Des Linden

Des Linden won the Boston marathon today, battling opponents as well as a strong headwind and light-heavy rain for the entire race. She came from 30 seconds behind to take the lead around 22 miles.
Des even slowed down around the twelve mile point to wait for fellow runner Shalane Flanagan, who needed a port-a-potty stop. Des wanted to help pace Shalane back to the lead group of ten women. She didn't feel well herself at that time and thought she might be dropping out soon, so why not wait?
Evidently Des's training really kicked in and she was able to claw her way to the victor's stand.
This is a quote I found on Twitter from Des;

 I think many of us can identify with these feelings. It's nice to hear a world class runner saying it. Des become the first American woman to win the race in 33 years. Hey, she's even a coffee aficionado, whiskey connoisseur, and book nerd.What's not to like?

Dreaming of the Boston Marathon

It never fails. Every third Monday of April comes around and I have regrets about not being in the Boston Marathon. It doesn't matter if I attempted to run a qualifying marathon the previous year or not, some part of me still wants to be running the race.

This past Monday I was on vacation, not due to the race being on television, but it was a rare warm, sunny spring day in Rochester and I wanted to enjoy the weather. After a run on the canal path I got breakfast and began watching the marathon. It was different this year with so many of the faster Americans not being in the race due to the Olympic trials a couple of months ago. The competition at the top quickly became Kenyans and Ethiopians.

While watching the race I realized it has been 20 years since I ran my first, and only, Boston Marathon. During the television broadcast I could still remember running by different spots on the course. I know how I felt at certain locations while running. Back then the race began at noon and we had a long bus drive to the start. It was Boston's 100th anniversary and the field was crowded. I couldn't really eat much and didn't drink enough and ended up with my typical marathon fade beginning by 18 miles.

The crowds were intense and supportive throughout the race. I finished over 30 minutes slower than my qualifying time, but was still happy to finish. After the race I was shivering, had the mylar blanket and tried to drink, but really all I wanted was to find Jan and get back to the hotel. I was pretty much lost and couldn't figure out how to cross the street with so many spectators and runners still finishing. I wandered on Boylston Street until I found a police officer. He just finished telling a family there was no way they were crossing the street. I knew I had to get across somehow. I walked up and asked if I could cross to get to the hotel and my wife. I know I looked pitiful, sweaty, smelly and cramped up. He was a big, burly cop, what you'd expect to see in Boston. He moved the road barrier and said, "you can do anything you want today, go cross the street". I couldn't thank him enough, probably didn't, just mumbled something incoherent. Then the cop closed the barrier and told the family no again. I actually found Jan a few minutes later, or she found me, not sure which.

I was looking at some of the training from 1995-96 we did (yes, I still have all my running log books). Mike, Frank, Augie, Dick, Larry and Rick are names that keep popping up, especially on 20 mile runs and our famous Dump Road 800meter repeats. We built up to 10/800 averaging 2:53-3:03 usually. We were semi-young and of various speeds, but three of us qualified for Boston, Augie, Mike and myself.

Maybe Jan and I should try to qualify? Maybe not, since I said four years ago I had enough of marathons, at least that's what I say until the next Boston, when I'll think I should be in the race.  

Roberta Gibb

This is a link to a short story on Roberta Gibb, the first female finisher of the Boston Marathon, in 1966. It's a really quick read and gives perspective on how far women have come regarding running in the past few decades. The article was written by Amby Burfoot, a Boston Marathon winner and longtime journalist.

Boston Marathon Guilt

The Boston Marathon took place Monday, April 20 and I didn’t run it. There is always a feeling of guilt for me about not running Boston. Guilt may not be the best word. Disappointment, inadequacy, missing out on a special event, no bragging rights, might be better terms. 

This year non-runners at work didn’t even ask me if I was going to run the race, I can’t remember the last time that happened. When I was running around Spencerport Monday night after work I realized it has been 19 years since I ran my first and only Boston marathon. Nineteen years ago I still thought I had hair and my oldest daughter just turned 17, my youngest 12. Also strange, I’ve completed 19 marathons. I never ran a marathon without trying to qualify for Boston. Obviously my success rate was pathetic. 

