Brian Reeves -- Boston Marathon, April 20, 2009
Brian shatters his marathon PR.
Success!!! 2:56:02 a 4:13 course PR and a 1:45 marathon PR! It was a day when all things came together. I was physically and mentally prepared to make it happen.
How it all unfolded . . .
The weekend leading up to the Boston Marathon has always been one of building anxiety and excitement. However this year I found myself in a more relaxed state for a couple of reasons. First and foremost, I reminded myself that I had been here before and that the experience that I've gained from my previous nine trips down the course should work to my advantage. Second, in a more behind the scenes effort, I have worked hard on the mental aspect of my running. I began to subscribe to the Taoist philosophy which professes that you should control the things you can control and to adjust and adapt to the things that you can't control . . . basically "Go with the Flow".
For these reasons I found that I entered the starting corral on Monday morning with the highest level of confidence that I had ever had at the start of my fifteen marathons. This was not the case for hundreds of runners that I stood shoulder to shoulder with just five minutes before the start. I could feel the tension all around me as most were talking about the potential headwind we were about to encounter and how they were going to make adjustments in the plans to deal with it. Some were even conceding on their goal finish time. I didn't see the wind as a major issue, let's face it, there would be at least 100 people within arms-reach that I could draft off of so no sense worrying about that. My plan was simple, no specific finish time and no intermediate splits to achieve, just run at the steady-hard pace that I trained for (6:40). I figured it would be easier to fill in those numbers after the race at which point they would be accurate.
The gun went off . . .
Mile 1
I started the race with some very familiar faces, Frank, Steve LeCours, and Greg Hallerman. We wished each other luck and off we went. Knowing I needed to be respectful of the course in the first couple of miles I held back a bit and clocked a 6:58. Not bad considering people were whizzing by me like I was standing still . . . I remember saying to myself under my breath, "I'll see you all at the Hills of Newton when I whiz by you!"
Mile 2
I got a little wigged-out by being 18 seconds over my goal pace so this became a compensation mile in which I clocked a 6:34. My though at this point was, "Okay, I've found the extremes of my pace and now it's time to get into the zone.
Miles 3 thru 8 - I had found my pace and began to cruise, turning in splits of: 6:41 | 6:37 | 6:48 | 6:43 | 6:43 | 6:44. I did manage to latch onto a couple of larger framed runners to draft off of. This would ultimately be a key factor in conserving my energy for the hills. I did squeeze in a short stop in Framingham to high-five my son Kyle and get a quick kiss from my wife Pam.
Mile 9 thru 18
The wind was very noticeable between mile 9 and the half. This was the slowest part of the race for me. Eventually I found myself in the middle of a very even paced pack of runners from the Hoboken Harriers who were obviously working together through the wind. The pack grew to 7-8 runners, each taking a turn at the helm to do their share of wind blocking. There was no idle chatter going on with the exception of an apology here and there for having clipped or bumped one another as a result of running in such tight pack. We rolled along through the first hill of Newton and then the difference in our levels of fitness were starting to show. This strategic running helped to run this stretch with splits of: 6:47 | 6:50 | 6:49 | 6:38 | 6:41 | 6:40 | 6:45 | 6:35 | 6:52 | 6:49.
Miles 19 thru 22
It was risk time! I decided to up the ante and start to make my break from the pack. At this point we were down to 5 runners in our pack. Two others beside myself seemed to still have the strength to push harder . . . so we did! I believed in my training and pushed hard through the last two hills to BC. At the top of Heartbreak Hill I was greeted by my other son Chris, who is an EMT and had volunteered as a medic. A quick high five and on I went. Although my pace was slipping from goal pace, I was confident that when I finally reached the summit of "Mt. BC" that I would be ready to put the hammer down! My splits through the hills were: 6:48 | 6:50 | 6:58 | 6:32.
Mile 23 thru 25
Alas, a feeling I had never experienced in previous Boston attempts. I was feeling strong and confident that I was going to run a sub 3:00 Boston. My thoughts turned to "How far under 3 hours can I actually go?". Not the least bit intimidated by downhill running, I decided that I was going to put in the best 4.2 mile effort that I could possibly muster. No longer with my buds from Hoboken, it was up to me. I raced down into Cleveland Circle at a 6:35 pace and through to mile twenty-three where I encountered some noticeable faces, Glenn, Tina, and John Lee. This would be the fastest part race for me. At this point in the race the roadway was narrowing from the spectators. Runners were slowing dramatically . . . some were walking. This made it a little dicey at times trying to keep a steady pace and not run over anyone. I stayed focused and on the gas up and over the Mass Pike to mile 25. Kara Haas was there and she let out a huge cheer as I ran by. It started to feel like this was all a dream. My pace over the past 3 miles was unimaginable... 6:35 | 6:24 | 6:31. There was no doubt that I would reach my goal and that I would do it in a BIG way!
Mile 26.2
The victory mile! I reached the "One Mile To Go" sign painted on the road and got a big adrenaline rush, to the point that I felt myself starting to get a little emotional with the finish line just around the corner. The relief of turning the corner onto Boylston St. headed for the line is hard to describe. It was surreal! Running a 6:42 pace over the last 1.2 mile stretch allowed me to exceed my goal and finish in 2:56:02!!
Post Race
Thanks to Frank Row, my good friend and training partner, we had access to the VIP tent which afforded me the opportunity to move off the course immediately and retrieve my bag and receive my finishers medal. Then it was off to the Radisson Hotel to meet up with some friends and last supporting family member, Kayla. A hot shower, massage, roast beef sandwich and a couple of frosty Pale Ales! Life was good!
Finally . . . .
I truly believe that my efforts out on the course on marathon day were not the sole reason I achieved my goal. It was also a result of the support and guidance that you (Fernando) provided me throughout my training. And without the understanding and sacrifices that my family afforded me, none of this would have been possible . . . to you I say Thanks!
Next up . . .
Vermont City Marathon on May 24th! I will be heading to Vermont next month for two important reasons. To support Frank in his effort to run a PR and to participate in the relay with my three children. I will be running the full marathon as well as the first two legs of the relay at which point my two sons and daughter will cover the final three legs. No PR for me this time . . . just fun and entertainment!
[Brian Reeves, April 22, 2009]
