I came into the race over-hydrated. It's something I'm not completely familiar with, but the night previous, I went outside my game plan and tried some extra hydration with Gatorade in preparation for Boston's forecasted heat warning.
I was up at 5am to get ready for the race. I was off to Boston Common by 6:30 and on a bus to Hopkington by 7:30am.
The race started at 10am, I'd been quite tired all morning, even at the start of the gun. At 6km in I didn't feel right, just tired physically. I decided to keep pressing it as much as possible, but at the time 42km felt impossible, which is unusual until the 30k area.I'd never really had this happen on a run before, this early into it. By this point in training 20km should be a breeze.
By 13km I had to pull over for fear of passing out. It felt like I was at 35km, I waited there with a volunteer soldier who could see that something was wrong, I drank some water for 15-20 minutes in complete confusion of what was up with my body. I was advised at this point, to maybe call it a day, I couldn't do that, it was Boston. I guess whenever there is a discrepancy in your game plan you decide to quit for your health or just finish.
At 20km, I was done, I had nothing left. I started to think a lot about my Gatorade hydration the night before and my chemical levels in my muscles, salt content, etc. I was running at my speed walk pace with pain. I was disillusioned by my race so far, I had never experienced this. I decided no matter how I did it, I had to just finish, just keeping going enough to finish, this was the only option at this point, that or DNF.
Through the remaining 22km I did everything to stay focused. I would stare at the ground for a couple of minutes, I'd watch the fans on the side, I'd count the beats to the song, I'd tell myself I could stop at the next water station, it was pure torture, until that FINISH LINE.
I saw some of my family with 10km left, I stopped and hugged them all, they said "go" I looked at them with a saddened look on my face, as I staggered away. I'd never felt like I might not finish. It was a crushing feeling to know I could go at anytime and be stretchered away. I continued the last kilometres through the loud supportive crowd of Boston College, it was nice, but not as nice as usual, because it wasn't helping my spirits, or the cooling me from the burning heat on my body.
I'd stop at the rest stations and drink as much as I could get down without stomach pain, I'd hold a cup on my head and let it slowly saturate my face, back and chest. This was a small positive. Then the Sitco sign showed up, I kept my eyes locked on that sign that seemed over a kilometre away. I had to be about 3-4 km out from the finish, I just remained tapped in among the thousands of fans yelling around me. Eventually I reached the sign, and the finish of one of the hardest runs of my life. I passed my family and friends down the last kilometre stretch, by this point it didn't matter to see them, the pain and agony was all that mattered, I had to end it and the finish line was just ahead. With my last bit of energy I surged for the remaining 100 meters, and stumbled through the recovery lanes grabbing water and a package of food on the way. I turned down 3 people, who saw my white face and asked if I was okay, I just wanted my family, I wanted to be in my wife's arms.
I stumbled another mile with a half wrapped recovery blanket around me, and my new Boston 2012 medal around my neck. Everything seemed slower around me, and a little cloudier. As I saw my wife I hugged her and teared up in her arms, I'd made it, I let go in that moment. I sat on the ground and fell in a daze with my friends and family surrounding me. I'd be taken to the first-aid tent after that, where they'd take all my vitals. I wasn't in shape to leave for about 45 minutes. That's when my blood pressure came back, and the colour in my face.
That was a challenge I had not had. Between the heat, the hills, and my general hydration issues, I was defeated on Monday. I wasn't planning to go back to Boston, but after falling an hour from where I expected. I'll be back Boston, for some race revenge! (I tend to enjoy a little race revenge)
All and all, I am truly just glad to have finished, and to have the honor of wearing the jacket and the medal. I don't know how I'd feel had I not finished, or how I'd feel if I were one of the participants who collapsed less than a kilometre from the finish line. I am a lucky man.
Till next time! Enjoy the Outdoors,
D
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