RACE REPORT: Boston Marathon

Submitted by: Derek Hurdle

It was finally here the week leading up to Boston and I was feeling confident. And rightfully so, my training had been spot on-my long runs were done and they were ran fast and almost effortless. The training was over and this week was all about avoiding turning an ankle on a rock or consuming too many calories too early in the week and putting on extra weight. All week I went to bed early cuz thats what you do marathon week-except I couldn't sleep. I was too excited-way more than last year(my first Boston) because this year I was finally going to get over my marathon plateau (3:10 the last several marathons). Not only had my previously mentioned training go well but the B.A.A. had provided motivation by going to a rolling registration and increasing the Boston "standards" in years to come. So motivation was there and I felt like I had something to prove not to anyone in particular-well maybe just one person...myself

So the wife and I hit the road on Friday picking up John and Jeanette along the way. We drove to do this thing on the cheap (or as cheap as possible). I had laid out the whole weekend which was gonna be kinda low key filled with just dinner reservations (you gotta eat) and the only definate event was Gena and I going to a Sox game on Saturday.

We arrived in Boston Friday night checked into the hotel got a good nights sleep and then it happened...I woke up Saturday. I woke up with a little scratchiness in the throat-not a big deal I thought just the AC in the room was turned up. Then we went to the Sox game and yeah it was really cold. But it seemed not to bother Gena (who is always cold) and I was shivering. We went to dinner that night and I felt a little feverish. Saturday night I couldn't sleep coughing, clearing throat I definately knew I had something now. Sunday came and I feel asleep watching Bart Yasso and Amby Burfoot present a Seminar on how to run your best Boston. I had a fever and I was on edge all day-I snapped at everyone around me. I was depressed, down, I knew I didn't feel my best and I was worried what it would do to my perfect race I wanted to run. All my Sunday energy was used in aggervation and negativity-a complete 360 to the positivity that I was gloating with just a few days earlier. I went to bed Sunday night mad at the world. I woke up several times Sunday night in a pool of sweat.

Race day morning came and while throat was still scratchy I didn't feel that fever anymore-maybe I had "broke" it in my sleep the night before. I still couldn't escape the negative thoughts as we left the hotel to set out to the athletes village I still couldn't find my "happy" place. We arrived in a wind-blown athletes village to rest for a few. But I was on edge my stomach hurt but I was having trouble having "sucess". 

Finally at 9:20 I had my "sucess" too bad I was suppose to leave for my corral at 9:15. So I ran back saw John who had been waiting for me and told him to head on as I applied Body Glide, changed shoes, etc. Nothing was going to plan-gotten sick, battled with everyone the day before instead of resting and instead of taking my time walking to my corral-concentrating on the road ahead I was rush, rush, rush.

I tried to leave the negativity at the starting line and for awhile fooled myself. I ran the first half of the race as I trained-I hit my mark at the halfway point but felt in my head that this day was not gonna turn out well for me. Then something weird started to happen-my head went a little loosy, I couldn't concentrate my legs were fine but my head had gone amuck. I remember thinking it was all the negativity I brought to the race catching up to me-No thats not it I am just getting a little dehydrated...so now every water stop I would drink water + gatorade. Hell when I saw a kid with a cup of water I would accept (I usually say no thanks to civilians and only take course certified fluids). I drank everything offered to me maybe that will clear my head. By the time I hit the height of heart break hill I felt weak. Weaker than usual-my legs felt strong I just didn't feel like I was fueled. I had taken my Gu's every 6 miles or so-drank plenty I thought....so maybe I need to drink more. Put fuel back in my body.

The last 4 or 5 miles were a blur-I mean a long slow blur to me. My splits went down, my motivation gone, I felt sick and had no energy...again my legs were fine. My goal went from 3 hours to surely I got 3:05 that will meet the new "Boston standards" to with 2 miles left I thought I would have to settle for 3:07. And then I finally crossed the line at 3:09:04. 

That sucked I thought....atleast my legs were fine. Medical staff wanted to help me walk I told them I was fine but my back hurt so I bent over to stretch it-then I lifted my head up and when I did that I got a lil woosy. Or apparently enough to catch the medical staffs eye and there in wheel chair I sat on the way to the medical tent. Well atleast I can get a message here without waiting in line and then I can get back to the hotel and start swallowing beers to drown my sorrows. As soon as the doctor saw me he wanted to draw blood-I looked around the room and saw runners in a lot of pain so I told the doctor no worries here just get me a back massage and I am on my way. He said not quite so fast, took my blood and said I had hyponatremia. How can it be I thought I drank plenty of gatorade. The next 2 hours of my life were spent with this doctor (I am only attracted to women but this guy could have doubled for Dr. McDreamy) as he served me hot water and chicken bonoun cubes-to try and get my sodium level back to normal. I left and I felt totally zapped (my legs were fine) but I was weak and had no energy. But no stiffness

I won't really know what went wrong that day. Hyponatremia seems like it should be totally avoidable I had a gatorade the day before the race and the morning off (I only drink Gatorade around marathons-other wise I will not drink the stuff) and thats my usual practice. I drank gatorade at every stop a long the course. I have asked several physicians if 1+1 =2 with my virus leading to my hyponatremia experience-they wouldn't say a definite yes but said it probably contributed. And as far as being sick it has gotten much worse since the marathon-I lost my voice on Tuesday and Wednesday, and now its totally turned into a full blown Sinus infection.

So what have I learned from all this? Other than the fact that you can feel so high and on top of life one day and so very low the next...I guess I am reminded that life is not always fair. I was reminded that the marathon humbles you and there are so many variables that go into the actual marathon that just 1 little wrinkle can throw your whole day off. I was also reminded that there are more important things than the time it takes you to finish the marathon-its the journey. I couldn't have done anymore that day with what I was given-and thats all that matters. Do the most with what you are given in life no matter your circumstances, talent level or financial status just like Pre said "to give anything less than your best is to sacrifice the gift".