Boston Marathon Recap

Robert Kiprono Cheriuyot won the 114th Boston Marathon by SHATTERING the course record in 2:05:52. He dropped a negative split, and was a pretty damn impressive performance. Some are considering it one of the greatest races of all time, which I think it pretty accurate - Boston is net downhill, but it is punishing and not particularly a fast course. Ryan Hall finished 4th overall, but set an American course record in the process.

Well, you've been waiting for it, so here is the weekend recap from an AMAZING time in Boston. Friday night, flew in with Pat, Crystal, Barrel, and Trish. Boston was cold and windy, entirely what I wasn't expecting especially since we were leaving 70-80 degree temps from STL. Didn't pack much warm clothes other than my Big River jacket and hoodie. Checked in our hotel, then walked over to a restaurant called Joe's American Bar and Grill and had a great dinner :) Met up with Anne, and my friends Marc and Josh who had also made the trip, and had a few drinks at a bar closeby, and caught up in general.

Saturday morning, woke up early and ran to the Marathon Expo with Pat and Crystal. Pretty surreal, finally hit me when we were talking into the Hynes Convention Center that this was happening! Picked up our bib, did a little shopping in the process (bought the coveted Boston Jacket!), then grabbed a quick lunch. Met Steve DeKoker from Brooks, which was pretty awesome, and he hooked me up with some Brooks schwag that I will definitely be using! Pat, Crystal, and I went for a 3 mile run around the city, and was pretty cool running through downtown and just checking out all the buildings and general sights and sounds. Legs felt relaxed and good, and right where I wanted to be. After that, walked around the city doing the touristy stuff, ran by Mike's Pastry which everyone MUST go experience if you are in Boston! Had the most amazing riccata florentine cannoli EVER :) Met up with Shane and Katie, who bussed in from Cape Cod (they were with Katie's parents up there), and grabbed dinner with the group over in the North End of Boston. Drinks at a local bar afterwards, watched the thrilling 20 inning Cards-Mets game, and talked with some of the locals and runners - had a blast!


Boston Marathon Jackets over the years

Me, Josh, Marc, Pat, and Crystal in front of the Paul Revere Statue

Group dinner

Sunday, went downtown with Trish pretty early, since she was running the BAA 5K. Started and ended on Boyleston, where the marathon ends, so got to get an up close and personal look. Pretty fun race, Trish ran a PR and looked very strong at the finish! Josh Cox ended up winning in 14:30, and saw Joan Benoit Samuelson run around 18:20 as well. Got breakfast with her and Barrel over at Faneuil Hall Marketplace, which was conveniently located right across the street from our hotel. Within that huge area is a building called Quincy Market, which is pretty much an enormous food court with just a ridiculous amount of options to eat. We spent a ton of time over in this area doing general shopping and eating. Afterwards, took a quick power nap, then headed to Fenway Park for the Red Sox game! Fun times, very cold and rainy, but still got to experience a fun game and sing Sweet Caroline! Grabbed dinner at Tia's on the Waterfront, which was conveniently located right next to our hotel, worked out logistics for the race tomorrow, then crashed out pretty early.

Trish and I before her race

Barrel and I at Fenway Park!


Race Morning

Slept like a rock, first time ever on the night before a marathon. Usually a bundle of nerves, but was very relaxed and calm. Woke up around 5, walked outside and did a quick shakeout jog and tried to get a feel for the conditions later that morning. Looked like it was going to be pretty sunny and windy. Went inside and changed, ate a yogurt, then met up with Shane and took off for Boston Commons to ride the bus to Hopkinton. Got to Athlete's Village, chilled over there for a couple hours and relaxed. Eventually checked in our bags, then did the 3/4 mile walk to the start.


At the Start

Lined up in Crystal's corral - was smashed in there pretty tight. Very sunny at this point, then started to get the butterflies which was a good thing believe it or not. Shed my extra layers, then just tried to get mentally focused for the trek back to downtown. Felt good, talked a little with the other runners and just soaked up the moment. They did the national anthem, a fly by (wicked cool), then the gun went off!

Race Report

The beginning of the race is pretty cool - we walked up to the top of the hill, then started, then it is pretty much downhill for a while. You can see the sea of runners in front, and the roads are pretty narrow so it's quite the sight. Felt ok, there was so much congestion that is was difficult to pass people and spent a little energy weaving in and out. Started to sweat a bit around mile 2 and was getting nervous about it since I had hydration issues the last few weeks of training, but everything felt ok otherwise. [First 5K Split: 22:55]

You go through a few small towns, and the scenary is pretty laid back. Crowd support was decent, and was making it a point to high five all the little kids that were spectating. Was having fun running with Shane and Crystal, and we were pointing out weird things on the course and getting into a decent groove. At the 10K mark, took a great picture of us doing the Usain Bolt pose - was just having a blast in general. [2nd 5K Split: 22:56 - 10K Split: 45:51]

At this point, we were pretty much running exclusively downhill, with the exception of some slight uphills but basically running down a mountain. Legs felt ok at this point, and was making it a point to hydrate a bit (gatorade, then water) since it was really sunny and borderline hot when the wind wasn't blowing. Shane was wearing a green Shamrock shirt, which everyone and their mothers were calling out to him. Got a few Big River shout outs, actually saw a guy wearing a Big River shirt in the crowd and gave him a thumbs up. Just motoring along at this point - everything still felt easy. [3rd 5K Split: 22:48 - 15K Split: 1:08:39]

