It was the first time I had done so since 2022, just under a year after returning the Boston area. Upon looking at my posts, for whatever reason, I did not see fit to write about it at the time. Perhaps I just wanted to experience it and keep the memory for myself. But that isn't like me.
Yet given that the Boston Marathon is an event known all over the world and I've had a chance to view it firsthand on a number of occasions, I think it warrants a few thoughts.
For those who don't know, the Boston Marathon occurs on Patriot's Day which is observed in Massachusetts and in Maine (which was originally part of the Massachusetts colony) as the start of the American Revolution. On that same day, the Boston Red Sox play a home game which starts at 11 a.m. which aside from the Washington Nationals' 11 a.m. start time on the Fourth of July are the only morning games on MLB's schedule.
When I first lived in Boston, I lived in the Fenway neighborhood. Some years, I would go to see the Red Sox play in the morning and then saunter over to Commonwealth Avenue to watch the marathon. In other years, when I was at work, I would walk from Downtown Boston to the Back Bay and take in the marathon from Commonwealth Avenue or even make my way to Boylston Street near the finish line.
I remember the 2012 Boston Marathon as temperatures neared 90 degrees. Not ideal weather in which to run a marathon.
Then came the 2013 Boston Marathon.
That year, I decided to go to Concord and visit Minuteman National Historical Park and stand on the bridge where the first shots of the American Revolution were fired. This may very well saved my life.
While I was there, Mom phoned to tell me of the Boston Marathon Bombing. Yes, in the internet age, Mom knew about the terrorist attack from her living room in Thunder Bay, Ontario earlier than I did as I stood less than 25 miles away.
I immediately made my way home.
It was a tense week as the bombers remained at large and then the whole city was placed on lockdown on Friday until the last bomber was pinned down in Watertown. Much of Boylston Street was shut down for more than a week. I remember watching people in white hazmat suits from Newbury Street. It was right out of a sci-fi movie and every bit as eerie.
Under the circumstances. I was determined to be at the Boston Marathon in 2014 and made good on my vow. But one could not get near Boylston Street. From that year onward, I would watch the marathon near the intersection of Mass and Commonwealth Avenue (as you can see in the picture above) about ½ mile from the finish line.
Of course, I left Boston for a few years. I didn't see the New York Marathon although I saw many of its participants on the Upper West Side. Since returning here, aside from today and in 2022, I have spent most of my Patriot's Day traveling from or to New York. During last year's Boston Marathon, I headed to NYC for my very first business trip.
Today, I probably spent a little over half an hour watching the 130th running of the Boston Marathon. In that time, I probably saw hundreds, perhaps over 1,000 runners. There was a mix of men and women, young and old of all shapes and sizes. Most were running, some walked. Several wore military uniforms. For some, this was not their first race while for others this was the first time they made it over Heartbreak Hill. There were people from all over the world passing by in that short space of time. I'm not sure how they did it, but they did. I have no doubt all of those people spent a lot of time and effort preparing for this race.
Could I do such a thing? Perhaps if I spent all my waking hours doing so. I've never been much good at running. Never had much speed. Although this is race of endurance. Alas, I am prone to shin splints. Besides I prefer to get my exercise in the swimming pool.
I do remember running a 2K race when I was in the eighth grade. It took place on the campus of Lakehead University in Thunder Bay. I remember running by one of the campus residences and a fellow opening his window and shouting out at me, "Fuck you, asshole!!!" That wasn't exactly the kind of encouragement I was seeking. Mom did tell me that a couple of runners from Thunder Bay made their way here to compete in this year's event. It turns out one of them also struggled during his first 2K race.
Truth be told, when it comes to running be it the Boston Marathon or a 2K road race, I think I am content to be an observer and a spectator.
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