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Who won?
That was my question to a number of people after I crossed the finish line last year at Boston. The responses ranged from blank stares to “I think the guy who’s won it a bunch of times!”.
None of the answers were correct, and I didn’t find out who really won until I got home that afternoon.
***
6 months later I watched the most exciting finish to a marathon I have every seen. Granted it was on the small screen on my computer, but Sammy Wanjiru’s finish at the Chicago Marathon last year was absolutely breathtaking!
I was exhausted by the end.
***
My father and I were chatting about marathons the other night. Like me, he can pop on marathon coverage on the TV and enjoy it from beginning to end. For a lot of people, this sounds like torture – you’re just sitting there watching people run! But if you have ever run a race (my pop actually held the county record in the 880 yard dash back in the day), whether in High School, College or as an adult, you get it. It doesn’t matter if you were competitive enough to win, as long as you were competitive enough to want to beat the guy who was running next to you.
There is a thrill to watching people compete in this second oldest of competitions – I imagine that the oldest competition is the fist fight. Whether it is watching Sammy Wanjiru turn it on after being broken three times or reading about my good friend Mike’s battle it out with the Cat in the Hat, competition is compelling. I get to experience the thrill without putting in the effort, and that can be appealing.
And so, with a competitive field toeing the line in Hopkinton this year, with Ryan Hall once again attempting to bring home a win by an American at Boston, there is part of me that wishes I could be a spectator again.
My barber, who ran a 2:28 Boston back in the day, said to me yesterday that he won’t even go to the marathon, preferring to watch it on TV so he can watch every moment.
So, do I really want to be a spectator instead of a participant in this year’s Boston Marathon? No. Frakkin’. Way.
Boston IS the goal.
Boston IS the race.
Boston IS Mecca.
There is a part of me that wants to see those moments, to watch the elites, to encourage each and every runner, but there is no place that I’d rather be on April 18th than sharing the road with my fellow 27,000 marathoners.
Now, to find out who really won last year, click —>HERE<—.
Run Luau Run 
When u are slower (like me) the fans along the way tell us who won! If Kara wins I’m gonna go nuts and sprint the last 10 miles lol. Best of luck! Hope u r happy with the weather!
So true!
I get great pleasure, entertainment and inspiration from watching marathons on TV, on my computer, or from the curb. I love seeing the elites do their thing, demonstrating our art to the highest level of excellence. And i love cheering my friends and just other members of the running tribe as they struggle through 26.2. I love it so much, in fact, that I actually do prefer cheering at the New York City Marathon over racing it (I’ve done both). While I hope to one day qualify to race the Boston Marathon, in the meantime I head up there every year to cheer from about 20 meters away from the finish line.
If I don’t get summoned for jury duty (what bad timing!), I’ll be there this year, too, screaming my lungs out for you, Run Luau! Run!
Hope jury duty doesn’t happen! Was great seeing you at mile 13ish in New York…would love to see you at the finish here!
I agree. I would SO like to see Kara Goucher and Ryan Hall bring home a victory. I have a feeling it is their year. Especially Kara. I don’t know what it is (yes I do), but for some reason women just become SO much tougher after giving birth (it’s because they realize what badasses they really are)! Hmmm… Actually? Nah. I hope they DON’T win this year. Selfish I know, but I want to watch every minute of the race when the American’s sweep!
Last year, I was on the edge of my chair at work watching the lady’s finish Boston. My stomach was in my throat. Exciting! I could just feel their will to win, the push to the finish. It was great. I sat there, never in a MILLION years thinking I’d be running it. AMAZING! This year, I’ll be crossing that line…only wish I could keep up with those gals 😉 Or… maybe not. That would cause too much pressure in future races (snickering…. AS IF!).
Will you follow the elites with the AT&T update so you know who won?
nah…don’t need my phone chirping at me throughout the race…hopefully someone at the end will know this year! Have a great race Joanne! Enjoy it!
I totally want to watch the marathon this year, I’ve never watched a marathon before and it seems like it’d be very exciting!
I’d say running is the oldest and fighting is the second oldest sport. The run as chase ending in a fist fight. Sounds right. Hope your day does not end with any blood or bruising.
You know Logan, you’re probably right. Best of luck to you this weekend at your ultra. I know you’re gonna rock it!
Enjoy every step along the way on Monday Luau – I’ll be riveted down here in Austin while you are doing battle from Hopkinton to Boston.
Looking back on last year I would do a few things differently – qualifying was far more satisfying that actually racing Boston – I should have treated more as a celebration than a foot race – but the experience was tremendous.
Looking forward to 2012 and doing some of those “different” things. Have a great race! Best to you from TX.
J
Thanks Joe! I look forward to running with you in 2012!