Course finally levels out a bit, but still not too bad. Was enjoying the run, and felt great at this point, and Shane and Crystal both were there. Noticed Crystal grabbing at her side, and found out later that she was cramping a bit. Finally made it to Wellesley and the screaming tunnel which was pretty overwhelming. Shane and Crystal both said I had the "deer in headlights" look, and I was just in shock at the sight of all these screaming coeds. Swooped in midway through to kiss one of the girls, then went in for seconds shortly after. Had so much fun, could have stayed there forever. I will certainly make a longer cameo next year :) Probably expended some energy starting and stopping like that, and could feel my legs getting tired. [4th 5K Split: 22:56 - 20K Split: 1:31:35]

Hit the halfway point, legs were starting to feel a bit beat up from all the downhill running. Crystal was looking strong, Shane told me he was probably dropping off around mile 15. Right around 14.5, lost him, and just kept moving forward with Crystal. My mind was starting to try to play tricks on me, and I knew I was starting to struggle a bit since my quads were tired and we hadn't hit the Newton Hills yet. Just hang on, one mile at a time, I kept telling myself. [5th 5K Split: 22:41 - 1/2 Marathon Split: 1:36:33 - 25K Split: 1:54:16]

Was starting to have a little mental breakdown, since I really didn't think I should be feeling this tired this early. Made it a point to try to navigate to mile 18 with Crystal, then thought I was going to let her go since I wasn't feeling too hot. Hit a big hill at 17, made it through ok and started to get a second wind, thank God. Crystal said to me that she wanted to not go too aggressively on the hills, which I was fine with since I knew we could make time up on the downhills coming up. Started to feel a little better, had to dig deep but was winning the battle. [6th 5K Split: 23:35 - 30K Split: 2:17:51]

Told Crystal we were breaking down this race into parts - let's get to mile 20, then we'll break it down mile by mile. She told me she was feeling nauseated on the hills, which we agreed to sustain our strategy of taking the hills easier. Hit Heartbreak Hill, which looks pretty intimidating after running 20+ miles and seeing the sea of runners climb up this beast. Was getting through it, picking out landmarks to get to along this mountain, but stopped with Crystal for a little bit to get her legs back. Climbed to the top, then hit a huge downhill which we completely flew down. I was scared to stop at any point, since I wasn't sure I could restart, but felt ok. Ran through Boston College, which smelled like a fraternity house the next day after a huge party, and looked on wistfully as the undergrads were doing keg stands. [7th 5K Split: 23:58 - 35K Split: 2:41:49]

Marc giving me a high-five at the top of Heartbreak Hill


Stole this from Scott Dunlap's Blog, but this is Crystal and I a little past Heartbreak Hill!

Knew Pat and Anne were going to be around mile 22, so braced myself for the adrenaline boost. It was jammed back everywhere at this point, so we thought we missed them but then heard Pat screaming our names, then saw them! Definitely picked it up slightly from this point on, and the course was pretty much downhill here on in. Our pace had dropped off slightly, but I knew we were golden once we hit mile 23. Was talking to Crystal, trying to keep her spirits up since I knew she was struggling a bit. Hammed it up with the crowd, was getting really jacked up and just enjoying the moment. [8th 5K Split: 23:53 - 40K Split: 3:05:42]

Looked at my Garmin, was doing the calculations for what time we could hit. Told Crystal that we were going to have to work a little the last mile or 2, but to stay focused and it was all heart at this point. Crowds were amazing, and I was applauding them along the way which was getting some fun reactions. Made our way past Fenway, then Crystal seized up and grabbed her hamstring which I was like uh oh. Luckily, was just a minor twinge/cramp, and after a short walk break she said she was going to finish this hard even if she had to throw up. Made the turn onto Boyleston, was overwhlemed at the sight and sounds. You could see the finish straight up, and I told her we worked hard for this moment and to enjoy it. Raised my fist in the air about 100 yards out, crossed the finish line with Crystal holding our hands in the air. [Marathon Time: 3:16:32]

Down Boyleston, realizing I was almost done!


Peter Kim M30

Clock Time 3:22:20

Chip Time 3:16:32

Overall Place 3877/28600
Gender Place 3490/?
Division Place 2175/?

Pace 7:29/Mile

Final Thoughts

Wow! Finished the Boston Marathon! Was everything I thought it would be, and more! Definitely on cloud nine the entire rest of the way, and couldn't wipe the grin off my face :) Shane met up with us shortly - he finished in 3:21:44, hell of a time for him! Excited to have done with all with him and Crystal, and couldn't have scripted out a better finish for all of us. Got our medals, met up with everyone else after an AMAZING meal at Atlantic Fish Company on Boyleston, and celebrated like kings. Talked to a lot of the locals and other runners that night, really had fun with it and enjoying our new label of "Boston Marathon Alumn". Got to meet the great Bill Rodgers at his running store the next morning. Super nice guy, gave some nice words of encouragement. Would like to see him next year :)

So had another successful group trip, and will rest up this week and reaccess my goals for later this year. I haven't had much time to really think about the weekend, but I will summarize my final thoughts later this week.

Jackets and Medals!

Kissing our team captain

Race night celebration!