Let's Get Ready

While I am getting ready to run the Boston Marathon in less then two weeks, I hope you are getting excited about following the race and maybe even going out to the course to watch it.

If you will not be in Boston on April 19th, you can still follow my progress along the race course. AT&T provides a way for you to receive text message or email alerts when I cross the starting line, the 10K point, the half point, 30K point and the finish line. The following link, AT&T Athelete Alert Program, provides the instructions for setting up the alerts. My bib number is 22583.

If you are in Boston, I hope you get a chance to come out and cheer the runners along the course. It is always super exciting to see the elite runners zoom by. Of course then you might have to wait awhile to see your friends, i.e. me, to come crawling along a few hours later.

Here is an excellent interactive guide to the course map and good locations for the spectators: Boston Marathon Interactive Map. Personally, I would suggest that you avoid the finish line, and if you do go out to the Woodland T station to watch the race along Rte. 16, please be prepared to wait in crowded line to go back into town.

If you make a decision on where you will be before Marathon Monday, please let me know. I love seeing my friends along the course, and if I know where you'll stand I will be able to keep a lookout for you too. I will post what I will wear a day or two before the race to make it easier for you to spot me. At this point one thing is certain--I will definitely be wearing my Dana Farber Marathon Challenge singlet (a photo of it to follow).

Running To Work

I am currently on the train going to work, and people are giving me funny looks. Why? Besides looking like I just got out of bed (which I did), I am also carrying bags. Multiple bags! Not counting my backpack! And all of them are full of stuff.

What is all this "stuff" that I am carrying? Let's see--two days worth of lunch, a book for the lunch time book club, the laptop of course, sneakers to wear at the gym today, and two days worth of clothing, including a pair of shoes for tomorrow. (I did also stop at the drug store on my way to the train station to buy some lotion, but that was a very minor addition to all the "stuff".)

You see, tomorrow my morning run will be "special". I plan to run to work from the Woodland T station. I have already done this 3 times, and enjoyed it immensely. The downside is that it cannot be done on the spur of the moment. It requires careful planning, because I refuse to run and carry clean clothes at the same time. So today I am carrying a change of clothes for today, and a change of clothes for tomorrow (including shoes and a coat). That way when I set out for my run tomorrow morning, all I have to bring is my cell phone, keys, and my train pass. I cannot wait.

You, the Spectator, at the Boston Marathon

Please come and watch the race. Besides witnessing my groundbreaking marathon run, you might also find yourself inspired. Of course, I would just be beside myself with joy, if you cheered me on.

Where to watch the race from? A highly debatable question. Let’s assume you are coming from Boston, and that you have the entire day off. Even so, you might have to decide whether you want to anchor yourself in one perfect spot with a cooler and some cucumber sandwiches at your feet, or if you want to skip around and see yours truly at multiple locations.

Please refer to the course map here.

Just about any location on Beacon Street along the C line should be easy to get to and a good place to see runners in action. If you take the B line all the way to the end, you may be able to witness runners right after they have scaled the infamous Heartbreak Hill. You would be stationed near the "graveyard" mile, with the Evergreen Cemetery stretching along the course.

You could also hop onto the D line, and take it to Woodland, which will put you along Washington Street, very close to mile 17. You would be able to see runners before they hit the Newton "Flats". You should be able to make it back to the Fenway or Kenmore stop on the T faster then most people can run 8-9 miles.

You can also hop on the Framingham/Worcester Commuter Rail, and take it to any of the Wellesley stops. The most interesting is probably the furthest--Wellesley Square, which is closest to Wellesley College. You would be near the half point mark, and you will learn the power of the Wellesley girls vocal chords, where the course is sometimes refered to as the "screech tunnel". Please refer to the train schedule carefully, since the trains do not run nearly as often as the T, if you want to make it back in time to see the same people near the end of the race.

Enjoy!

P.S. Kenmore Square spectators beware: there is a Red Sox home game that starts at 11:15am. The crowds will be especially overwhelming once it gets out.