Twice I ran the Boston Marathon, and the last time was a decade ago today.
I wish I could try to qualify again, but as I’ve watched my father’s knee surgeries over the past couple years, I’ve decided maybe no more marathoning for me. (Dad ran the Boston Marathon five times in the 1980s.)
It’s hiking, biking, and health club for me now. That’s probably better for my joints over the long haul.
Sometimes when I hear people talking about training for a marathon I really miss it, though.
As the race begins in a few minutes, I can still remember the excitement of standing in the big crowd at Hopkinton.
Mike, I’ve always loved running too and ran in smaller races years ago. I just started again training for 5 & 10K’s. I’m sure you miss it. It’s been twenty years for me but maybe since I’m training at altitude here, my race at sea level will rock (and my knees will hold up)!
My sister started the marathon about 10 minutes ago now. This is her second year in a row to run. I am thinking of her and anxiously waiting to hear how it goes. I will be visiting the site often today to track her progress.
I enjoy running but not like she does. However, she is my inspiration. She battled a severe eating disorder and went through several TOUGH years to find emotional and physical health. However, she is now able to help others and found an outlet in running.
What an accomplishment for all of these runners.
My husband ran four Houston Marathons and a friend of ours is running in the Boston Marathon today. It still amazes me that anyone can run that far! Congratulations to you for qualifying to run in the Boston Marathon. What a wonderful achievement! I know you must miss being there but am glad you have made the very sensible choice to take care of yourself. Wishing you a wonderful week!
For five years my wife and I lived just off of the Boston marathon route, somewhere around mile 23 or 24. Patriot’s Day as it is known in Boston features the marathon and a noon home game at Fenway Park. It is always a great day to be a Bostonian. I was always impressed by the sight of stragglers coming through the neighborhood as late as 5:00 and 6:00, bound and determined to finish.
It was also fun at church the day before to see the hopefuls who had descended on us for the race. I believe that is where I first met your dad, Mike.
Stats on current leader from Boston Globe. Take note of his height and weight.
Robert Kipkoech Cheruiyot
Country: Kenya
Age: 27
Personal best: 2:08:59 (Milan, 2002)
The youngest of Kenya’s fast fleet, he has two victories (also winning in Milan in 2002). He’s recognizable, even in the distance, standing at 6 feet 2 inches and 143 pounds. He won Boston in only his second marathon.
Peace.
I’m impressed with anyone who can qualify for the Boston Marathon, the granddaddy of them all. I’m still a long way off from qualifying but I am aiming at 4 hours in my next marthon. I’m currently training for my fourth marathon (the San Diego Rock-n-Roll) in June and appreciate well the dedication it takes to train well, eat right, and stay with it. Two brothers from church are training with me and this will be their first marathon.
The following is a piece I wrote for the congregation I serve as minister the week I ran my third marathon. It was my attempt at an apology (in the classic sense) for marathoners, along with observations about the rich spiritual connections that running has for me.
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Today I am running my third Los Angeles Marathon. My race will begin partway through the first worship service and, God willing, will end when those who attended second service are finishing lunch. Why would anyone want to run 26.2 consecutive miles? Isn’t there some type of treatment that can help cure people of this malady?
I cannot answer for others. For me, many reasons exist. First, the discipline of running helps me take a proactive stance against the heart-disease that runs in my family. Second, regular running provides a valuable outlet for stress and anxiety. Third, I feel better mentally, emotionally and physically when I run regularly. Fourth, I enjoy the challenge of setting a running goal and meeting it. Fifth, I have enjoyed connecting with people who enjoy running and with whom I have an instant bond because of our shared passion.
I have also observed that marathoning has much in common with the life of faith (Hebrews 12:1-3). Both require consistency over the long haul. Both utilize the wisdom of pacing and the discipline of endurance. Both challenge me to overcome obstacles. Both are powerfully aided by keeping one’s eyes focused on the “goal.” Both require replenishing along the way in order to finish the course. Both benefit from the encouragement of fellow “runners” and the inspiration of those who have already finished the race. Both require sacrifice to finish. Both teach that there can be value and meaning in pain.
