I Am In Boston

I arrived tonight after a relatively uneventful direct flight from Portland. Weather as I arrived is exactly the type of weather I'm used to in the Pac NW. And I love that. Race day should be 55*, partly cloudy w/some chance of rain. That's exactly how my qualifying race weather was so bring it.

On the flight there were many many Boston runners, including Barb (that's all I got from her) that I sat next to, also running her 1st Boston. She and I chatted a bunch about our training and plans for the race. I usually am not one to conversate too much esp on a long flight but this was great. Everything started to sink in. I read my book and remained calm.

My sister picked me up and I've been cozily tucked into her house for the evening. I got to see my little nieces and it is just good to be here all around. We ate pizza for dinner and I sadly abstained from beer. I think it is time to start the cleanse.

Through a random contact my sister has, she acquired a DVD bootleg of the official John Hancock Race Preview for the 114th Boston marathon. We watched it and were both crying by the end. (Lame, but how can you not?) I am going to watch this video no less than 5 more times before Monday. It is a great run through the course, with a video of the entire race from start to finish, not leaving a mile out. There are voice overs of interviews with various people that have advice and lessons learned about the course. How perfect.

My better half arrives at like 2 a.m. tonight and tomorrow I plan to get my race bib while my BIL gets his for the Sunday 5k. I have never been crazy about these big race expos (I have a friend pick up my Chicago bib for me in 2007) but I think I'll do a lap regardless. This is Boston FGS. I brought my vintage 1979 running mag and will try to get pics from those featured within (Grete Waitz, Bill Rodgers). I think they'd get a kick out of seeing this 30 year old publication.

I also plan to do an EASY run backwards down HBH (heartbreak hill) and then walk back up it. I'm staying at the top of it which is quite convenient. I keep trying to marginalize these hills by examining them physically, driving them, analyzing the elevation profile, comparing to my long run elevation profile. I just want them to disappear!

My usual 20 mile route goes across a looong gradual bridge that climbs 210 feet over less than 1.5 miles. I usually hit this around my 13 mile mark. I think the series of hills that spans miles 16-21 in Boston climbs 275 feet. So this should be nothing for me. Right? RIGHT!

I hope my magic taper worked.

I need to give a shout out here to all of the European runners that are not able to make it to Boston. I am completely devastated for you and feel your pain. I wish I had something conciliatory or encouraging to say but I know how I'd feel if I were in your place. Just hang in there, and you are missed here.

One of those runners that is unable to make it is my friend Petra - I was so excited to meet her in person on race day and take the bus together. I know you'll get your chance to run Boston at some point in time but I will truly miss you on Monday.

More from the battlefield tomorrow. I'll try to take pics of the people scoping out HBH tomorrow, it should be interesting.