I have been honored this past April 20th to have run in the world's most prominent distance running event, the 113th running of the Boston Marathon. After weeks, months, and even years, I participated in my second running of 26 miles 385 yards from rural Hopkinton, Massachusetts to downtown Boston. The course is known world-wide as one of the more challenging marathon routes because of the amount of declines and inclines, and the four hills of Newton which include the infamous "Heartbreak Hill" at mile 20.

This years race featured over 26,000 registered runners and over 22,000 finishers. The temperature was an ideal 48-50 degrees with a head wind. The course was lined with over a quarter million spectators which include the famous women of Welsley College, and their deafening screams and "kiss me" signs. The encouraging throngs at Heartbreak Hill, the often joyful and slightly intoxicated Boston Red Sox Fans at Mile 25 and the deafening throng on Boylston Street, where you eye the finish line, and the noise will make you forget about the blisters on your feet, or the cramps in your calves. The Boston Marathon is known as the "Holy Grail" for thousands of distance runners, and this year's event did not disappoint.

Having run the course for the second time was a big advantage for me, the trick to Boston, is to run as even of a split, first half, second half, as your can. The first eight miles are all on a decline, if you start to fast, your quads will feel like they have been through the meat grinder come Newton and the hills. I used this strategy and held back on the first three miles, increased my pace on the next three and settled in on a consistent pace over the next eight miles as I approached Newton. My legs felt fresh as I started up the first couple of hills but by the last two, my leg were fatiguing, but I was able to keep my pace up and at the top of Heartbreak, I was able coast for a half mile until I regained some stamina in my legs. The next four miles (20-24) were getting more and more difficult as the course was taking its toll on me. As I looked up I saw a banner on the course that read "O.K. LEGS, THIS IS WHERE THE BRAIN TAKES OVER". This banner was strategically placed by the Adidas Company, because that was exactly where all of my training had brought me, this was the point where you cross the discomfort level, and your brain begins to will your legs and feet to turn-over. At mile 25, my feet were numb but that just meant I didn't have to bother with them any more, at before mile 26, I made my final turn onto Boylston street and the sight of the finish line was all I needed to give whatever kick I had left in my body. I crossed the finish line in 3 hours 10 minutes and 30 seconds. Considering some of the setbacks I had in my training, I was extremely happy with that time, it qualifies me to run next year's Boston Marathon.

Keith Kolacia