On the Qualifying page of the Boston Marathon website, it now says, “The qualifying window for the 2008 Boston Marathon will begin on September 23, 2006.” What that means is that when I ran the Columbus Marathon in 3:12 in October of last year, I not only qualified for the 2007 Boston Marathon, but I also qualified for the 2008 Boston Marathon. It’s way too early for me to make any decisions right now, because training for a marathon is a big commitment, but it’s very nice to know that I have the option to go back next year if I want to. I think that if I were to go back next year, I’d be much more relaxed, having been through it all once before.

Tags: marathon, marathons, Boston Marathon, Columbus Marathon, running

I just came across a couple interesting videos on YouTube. This one provides a view from the start of this year’s Boston Marathon. Notice how everyone is bundled up and in rain ponchos. Luckily, the weather would improve a short while later. Also, notice what the volunteers had to deal with once all the runners were off and running. They did a great job, especially in those conditions.

This one is an interview with a student from Wellesley College. Wellesley College an all-female college that is at the half-way (13.1-mile) point of the race, and the tradition is for some of the young women to offer kisses to those running the race. The young lady being interviewed in the video said that she had kissed thirteen runners up until that point. She looks like she’s having fun.

Tags: marathon, marathons, Boston Marathon, running

Yesterday I finished the Boston Marathon in 3:30:18. The weather was horrid the day before the race and even the morning of the race, but conditions improved a few miles into the race, and it wasn’t that bad. I ran most of the race with some other runners from the Premier Sports Marathoner in Training (MIT) group, which made a big difference. It was great to run with a group of such fine people. Physically, my hip was a complete non-issue during the race—it looks like I’m completely over that ailment—and I felt fine. Here are my complete results:

Bib: 5920
Name: Trowbridge, Timothy K.
Age: 36
M/F: M
City: Gahanna
State: OH
Country: USA
5k: 0:25:11
10k: 0:49:56
15k: 1:14:42
20k: 1:39:43
Half: 1:45:07
25k: 2:04:38
30k: 2:30:20
35k: 2:55:28
40k: 3:19:48
Pace: 0:08:02
Official Time: 3:30:18
Overall: 5618
Gender: 4752
Division: 2528

I’m very happy and proud to have completed the race.

Tags: marathon, marathons, Boston Marathon, running

I'm currently in Boston and am writing this post on my laptop in my hotel room. Here is the beginning of the latest e-mail from the Boston Athletic Association:

April 13, 2007

Weather Advisory - 2007 Boston Marathon

The Boston Athletic Association's medical team recommends the following precautions and advice for participants in Monday's Boston Marathon:

FORECAST:
The most up-to-date weather forecast calls for a predicted Spring storm on Monday, including heavy rains (potentially 3 to 5 inches), with the start temperatures in the mid to upper 30's. Wind will likely be East (in the face of the participants for most of the race) in the 20 to 25 mile per hour range, with gusts to as much as 50 miles per hour. This will produce a wind chill index of 25 to 30-degrees Fahrenheit.

RISKS AND RECOMMENDATIONS FOR RUNNERS PARTICIPATING IN COLD AND WET CONDITIONS:
Combined with the rain, we are concerned that predicted weather conditions will increase the runners' risks for a condition called hypothermia. As with any athletic competition, as a runner you are assuming the risks inherent with participation. It is your responsibility to be informed about the risks associated with running in the aforementioned conditions, and the risks of injury or illness will increase with these predicted conditions.

While exercising in cold weather, our bodies attempt to maintain core temperature by shunting blood away from the periphery, thus minimizing heat loss. Hypothermia sets in when the body's temperature drops below normal, starting when the body loses heat faster than heat can be generated. Heat is produced by muscle action and shivering. Very low body temperatures can be life threatening.

There's not much for me to add to that. It kind of says it all.

Tags: marathon, marathons, Boston Marathon, running

Here is the latest weather report from the Boston Athletic Association:

Wednesday, April 11 - As the Boston Athletic Association continues to make preparations for Monday's Boston Marathon, we are monitoring the upcoming weather conditions forecast for this area. Based on the National Weather Service's most recent report and in cooperation with the Executive Office of Public Safety (Commonwealth of Massachusetts) and the Massachusetts Emergency Management Agency, together with the eight cities and towns along the 26.2-mile marathon route, we are planning for likely heavy rain and windy conditions on race day. However, all race day plans remain the same. The Boston Athletic Association advises participants in Monday's race to plan accordingly for their run, bringing with them gear and apparel to suit the conditions. The B.A.A. will continue to update this web site as necessary.

It can't rain during the Boston Marathon, can it?

Tags: marathon, marathons, Boston Marathon, running

The Boston Marathon is only one week away. The race starts at 10:00 AM, but the buses that pick up the runners load at 6:00 AM. The buses take the runners to athletes’ village, where the runners then have to wait around for a few hours until the race starts. Luckily, the sister of one of my fellow runners from the Premier Sports Marathoner in Training (MIT) group may be able to drive us close to the start line nearer to the 10:00 AM start so we don’t have to spend all that time waiting around in athletes’ village. If so, that will be really nice. I’m looking forward to the race.

Tags: marathon, marathons, Boston Marathon, running

I read two really good articles in Runner’s World magazine recently. The first was an autobiographical account by Kathrine Switzer, who was the first woman to run the Boston Marathon in 1967, and the second was about John J. Kelley, who won the Boston Marathon in 1957 and who will be the Boston Marathon's Grand Marshal this year. Both articles got me even more excited about my upcoming trip. Also, I ordered the book Nickel and Dimed by Barbara Ehrenreich online yesterday, but while I’m waiting for it to arrive, I’ll read A Mathematician Plays the Stock Market by John Allen Paulos, which I picked up from the bargain rack at Barnes & Noble.

Tags: Runner’s World, Runners World, book, books, Nickel and Dimed, Barbara Ehrenreich, A Mathematician Plays the Stock Market, John Allen Paulos