Boston Marathon weekend, part 4 - RACE DAY (Monday) + Burger Tuesday

The always long-anticipated race day finally arrived. And, not surprisingly, I had a somewhat restless night, woke up a little earlier than planned, and managed to get ready in less time than I had allotted. Typical. It's hard not to be excited running the Boston Marathon, though. Even having done so many times before.

I took advantage of the hotel shuttle to the T station, only to have to wait another 15 minutes anyway before the next train arrived. No worries - tons of time.

When I finally made my way to the Arlington station, right at Boston Commons, and walked up to the bag drop, all of the volunteers at the buses that I was passing were cheering -- they loved the outfit. And when I actually stopped at the bus where I needed to leave my drop bag, they erupted with an enormous cheer, that they get to have the bag of someone embodying Patriots' Day. It was a really great reception, and a great way to start the morning.

I then proceeded to the hotel lobby of where the Marathon Maniacs would be departing on the coach buses that the group rented. This was my first year taking advantage of it, and I am *very* glad that I did. It was pretty chilly for standing around, which would have been necessary both in terms of getting through the security check to load onto the regular school buses most runners take, and in hanging out in Runner's Village before the race. Having the opportunity of on-and-off privileges of a warm bus was SO nice. And being able to take a nap in relative comfort as opposed to on the ground was also a big help. Tamping down the adrenaline for a few hours is much better than having it coursing through one's veins from the get-go.

Several of my fellow Maniacs were very amused by the costume. One made sure to take a photo for herself, but also sent it to me afterward.

My main challenge pre-race was to meet up with the two people who had said they would run with me during the race, to serve as my independent witnesses that I knew Guinness would require for my application. One I knew -- Jacque and I have run together before in Disney, it was just a matter of setting a good location and time. The other -- Melissa -- I had never met before. She was also on one of the coach buses, and arrived early like me. So, setting to meet at the famous "It All Starts Here" sign at a specific time seemed the best thing to do.

As I was approaching the checkpoint before getting to the runner's village, I was called over to the side. "We're going to have a problem" is what I was greeted with. What was the problem? They were taking a far-too-strict interpretation of the no costume rule. I pointed out that there was absolutely no problem with my outfit: I was not wearing a mask, and I wasn't wearing a cape that would be billowing out and interfering with other runners. They double-checked what I was saying and agreed. Phew! However, the pacer's stick that I repurposed and was carrying with the Betsy Ross flag printed out on it as well as my pace band -- that had to go. Fair enough, I wasn't sure that would be allowed through. I took off the pace bands, and they dumped the stick unceremoniously into the garbage pail. Off I went to Runner's Village.

On my way through the village, who do I wind up bumping into but another person trying for a Guinness World Record. Unlike me, he had his application in far enough in advance to know what his costume requirements were.

Hmmm... I know it's supposedly bad luck for a black cat to cross your path. But do you get the luck of the Irish if a leprechaun crosses your path? Here's to hoping!

Well, I got to the sign several minutes before Melissa did. And while I was standing around, looking in either direction to see if I could spot Melissa, I saw two on-camera TV reporters doing their respective spots for WCVB and WMUR. I knew that at some point they would approach -- kinda hard to pass up the costume on the 250th anniversary of Patriots' Day for the story.

I'm not sure what ever happened to the interview with WCVB (if it ever made it to air or not), but WMUR's definitely did. My interview starts at about 3 minutes into this spot.

Finally, I noticed Melissa at the sign, and we finally met up. Somehow, there was zero line for photos at this sign (lines on both sides were for the portapotties); previous years had a long line to get a photo with the sign.

After getting a couple of singleton shots of me in the costume from a couple of angles (to provide to Guinness for their documentation), I went about trying to find Jacque (whose bus was on the comparatively late side). 

It took a little while, but finally I found Jacque, and the three of us started to make our way to the corral -- since they had already let the Blue wave (Wave #3) go to the corrals. On the way, we bumped into fellow pacer, Dmitry, who had expressed interest in joining in, but didn't think that he would be able to keep the pace we were planning to run, given recent pacing duties AND the fact that he would be pacing for the London Marathon only 6 days later. (I'm hoping that I can wind up getting a pacing gig for any of the Majors, but especially London. We'll see.)

During the walk down Grove Street to get to the corrals, I said a quick hello to fellow Mensa member Austin who was volunteering for the race and encouraging the runners.

As we were walking to the corral, I went into the basic strategy that we would employ for the race: 1) walk all of the water stops (as I choke if I try to drink from a cup while moving quickly), 2) take a photo at every mile marker from #1-25 plus one at the "One Mile To Go" sign (so that we can avoid taking one at #26) since Guinness wants photos at least every mile; and I need to be full-body in the photos so Guinness can see the costume -- ideally switching off between Melissa and Jacque being in the photos with me. Finally, we get into the corral, a few minutes before race start. One last group photo with all four of us, even though Dmitry expected to drop back after the first mile.

