The Boston Marathon

Hi, Greg.

I once sucked off a guy whose brother knew someone who ran the Boston Marathon. That's as close as I've come (...er pun not quite intended) to running it myself.

Hello, R1.

I was riveted by the horror and drama of the bombing and decided I would run the following year. Then I looked up the qualifying times.

I’ll never do it but I love that others do.

Yes, R4, it was a horrible time in the city.

During the manhunt the streets were patrolled by members of the National Guard carrying rifles. On certain streets, residents were required to show identification when outside.

My father’s funeral was the day of the bombing so I was in Massachusetts. I was exhausted and took a nap and woke up to alll the news of the bombing.

It was not a happy day.

You don’t need to see his identification.

I think you should run in it, Greg! Just don't eat prunes the day before!

The bombing was horrific. At one point, after all of the people were gone, one of the Boston channels showed a video from a guy who lived high up over where the bomb went off. It was raw video and there was a lot of blood in one spot and I knew there were dead people since no one survives that much blood loss. Deaths had not been reported up to that point but came later. I don't think they should have aired that.

[quote] I think you should run in it, Greg! Just don't eat prunes the day before!

I know many people who have run the marathon, but I cannot even imagine it.

I really admire long distance runners.

I’d just flown in after a 12 hour flight. The tv cameras overhead in Immigration Arrivals at JFK were showing it on the news. Two years earlier they were showing the tsunami in Japan. It’s weird how much breaking news can happen when you’re out of contact on a long flight. In 2020, it was Trump’s press conference announcing he was shutting down overseas flights.

Today is lots of carbo-loading going on in Boston today!

Patriot's Day in Boston is awesome. hi from Arlington, Greg.

Hi, R13!

Will Wrinkle be running?

I don’t think Wrinkle qualified, R15.

I guess I’ll always associate the marathon with the terrorism, which is sad, but then again I associate Boston with the Strangler. Have you ever seen ‘The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner’? 🏃‍♀️

Thee is no race official who would disallow Wrinkle. Not today, not ever!

I'll never forget the days following when we were told to shelter in place -- essentially, do not go outside for three days. To understand how central the Marathon is to Boston you can study the shock at the bombing. The three who died had heartbreaking stories, but it affected everyone on an elemental level. I still miss Boston and that marathon. It always used to be such fun.

We grew up not far from the Marathon so every year the whole family would walk down and take our places on the bridge at the town line. For the most part it was pretty dull, as little kids we were more excited by the Boston news trucks going by, broadcasting live. One year my dad's friend Richard Mount from work needed a cheering section, so my brothers and sister and I were down there holding huge signs that said "Go Dick! "Dick Mount"! "Go Dick Go!" "Yay Dick Mount!" like a crew of midget perverts. In front of the whole neighborhood and all those Boston news trucks. I'm still mortified.

I remember seeing pictures of the bombing on weird online forums and that one older woman who died was still alive when she saw that her legs were missing. It was a horrible sight. Rest in Peace.

R19, everything you say is true.

It's been a dream top run the Boston but my marathon times are way to slow to qualify. But today I discovered that they have a 5k! Next year I'll be there...

[quote] Next year I'll be there...

Have you been here before?

You will love it.

I am reluctant to admit (because no one on DL will believe me) that I have run 20 marathons, including one Boston (and yes, motherfuckers, I earned my place though a qualifying time).

Hi, R25, of course I believe you.

Why do people want to believe that anything good or impressive that someone says is a work of fiction.

Even ordinary things like to adoption of two kittens turns into a palaver.

I think that there are some people out here who have lives that are not enviable who deal with their lack of good fortune by trying to rain on the parades of others.

Alas.

Anyway, 20 marathons! Very impressive. As I said earlier, I admire long-distance runners. Running a marathon shows commitment, discipline, and amazing athleticism.

Good job!