Traveling There

Bring approx. $200 in US cash or travelers cheques but you can use credit cards and ATMs everywhere.  At the race expo cash sometimes means you don't have to pay taxes.   Pack lightly for carry-on only, one bag and a small pack (the bag you bring to the start line), and an expandable tube (available at Loomis & Toles to protect all those great posters from the race expo).

 

Bring gels, race morning snack food (this you can get at Boston food stores too), body rubs, epsom salts and running gear that you need. You might find it in Boston at the busy expo or stores, but you might not, so don't take a chance, bring it with you.

 

If flying, when you land, take the MTA (subway) from the airport (catch a shuttle bus from terminal to subway on airport property) DO NOT take a cab downtown on a weekday because traffic is deadly. Subway takes 20 min.  Just ask about where your destination is.
If driving, make frequent stops to get out and stretch and walk keep drinking enroute to keep hydrated you won't need the car all weekend if staying downtown so just park it.

 

In Boston

Use a map to learn where your hotel is in relation to Boylston and Copley Square (finish line area) and the Race Expo (which in 2006 is a free shuttle bus ride from Copley Square).   Walking, a cab or the Subway are great ways to get around. Don't try to drive, as parking is hard to find.   Saturday and Sunday of race weekend, drink, drink, drink.  You ever so slowly dehydrate yourself while walking and breathing (guess which is compulsory!).

Team Canada Brunch -  visit  www.bostonteaparty.ca for Peter Donato's annual Sunday brunch get-together for Canadians, the last carbo-loading you'll need!

 

About the Marathon (remember why you're going??)

 

 

The downtown area of Boston that has Copley Square, Newbury St., the Prudential Center, etc. is the 'race area' because that's where finish line is, and where you grab the bus to the expo and Hopkinton.  Get to the Race Expo as soon as possible to pick up your race bib and goodies, and to wander around what is probably the best race expo anywhere.  Bring the poster tube and your daypack (to carry all the souvenirs and junk and water you should be drinking).  If you go with a friend(s) and want to wander on your own, pick a landmark and time to meet at.  Various running celebs are there at different times so go back on different days.   If you didn't sign up originally to take a bus to Hopkinton, do so when picking up your race kit. DON'T try to drive or cab it out to Hopkinton where you WILL encounter road closures and frustration. The buses are the handiest.

 

Some official marathon souvenirs (the better designs/graphics) sell out quickly so check these out early.  Not all merchandise is 'official' so watch what you buy unless you just like the graphics. Bill Rodgers' store in Fanueil Market (and at the expo) often has unique designs.
Eat.  Lots.  You can find bagels, fruit, and snack foods in many places, just ask. Wash it down.   On the night before the race, avoid foods you've never eaten before, those exotic, tantalizing yummies that you just know will go down well. Stay with the old standbys.

 

The buffet pasta dinner on Sunday night is fairly good and fun to go to for the atmosphere and excitement. The dinner Monday night is also (fairly) good (though you can go elsewhere for the meal) but the party after is a must-do.  Besides drinking, dancing and checking the race results, you can watch video coverage of the race in all 4 bars participating in the party. 'Dancing you say??'  Yes, a great way to stretch and the movement helps move lactic acid out of your muscles (as if you'll get lactic acid – you know how to race marathons, right?)

 

Shopping

 

In the downtown area alone you have 4 great shopping areas:  The Prudential Center (attached to Hynes) Copley Place close by  Newbury Street, also close by (end to end boutiques) and Fanueil Market in the northeast end (near the waterfront) All have snack places to stock up at.
One good place is an Italian restaurant called Milano's Italian Kitchen' near Copley Square.  Interesting stores:

Sharper Image & Brookstone (high-tech gadgets and home items), Victoria's Secret, Filene's Basement, Patagonia and Timberland (both on Newbury)

Food:  There's a supermarket on Boylston beside the entrance wing of the Pru Center and another smaller one at the corner of Gloucester and Commonwealth (next to Newbury)

 

Landmarks worth visiting

• Boston Common (huge park on your way from race area to Fanueil Market)
• Charles River scenic paths for running/walking  (very close to main race area)
• Fanueil Market
• Granary Burial Ground (many famous names and bodies- buried here)
• Fenway Park if the Boston Red Sox are playing...(ed. note - they play every year on Marathon Weekend, it's a tough ticket, try showing up at the gate with your Boston "stuff" and you might get in free like Peter Donato and Dan Major did in 2000)...
• The 'Cheers' Bar -  it does not look like the show's bar Sam, Norm and Woody are not there disappointing (you're better to live with the fantasy in your head)

 

Team Canada Brunch -  visit  www.bostonteaparty.ca for Peter Donato's annual Sunday brunch get-together for Canadians, the last carbo-loading you'll need!

Race Day

 

Speaking of fantasies and dreams, ready to run one?

Presumably you're busing to Hopkinton so get up just early enough for your usual routine, maybe a shower to warm the muscles, eat breakfast, and walk to Copley Square to the buses.  Dress warmly as it can be darn cool sitting outside all morning (or wet –bring a poncho or rain gear). Bring your day pack with your race gear (bring it all--long-sleeve top, light gloves, mesh cap, singlet), race shoes (the usual ones you do long runs in), your race bib, a book, light food, big water bottle and whatever lotions (including sunscreen) and magic pills you need prior to a race.

 

Do not go to Hopkinton without a race bag and warm gear no matter how warm it 'seems' in Boston.  You can check it in a baggage bus just before the race and it'll be waiting for you at the finish on the same bus you packed it on (according to your bib number).
You'll be dropped off at the school and most people find a piece of grass nearby. Walk around, see where porta-potties are, free massage, water, and other amenities.  Walk towards the start line a couple of streets and look for porta-potties on a side street – park yourself near there (fewer nos. using toilet).

 

Don't sit too close to the porta-potties but know where they are. Bush areas are sometimes used as substitute johnnies by the adventuresome but bury your business.  Otherwise be patient as you stand in line.

 

There will be plenty of commotion as you approach race time so don't worry about sleeping through it.
Check your bag in your bus, high-5 your friends and head down to the start area to find the corral you start in. Note the dozen helicopters/planes, and all the other hoopla around you. Exciting isn't it!

 

 

The Race

Keep to your pace! The first two miles are downhill and many go too hard here and pay for it later on Heartbreak Hill.  Drink at every aid station. You know your muscles will pay later if you don't drink early on.

 

Check your form in the window of the store at the 7 mile mark (signs will warn you).  Talk to the spectators.  Not all 1.2 million of them, but some of them. You'll have fun. There are many drunks and other interesting sights along the way!

 

After Heartbreak's downhill and slightly undulating roads from there to the last flat mile.  The CROWDS ARE AMAZING everywhere but especially in the last few miles.

 

Once you get off Commonwealth and onto Boylston, you have about 400 meters to the finish. The crowd noise is deafening and they'll love watching you blast the last part so no matter how bad you might feel, make it happen in that last stretch, comb your hair for the cameras and zoom to the finish!

 

Congratulations, you just landed a Boston finisher's medal.

 

Get water, first aid and food once out of the chutes, make your way to the buses and your checked bag, meet any family or friends near there, head to the massage building for a freebie, then to your hotel for an epsom bath & shower, a snack and a call to the Toronto media that you made it!

 

Walk/shop a few km after the race to stretch out the legs and help remove lactic acid. You'll know who did the race by the walking wounded.  Wounded yes, proud YES!  Now go to the post-race party and rock-on!

 

 

You are now a 'Boston' marathoner.

 

Michael Brennan ~ Marathon Dynamics

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