And then, soon enough, we started slowly moving forward towards the line, and we were off! And, yes, that first downhill is ALWAYS fast. We were a touch faster than my plan, but not appreciably so. And we'd give a little bit back on the rolling uphills anyway.

Our first photo was a bit awkward -- as can be seen. We rushed through it, and I mentioned that we could take a drop more time to have the photo with me facing the camera. :-) 

For those who remember last year's Dunkin' run, this was the Dunkin' where I switched my disintegrating bag into a box, after which everyone was cheering "Go Dunkin'!" Well, this year, both from fellow runners and TONS of spectators, I was hearing things like "Oh my God, it's George Washington!" or "Go, Paul Revere!"

In advance of Mile 8, we had lost track of Jacque, though she was only a few seconds behind us. She was always able to keep track of us, though, not just because of my height and distinctive outfit, but also because she could hear the cheers ahead of her. Some of the other things that were yelled out were "Go, Patriot!" (most appropriate, as my costume was intended to be generic) or "Hey, Pirate!" (just three times, but who's counting?)

We hadn't seen her at Mile 9, either. And I didn't realize until after finally seeing this photo that she was actually at the mile marker when we took the photo. When we turned around to run on and I saw her, I thought that she had just caught back up to us as we were turning around. Ha!

I held things up a bit at the Mile 10 marker. My friend Jess' mom (Sarah) was expected to be cheering by the T station several miles previous. (Mile 4?) So, it was immensely unexpected when I hear her cheering and see her just before the Mile 10 marker. So, as Melissa and Jacque slowed to get in position for our photo, I stopped long enough to say hello and waited (what felt like forever but really was no more than maybe 10 seconds) while she got her camera open on her phone.

Soon enough, we were approaching the iconic Scream Tunnel. Good lord. I thought they were loud on normal years. And louder when I taunt them by holding my hand up to my ear. But this year in costume, they were NEXT LEVEL loud!

Unfortunately, it was shortly after Mile 12 where Jacque had to fall off pace. While she very much wanted to stick with us, as my sub-4-hour goal was also what she wanted for her own goals (Boston is the only major she hasn't yet gone sub-4), it apparently wasn't in the cards. I'm glad she had a good time with us for the first nearly half, and sure she still had a great time in the second half of the race.

And then it was time to conquer the Newton Hills. My nemesis every year. I warned Melissa well in advance that we would definitely be slowing down on these. That they are evil. And that there is a false summit in the third hill.

                       

Somewhere between Miles 18-19 (I think), Jess' sister and brother-in-law (Jamie and Josh) were out cheering. Yet again, I was poorly positioned to make my way over to them, but I was able to turn around and acknowledge them. Always nice having people who actually know you on course cheering for you.

Coming off of Heartbreak Hill, we ran past Boston College. And, DAMN!, were they particularly loud this year. I had LOTS of them offering me a can of beer (I waved them all off -- sorry, I don't like the stuff), but the cheers for George Washington were just amazing. I think they may have been even louder than the ladies of Wellesley. (While they're usually competitive for that honor, it's typically clear that Wellesley wins out.) I'm really hoping that I can make it into next year's race. My younger niece will be attending BC, so it would be a hoot to have her and her classmates cheering me on.

At one point while running the downhill over here, I decided to give high fives to all of the outstretched hands. Dang, that HURT! But super motivational.

Don't blink, or you might miss me at the tail end of this Boston Underground Facebook reel.

While, yes, the increase in the numbers is an obvious indicator of where we are on the course, the Citgo sign is the most iconic point other than the top of Heartbreak Hill. You can see it peaking out in the distance. (Starting next year (?), the sign may be visible a bit earlier on the course, since they are apparently raising it 30 feet higher on the building it's on, even though also moving it about 100 feet further back.)

Here the Citgo sign looms large above Kenmore Square.

It was at this point that Melissa took all of the energy that might still have been pent up and just blasted off! I wasn't exactly expecting that, and while we didn't need to take any more photos together, I wanted to make sure that we were at least in the vicinity of each other so that she could still be a viable witness in the last mile of the race. Thankfully, I had enough in the tank to be able to keep up with her. And by the time we hit Mile 26, I made sure to tell her to charge ahead, finish Boston Strong!

                                                        

Here's the finish line video -- skip ahead to just before 3:18 to hear the announcer calling me out -- the only one to call me John Hancock. The only one that seemed even less appropriate (not previously mentioned) was the few people who called me "Ben Franklin" -- like he was even mobile!

What a fantastic day this was. My immense gratitude to Melissa Huston and Jacque Hartley for helping me out (and sending me their respective write-ups that I'll be including in what I submit to Guinness).

Melissa and I made the Boston Marathon's Instagram feed and Facebook Story shortly afterwards. Here are a couple of screen grabs:

A couple of people (both in Runner's Village and after the finish line) took a photo with me, just because the costume was really fun. There were even several along the course that took selfie photos and videos with me. (Hope those came out well.)

