2011 Boston Marathon Text Msg Race Report

Boston Marathon

Monday April 18th, 2011

7:07am Michelle - New Plan you need to run as fast as you can until mile 20 and then do 10 minute miles so I can catch you on camera!

7:21am ME - Clear skies and a tailwind! (for now anyway)

7:30am Michelle - is the excitement hitting you yet?

7:43am Me - Just got to Hopkinton

7:48 Sam - starts in 10 minutes!! (a little early which freaked me out for a second)

7:49am Michelle - head straight for a porta potty and get in line!!

7:52am Sam - remember to have fun!

8:01am Michelle - Christie wrote on your FB wall, Top results are reached only through pain but eventually you like this pain.  You will find difficulties you have on the way the more you will enjoy your success.

8:33am Michelle - How is it going? Are you ready to puke yet?

9:23am Michelle - its 47 in Boston and feels like 38

9:25am Michelle - wind is going to be blowing from the WSW at 18 to 20 mph

9:35am Me - Headed to the start.. ready or not!

10:48am - 10km Athlete Alert 0:43:39 Pace 7:01

11:37am - 13.1m Athlete Alert 1:32:58 Pace 7:05

12:19pm - 30km Athlete Alert 2:15:01 Pace 7:14

1:24pm - Finish Athlete Alert 3:19:59 Pace 7:37

1:33pm Me - Proud moment! Best run EVER (Finish line video)

1:36pm Sam – Proud of you!

1:37pm Michelle – We are still at mile 21. Your mom crossed the street and can’t get back over.  I got a video of you going by!

1:38pm Me - I wish I could share this moment with everyone!

2:04pm Rick – time to hit CHEERS and re-hydrate!

2:04pm Me - I high fived every person on the left side during the last mile.  I figured if I’m not going to make my time, I might as well have some fun!

2:06pm Me - Michelle, I love you.

2:07pm Michelle – I love you and I’m so proud of you.  I am really sorry that I wasn’t able to be there at the finish line with you.

2:12pm Michelle – We got your mom back over and we are heading to the finish area.

2:13pm Me – Austin can you fly out here and stretch me out? Great day today! Happy with my time.

2:15pm Me - I am not sure I could have made three hours with all the people in front of me and then being sick killed me at the end.  I am happy with my time given the circumstances!

2:37pm Sam – Not bad for a fat guy! J

2:59pm Billie – Great race, hope you enjoyed every minute of it! You’re my hero.  I hope to make it when I am 60!

Carbo Loading before a race

Runners World Carbo Loading Article

Pre Boston Enthusiasm

My friend Paula from DailyMile and me at the expo the day before. I wish I had this kind of enthusiasm around mile 23! I could have used it. ☺

Marathon Thoughts

After Boston the first thing my kids asked was if I pantsed my poop!!

Leaving for the airport shortly

Slept ok last night but woke up to a head cold.  I can't worry about it now.  I took the advice of friends and got some Zycam we'll see how it works.

Luau W. on Daily Mile suggested this song as a good starting line motivator.  I concur.

Ryan

Just have fun!!!!

Thank you to everyone who has wished me well.  I would like to say a special thank you to my friend Christie today for reminding me to have fun!

During the rigors of training I somehow seem to lose sight of the fact that this is supposed to be fun.  Don't get me wrong, it is a lot of work, but when you do it right I truly believe it can be both.

I know this sounds kind of corny but I feel like I am running to be an example to those who think 'I'll never be able to do that'. It is a good feeling. I posted a saying on my blog the other day, What would you attempt to do if you knew you could not fail? I wish I could convince everyone to try something beyond their wildest dreams, you might just surprise yourself with what you are capable of. Boston, after all, was beyond my wildest dreams when I started all this!

No matter what happens, my #1 goal is to a) have fun. Anything else will just be icing on the cake.

I would also like to take a moment to say thank you for the support of my fundraising efforts for Humphreys Diabetes Center.  They provide a great service and appreciate the donations.  I am about half way to my goal, please join me in the supporting HDC.  Donation information can be found here

Make it a great day!
Ryan

Never Quit - Inspirational Story of Derek Redmond

I saw this online today and just had to share.  Enjoy.

Just one thing...well maybe two

I slept like a baby last night!  I think it's my body's way of saying, "Thank you for not punishing me these last few days, now I can relax!"  Boy do I have a surprise come Monday, REST UP little guy!!  Bwaahahhahaaaa!!!

On a more serious running note, I had my last speed run yesterday.  It was a total of 4 miles with 2 - 1 mile intervals at a 6:02/mile pace in the middle.  The most encouraging part was my average heart rate for the first speed mile was 147 and the second speed mile was 156.  So, I feel confident that my body can push when I need to dig deep with worrying about going beyond my limits.  I just have to convince my brain and my legs that it is a good idea!!  Sometimes I think being mentally prepared is the bigger battle during training and this was a big boost!

Thanks to Austin Zander and A2O Fitness for getting me in the best shape of my life!  I know the training will be difference maker to help me push through the last miles!

Make it a great day! Ryan

Weather report......

Could this be more perfect?  I know, I probably just jinxed it!!

Flowers for LaVonda

In February 2008 my aunt, LaVonda Wright passed away after her battle with cancer.  I rode down to Salt Lake with my brother Rich to attend the funeral and had opportunity to reconnect with family I hadn't seen in many years.  I also had the great pleasure of learning a valuable life lesson that I have been reminded of each year at this time since then. 

During and after the service, everyone who was close to her told stories of her love and compassion for others and how selfless she was on many levels.  I looked around at all the people who had attended the funeral and thought to myself, I don't even know this many people, she must have been a great friend to many people.  And furthermore, of all the people I know how many of them would attend my funeral and have something good to say about me.  I made a commitment to myself that day to live my life in such a way that it will be a life worth celebrating when my day comes.

As Rich and I were preparing to leave and head home back to Boise my Uncle Larry Wright told people if they wanted to take some flowers with them they were welcome to.  There were many beautiful arrangements, but I chose one that contained flowers that were grown from bulbs in a really nice stone bowl.  I was thinking they would last longer than cut flowers and I really liked the bowl. 

When the flowers were done blooming I decided to plant the bulbs in my flower garden.  I am reminded each year of Aunt LaVonda and her example as well as my commitment to myself when I see those beautiful flowers popping up in the beds.  Yesterday was that day.

As I reflect on my promise to myself, I can't help but think that the obstacles as well as triumphs in my life have been placed there for a distinct purpose.  Unfortunately, it seems like the purpose is never clear so I always try to take everything with a smile, encourage others, and share my experiences in hopes that someone else may be able to take inspiration from both the highs and the lows.

I have been working on a journal entry about when Michelle and I ran the St. George Marathon last fall and it's basically done.  I just haven't posted it.  I just want to be able to include Michelle's perspective.  She ran the same race on the same day but our experiences were unique in their own way so I want to include both.  I mentioned this at our CFC Home Group last night and was surprised to find out that people actually read this blog and would like to hear the story so we committed to 'publishing' it before we leave for Boston.

I wanted to share one piece of the St George race report that kept rolling through my mind as I was admiring the beautiful flowers and thinking of my Aunt yesterday.

..........(October 3, 2010)  On the way home as I reflected on the weekend many things brought a smile to my face.  I was thinking that running has been a kind of metaphor for life.  This weekend taught me to feel compassion, enjoy the beautiful scenery, recall the power of child's smile brought on by a total stranger, determination, hard work, and most importantly the value of family.  If it takes running a marathon to remind me of all these blessings in my life I will continue doing this as long as I am able and in the end ......... the time on the clock will be of little importance. 

Make it a great day everyone.