Documenting the race

There are lots of logistics that go into properly documenting a GWR attempt when you're running something other than one of the few marathons they have a tight relationship with (certainly London and Berlin, possibly Toronto, possibly Sydney). For anyone who runs with me and my small group for a little while and is inclined to assist with the documentation, having a witness statement would be wonderful. (And if you can take some video, too, that would be a great boost.)

Within the witness statement, I would need a few things to be addressed:

1) Your name, current hometown, bib number

2) Mention of my details, too (I can provide that after the race, so you can have it for your write-up, but want to avoid posting it publicly in advance.)

3) Description of my outfit as you saw it (preferably accompanied by at least one photo and/or video)

4) Time (and/or approximate location on course) where you first saw me, and last saw me.

5) Confirmation that I did not remove any portion of my costume while I was moving forward along the course. (If I wind up taking off anything, e.g., my tricorner hat or wig, I need to be standing still -- forward motion may only occur with the full costume intact.)

6) Any other pertinent/memorable details you want to mention about your time with us/observing the attempt.

For anyone who is actually looking to start with me, please make sure to get in touch with me in advance, either by replying to this blog post, or by pinging me on Facebook -- we'll need to make specific arrangements. (Though I will be pretty recognizable in my Revolutionary outfit in Wave 3 Corral 6, I think.) I can also send you a copy of the pace band that I will be using, showing the wide range of paces that I will be using. (If we were to run with the fastest pace the whole time, finish time would be 3:45; slowest pace the whole time, finish time would be 3:59:59 -- I must be under 4 hours.)

As of now, I have 2 or 3 people who will be starting with me. To be able to have sufficient coverage by independent witnesses, I must have at least 2 witnesses at all times. It's fine if one or more drop away at some point, so long as I have 2 remaining whenever that drop happens. Having more at the start would be great, and having people join for several miles within the middle of the race would be an extra help.

For anyone else who does decide to join, even if for only a short while, thank you for the assistance and encouragement.

Please be right, forecast!

As ever, in the lead-up to the Boston Marathon, concern starts focusing on the weather. I know, I can't do anything about the weather itself, but part of what I need to do on race day and preparation for it is dependent on the expected weather.

Well, unlike most years, the forecast is looking spectacular.

From a comfortable temperature at the start line in Hopkinton (and I will have access to a charter bus while out there, which is helpful regardless of what the weather might bring), to temps not rising much during the day, to a finish line slightly cooler than the start line, and winds that are expected to be tailwinds the entire time (0 head winds), it is a perfect set-up for my record attempt.

Not only is this great for me, but it's ideal for the people who will be accompanying me on the run and taking the photos each mile. There is minimal likelihood of their overheating. It looks like conditions are as favorable as they could be, so all we need to do is show up, run the race, and take a photo every mile. Sweet!