's his opinion that the BAA will be "looking seriously at the qualifying times." He also feels that whoever set up the present qualifying times never ran a marathon after the age of forty. I ambled back to the hotel, retrieved my luggage, and headed to the airport. As I sat in the airport waiting for my plane, I realized that I would be heading back to Seneca Falls, reality, recovery, and running (in that order).

I have never underestimated the marathon distance, as there are too many variables over which one has no control. That was proved yesterday. I don't think my finishing time reflects the problems I had during the run, but overall I guess the marathon went fairly well. Bill Rodgers has a new tee-shirt in his store with his quote, "The marathon will humble you." There's nothing like the Boston marathon to guarantee it.

-- Cathy Troisi