I stopped by the expo today to pick up my bib and off course the prized marathon jacket. Lots of people have been asking if you get them free, and no you do not you have to pay for them.
I seen lots of people wear them over the weekend, but I am not going to put mine on my back until I have conquered Boston.
With all the hype of the weather it has been worrisome, however the weather and temperatures today make it hard to believe that it is going to take such a turn for the worst - this is New England though - so anything is possible.
I have to admit when I was handed my bib number I was like a schoolkid - it was an stomach turning moment to have in my hand my coveted entry to Boston.
The expo was hectic and I was not one of the runners hanging around, once I got my number and jacket I took myself off home to relax.
Went out to dinner, Saturday night with some old co-workers, it was fun and they helped relax me from the distractions of my foot and the weather. With so many well wishes the last few days, it is really making me feel excited about running my first Boston Marathon.
They all took pictures at the finish line, I decided not to venture near it in case that I was tempting fate.
Saturday, April 14, 2007
Friday, April 13, 2007
This is the current marathon buzz - I hope they get it wrong.
With storm on way, organizers prepare for Boston Marathon
By Will Courtney
THE DAILY NEWS (NEWBURYPORT, Mass.)
BOSTON — Local runners who have trained for months for Monday’s Boston Marathon agree: The show must go on. Boston Marathon officials feel the same way — weather permitting.Organizers’ efforts are focused on doing all they can to ensure a forecasted nor’easter won’t cancel the Marathon for only the second time in its 111-year history, but they can’t make any promises.“Right now, barring any drastic changes and drastic worsening of the forecast, all systems are go for Monday,” said Peter Judge, spokesman for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
MEMA met with state and local officials Thursday afternoon to organize advance efforts to prepare the course for the nor’easter, which could bring gale-force winds and dump 3 to 5 inches of rain, snow and sleet on the region beginning Sunday night and going through Tuesday.The major concerns for the more than 20,000 runners, including more than 70 from Greater Newburyport, are hypothermia, flooding along the race course and the potential for falling tree limbs.
Working with the eight cities and towns along the route, MEMA will have some tree limbs pruned along the course, pumps at potential flooding spots and buses stationed along the route to warm or transport runners who fall prey to the elements.But should the forecasts show weather that would make things too dangerous, MEMA hasn’t ruled out calling the race off. “As race officials have said, the bottom line is the safety of the runners,” Judge said. “That will be the highest consideration when we look at the elements on Monday.
We sure don’t want to put people in serious harm’s way.”The only other time the race has been canceled was in 1918 during World War I. That year, a relay was held in its place. Judge said there would be no postponing the race. “It goes Monday, or it doesn’t go,” he said. “Other options aren’t on the table.”Judge said all the preparation by runners and volunteers would also weigh strongly in any decision.
Local runners, from marathon vets to novices, are counting on it.Tony Ames of Newburyport, who will be running his 11th Boston Marathon, has run the Border to Border 20-mile race from Kittery to Salisbury in 38-degree, rainy weather and conceded it’s not easy.“It was borderline hypothermia,” he said. “It was brutal. ... It’s not when you’re running, it’s when you stop.”Ames figured his body started shivering six to eight minutes after he stopped.“If temperatures are really 45 degrees or below with heavy rains, I think it’s going to get pretty ugly,” he said.Ames said he may wear long pants for the first time ever.
A number of other local runners were headed out to buy extra gear Thursday, as well.Margery Walentuk, 50, of Newburyport will be running her first, and possibly last, Boston Marathon. She’s got a head cold, but she was headed out to buy some rain gear, with every intention of being on the starting line Monday morning.“I’ve been running for 15 or 20 years, and I turned 50 this year. I’m not sure I’ll do another one, so I’ll truly go forward,” she said. “The weather won’t stop me.”Her plan: a weather-resistant jacket, an extra pair of socks baggied on her “fuel belt,” and her husband stationed at mile 16 with fresh shoes and socks.Pam Caron of Byfield has run one previous marathon — in San Diego, where it was a dry 80 degrees. She was also planning on buying rain gear after work. S
he’s envisioned what the Boston Marathon might be like.“I always just pictured this beautiful day,” she said. “But I’ve worked too hard. I’m not going to back out now.”Jodi Bertramb of Salisbury, who will be running her first marathon, has a forecast for any runners wondering what might happen.“Being a runner and going to all the races, (canceling) would never happen,” she said. “The Turkey Trot is a small, popular race in Newburyport, and we run in snow. I just know it will go on. If you don’t want to run, don’t show up.”
