The 113th Boston Marathon was filled with great expectations. It filled up in record time and it was my Boston debut as well with number 4918 from my Marine Corps time, just 11 numbers from Jen Brown.

Picking up my packet and visiting the finish area before the race.

Crowds lined the streets to cheer us on. there was a warm welcoming atmosphere in Natick. Kids and their parents were handing out oranges, bananas, lollipops, little cups of water and Kleenex.  My goal was to finish under 3 hours, so I took advantage of the near 100 foot drop in elevation during mile 15 to run my quickest split in the road as I crested the hill about midway through the 16th mile. I ran a 6:44 for mile 16 with the hill.

The 2nd Newton Hill came midway through mile 17. 6:58 split. Mile 18 was a gradual 50 foot decent as I ran a 6:20. The 3rd Newton Hill came quickly after.  At the 19 mile mark. I was still carrying my gel that I picked up in mile 16 and squeezed it in my left hand as I ran a 6:38 split.

Mile 20 is home of the infamous Heartbreak Hill, where runners most often hit the wall. the stretch on the course where Commonwealth Ave. climbs 75 feet over a quarter mile. run the first 3 hills, I felt a little tired, but I gathered my thoughts and ran through at 6:46. 2:55 finish. mile 21, I ran a 6:33 for mile 22.

My pace slowed to 6:53 for mile 23 as I was unable to let gravity pull me faster. the Red Sox vs Orioles game lined the streets as we entered Boston. Boston won 12‐1 and I crossed the finish under 3 hours.

Read the full report at the following link

2009 Boston