Today I was at track practice and a couple of my runners talked to me about feeling bad during workouts and races.  This reminded me of my worst race.  Boston Marathon – April 18, 2005.  Easy to remember as it was the 12th anniversary of my father’s death and my first Boston experience.

It was one of the last 12 PM starts for the race and a beautiful 70 degrees….great for the spectators but not for the runners.  My family went on to say later it was one of the best days they ever had in watching me in a race.  However, for us runners it was brutal.  I felt overheated almost from the start.  At mile 8 I got a stitch in my side that I could not get rid of…..for 8 miles.   Finally, at mile 16 it went away.

……Just in time for the famed Boston hills – I crawled over them.  The last 5 miles were a slow slog – 10 minute miles. 10:11, 10:12, 10:26, 10:33, 10:31, 9:59….  I could not wait to get to the finish of the race.   Finally I turned onto the last straightaway and crossed that finish line.  My first Boston – 3:44 – 30 minutes slower than my qualifying time.  I had made it.

Later in the car on the way home at least 2 hours later I lay down in the back seat.  I felt like throwing up for over an hour until it passed.  I was so happy to be home that night.

Not the greatest experience, but I had made it to Boston and finished.    The last 18 miles I was not feeling great…

What is your worst running experience?

Trials of Miles

Coach Nick