As I think about what I want the second half of my life to count for, most of my goals have to do with virtues cultivated in marathoning: Living with long-term integrity in my faith. Being faithful and true as a husband. Honoring my commitments as a father. Pursuing excellence and consistent growth in my ministry.
Whether or not you run, I urge you to train yourself in godliness. And at the end of the day, I pray that with Paul, we may truthfully say, “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Now there is in store for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will award to me on that day–and not only to me, but also to all who have longed for his appearing.”
I watched the Boston Marathon several times today. They are amazing!! The ones who impress me the most are the ones who appear so relaxed. Hey, if height and weight are the qualifications, maybe Tim should run.
After tendon surgery in my foot I tried running and found out quickly that my knee would not take it. Hey this is Lance country anyway to I bought a bike the knee is doing well.
The Marathon finishes about 3 blocks from our apartment. We missed the 1st runners across this year because the Sox game went a bit long — walk-off home run to win the game — glad we were watching that!
No one’s mentioned that it is the Hoyt’s 25th year to run the race. He is 65 years old. How does he push his son up Heartbreak Hill at 65 years old?!? They just finished a few minutes ago — and I’m seeing an interview with Dick right now. What an amazing thing! The love between Dick and his son is palpable — even through the TV screen.
We’ll head over in about 30 minutes to watch for one of the seminary students we know finish the race. It is truly an amazing thing to see all these people running this distance. It’s a beautiful day. I think the winner broke the course record.
Happy Patriots Day.
Mike: In two weeks I will be running the Big Sur Marathon in California, on my way to the Pepperdine Lectureship. I have been training for this race since last November, and up in Alaska that has meant running through the winter on ice and snow and in below zero temperatures (we got a dusting of snow again just this morning and I will be going for a 12 mile run this afternoon). This will be the first marathon I have run in 10 years and I am really looking forward to it. I have many thoughts in common with Andy’s comments, and with his permission I would like to share most of his statement with the congregation where I preach as representative of my own ideas as well. Thanks for your comments and thoughts and daily encouragement.
This has nothing to do with the marathon.
The more baseball you watch, the more things you see for the first time. Yesterday, I saw a fence-clearing single. Maybe you saw it too.
Javy Lopez hit one out. Erstad looked like he might have caught it. Which is why Tejada came back to first and allowed Lopez to pass him on the basepath. End result: a very long, run-scoring single.
I just thought I’d share that with you, as it was all a part of John Lackey’s sterling effort against the Orioles. I think he may just have a very, very good year.
Does anyone have any tips, training schedules, suggestions, etc. for running a marathon? On my life’s “To Do” list, this one is near the top, plus I have extra motivation because of some health issues my son went through a few months ago. My goal is simply to finish. I don’t mind having to walk at times if needed….just cross the line. Currently I run 2 to 3 miles about 3 days a week. I want to take it to the next level, but I just don’t know how. I read about Jeff Galloway’s run/walk technique and this interests me, but I don’t know if it is really used that often. I want to run the Chicago Marathon in October so I figure I need to start a training program soon. Thanks!
so people do that on purpose?
Mark, the “next level” beyond a 2-3 mile/day habit is not a marathon; that is a quantum leap! But never fear. The opponent in the marathon for the first-timer is not lungs, but joints, and that is why the Lord in His inestimable goodness created ibuprofen and acetaminophen.
And water. San Antonio ‘01, I was cruising easily and on a pace for a 3:40 at the halfway point, but I bonked at mile 20 and struggled to get in at 4:17. It was my first, after years of running 5-7 miles at any one time and the occasional half marathon (usually downhill, from Georgetown to Idaho Springs, CO).
Bottom line? Whatever might be said for ibuprofen and acetaminophen, taken prophylactically every 5-6 miles, there is no substitute for mileage. Eight three-milers do not a 24-miler make. Jogging 4-8 miles a couple of times a week, plus one long run a week (lotsa people do this on Saturday mornings) oughta do it, increasing its length steadily each week, and then taking the last week or two easy with some easy jogs to let the pegs recover.
