Anyways, during my six solid hours of the Boston Marathon - listening to WBZ-TV radio and watching the live coverage both on Universal Sports and CBSBoston.com - I learned (and felt) a few things that I thought I'd share. Please feel free to chime in with your own thoughts about the race.
In no specific order (Ok, there is an order. The order I think of them and write them down)...
Rick & Dick Hoyt
- Shortly after the hand bicycle division left the starting line, I realized that Rick & Dick Hoyt were racing. I had no idea that they were racing. I still have been unable to find their time, but they certainly are an inspirational pair!!
Kara Goucher
- Kara Goucher, one of the U.S.'s hopefuls, took time off recently to give birth to Colt, her son. And she went running the day she went into labor. How many people even do normal exercise during their pregnancy let alone actually train?! I love athletes!
- Kara Goucher may have never been in position to be a real contender, but she got a PR and still vows to be back until she wins! Read about it HERE.
Ryan Hall
- Did anyone catch the video of Ryan Hall's entrance to Boylston St. I believe from last year? He started doing the airplane and running back and forth between the crowds. Today's race showed the same personality - he's just out to have fun!
- Ryan Hall, the U.S. hopeful (and all around "happy guy") has a gluten intolerance. Apparently diet issues side-tracked him a lot this year.
- Ryan Hall has published a book called "Running With Joy: My Journal to the Marathon." After seeing how much fun this guy looked like he was having, I'm tempted to check this book out!
Joan Samuelson
- Olympic Gold Medalist and two-time Boston Marathon Champion Joan Samuelson ran today! And not only that, but she had originally geared for a 2:50 time! I didn't catch the whole story, but I thought a training mishap or something kept her from being fully ready. Either way, she ran with her daughter who was running her first Boston Marathon. Anyone know how Joan or her daughter finished?
Men's Wheelchair Division Battle
- In the wheelchair division, Ernst van Dyke broke away early and looked to be an easy win. Then out of nowhere, Fearnley cut through that lead like a hot knife through butter. It was incredible to see how Fearnley put himself into contention - on an uphill no less - and then how Masazumi Soejima came out of nowhere in the last mile and ended up taking the win. Goes to show you how it's anyone's race at any point in the game!
Desiree Daville
- Obviously, the final miles of the Women's race was thrilling! But I can't say enough about how different Desiree Daville looked compared to the Kenyans Cherop and Kilel. Daville looked like she was out for a short training run; perfect and relaxed. Cherop and Kilel looked like they were Mrs. Potato Heads and their limbs may fall off with any footfall. And after the finish line, it showed. Both Cherop and Kilel needed assistance to walk. Daville walked on her own without a problem. Way to keep the pace up Daville!! Check out the plan behind Daville's run today HERE.
Geoffrey Mutai
- They talked about how Mutai, today's Men's winner in world record time, was self-coached. If that's true, that's absolutely incredible!!
- As Mutai crossed the finish line, they announced the "new world record," but you may be interested to know that the Boston Marathon is not a certified course for international records. Therefore, Mutai's time today is not technically acknowledged as a WORLD Record marathon time, but only a BOSTON marathon time. Read about it HERE.
Kim Smith
- Who else thought Kim Smith's pace out of the gate was going to be her downfall? Everyone? Who thought the same when she crossed the half-way point and was still increasing her lead? No one? I don't care what happened - injury or cramp - that girl's got balls! She may look emaciated and have form that's hard to look at, but if it wasn't for whatever happened to her on the hills, she proved that she was a true contender! Props goes out to her! If anyone knows what the official word is on her injury, let me know.
Questions
1. Any other thoughts you had while watching, listening to, or hearing about today's Boston Marathon?2. Do you plan to attempt qualifying for Boston in the future?
After tackling the Ironman, Boston is on my list (among many other things).
Stay fit. Stay healthy.
