The Eve of the 118th Boston Marathon 2014

The Boston Marathon spans three centuries.  The first race in 1897 had a starting field of 15 runners.  This year, close to 36,000 runners will cross the starting line.  This is more than 9,000 more than last year.  The pool of spectators is expected to rise above a million--double the usual number.  The tragic events of last year's marathon have compelled many runners and formerly non-runners to courageously train and qualify for this formidable event.

It is not coincidence that I am starting my blog on the eve of the 118th Boston Marathon.  Every year, if possible, I watch the Boston Marathon on TV.  For me, this is the most distinguished running race in the world, and I have always longed to participate.   I ran my first, and so far my only, marathon on a cold rainy day in the fall of 2012.  My finishing time was 4:28 which is not too bad for a first marathon.  However, to qualify for Boston, I would need to finish in 3:55.  I have selected the Houston Marathon--January 2015, as my qualifying race.  My hurdle is that it is also a race that needs qualifying and I do not qualify.  Thankfully, they have another option--a lottery.  If I am selected in the lottery in late June, then I'm in.  Otherwise, I will select an alternate race for qualifying.

So join me, support me, or think me crazy as I train for my next event.  I will blog my progress along the way.  Heavy training will not begin until the fall when things start to cool down in Corpus Christi, TX.  I will talk about weather, food, calories, mileage, chafing, clothing, getting up early, pace, qualifying, traffic and anything else you can think of that has a relationship to running.  Anyone who knows me, understands that I will probably have many complaints about all those things but complaining usually leads me to learning more about myself and the world.  And I do try to put a sarcastically amusing spin on my complaining.  So, cheers to puttin' a little gravel in my travel.  Who's up for a run?