                                                        

It was about this time when the first of two Boston Globe reporters approached me for brief interviews, asking the expected sorts of questions -- who was I dressed up as, why did I do this, how difficult was it to run in the costume, did I really run in it the whole time, what was I most looking forward to eating, etc.

Not sure what sort of deconfliction happened before they posted their respective stories, but the first reporter only included an uncredited quote about my desire to eat a burger at Mr. Bartley's, but that I had to wait until tomorrow since they're typically closed on Mondays. (Little did I realize...)

The second one included a couple of graphs in his larger article published online (good luck getting past the paywall) and in the next day's print issue.

They got a photo of me from behind after the finish that they posted in their photo spread of the day.

But the two press pieces that were really nice came, first, in the form of being listed as runner-up of best dressed in WBUR's article which provided a link to this BlueSky post:

And this proper finish line photo gracing the WickedLocal article about signs and costumes -- shame they misspelled my last name:

Finally, having made it through both interviews, gotten my heat shield (the temperature was dropping, and I had no body heat left) and my gear checked bag, I made my way to the Prudential Center -- a much longer walk than desired given how many extra blocks out of the way we have to go given the road closures and the family reunion areas. And I was stopped multiple times along the way so that people could take a photo with me in the costume.

Finally, I made it to the Prudential Center, specifically to get to the Dick's Sporting Goods store that was doing free medal engraving. If I can manage it immediately after the race, that eliminates so much hassle (and a long line elsewhere) on the morning that I leave. But with how they were handling it this year (needing wristbands), I wasn't sure if I would be there in time.

Serendipitously enough, who should be immediately in front of me in line -- without our having discussed medal engraving at all -- but Melissa.

A good postscript to a very fun and memorable day. Thank you, again!

The main saga having concluded, I ventured back to my hotel (noshing a little bit of my various snacks along the way), showered, changed, and put on the Normatec boots for a bit of relief. What to do for dinner? Clearly, I was not interested in going to the After Party that was back in downtown, and it was no longer truly necessary, since I got my medal engraved already. After a bit, I settled on having some Vietnamese food at a restaurant a few blocks away.

No, the restaurant didn't serve me the egg rolls with a bite taken out of them. It's just that I only remembered to take a photo after I had taken a bite. D'oh!

And later, after I got back, the final part of Mike's Pastry for dessert -- the chocolate creme cannoli.

I must say, that of the three items I had from them, this was underwhelming. I think in the future, I'll just leave it to the whoopee pie and the chocolate mousse cannoli.

As a bit of a post-script on the weekend, after a relatively early breakfast the following morning and yet another Normatec session, I headed out to Mr. Bartley's with my bags, knowing there wouldn't be enough time to get lunch and then come back to the hotel before going to the airport. 

I got there at about 10:45am -- and they don't open until 11am. While I was patiently waiting outside the door, I noticed the sign that listed there hours, and was shocked to finally see Monday included on their days of operation -- they were now open 7 days a week! Ugh! If only I had known that last night! I would have made it a point to have my post-race burger for dinner! The only debate would have been whether I get it before going to the hotel and cleaning up, or after. We'll find out next year.

As always, the burger was fabulous. This time, I got the Masshole, with their fabulous onion rings instead of fries. If you haven't been there yet -- make sure to partake. It's an institution for a reason!

And rather than have a frappe, as I am wont to do, I took advantage of a freebie offer from Van Leeuwen ice cream - one free scoop when you bring in your medal or bib.

Mmm.... brown sugar cookie dough with brownies. Yes, please!

The flight back home was uneventful. That evening, I sent an e-mail to the Boston Athletic Association asking them if they would be willing to forward on a letter to runners (that I would still need to identify) with a request that they send me a quick affirmation that they saw me running in full costume during the race, and enough people that I would be able to cover Mile 12 through the finish. I know that Guinness requires two independent witnesses for their documentation, and there was a gap in what I knew I would have covered. If it was going to happen, great. If not, chest la vie - it was a very fun day regardless. Well, apparently I did get the luck of the Irish from that leprechaun... In less than a day, BAA wrote back to me. Rather than simply answering the question I asked, they went much further than I ever expected: they gave a full-throated confirmation that based on their timing and photographic assets all along the course that they could definitively confirm that I ran the entire distance in the costume. Once I hear back from Guinness as to what their costume requirements are, and assuming my outfit is anywhere near their listed requirements, I'm hopeful that BAA's e-mail will suffice as my second independent witness. Fingers crossed!

Now to make sure I'm in shape to run Flying Pig's 4-way Chili with Extra Cheese this coming weekend. (1 Mile on Friday, 10k followed by 5k on Saturday, and full marathon on Sunday) It's a very hilly course, so while I'd love to get my 3:15 or better BQ there, I am not expecting I will be able to manage that -- that may need to wait until Erie in September.