Boston Billy’s Advice

This year’s Boston Marathon is a week away and I know several people who are running the race, my old high school friend Patrick McGahan and my current training buddies David Rothenberger and Mike Quispe; to name a few.  With everything that happened last year and the preparations for this year, this year’s event should be epic. 

The 2014 edition of Boston will be held on Monday, the 21^st, the day after Easter.  The year I ran it, 2006, it was also the day after Easter.  I recall that event so clearly.  It is one of my most cherished running memories. 

The race expo, where athletes had to go to get their bibs, was held at the John B. Hynes Convention Center.  As a first time entrant, I wanted to get the full flavor of the event, so I spent a lot of time at the expo.  I met three marathon greats that day: Steve Jones, Frank Shorter and Bill Rodgers.  Jonesy gave me a nod and a perplexed look as he autographed a poster.  When I told Shorter that I was from Colorado, he said “Oh, good.  Have a great race.” 

The highlight for me was meeting Bill Rodgers.  The 45 minutes I waited to meet Boston Billy gave me ample time to rehearse my greeting.  “You’re the reason I got into running,” I blurted.  His response, “Is this your first Boston?”  “Yes.” I replied.

Sizing me up, he imparted some great advice and I’ll share it with you now.  “Take it easy, easy, easy,” he said as he held both hands spread out like he was dribbling two basketballs.  “You’re not going to run a personal best.  Take it easy.  Enjoy it.  And when you get to the hills, you’ll pass hundreds.”  He added another “hundreds” for emphasis. 

As I rode the T back to where I was staying, the word “hundreds” tumbled through my mind.  What did he mean?  Really, did he mean hundreds literally or figuratively?  Whatever, I would soon find out. 

Monday morning I climbed aboard a bus at the Boston Common and made that long ride out to Hopkinton.  Because I got an early bus, I was able to stake a patch of sod under one of the tents…and waited…for hours…until we were roused and marched to the starting corals. 

When we were finally released, I heeded Rodgers advice and took it easy.  Boston veterans know how difficult it is to run the early miles slowly.  The course descends unabated for four miles.  When the course makes the right turn onto Commonwealth Ave. the hills start abruptly.  I did indeed pass hundreds of runners just as Rodgers prophesied.  It seemed I overtook a runner every second. 

There was one runner I remember passing just before Kenmore Square.  He was an elite runner, as indicated by the two digit number he wore, and he was limping.  Clearly, he was injured.  Why didn’t he abandon the race?  Why?  Because it is the Boston Marathon and he owed it to himself, to tradition and to everyone who has ever run the race, to finish.