In the early years of my marathon “career” the qualifying times were so tough I didn’t stand much of a chance. A sub-2:50? My best ½ marathon was 1:23, how was I going to run a 2:50 marathon? Needless to say, I didn’t. When I got to my mid-30’s the times softened a bit so I “only” needed a sub 3:00, so in a race that’s what I would start my pace at. I never lasted. Finally in 1995 I ran a qualifying time (if you count the few seconds it took me to cross the starting line, my “chip” time-which Boston did for 1996). 

That was it, my only Boston marathon. In later attempts the qualifying times had softened a bit more and I naively thought they were too easy. I went out faster knowing I could always fall back to the Boston time. That didn’t work out well for me, having marathons where I missed the time by a minute, 3 minutes, or just totally falling apart. Stupid man. 

This year I streamed the race via the internet while working, the advantage to having two monitors on my desk.  It was a great race among the top ten to fifteen elite runners and I was happy to be able to watch it live. However there’s a big difference between sitting in an office 400 miles away and being in the event. Don’t worry though; I don’t have any plans to run another marathon. Nineteen seems like enough times to attempt something I’m not very good at, even if every third week of April I feel guilt, disappointment or inadequate.

Meb Keflezighi - Boston Winner

Excellent video from Runner's World with Meb, a few hours after he won the 2014 Boston marathon. I've been a fan of his for years. Meb seems like a really nice person in addition to being a world class athlete. Last year Meb was injured and couldn't compete in the marathon. He watched the race for hours cheering on runners and taking photographs, just like any fan of the sport.
Meb has nice things to say about average runners who participated in the race around the six minute mark of the video, so be sure to listen.

Meb Keflezighi interview

Boston 2011 Runner Video

Contributed by Pete Leonard.

Marathon World Record?

I just read that Mutai's "world record" of 2:03 won't count because Boston is a net downhill course. I find this ridiculous. First, every marathon is different. The Rotterdam marathon, where the "real" record was set, is flat as a pancake, and there were pacesetters for much of the race! But this is okay?

Boston has no pacesetters, it's a real race. Yes, there are downhills, but most of that is in the first 2-3 miles. Maybe people from the sanctioning bodies of running need to run the 3-4 miles that make up Heartbreak Hill, especially after running 15 miles at a 4:40 pace. I bet the record will count then. Maybe they need to race someone over 26 miles and have it come down to a sprint finish in the last 600 yards, with the racers actually picking up the pace from a 4:40 mile to see who has the last ounce of energy left?

The only way you can really have a world record in a marathon is to run the race, all 26.2 miles, on a track, or use just one course somewhere in the world, that everyone who wants to go for the record has to run. Of course pacesetters can't be allowed either. I'm being sarcastic.

Listen, Mutai ran 26.2 certified miles, up and down hills, on flat, in a competitive race with no pacesetters and crushed the record, that's it, end of story.

Boston Marathon Elite

At a great moment in the race Jan and I found a live feed from a Boston news station that showed the women's finish. Evidently the feed was available for free for the entire race, but it took awhile to locate this and it wasn't advertised well. The feed was from CBS Boston, WBZ, and was supposed to be free for New England area only, but we got it with no problem here in upstate NY. The station continued to carry live feeds from Heartbreak Hill and the finish line throughout the day.

After New Zealand runner Kim Smith led the race for 14 miles, she was overcome by cramps and the lead pack gobbled her up. Unfortunately Kim couldn't complete the race. American Desiree Davila came on strong with 10 miles to go and battled two Kenyans over the last 2-3 miles for the lead. Desiree faded back a few times by 10-15 yards and looked broken, but wouldn't give up and put in a great surge up an incline just before turning right onto Boylston street, taking the lead from Caroline Kilel and Sharon Cherop. Turning left onto Boylston Kilel came back and surged ahead, but Davila stayed strong and picked up the pace again. At this point Cherop was dropped. Kilel put in one final surge and won by 2 seconds over the feisty American. Desiree set a personal best by 4 minutes. 1- 2:22:36, 2-2:22:38, 3-2:22:42, (5:25/mile pace) 5 (Kara Goucher, USA) 2:24:52 a personal best and just 6 months from having her first child!



