Burning Up in Boston



Stephanie P

Qualifying for the Boston Marathon is a “dream come true” for most endurance runners. For the Flyers first-timers at this year's marathon, (Flyers Elle G, Lara K., Heather M, Stephanie P, Paul N., Sean J., and others), this was no exception.

Our Boston debuts at this year’s 116th running of the historical race was one not to be forgotten. Billed as the second hottest Boston on record, with the thermometer reaching into the upper 80s for most of the race, the Boston Globe described it as “a day when even the breeze felt like a blast from a hair dryer” - but more about that later (and click here for Boston Globe article).

The Boston experience begins with the many long, hill and tempo runs during our New York winter, culminating in an early spring taper. Many of us boarded the early morning Saturday train, bus or plane to Boston anticipating a challenging race, and we were still somewhat optimistic, given the energy that we had bottled up from the taper. When we arrived in sunny Boston, the buzz in the air was electric – that city knows how to put on a marathon. Everywhere you walk in the city, you can see the preparation for the race. Banners are on the light posts, roads are being barricaded and closed off, press trucks and spectator stands surround the finish line area on Boylston Street, even race day itself is held on an official state holiday, Patriot’s Day. In the streets we saw runners with smiles on their faces, happy to have made it this far, without the trepidation that will soon sink in as the Boston Athletic Organization (BAA) begins sending out their “weather advisory” e-mails.



The first email was sent out on Friday, warning of “higher than normal temperatures on the course.” By the time we arrived in Beantown on Saturday the emails were sounding more ominous…"the BAA is closely monitoring the situation…projected to be quite warm.” OK, you think, that’s not too bad, we can handle this. So, we checked into our hotels, and headed to the Expo, held at the Seaport World Trade Center. The Expo center is probably a similar size to the NYC Marathon Expo.

As you enter, the first thing that you do is pick up your bib, arranged by bib number, then pick up your race bag and shirt. As we picked up our packets we noticed flyers that had been posted, containing an unprecedented message from the BAA, allowing runners who did not feel prepared to run in the heat to defer their entry for a year. Despite the warnings and the flyers, the runners at the expo did not appear concerned, as folks spent time shopping for official Boston Adidas apparel, browsing the booths and watching a video of the course that depicted the terrain, mile-by-mile.

Heather M and Lara K at the Expo

On Saturday evening, I, Heather M, Deb M, Janis E and a few friends headed to the North End for a delicious Italian meal, after which we walked the historical neighborhood, Boston’s version of “Little Italy”. We waited in line at Mike’s Pastries for home made, cannolis and Boston’s own special cream puff, the “lobster claw,” an enormous pastry filled with fresh whipped cream. I am pretty sure than even a Boston marathon would not burn off the calories from the claw. This did not deter the throngs of tourists and locals that lined up for these tasty treats.


Mike's Pastries -- Yum!

Sunday morning turned out to be another beautiful, clear day. As many of us went out for a casual jog along the Charles River esplanade, passing the band-shell that is home to the famous Boston Pops, we did notice that it was warmer than usual for 9am on an early spring morning. I started thinking, what will it be like on Monday when the forecast was for higher temperatures and the first wave of amateur runners was not scheduled to start running until 10am?

After our morning jogs, many of us walked the finish line, took photos and soaked in the marathon energy that was everywhere in the City. The sneaker store near the finish line was jammed packed with runners (many of them, like myself, were buying new sneakers or Boston garb. Note to Flyers – always check your shoes before you leave home…I got to Boston with two right shoes, and had to buy new shoes two days before the race!).

On Sunday evening, the annual Flyer pasta dinner, which was expertly organized by Lara K, was held at Papa Razzi, a venue located on one of the most popular streets in Boston -- Newbury St in Boston's Back Bay. Similar to SoHo on a beautiful weekend day, it was crowded, but happening.

Charlotte, Janet, Nina, Janine, Elizabeth, Lara, Deb and Heather
at Flyers Pre-Race Dinner

About 15 Flyers attended the carbo-loading fest and the conversation definitely included discussion about most ominous email that the BAA sent out around 5pm that night. This email strongly discouraged running, there is no other way to say it. “Only the fittest runners should consider participating”, as well as “Do NOT assume that any experience you have in running a cooler marathon will be a reliable guide in making the decision in whether to participate or defer.” Regardless of these warnings, only 427 runners took the option to defer to 2013.

On Monday morning, runners had various options to get to the starting line in Hopkinton, which is located 26 miles west of Boston. The official way to travel to the start is via the yellow school buses that are provided by the BAA and leave from Boston Common. Several Flyers (Elizabeth A, Janine S, Nina P, Heather M, Stephanie P, Amanda R) , thanks to Dave K’s connections, paid for the privilege to take a charter bus, organized by a Chicago running club. This chartered bus had comfy seats and most importantly, an on-board bathroom. We were able to stay on the bus once we arrived in Hopkinton, until it was time to check our bags and walk to the Athletes' Village and then the starting corrals.