By Will Courtney
THE DAILY NEWS (NEWBURYPORT, Mass.)
BOSTON — Local runners who have trained for months for Monday’s Boston Marathon agree: The show must go on. Boston Marathon officials feel the same way — weather permitting.Organizers’ efforts are focused on doing all they can to ensure a forecasted nor’easter won’t cancel the Marathon for only the second time in its 111-year history, but they can’t make any promises.“Right now, barring any drastic changes and drastic worsening of the forecast, all systems are go for Monday,” said Peter Judge, spokesman for the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency.
MEMA met with state and local officials Thursday afternoon to organize advance efforts to prepare the course for the nor’easter, which could bring gale-force winds and dump 3 to 5 inches of rain, snow and sleet on the region beginning Sunday night and going through Tuesday.The major concerns for the more than 20,000 runners, including more than 70 from Greater Newburyport, are hypothermia, flooding along the race course and the potential for falling tree limbs.
Working with the eight cities and towns along the route, MEMA will have some tree limbs pruned along the course, pumps at potential flooding spots and buses stationed along the route to warm or transport runners who fall prey to the elements.But should the forecasts show weather that would make things too dangerous, MEMA hasn’t ruled out calling the race off. “As race officials have said, the bottom line is the safety of the runners,” Judge said. “That will be the highest consideration when we look at the elements on Monday.
We sure don’t want to put people in serious harm’s way.”The only other time the race has been canceled was in 1918 during World War I. That year, a relay was held in its place. Judge said there would be no postponing the race. “It goes Monday, or it doesn’t go,” he said. “Other options aren’t on the table.”Judge said all the preparation by runners and volunteers would also weigh strongly in any decision.
Local runners, from marathon vets to novices, are counting on it.Tony Ames of Newburyport, who will be running his 11th Boston Marathon, has run the Border to Border 20-mile race from Kittery to Salisbury in 38-degree, rainy weather and conceded it’s not easy.“It was borderline hypothermia,” he said. “It was brutal. ... It’s not when you’re running, it’s when you stop.”Ames figured his body started shivering six to eight minutes after he stopped.“If temperatures are really 45 degrees or below with heavy rains, I think it’s going to get pretty ugly,” he said.Ames said he may wear long pants for the first time ever.
A number of other local runners were headed out to buy extra gear Thursday, as well.Margery Walentuk, 50, of Newburyport will be running her first, and possibly last, Boston Marathon. She’s got a head cold, but she was headed out to buy some rain gear, with every intention of being on the starting line Monday morning.“I’ve been running for 15 or 20 years, and I turned 50 this year. I’m not sure I’ll do another one, so I’ll truly go forward,” she said. “The weather won’t stop me.”Her plan: a weather-resistant jacket, an extra pair of socks baggied on her “fuel belt,” and her husband stationed at mile 16 with fresh shoes and socks.Pam Caron of Byfield has run one previous marathon — in San Diego, where it was a dry 80 degrees. She was also planning on buying rain gear after work. S
he’s envisioned what the Boston Marathon might be like.“I always just pictured this beautiful day,” she said. “But I’ve worked too hard. I’m not going to back out now.”Jodi Bertramb of Salisbury, who will be running her first marathon, has a forecast for any runners wondering what might happen.“Being a runner and going to all the races, (canceling) would never happen,” she said. “The Turkey Trot is a small, popular race in Newburyport, and we run in snow. I just know it will go on. If you don’t want to run, don’t show up.”
Thursday, April 12, 2007
Reason 1136: The satisfaction lasts longer than the pain.
So after my 5 miler my foot feels fine, which is definitely a nice feeling to have after dealing with the foot for the past three weeks. I realize that this could well be different for the longer run that I am going to undertake next week, but I think that on race day you expect the pain.
There is plenty of speculation right now for the weather for Monday and the BAA have gone as far as issuing an announcement on their website.
4/11/2007
Weather Alert - Monday's Boston Marathon
Wednesday, April 11 - As the Boston Athletic Association continues to make preparations for Monday's Boston Marathon, we are monitoring the upcoming weather conditions forecast for this area. Based on the National Weather Service's most recent report and in cooperation with the Executive Office of Public Safety (Commonwealth of Massachusetts) and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, together with the eight cities and towns along the 26.2-mile marathon route, we are planning for likely heavy rain and windy conditions on race day. However, all race day plans remain the same. The Boston Athletic Association advises participants in Monday's race to plan accordingly for their run, bringing with them gear and apparel to suit the conditions. The B.A.A. will continue to update this web site as necessary.
