Salem, Oregon's
Running & Walking Club Site
Home of
Willamette Valley Road Runners (WVRR)
www.WVRoadrunners.org.

WVRR 2003 Boston Marathon Race Reports

Questions ::
1. What was your biggest challenge during the marathon?
2. Describe something (or things) that made you feel really happy during the race.
3. What was a highlight of the trip/Boston before or after the race?
4. What advice do you have for WVRR's who have the Boston Marathon as a goal?

1. The biggest challenge that I faced during the Boston Marathon was one that was totally out of my control: the warm weather. I think a number of Salem-area runners had difficulty dealing with the heat. I complete most of my training runs early in the morning, before work, when it's 35 - 42 degrees. In four months of training leading up to Boston, I don't think it was ever warm enough to just wear a t-shirt. At race time in Hopkinton, it was 70 degrees without a cloud in the sky. I heard it got up to the mid-70's during the race. There's very little shade along the course, so you don't get any relief. I ran 1:32 for the first 13.1 miles, then 2:19 for the second half. My muscles kept cramping. Being unaccustomed to the heat, I just didn't have any "gas" left in my "tank".

2. Despite my struggle with the heat, I did get a real kick out of all the little kids along the course that wanted runners to give them a "high five" as we ran by. You could hear some of them keeping running totals of how many runners had slapped their hands. They were having a lot of fun, and I could tell a lot of runners were having just as much fun. A number of kids and their families had also spent a lot of time slicing oranges, which they offered runners along the course. You could tell kids would get a thrill if you took an orange slice from them. Finally, you can't forget the girls of Wellesley College. Their ear-splitting screams and enthusiasm kept you pumped up as you ran through their campus.

3. Preparing for Boston is like anticipating Christmas when you're a little kid. You count down the days, and the excitement builds as you get closer. For me, I started planning 18 months before the race, when I decided to run my first marathon and attempt to qualify for Boston. As the day of the race got closer and closer, the realization that I was actually going to run in the race got me really excited. Phyllis McCall organized a get-together at The Ram for the Salem-area participants to meet each other. That was a lot of fun, too.

On each of my connecting flights to Boston, I could tell there were a number of runners boarding the plane, all of us heading to the same place with the same goal. You could share your excitement with other runners who were complete strangers while waiting in the airport, or on the flight; runners all tend to speak the same "language", with similar experiences and stories.

4. To me, running in Boston always seemed like the ultimate running goal, and I'm glad I did it. I'd recommend this unique experience to anyone. However, traveling to Boston, dealing with the time difference, having to sit in a field for 3-4 hours for a noon start time, then getting caught up in the excitement of running with 20,000 other people, can all have an detrimental effect on a runner. You need to make sure you get plenty of rest, expect the unexpected (hot weather!), and adjust your goals. I tried running a 3:10 marathon, and should have realized the heat would be too much for me. I went out too fast, and paid for it (in a big way!) over the last 10 miles. But no one can ever take away the experience (or my finisher's medal!), and the "bond" I'll share with other Boston Marathon veterans.

› Bill Merrill (#4220)

 

1. The HEAT! A half an hour before the race I was in my singlet and shorts and I was sweating. The perfect thought of being a little cold at the start was gone. It was 71 degrees. I missed a spot on my back with sunscreen; it is fried!!!

2. The crowd, amazing, truly amazing. They cheer non-stop. My brother Mike is in the Army, his unit was sent to Iraq the Friday before the race. I had "MIKE Serving in Iraq 2003" and a US Flag put on my shirt. I must of heard "Go Mike" or a version of it 1,000 times during the race. I was actually believing it was my name. I made sure and ran on the side of the road (they can’t see your name if you run in the middle) so people were calling "MIKEY" the entire race.

3. The atmosphere of the city while you are there, including the flights. Everyone is there for the marathon.

4.Be prepared; train like you train for the qualifying race. Both years I have gone less prepared than the qualifying race and without specific goals. With the course being so tough you need to be ready!

› Jason Beyrouty (# 4694)

 

1. The hardest challenge was to finish! The course is difficult, and the weather warmer than I would have liked. My guess is it was at least 65 degrees at the start in Hopkinton.

2. I was so happy for the encouragement from Rex Storm at about 16 1/2 miles, and Bill McCall at about the 17th mile. And I was especially pleased when I figured out I had gone up Heartbreak Hill and didn't even know it! I still thought Heartbreak Hill was another mile away! Crowd support was outstanding! The extra water, Popsicles (yes, it really was hot!) and little sponges soaked in ice water helped me make it to the end.

3. The highlight of the trip was fun with both old and new friends. What a nice group of people we runners are!

4.That is a question I want to ask the other Boston veterans myself. Stronger quadriceps and more practice in downhill running would have helped me.

› Sue Schmidt (#11317)

 

1. I reacted poorly to the unexpected 71-degree heat. Struggling the last 18 miles after my legs started to tighten up.

2. Spectators yelling (sometimes at the top of their lungs), "Go Rex!" I had my name written on my leg; which was moving slow enough for people to read it.

3. Crossing the finish line, of course! Sharing mutual experiences among Oregon and California friends who also ran the 107th Boston Marathon.

4. It's a must-do life experience that's worth the preparation. Be ready for hills and heat, even though most years’ temps are in the 50's and 60's. Train once a week on hills, and have a couple long runs in warmer temperatures.

