“The running became kind of like a death march” -The Boston Marathon 2012

"More than 2,100 runners were treated for dehydration, heat exhaustion and other problems at medical tents along the 26.2-mile course, according to the Boston Globe. Temperatures soared into the upper 80s and the number of runners requiring medical attention was 800-to-1,200 higher than in past years, Chris Troyanos, medical coordinator for the Boston Athletic Association, told the Globe. Troyanos said that 152 runners were treated at hospitals; eight to 10 were in critical condition at some point and were placed in ice baths. Boston Athletic Association officials had warned runners of the forecast and offered remindersfor coping with heat. Officials took the unusual step of offering runners the chance to defer running until the 2013 race." ~Washington Post

There are races to run fast, and there are races just to finish. With temperatures hitting near 90, Monday's Boston Marathon was the latter. It was tough to go through the grieving process in terms of letting all of the training and expectations go out the window...and accept that this race was likely to be the slowest and most difficult of all previous 6 marathons. As we boarded the buses to the start of the race in Hopkinton, the air was thick with chatter about strategy & hydration. As we sat in the Athletes Villiage, the sun rising, the heat bearing down...many were stripping off their GPS watches and coming to the same conclusion...lessen the expectations, be conservative and just enjoy the experience!

HERE'S THE ARTICLE IN THE LIBERTY TRIBUNE ABOUT ALL THE LOCAL RUNNERS, INCLUDING US: http://www.kccommunitynews.com/liberty-tribune-sports/30966871/detail.html

(The two and a half hour wait in Athletes Village in Hopkinton)

Very little shade, very little movement of air and not a cloud in the sky...a slight bit foreboding. The atmosphere was filled with both caution and excitement and we tried to remember the pressure was off and we had 26.2 miles to the city of Boston in front of us. The trick was getting there by running smart....and still knowing our names at the end!

It was 87 degrees at our 10:20 start....topping out at 89 at 12:30.

The spectators...amazing...encouraging...pitying! I was so impressed by the many garden hoses cooling down runners, ice, popsicles (I had a bomb pop...YUM), oranges, etc. provided by home owners and fans; all aimed at aiding a mostly suffering field of runners forging ahead. I was encouraged by watching our men in uniform (full fatigues) carrying our American flag, traversing the same course, in the same heat. I was inspired by passing Team Hoyte...watching a father help hydrate his handicapped son as he pushed him to their 30th Boston Marathon finish. I won't lie, it was one of the most physically and mentally taxing things I have ever endured...but aside from the births of my three amazing children, it ranks as a top life accomplishment. I felt it a privilege to be among the best...and to finish hand-in-hand with two amazing women.

(After...yes, we look happy and dry...but we were actually hurting and soaked...but oh so happy to be finished! Now...to find a cab to the hotel...)

Post race dinner on the Boston harbor...no worries, this wild crew was in bed by 9:30!