The men's race was just as exciting as Geoffrey Mutai edged out Moses Mosop (both from Kenya) for first place in a world record 2:03:01, an average of 4:41 per mile. Ridiculously fast. This is a Boston course record by 3 minutes. Ryan Hall of the USA ran great, set an American record in 2:04:58 and finished 4th. How soon will it be before the 2 hour mark is broken for a marathon? Mutai earned over $200,000 for the victory, course and world record.

Boston Marathon

Two Sal's members qualified for and are running in the 2011 Boston Marathon on Monday, April 18, Pete and Roger. Pete qualified with a 4:03 at the 2010 Pittsburgh Marathon, which is an age-graded 3:06. Roger ran a 3:43 at last year's Boston, an age-graded 2:53 and good enough for 23rd in his age group out of 227 starters. When I mature I want to be as fast as Pete and Roger - they are in the 65-69 age group.

Top Ten Things About the Boston Marathon:

10. A BQ time is always a great goal finishing time in another marathon.
9. Even normal people know about the Boston Marathon and are impressed if you run it.
8. What other sport can you compete against the world's best? (so what if they finish an hour or more ahead, hey you were in the race too).
7. The cost is only $100+ dollars per entry, $250+ per night hotel, transportation to Boston, meals, parking $20+/day and marathon souvenirs from the expo.
6. The first half of the race is fast and some downhill miles might screw up your quads.
5. An American male has not won the race since 1983 (Greg Meyer) female since 1985 (Lisa Larsen Weidenbach). Ryan Hall, fourth in last year's race, and Kara Goucher, third last year, are back again to try and break through with an American victory.
4. I would be surprised if an American won this year.
3. Bill Rodgers averaged 2:10 in his 4 victories.
2. The Sam Adams beer never tastes better than during the post-race celebratory meal.
1. Here is a course tour, done in 5 minutes, led by Dave McGillivray.

New Boston Qualifying Standards

The qualifying times for the 2012 Boston Marathon won't change from recent years, but the new registration process will accommodate those who are the fastest qualifiers first.

Registration will occur on a “rolling admission” schedule, beginning with the fastest qualifiers. On the first day of registration for the 2012 Boston Marathon, those who are eligible for entry by having met the qualifying standards for their age and gender group by 20 minutes or more will be able to enter on the first day of registration (September 12). On the third day (September 14), registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by 10 minutes or more. On the fifth day (September 16), registration will open for those who have met their qualifying standards by five minutes or more. During this first week of registration, applicants will be notified as they are accepted and their qualifying performance verified.

Once the registration window is closed, the fastest runners in relation to the qualifying standard to their age/gender will be entered into the race once their times are verified.

So, people who try to qualify during races after 9/16 may be out of luck, if the field is already filled by faster racers. But, this actually seems fair to me, unless a large part of the field is filled with charity runners who only need money to enter and not a qualifying time.

If the field is not filled at the conclusion of the two weeks, then registration will remain open and qualifiers will be accepted on a first come, first served basis until the maximum field size is reached.
The 59 second bonus is in effect for 2012. So a 55-59 year old male could run a 3:45:59 and qualify.

