The Road to Boston

I am very excited to be joining 30,000 runners in Hopkinton, Massachusetts, on Patriots’ Day for the 121st running of the Boston Marathon. As a local, “Boston” has always been synonymous with the marathon. Although I’ve run numerous races, this is my first Boston. 

I am impressed with the diversity of athletes at the starting line of an endurance event. You see a wide range of shapes and sizes, young and young-at-heart, and able-bodied or wheelchair-bound. It doesn’t matter if we grew up in Lunenburg, Massachusetts, or the East African Rift Valley*, there is a link that ties us all together. Every athlete has committed the time and energy to prepare for the race.  We established a goal, developed a training plan, and put in the hours and miles to reach that goal.

For me - - and most of the 30,000 athletes in Boston on April 17th - - the goal is not a podium finish or a world record time. My goal is to cross that starting line. Everything after that is the return on investment. I plan to enjoy every step, every mile, and every hill on the road to Boston. It may be difficult or even painful, but that doesn’t make the effort less enjoyable. Many months of training will be rewarded as I crest Heartbreak Hill in Newton, run through the Fenway faithful in Kenmore Square, and turn onto Boylston Street.  Happy Trails!

*Gratuitous geologic reference