Google the words “bonk” and “marathon” together, and you’ve got yourself some delightful reading. There is a tipping point, you will reach it, and the training objective for the first-timer is simply to delay that tipping point to mile 27.
qb
My best friend and I ran the Midnight Sun Marathon last June in Anchorage, Alaska. We are both in our mid-50s and it was our first–possibly our last, Mike! But we would take nothing for the experience, Moose and all!
Well, Americans went 3,4,6. Meb (3rd), Brian Sell (4th), and Culpepper (5th). Cheruiyot set a course record somewhere in the 2:07 range. Very fast race.
vtc3po, drop me an e-mail sometime. We’re moving to Boston in June.
I’m sorry, I was wrong: it was 3,4,5,7,10. There were more Americans in the top-10 than Kenyans. Wonder when the last time that happened was?
When I think of training for a marathon, I start to feel sick. I’ll stick to golf and basketball.
More power to all you runners from a guy with banged up knees. Make us proud
When I think of training for a marathon, I start to feel sick.
oops, sorry. My fingers spazed out for a second.
One of the doctors in our town runs marathons across the country (including the Boston marathon). He and several of his buddies have started an organization called “Medals 4 Mettle”. They give the medals that they win to people who have shown extrodainary courage in life( children with disease, cancer survivors, people who have demonstrated courage beyond what we can imagine). I think that is so cool to do. I am not an avid runner but have many sports trophies that I have won throughtout the years and now do not know what to do with them. What a great way to bless others and their accomplishments too! If anyone is interested in learning more, I think their website is http://www.medals4mettle.org.
Mark,
You can do the Chicago Marathon in October. I too was a fairly regular 3 mile guy and then decided to do the Marathon last year. I followed Hal Higdon’s Novice program, which you can get free on-line once you register for Chicago. This program starts 18 weeks out from the Marathon, and I believe Chicago is in late October this year, so you have a bit more time before needing to start an official regimen. I followed the running part religiously, but didn’t do his cross-training. My theory was that chasing after the kids and helping coach, etc. was plenty of cross-training. For me the other key was finding a group to train with for the increasing long runs that you will need to do on the weekends. I know others do this alone, but I could not imagine doing this. You should have no problems finding a group for this and find those doing this for the first time.
I planned to finish somewhere around 4:30 and was happy to find that I got into a very comfortable rythm and finished in 4:03. No real issues with “bonking”, hitting a wall, etc. either. I made my three main goals:
1. Finish (really didn’t care about time from the beginning…just finish)
2. Finish strong (no limping/dragging myself across the finish)
3. Not walk funny when I got back to the office!
Now if I could just forget about finding those little 3 minutes to get under 4 hours (but again, goal #1 was to finish regardless of time!)
YOU CAN DO THIS!!
You marathoners impress me. I cannot imagine training for, much less completing one.
Years ago, my wife convinced me to do the “Hotter than Hell 100″ in Wichita Falls. My training consisted of riding an exercise bike for about 30 minutes ,3 days a week, watching Sportscenter.
Day of the race, 12,000 plus riders, 107 degree heat, 20 plus mile per hour winds, me on my bike that I had bought in 4th grade.
That was the day I learned about the power of prayer. After about mile 15, I prayed constantly for a flat tire so that I could retire with dignity. Finally, at about mile 46, God granted my prayer.
Never evn fixed the flat, just gave the bike away. Went 10 years before I ever evn got on another bike. Still get upset that He made me go another 30 miles or so.
You guys keep up the good training. We all will be cheering you on, wherever we are.
Mike… we are the same age and I plan on running next week hoping to qualify for next years Boston Marathon. You’re right to miss it, the history, the crowd… I loved it. I’ve been working on keeping milage less than 40 miles per week and making the runs count. You might be able to manage it better than you think. Obviously you have the ability since you have run it before. You mentioned it at Zoe a couple of years ago so I know that bug is still in you.
Mark… build your running up over a couple of years. People try to jump too marathons quickly. Get used to 5 and 10K’s and then work up to a 10 miler or half marathon. Don’t be over anxious. Long runs are key and good shoes too. Don’t skimp on shoes.
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