VIEW ALL NEWS HEADLINES
So the race will go on! I will be ready, I do prefer the cold to a really hot/humid day that Boston has seen in past years. But I am not too much a fan of the rain, so the rain gear will be out, ponchos on the ready.
I have been reading the Adidas advertising all over the city and I found one today, that I think I can relate to the most, and indeed is the heading of today's blog - "The satisfaction lasts longer than the pain".
Also, I was reading over some old marathon quotes that I enjoy, and I found this other one by the Great Emil Zatopek that I love "If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon."
- Emil Zatopek
There is plenty of speculation right now for the weather for Monday and the BAA have gone as far as issuing an announcement on their website.
4/11/2007
Weather Alert - Monday's Boston Marathon
Wednesday, April 11 - As the Boston Athletic Association continues to make preparations for Monday's Boston Marathon, we are monitoring the upcoming weather conditions forecast for this area. Based on the National Weather Service's most recent report and in cooperation with the Executive Office of Public Safety (Commonwealth of Massachusetts) and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, together with the eight cities and towns along the 26.2-mile marathon route, we are planning for likely heavy rain and windy conditions on race day. However, all race day plans remain the same. The Boston Athletic Association advises participants in Monday's race to plan accordingly for their run, bringing with them gear and apparel to suit the conditions. The B.A.A. will continue to update this web site as necessary.
VIEW ALL NEWS HEADLINES
So the race will go on! I will be ready, I do prefer the cold to a really hot/humid day that Boston has seen in past years. But I am not too much a fan of the rain, so the rain gear will be out, ponchos on the ready.
I have been reading the Adidas advertising all over the city and I found one today, that I think I can relate to the most, and indeed is the heading of today's blog - "The satisfaction lasts longer than the pain".
Also, I was reading over some old marathon quotes that I enjoy, and I found this other one by the Great Emil Zatopek that I love "If you want to run, run a mile. If you want to experience a different life, run a marathon."
- Emil Zatopek
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
1st Luna Run of the Season
So I am not sure if I have mentioned or not, I am a Boston LUNA Chix. www.bostonlunachix.com, I love my involvement with the Chix and have meet some many great girls through it, many of whom are now my running partners.
Michelle a fellow Chix is running Boston with me, she is a great girl, strong runner and a Boston Marathon qualifier, she qualified for Boston at Chicago marathon last fall. It will be great having someone for company in the hours preceeding the marathon.
We had our first run of the season last night around the Charles River, we do Wednesday Night Runs every week from April - November. We had a great turnout last night, the run felt easy and I think that I will end my training on a high note. I had no foot pain running last night, which was the first time in weeks, so I do think I made a smart decision these past few weeks cutting back even though I was nowhere near the long runs I hoped to be at.
I can take this positive run into Monday, which I have to say I am only really allowing myself to get excited about now.
Michelle a fellow Chix is running Boston with me, she is a great girl, strong runner and a Boston Marathon qualifier, she qualified for Boston at Chicago marathon last fall. It will be great having someone for company in the hours preceeding the marathon.
We had our first run of the season last night around the Charles River, we do Wednesday Night Runs every week from April - November. We had a great turnout last night, the run felt easy and I think that I will end my training on a high note. I had no foot pain running last night, which was the first time in weeks, so I do think I made a smart decision these past few weeks cutting back even though I was nowhere near the long runs I hoped to be at.
I can take this positive run into Monday, which I have to say I am only really allowing myself to get excited about now.
Monday, April 9, 2007
1 week to go
Great weather this morning, perfect day for a run. Did an easy 3 miles on Beacon Street, listened to some great tunes on my ipod, let my mind wondered and thought ahead one week to when I will be running on the very same route as the final few miles of the marathon.
Hopefully at this point, I will still be running and not too sore. I am sure the hundreds of people lining Beacon Street will help distract me with whatever I am fitting at that point, be it mental or physical.
Despite not running much the last few weeks my heart rate is still in the zone I would like it to be. So I do feel next week my challenge is going to be muscle aches and pains as I push my body through my longest distance since a 20 mile run last September.
Hopefully at this point, I will still be running and not too sore. I am sure the hundreds of people lining Beacon Street will help distract me with whatever I am fitting at that point, be it mental or physical.
Despite not running much the last few weeks my heart rate is still in the zone I would like it to be. So I do feel next week my challenge is going to be muscle aches and pains as I push my body through my longest distance since a 20 mile run last September.
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