The starting area is located at a high school in Hopkinton, and there is definitely a party atmosphere in the Athletes' Village. The runners are arranged into three waves and colors (Wave 1: Red, Wave 2: White, Wave 3: Blue), based on qualifying time. The school buses are converted to baggage drop off buses for the athletes, there is lively music playing, a “DJ” is on a microphone interviewing runners and providing fun words of encouragement. Even though the sun was beating down on us at 9:30 in the morning, the runners were in a festive mood.

At the Athletes' Village

Several of us started in Wave 3 at 10:40am; the first six miles that pass from Hopkinton to Ashland to Framingham are relatively easy most years, however this year, the heat made it very uncomfortable from the start. It was not a year to set a PR, but one to enjoy the atmosphere and focus on finishing. The New England citizens were amazing -- there is a small-town feel as you pass through the communities west of Boston. Many locals take advantage of Marathon Monday to sit outside and cheer on the runners. They passed out ice, dumped water on us, sprayed us with their hoses, and handed out oranges, licorice, wet rags, bananas and anything else that would help the runners. As a Wave 3 runner, I felt like I got full support along the entire course and am very grateful for their hospitality. At one point, the first challenging hill at mile 16, I stopped for some water, and walked a bit, only to have one local call out my name that was written on my arm “Hey Steph, get going”, which was enough to propel me up the hill and onward to the Flyer cheering station just pass the 17 mile marker.

A Welcome Sight to Say the Least After Mile 17!

One of the key motivating factors that most of the Flyer runners to the 17 mile point was knowing the support that was waiting for us there. For 17 years now, Flyer Ed A has organized a cheering station (where this year, appropriately enough, they handed out ice), with Flyers who travel all the way to Boston to both spectate and support their fellow Flyer runners. A big thanks goes out to Ed A, Sungwon H, Alan G, Kenny H, Charlotte N, Sondra and Matt M, Deb M (and her friend and friend's kids!), Megan T, Janet H, Scott C, Lloyd H for making the trip this year.  Julie C also was there to spectate and cheer at a different spot along the course. 


Kenny H and Charlotte N
Strike a Pose Then Get Back to Work
At the Cheering Station

Ed's friends Martha and Jay host the Flyers cheering group every year.  They provide food and drink, and this year Jay made two trips to the store to bring back about 20 bags of ice to provide to the very grateful runners.

Many of these Flyers also did double-duty, running alongside Flyers through the famous Newton hills from miles 17-22, including the well-named Heartbreak Hill, the last of the Newton hills located between miles 20 and 21. Once you crest this final hill, you may be in the home stretch, but there are a few rolling hills still in front of you.

A sign that the end is near appears around mile 24, when you glimpse the famous CITGO sign for the first time as you enter the city of Boston. One final incline remains and then you make the famous right onto Hereford Street and left onto Boylston Street, where you can see the finish line about a quarter mile in the distance. Never have I been so happy to see a finish line, as the heat had certainly taken its toll over the previous four hours on the course.

As the runners moved through the finish line area and receive a medal, each runner was greeted by many friendly volunteers who asked if assistance was needed and were there to provide it. More than 2100 runners were treated for dehydration and heat exhaustion by the medical staff, and more than 150 runners were sent to local hospitals including 10 runners who were in critical condition at some point.

Amazingly enough, after all of that effort, approximately 20 Flyers attended the post-race party held at the Westin. We shared our war stories, of which there were many. Although we all ran slower than if not for the heat, there still were many speedy Flyer finish times.  Emotions included happiness, relief and a sense of accomplishment as this race day was as challenging as they come.

Post-Race Hydrating and Sharing Race Stories

As a first-timer, I found the Boston course to be difficult, and I think it would have been so even on a perfect weather day, as the rolling hills are relentless and the Newton hills are challenging so late in the race. In addition, there is a desire to excel on this famed course, which will push your body to its limits.


Deb M, Heather M, Sondra M, Stephanie P


In the end, 21,554 runners (including 38 Flyers) completed the 2012 marathon (dubbed the "Boston Saunathon" by Elle G!). 3749 (14% of the marathon registrants) did not pick up their packets, which was nearly twice the normal “no-show” rate. 427 marathon registants decided to defer to 2013. 96% of the runners that started the race, finished, compared with 98% for prior years.

For Boston newbies like me, I will wear my orange official jacket (appropriate color, given the heat), with pride, and my Boston medal will definitely mean more to me than many of my prior races, which, although had faster times, were not earned with the same level of perseverance, guts and pain that were a rite of passage on the Massachusetts roads on this brutally hot April 16th.

-Stephanie P.