Its April 23, 2003 and another Boston Marathon has passed into the record books. I'd like to be sitting here writing this article with news of a great finishing time and a well-run race but this Patriots Day it was not the case. With temperatures reaching into the 70+ range, a head wind and no cloud cover to speak of it was shaping up to be a tough day to run in a marathon. In retrospect, I was coming off of probably my best and most consistent training streak ever the months preceding the race. Four weeks of more than 100 miles per week running, ten runs over 20 miles in distance with one run at 30 miles. Rather than track intervals, I would replace this part of my training with tough hill repeats, spinning classes and cross-country trail running to build strength. My last long run was March 30 and was 25 miles in distance with some pick-ups in the later part of the run. 

Tapering went something like this: 93, 73, 53 and 35 miles on race week. There is no doubt in my mind that on April 21 I was physically prepared to run a strong effort. However, anyone who runs in long endurance races will tell you that the mental aspect is just as important as the physical and in my opinion its more important. Having suffered some personal setbacks approximately six weeks prior it was tough to stay focused on the job at hand. Race weekend I surrounded myself with my friends who slept over for the entire weekend. We did nothing but laugh, rest, eat well and stay hydrated.

We wished each other well and entered our gates to the ominous sound of helicopters circling overhead, soldiers and a greatly increased police presence. As the National Anthem was sung I felt proud standing there with my red white and blue socks and somewhat defiant of anyone who would harm any of the great people who had worked so hard for the privilege of running. The gun sounded and I was pulled along through the start along with the thousands of other runners all there for different reasons, some from far away places but all with the goal of finishing the 26.2 mile run to Boston.

My early splits were right on pace with my personal goal of running 2:45 for the distance. 5K-19: 37, 10K-38: 25, 15K-57: 49, 20K-1: 17:59, 1/2- 1:22:23, 25K-1: 38:58, 30K-2: 02:40. 

Around the half way point running past the screaming college women I found myself having tunnel vision and my stomach was in somewhat of a funk. I no longer paid attention to the crowds and began to recognize the early signs of trouble. I continued to push the pace but someplace between 25 and 30K my turnover slowed and the desire to continue was gone. My friend Dave Hannon who writes for NE Runner Magazine under the pen name of the "Trail Troll" was waiting to cheer me on at the 19-mile mark and that was my out. I stopped my watch and stepped off the course. For me the race was over.

           Paul Young