Over Memorial Day Weekend I ran what has really become one of my favorite races – Boston’s Run to Remember!
I’ve been trying all week to get around to writing a race recap but it kept slipping further and further down my to do list. So instead of my typical recap, it’s coming at you Friday Five style….
Oh the Humanity
! – I think the first time I ran this race in 2011 there may have been 7,000 runners total running both the half marathon and the 5-miler. This year there were 12,000 of us hitting the streets! The race announcer said if you totaled all the human mileage we’d reach half way to the moon!
Sights and Sounds — Police cadet chants as they ran, “Boston Strong” cheers and cow bells, high-fiving police officers lining the route and super enthusiastic volunteers! Passing Faneuil Hall, Beacon Hill, the Public Garden and Boston’s waterfront.
Keep it Simple — My runs have been so schizophrentic lately that I really had no idea what to expect from this race. My goals were simply to have a solid run and enjoy the race. Coach Bennett suggested that I just run by effort and not worry about a specific pace. For half a second I considered not even wearing my Garmin, but I knew I’m just too Type A for that! I did manage to not really look at it until I hit the final mile.
New Distance — While it was my third time running RTR, this was my first time running the 5-miler. I like this distance – it’s not quite the all-out gut-wrencher that a 5K can be. And I think it (or a 10K) makes a better pairing with a half marathon than a lot of the 5Ks I typically see (oh race directors are you listening?!)
Camaraderie and Community — From the expo the day before to volunteers throughout the course and at the finish line, I saw many friends and familiar faces — and I know there were so many more out there that day that I didn’t get to see! Despite the large crowd there’s something about this race that makes it feel very “local” if you know what I mean. I loved how encouraging runners were to each other and especially appreciated the older gentlemen who ran next to me in the final stretch. He must have sensed I was tiring – we chatted for a brief minute and then he urged me to get going and finish this thing…and I thanked him and I did!
This is race is really well done. If you ever plan to be in Boston on Memorial Day weekend, I highly encourage you to register for this one!
Do you have a favorite race you’ve run again and again?
Awesome! What beautiful bling too! I’m always envious of your Boston races. How cool a race with 12k runners could feel “local”!
Marcia recently posted…A Runner Walks Up To a Barre…
The races through Boston are always special. You need to come back this way!
I keep hearing about this one, but your post made me put it on my to do list…maybe next year 🙂
AmyC recently posted…Five Gym Bag Summer Must Haves
Yes do it! I’m almost certain I’ll be running it again!
This sounds like such a wonderful race! One of my favorite races is the Lancaster (NH ) Road Race 5K.
Oh you should come down and run it sometime 🙂
Michelle recently posted…Friday Five – Summertime!
I would love to run this race! The support of other runners never ceases to amaze me.
jill conyers recently posted…5 Things: Peace of Mind Edition
Never ceases to amaze me either Jill – just love the running community!
Michelle recently posted…Friday Five – Summertime!
Thats awesome Michelle! Sounds like it is doing its purpose, and would be a lot of fun too! I have not done a race over and over as I have not settled somewhere yet, but I did a few races in philly both years! Hopefully I will find a new home, and do some race over and over 🙂
Tina Muir recently posted…Final Training Update for the 2014 Spring Season
Thanks Tina – it’s been fun to run this one multiple times!
Michelle recently posted…Friday Five – Summertime!
I really want to do this race, but every Memorial Day weekend our friends come down to help us put our pool up. Maybe I’ll just have to squeeze it in there next year.
Courtney @ Don’t Blink. Just Run. recently posted…Tough Mudder Recap
Yes definitely! I think you’d like it!
Michelle recently posted…Friday Five – Summertime!