I didn’t expect it to be so. In the days before the race, I was so anxious. I hadn’t kept any notes from last year, so I didn’t know whether I was training as much as I had, then. I thought I was doing fewer short runs. I may have done as many long runs. but I just didn’t know. I do know I seemed to be eating more this year than last. I think I was a couple pounds heavier. I thought this was going to slow me down.

The Community Servings team trained together, a couple times. We ran the New Bedford Half Marathon, in mid-March. Last year I finished in 1:27, I think. This year, in 1:55. This scared me to death! A half hour slower was not a good thing. I was worried about my endurance (or lack, thereof).

Race day was sunny and in the 50’s. Perfect running weather. I had carbo-loaded all week. Didn’t think it would make a difference, though. Also helping, I went out earlier in the week and had a couple martinis. Purely to calm my nerves, I assure you.

My goals were 1) beat last year’s time of 4 hours, 10 minutes; and 2) run all the hills, whereas last year I walked Heartbreak Hill (I may not have shared this with you, in the past!).

The race started well - three of the four Community Servings team members ran together for the first three miles. We were doing 9:30 miles. I was having a much better time running than I did last year - talking and enjoying it. Still, in the back of my mind I was thinking, I want to do better than 4 hours.

Before the race I made myself a deal - if I did less than 4 hours this year, I wouldn’t have to run Boston, ever again. Over four, and I’d sign up for another tour of duty.

During the first couple miles, the team split up. It was me and one other guy. I went ahead a couple times, but he caught up everytime. Finally I was like, I gotta decide, am I gonna go for it?

At this point, I had so much energy and I wasn’t winded at all. My running partner asked, “Why do you look like you haven’t even started?” He was right - I wasn’t even winded (not bragging, I’m as surprised as you).

So I figured - what was the worst that could happen - and took off. I had to make up for lost time (I needed to average 9 minute miles in order to get in under 4 hours) so I had to run faster than 9 minutes for at least a couple miles.

At mile 13, I felt like I had just started. A great feeling, but a bit scary. You never know when you’ve pushed too hard. The first half of the Boston Marathon is on a decline. You’re supposed to hold back during the first half, to prepare for the hills in part two. (The saying is, the second half of Boston doesn’t start until mile 21.)

At fourteen, I was doing well, but starting to get a bit tired, and started counting mile by mile. But, even by mile 16 (over Route 128), I was still in decent shape. By the turn onto Comm Ave in Newton, I was happy. I thought there were five hills between Newton and Boston, so I started counting. At hill #4, one of the biggest, I just put my head down and ran (shuffled) up. I got to hill #5 and thought to myself, this is Heartbreak, so put your head down and just go for it. I ran all the way to the top.

I was so happy. I started looking for Boston, in the distance.

Well, I had remembered wrong. At that point someone yelled out, “Only one more hill!”

I’m sorry, what?

Turns out, there are six hills. (You’d think maybe I would have done better research?)

After about another 1/2 mile, I saw Heartbreak and I was like, this is not going to be any fun.

Turned out, I was able to run it - but very, very slowly. (Last year I dropped to 12 minute miles at this point, so by running this year, I made up a lot of time.)

Once you get near Boston College, the crowd really gets you going. It felt okay. I was between mile 22 and 23.

Between the end of the B Line and Cleveland Circle I had to slow to a walk. I’m sorry! It was demoralizing. You really feel like you cannot walk another ten feet, much less run.

At this point, I had run 3 hours, 27 minutes. I looked at my watch and figured I had 33 minutes to get to Copley Square. Honestly, I didn’t think I could do it. I knew if I walked, I wouldn’t get there in time. But, I just couldn’t get my breath. I was satisfied with the day, since I had run the hills, so I figured I had accomplished one of my goals. I really didn’t expect to get any energy. There’s a Dunkin’ Donuts when you get to Boston College. No, seriously. And I noticed there didn’t seem to be a line inside.

Anyway, I picked it up just a bit - I ran down the hill to Cleveland Circle, because it was easy and because there was a huge crowd in the square and I wanted to look good. At this point, you’re on Beacon Street, which takes you all the way to the end of the race, practically. But, then I had to walk again (we’re talking 60 seconds, but it feels as if you’re walking forever). Then, I ran a bit into Washington Square (downhill).

Up the hill after that, I walked, because I knew there were people from Community Servings in Coolidge Corner, and I wanted to be running when I saw them, to make them feel good for coming out in support.

Mile 24 is right after Coolidge Corner, in Brookline. I think I walked very briefly. I looked at my watch and it was something like 3:37 or something. I had twenty three minutes to run 2 miles. I picked it up a bit, and then I felt great (how does that happen???). Total energy spike.

I ran into Kenmore Sq, the crowd was awesome. I was at 3:50 or so. The dip in the road was hell, at Hereford, then I saw Terry in the crowd. I was at 3:56. So I figured I had a couple seconds to spare.

I ran up to him, grabbed him in the “Sailor in Times Square” pose, and gave him a big fat kiss on the lips. (I am a drama queen, I know.)

The people he was with said to him, “He looks like he just started.”

I ran down from Hereford to Gloucester to Fairfield and i was at 3:58. I really really really didn’t think I’d make it under 4! It seemed so far away. Meanwhile, people were passing me. One guy threw jelly beans at me.

Anyway, I made it over the threshold at something like 3:58:56 and was done. I felt pretty damn proud of myself. I even cried for a second. It just didn’t seem possible that I had beat four hours, considering my splits at the beginning and considering I walked four times. How is that possible???

It was an incredible day. The volunteers of course were just fantastic. So well organized.

I am so happy I raised money for Community Servings and that I was able to train with my new friends Mike and Tim. It made it so much better than last year, when I trained and ran on my own. Much more satisfying.

No more Bostons for me, I don’t think. I said that last year, though. But, if I run a marathon again, it will be a flat one. (Basically so I can beat my Boston time.)