Good Morning
If you missed watching the Boston Marathon yesterday, then you missed it.
Best. Finish. Ever. For both the men’s and women’s race.
But before we get to the finish, let’s talk about the race!
Shalane Flanagan blew out at the start like a crazed woman on a mission. She lead the entire way up until mile 20. I admit I was really worried to see her lead and keep on leading. I was hoping she would fall back early and let some one else cut through the wind and draft off the leader.
She never did, she kept on leading and leading and leading. All of that leading was also at up to 2 minutes over the course record pace. She was dropped, but true to the American spirit, didn’t quit and placed 7th with a 2:22:02, a personal best and a Boston American Record! Way to go Shalane! The race was freaking FAST! The top four women all finished under the previous course record. WOW!
Rita Jeptoo won the race in 2:18:57, well under the previous course record of 2:20:43. Jeptoo won last years race and this is her third Boston title. She is a wonderful, powerful distance runner. When asked about her win she remarked, “I came here to support the people in Boston and show them that we are here together….” The women’s race was exciting to see an American leading for so long, and then it was exciting to see if the course record would stand.
On the men’s side I admit I wasn’t expecting much from the Americans. Ryan Hall was running. I admire Hall’s faith but he is all over the place when it comes to performing in big races. Meb Keflezighi was there. Meb is the 2004 Olympic Silver medalist in the marathon and the winner of the 2009 New York City Marathon, no scrub by any standards. Meb has been plagued by injuries the last several years and he will be 39 in two weeks. With many fast younger men in the field, I felt Meb would be there, but not much of a factor on the podium.
Boy was I wrong!
Meb came out fast, stayed with the lead pack until he took the lead at just over half way and kept it till the finish. I was biting my nails the last several miles as Kenya’s Wilson Chebet, who finished 11 seconds behind, came out of no where and reeled Meb in, but had nothing left to pass him in the end. Meb’s lead got down to as little as 8 seconds! Wow! I was loving it and loving it when Meb made that left turn onto Boylston Street and increased his lead being energized by the roar of the crowd.
The last American man to win Boston was Greg Meyer in 1983, he was on hand to congratulate Meb at the end of the race.
If you don’t know Meb’s story, I encourage you to read it. His is a true American story.
On the push rim side, American Tatyana McFadden defended her win last year by winning again….on her 25th birthday. Way to go Tatyana. Ernst Van Dyk of South Africa won on the men’s side, his tenth win at Boston!
Some good race news stories can be found here, and here and here.
Have a great day.
News:
Thinking really hard on this one….thinking…..thinking…..um, no.
More jobs for Texans.
Electronic transfers are much cleaner.
Maybe I should hit myself on the head?
Lawyers for everyone.
Maybe another pick up for the GOP.
Not who you might would think.
I worked for a school district for more than 5 years, where’s my $10,000 a year?
