Rainy Boston

Well, it wasn't like we weren't warned.  Before I left work on Friday night, I asked Jerry Taft whether there was much chance the forecast for the weekend in Boston could be wrong.  He said the system looked pretty strong, so the 'noreaster' they were talking about was pretty likely to hit on Sunday and last through the race on Monday.  So far he seems to be right.

We were supposed to be at a Red Sox game right now.  It was to be my first chance to see a game at Fenway Park.  But we woke up to rain, and they apparently never even thought about playing.  I heard on ESPN they canceled the game by early morning.  Oh well, at least they have made it very clear, they will not cancel the marathon under any weather circumstances. 

So instead of sitting at the baseball game all day, getting my mind off the race, I instead violated all the good advice I have gotten to stay off my feet on Sunday, and headed back to the marathon expo.  I really just wanted to make sure I knew the way from my hotel to the finish area, where I catch the bus in the morning.  But, with nothing else to do, we braved the huge crowds again, and walked around the expo.  It was a mistake.  We could hardly move, or breathe, it was so crowded.  And we didn't really even buy anything we couldn't have gotten somewhere else.  Oh well, it's part of the experience I suppose.

In any case, we did have a nice evening Saturday night.  CARA and Fleet Feet sports were hosting a reception for the Chicago area runners here in Boston.  We stopped in for a while and had a nice time.  Then we headed out with some non-running friends for sea food and a couple beers.  It was fun, because I was the only runner in the group, so the conversation was about lots of things other than running for a change.

That is difficult.  Everywhere you look around Boston right now you see billboards for the marathon.  Streets are blocked off.  Every third person you see, it seems, is wearing running gear, and looks prepared for the race on Monday.  We did take the obligatory photo at the finish line, which is a block away from the expo.  I expect the next time I see it, I will  feel a whole lot worse for wear.

In any case, it's an exciting atmosphere.  I've always heard that nowhere is the experience of running a marathon like it is here.  The entire city no only supports the race, but seems to revolve around it.  Street closures and the like are not considered irritations, rather, people are excited the historic event comes so close to where they are.  Perhaps the true test of support will come during the race when the weather is horrible and many are out there cheering anyway.

I'm looking forward to it no matter what.  The weather has forced me to throw out all modest goals I had for the race, and I will truly hope to just run, enjoy myself as much as possible, and finish in one piece. 

I'll let you know how it goes!

Comments

[Janet]

LET ME BE THE FIRST - CONGRATULATIONS JOHN - it could not have been easy, and your time was great especially compared to my time when the sun is shining. You should feel very proud and hopefully have dried out by now. Janet