Thursday, February 27, 2014

My Boston Trip and my Run to the Marathon Finish Line

I went to Boston on business this week, and it was my first time back to "Bean Town" since April 16, 2013. I was excited to get back and revisit the city in a "normal" setting, since last time I was here I left the city in the midst of the tragic events the day before.

On Tuesday morning, I headed over the Harvard Bridge (my hotel was in Cambridge) with the goal of a run/walk to the Boston Marathon finish line. However, getting swept up in the moment, I decided to run all the way there - about 1.5 miles. Once I got over the bridge I ran the last block or two on Commonwealth Ave, took a right on Hereford St, then a left on Boylston. Okay, it was actually on the sidewalk, but I didn't want to get hit by a car! Needless to say, running on a cold winter morning with hardly anyone out and about, running down Boylston felt surreal. The last time I ran down Boylston Street there were hundreds of runners alongside me, hundreds of flags waving in the sun and thousands of screaming spectators. This time, just a handful of people walking to work. The painted finish line was faded and dirty had snow on it and there were construction trucks parked on and around it.
At the Boston Marathon finish line on Tuesday
Faded finish line
The street signs at the most famous corner in marathoning
After snapping my photos I was on my way. I ended up running all the way back to the hotel, and my ankle felt fine. I was nervous that my ankle would flare up later or the next day, but I was cautiously optimistic. Spoiler Alert: I am still able to walk and my ankle pain is slight, but it has been slight for the last week or so, so no change is a good change, right?
Harvard Bridge Runner
Runner on the Ramp over the Charles River
One of my co-workers is an ultra marathoner/marathoner who lives in Boston. He trains the last 6.2 miles of the Boston Marathon course four times a week. This includes running Heartbreak hill four times a week. It must be nice not to have to run a "Boston simulator" and instead just run the real thing all the time! Anyway, running Heartbreak Hill and then back into Boston so early in my comeback, however thrilling it would be, would definitely not be a good idea. It would be a lot of miles and there would be a lot of downhill pounding. So instead, my coworker suggested that I run the relatively flat course along the Boston side of the Charles River and then back over the Longfellow Bridge and run back along the river on the Cambridge side. By the way, a woman I rode the 2013 Boston Marathon bus told me she saw Shalane Flanagan and Kara Goucher running their shake-out run on the river trail the day before the marathon. Who knows, maybe they'll be out there in April again?

Anyway, I snapped some pictures (yes, I did wear the same running jacket/hat every day, but at least I changed my shirts).

On the Boston side of the river
Mandatory chin-up pic
Thursday, I was going to do the river run again, but the excitement of a final run over the last mile of the marathon course was too tempting, so I headed over the bridge once again to Commonwealth/Hereford/Boylston. There were local news reporters at the finish line setting up, ostensibly to report on the Marathon security measures that were announced on Wednesday.

I got this shot of "Marathon Sports" which is right in front of the finish line:

I am cautiously optimistic on my recovery. I know that I still have an ankle issue as it is still slightly janky. The key will be to see if I can strengthen it further and not over-stress it by running too much, too soon. Maybe it's an issue I will always have to deal with and it will always be my body's way of telling me to slow down sometimes. Anyway, I may return to Boston next month, in which case I may be further along in my "comeback". Who knows, if I am feeling strong, I may even try running Heartbreak Hill. In any case, the excitement I felt during my casual runs around town has helped inspire me to return for the Boston Marathon next year!

19 comments:

  1. Yay, glad to hear you're feeling optimistic about your recovery! I have a "normal" level of back pain pretty much all the time, so it's totally possible that your ankle will always bug you a little (but hopefully not!) - just a matter of figuring out your threshold of not injuring it any further. That's good that you were able to get some miles in while there though. And the shots by the river are especially pretty :)

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    1. Thanks. It has all the markings of long-term condition. You're right about finding my injury threshold. There may be some setbacks along the way to finding it. As long as I'm aware that the injury's there, I will try and not overdo it as much.

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  2. How cool to be back in Boston running at non-marathon time! I've been back since I ran but just briefly. Wow the finish line sure takes a beating in a year's time. Glad your ankle is cooperating and you are being wise with it.
    I"m always envious of those who train on the real Heartbreak!

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    1. Yes, it was quite different, yet still very cool. The more I look at it, I think that the "permanent" finish line is probably covered over by another ("plastic sheet?") finish line on race day. Yes, I would love to be able to train on Hearbreak Hill, but it would be cost prohibitive!

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  3. I'm glad that you're feeling better and got to explore Boston with your running shoes! I can't wait to get back (tentative for Boston 2015) and experience Boston again.

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    1. It would be excellent if you could run in 2015. Then we could side-five while we train by the lake next winter/spring!

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  4. I'm glad that you're feeling better and got to explore Boston with your running shoes! I can't wait to get back (tentative for Boston 2015) and experience Boston again.

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  5. How cool that you got to go! This is pretty silly of me, but I didn't realize there is a permanent finish line. Neat-o! I would want to visit it more than once, too!

    I hope your ankle only talks to you a little bit, if it continues to be something you have to deal with for life!

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    1. Yes, it is a landmark in Boston, however the mornings I was there no one else seemed interested in it! :) Thanks, I hope my ankle keeps quiet most of the time too!

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  6. That Harvard bridge photo is awesome! Glad you were able to run in Boston!

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  7. I am really glad to hear that your ankle is holding up well and that you were feeling good! How awesome that you got to explore parts of the Boston route in training, too! When I was training for Chicago, I tried to run pieces of the Chicago course so that I could gain more familiarity with how it would feel on race day. It's funny how much of a difference it makes to know the course just that little bit better, right? And I actually find downhill running to be even harder on my legs than uphill running!

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    1. Thanks. I am going to try and just try and focus on not making things worse right now. Yes, I have never been injured running uphill, but I have downhill. Mainly shin splints.

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  8. Glad you're running again!

    I am heading to Boston to spectate this year and am REALLY looking forward to it!

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    1. Thanks. I was thinking how cool it would be to spectate. The fans will be going wild!

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  9. This is wonderful news, Pete! And how cool to be running on the Boston Marathon course. Running the Boston Marathon is a big dream of mine.

    Injuries are something most runners have to deal with, but they can make you stronger. Learning the right strengthening exercises and learn how to fight your imbalances will help you become a stronger runner.

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  10. I'm so happy you are feeling better about your janky ankle. :) it needs to get better soon so you can BQ and run 2015! (Hopefully I'll be eating your dust then ;)

    Your trip looks amazing! And running the last 1.5 of the course must have brought back some memories for you. Awesome Boston photos. Makes me miss that city even more. Hope you get to return and run more of the course.

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    1. **and my correction. You BQ'd already in October. Derp. :) I need to punch my ticket now!!!!

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  11. That's awesome- I didn't know that the finish line was permanently painted on the asphalt! Boston is an awesome city I have yet to visit...will have to see that when I get there!

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