2013 Boston Marathon
For the 2013 Boston Marathon, in addition to the new “rolling admission” process for registration which will be in effect for the 2012 Boston Marathon, the B.A.A. will adjust the qualifying times by lowering them by five minutes from the times which have been in effect in recent past years. The adjusted qualifying times will go into effect on September 24, 2011, and are:

*Unlike previous years, an additional 59 seconds will NOT be accepted for each age group time standard.
2013 Qualifying Times (effective September 24, 2011)

AGE Men Women
18-34 3hrs 05min, 3hrs 35min
35-39 3hrs 10min, 3hrs 40min
40-44 3hrs 15min, 3hrs 45min
45-49 3hrs 25min, 3hrs 55min
50-54 3hrs 30min, 4hrs 00min
55-59 3hrs 40min, 4hrs 10min
60-64 3hrs 55min, 4hrs 25min
65-69 4hrs 10min, 4hrs 40min
70-74 4hrs 25min, 4hrs 55min
75-79 4hrs 40min, 5hrs 10min
80+ 4hrs 55min, 5hrs 25min


Registration for the 2013 Boston Marathon will begin on Monday, September 10, 2012.

As The Sports World Turns

1. Big Ben, QB of the Steelers, is on a 4-6 game suspension for questionable behavior in a bar with a girl. He must have been tutored by Tiger Woods. Now they can go to treatment together.
2. The Pittsburgh Marathon sold out, at 16,000 runners, an increase of 6,000 over last year! It must be the influence of our Sal's group deciding to participate that made other runners think this is the race to be at.
3. The first annual Flower City Challenge 13.1 mile race doubles its' predicted number of entrants, with over 1,200 registered! This is going to be so cool. The race course is really nice and the support of Mayor Duffy is a huge help.
4. The NFL draft goes to a 3 day format and at least the first round is on prime time tv. This is a sign the apocalypse is upon us. How many of these draft choices really make it in the league for more than a couple of years? Experts spend weeks, no months, looking at game film, giving physical and psychological tests to the athletes, and still many of the players have no impact on their team.
5. The price of an Ironman race has increased to $550, yet most of them still sell out within an hour or so. Why didn't I think of this as a business venture?
6. You can enter an Iron Distance race for about half that cost. Everything is the same except for naming rights. I guess you couldn't get an IM tattoo either? Oh, and you wouldn't be eligible for qualifying for the Hawaii IM race. Would you still tell people you did an Ironman? I say yes, normal people wouldn't know the difference anyhow.
7. The Bills will draft a lineman, pay him lots of money, develop him for three years, then not re-sign him and he will become all-pro on another team.
8. The NBA bores me. I've been a Celtics fan since the late 1960's and I can't even watch a complete one of their games anymore.
9. A big congratulations to the Sal's finishers at the Boston Marathon; Roger O'Dell, Mike May, Lance Calvert and Andy Arnold.

Mindless Ramblings

Predictions:
An American male will not win Boston this year (big surprise, though Ryan and Meb will make a race out of it and finish in the top ten).
A male Kenyan (Elijah Keitany-pr 2:06) will win. I just like the name Elijah.
Madai Perez (pr 2:22) will win the female division. There are no elite American women racing.
New Roger will win the Sals division, followed closely by LanceIlovehelicopters, Mike May and Andy.

Congratulations to: "Joan Benoit Samuelson, 52, the 1984 Olympic marathon gold medalist, ran 60:52 to finish 18th in her first Cherry Blossom race. She beat all 40-year-olds and set a U.S. age-group record for 10 miles, shattering the mark of 62:01 set by S. Rae Baymiller in 1994." Washington Post. Jan and I ran the the Cherry Blossom race two years ago. It is a great race.

Why do the rudest drivers on I490 have large NY Yankee stickers on their SUV's?

Boston Marathon (of course)

The intrepid trio of Sals runners; Mike the 4th, Rickinevermetcottonididntlike and Andyarelativeineverymarathoncity successfully completed the 113th running of the Boston Marathon on Monday.

A cool, but windy, day greeted the runners. Their finishing times were all in the 3:50 range. Congratulations and welcome back to our honored training partners!

I watched quite a bit of the marathon, which was being broadcast live over the internet. The men's and women's races were both exciting as American Ryan Hall took the lead right from the start and Kara Goucher was in the lead pack throughout the women's race and took the lead from about 21-25 miles. Both Americans finished third overall. Kara was 9 seconds behind the winner and Ryan less than a minute.