› Rex Storm (# 8874

 

1. Not enough porta-potties! They increased the field this year, but not the porta-potties. One time Sue and I were in a line that was over 50 feet long, and realized that we had moved 10 feet in 10 minutes! It was the worst I had ever seen (including Hood to Coast!)

2. Seeing Bill at mile 17 and having him remind me that I would not get a finisher's medal if I quit - which I was ready to do at that point! Also, the volunteers were the BEST EVER! They took really good care of us. And the spectators—you cannot even imagine unless you were there. It seemed like there were millions of them - all very excited for the runners! And for those of us who came in late (more than 4 hours!) and who spent a great deal of time walking, the spectators gave us just as much attention and encouragement as they did the leaders. They gave out water, ice, Popsicles, orange slices, wipes, cold sponges, and sprayed water on us. I loved the kids—they all wanted "High Fives" from the runners. They were most awesome!

3. Connecting with others from Salem before the race and sharing stories with friends and strangers after the race. Also, we enjoyed some of the Boston culture (the Freedom Trail, Fine Arts Museum, some theater, fine dining, casual dining, etc!). Boston is an incredible city!!!

Another "highlight" was to be there to congratulate Sue Schmidt for her very incredible performance. It was such a brutal day, and very few came so close to their predicted times as Sue! She was awesome and was probably our strongest finisher from Salem.

4. The course is VERY TOUGH and you never know what the weather will be, so plan for anything. Don't miss the pre-race pasta party or the bus ride to Hopkinton. It's all part of the adventure. Also, plan to wear something or write something on your arms/legs that identifies you. The spectators love to yell your name or your state. I had "Oregon" written on my leg, and Jessica wrote "Grandma X 10" on my back! Most important - if you don't have arrangements on where to stay, I suggest booking through "www.marathontours.com". They have the best rates for the area hotels. We like staying at the Marriott Copley near the finish line. Make time to take in some of the sites. We are already making plans to go back again next year - Lord willing, it will be our 4th visit!

› Phyllis McCall (# 10941)

 

1. Dealing with the unpredictable Boston weather ...71 degrees at the start, not putting on enough sunscreen, and then running into a headwind the last four miles with a temperature drop into the 50's.

2. Special joy came along the course when Ed and I spotted Karen and Jayne at mile 6.5 in Framingham. Hugs, kisses and a photo op, then we were off running again. I also connected with Jayne about 400 meters from the finish line. "Finish strong, Al." Two gals from Switzerland (who we had stayed with in Bern just 3 weeks earlier), totally surprised me by coming to Boston and were also along the course - more hugs and kisses at mile 22

3. Highlights prior: Exploring downtown Boston with Ed and Karen Bender and walking the Freedom Trail from the Commons to the Old North Church. Ed was our guide. Also attending the impressive Easter service at the Old South Church. After: Jayne and I like driving the "blue roads" so we especially enjoyed our 4 day coastal journey and exploring such coastal towns and Marblehead, Gloucester, Rockport in Mass and then to Ogunquit, Perkins Cove and Kennebunkport in Maine. We returned south via Concord, NH (the capital) and then to Concord and Lexington, Mass.

4. Once you are qualified for what is the ultimate for many distance runners, plan on enjoying the Boston area. You will be swept up into the euphoria of it by the tremendous support and enthusiasm of the throngs of spectators all along the route.

› Al Oppliger (# 16520)

1. Keeping cool (impossible) and finding a reasonable place to relieve myself.

2.The crowds and all of the cheering. It made for a mountain top experience. Also, all of the little kids wanting to high five on your way past them.

3. We all know the physical demands and the mental conditioning that the marathon requires. It is encouraging that the whole Boston area seems to recognize this and the total celebration and party atmosphere that one feels as a result.

4. Slow and steady wins the race. The marathon is an event that one never knows whether their pacing is too fast until late in the race when you may slow to a ridiculous pace. If one has the goal of a certain time it is best to try and run only an overall few minutes faster. The goal is reached by maintaining totally even pacing throughout. When reaching the 20-mile mark and still feeling very strong, then one can maintain and perhaps increase your pace. It does feel very good to pass others at this point. You are not necessarily running faster but the other runners are definitely going slower. It is a real attitude boost to keep picking off runners at this point and that feeling keeps you continually charged.

Al Oppliger and I were quite fortunate that we had a rental car. Our wives took us to a park close to Hopkinton where there is a shuttle that will take you to the starting area about 3 miles away. We had no traffic problems getting to the park and the road is clearly marked. This would be a more valuable option in the case of excessively cold or even warm weather as several hours in the elements is taxing. I would suggest taking extra clothing just in case of a weather change.

The busses will bring back your extras. This was a warm year and what I wouldn't have given for some sunscreen. My sunburn hurt much worse that my legs the next day. This is early in the year and my skin was quite pale. Also, remember that if you have a bathroom need, address it before the last several miles, as it is impossible at that time. If it is warm, as we experienced, and you are a heavy perspiration person I would suggest taking water and Gatorade, as we are not used to so much evaporation and electrolyte loss. My cap was great and I often took 2 cups of water: one for drinking and one to wet my head and cap. A wet cap does wonders. I had set three goals—the very best finishing time, an acceptable time, and just finishing. It was obvious that the temperature was choosing the just finishing goal and above all just enjoying the experience. Ask me about my Injinji stockings. They did save my toes from blistering. For more information go to http://www.injinji.com/

› Ed Bender (# 16402)