I know this is a delayed posting but don't have an access to a computer after I left St. Louis for Boston. Now that I am back in Malaysia, thought I write some of my experiences @ Boston Marathon. It still longer that I should but there were a lot of stuff to catch up after a month away from KL.
Took an early flight from St Louis to Boston via Atlanta. Javier and my sis dropped me off at the airport. In the flight itself from Atlanta to Boston, I swear that most of the passengers are either runners or friends and family of the runners (the support crew). As I arrived at Logan International Airport, there were more runner looking people.
Took a cab from directly to Seaport World Trade Centre carrying two lugguages, no thanks to the shopping spree in Chicago. There was no way I could navigate around the expo dragging those two bags. Followed the sign to pick up my bib number.
As my Welcome booklet arrived later after I have left KL, I didnt have my bib pick-up card, so I had to queue up at the information counter to get my bib card printed again. It didnt take long.
As I was queueing up, this was what I saw on the signboard. The qualifying time for 2013 Boston Marathon. I think it has dropped a further 5 mins for each age group.
The date of registration for next year's edition is also on display. So folks, keep this in your diary and do meet the qualifying time before then. As I've already skipped a year, 2012 was my last chance to take part, unless I can beat the qualifying time again.
I went off right after picking up my bib as I couldn't do my much with my two big lugguage following me around. Tempted to check out the expo. I couldn't check-in to the hotel yet at the time that I arrived. As the Trade Center is very near to the airport (mind you, taking a cab there wasn't that cheap!). After checking in I went around to get a late lunch. Then decided to go for a short run around the river. There were so many runners on the road and the scenery along the river was superb. I took my camera along with me and snapped a lot more photos than I do running. It was a cool day that I was able to run a little faster than I wanted to. I was hoping for a cooler weather on race day but runners have been receiving email from the organiser warning us of the hot weather and also allowing runners to defer their run to the 2013 edition. But spending so much to get here, that was not an option for me.
As I got back I saw that I had a missed call from Chan Yew. Click here to read the interview. I did an email interview with him after I found out that he was the fastest Malaysian runner in the marathon distance. We agreed to meet up for dinner tonight.
We went to an Italian restaurant downtown. We had a nice bowl of pasta each as part of carbo loading process (well, not so much for me). We chatted a little and I am amazed how much he has committed himself into running while working full time. He told me he has a target to beat the 2:18 mark this year, my guess was that he is trying to qualify for the Olympics. From training down to nutrition, this guys leaves nothing behind when it comes to marathon. Glad that I was able to meet him in person and gain some insight of an elite runner. I was telling him that some of the elite runners in Malaysia are not happy when it comes to competition from Kenyan runners who appeared in some of the events. Then his reaction was something like this, "I have top athletes coming into my uni or competing against me, can I say they should stop coming in?"
Moey was to arrive in Boston at around midnight. As I parted with Chan Yew, Moey called me up from the airport and he told me that his luaggage decided to stay back in London! He needed my room number so that they can deliver the bag to the room.
An hour later, he arrived. It was lucky that he had packed some clothes in his backpack. We decided to head out to pick up his bib the next day. I had to go there again but this time I am there to check out what is on offer.
The next day we took the train to the Marathon Expo. Most of the hotel's guest are runners. After Moey picked up his bib, we went to tour around the expo. There were plenty of retailers setting up their booth. Met a few big names in the running world and also a guy name Mike Wardian who was attempting to break the WR in for treadmill running in the marathon distance. He has the visual to a big screen tv which was showing him marathon route itself, as if he was running in it. I am not sure what was the outcome though. Then I go to meet some big names in running circles such as Josh Cox, Bart Yasso and of course, Meb Keflezighi.
Power Bar presentation - Josh Cox, Desiree Davila and Tim DeBoom
Bart Yasso - the man who developed the infamous Yasso 800s
The big star - Meb Keflezighi
There are plenty of photos I took during the expo but there are just too many to upload. Therefore, am only showing some of the photos here. And the below are some of the stuff I took from the expo. I could have taken more stuff but just not possible to bring so many things back.
Report on RACE DAY next........
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