Two Central PA runners recount their Boston Marathon experiences
A few weeks ago, runners from around the world focused their attention on the Boston Marathon, one of the most storied running events. Two years since the bombings at the finish line, Runner’s World described the 2015 version as an “enthralling tactical race” between Ethiopians Lelisa Desisa and Yemane Tsegay. Desisa pulled ahead and finished in 2:09:17, 31 seconds ahead of Tsegay.
On the women’s side, the finish was much closer with Caroline Rotich of Kenya finishing in 2:24:55 and edging Mare Dibaba of Ethiopia by 4 seconds with a strong kick in the final stretch.
Boston attracts runners from all over, and more than 1,000 of them came from the Central Pennsylvania region. We caught up with Dan Nephin of Lancaster and Rachel Moore of Harrisburg to get their takes on running and running in Boston.
Dan Nephin, 47, is a reporter for LNP, the newspaper in Lancaster. He finished in 2:58:24, tops in the 40-49 age group in the region.
Applied Race Management Services: How long have you been running?
Dan Nephin: Off and on much of my life, but seriously since Jan. 2007. That’s when I first qualified for Boston.
ARMS: How did you get into it?
DN: My dad, as a kid. As an adult, it’s an easy, cheap (well, til the racing bug bites 😉 ) exercise.
ARMS: How many marathons have you run?
DN: This Boston was my 20th marathon. I’ve also done about a dozen ultras, mainly 50ks, but one 100 miler (so far.)
ARMS: How many times have you run Boston?
DN: This was my sixth. I absolutely love everything about the Boston Marathon. The energy of the city leading up to it, the runners, the volunteers, the spectators, the history. Everything. Sixth running and it was just as exciting as the first. Sure, I might no longer do some things (one free pasta dinner was enough and I generally buzz through the expo and I skip seminars that aren’t new/don’t speak to me) but I love it. I had goosebumps in the race and not from the weather. That said, I get that not everyone loves big city marathons so I would never tell a runner “You must run Boston.”
ARMS: What was the experience like this year compared to last year?
DN: I was much better trained this year: More miles (probably @ 250 this year going into Boston than last year, from Jan. 1 to the race). More long runs. Slightly less speed work though. This winter was colder, but I was able to get outside much more than last year. The cooler weather meant I didn’t need to drink – at all – during the race. I don’t think I took water. I don’t remember, if I did. Would Gatorade have helped? Hmmm. I dunno. I didn’t feel close to bonking. I had a pack of Clif Shot Blox around mile 7 and a gel around 14, I think, vs. probably four gels last year. But, the last few miles, I was slowing, so maybe more fuel would have helped. Dunno. Last year, I drank too much water before and had to stop to pee.
ARMS: Did the weather cause any problems?
DN: I’d imagine the wind, rain and chilly temps (low 40s to start and they sure didn’t seem to climb!) combined to cost a minute or so. I never got too cold though. A friend did and had to drop. I felt bad because he put in monster training. I didn’t know how I’d respond to the weather going into it Monday morning, but I started by not going out too fast and assessing after a few miles. I felt good, so I went for it. Weather was crappy enough, though, that had I hit about a 3:03, I’d have been pleased. (I wore pajamas and a sweatshirt to stay warm and tossed them before I got into my corral. I raced in shorts, a singlet, cotton gloves, no hat. Saucony A6 racing flats. No blisters, but my twice-worn Smartwools got holes so I am going to contact them because that’s BS for $15 socks.)
ARMS: Are you happy with your time?
DN: Thrilled. My time was about one minute slower than my PR – also set at Boston – five years ago, in perfect conditions (That year, winner Robert Kiprono Cheruiyot beat the Boston record by 1:22). My time was an age-graded PR, if you’re into that. As I get older, I find myself getting into age grading big time. 😉
ARMS: Where and when did you qualify for Boston?
DN: I could have used last year’s Boston time, but my (faster) time from Philly 2013 was still good, so I used that because it put me in a higher corral.
Rachel Moore, 29, is director of communications for state Sen. LeAnna M. Washington in Harrisburg. She finished in 3:49:17.
Applied Race Management Services: How long have you been running? How did you get into it?
Rachel Moore: I started running in college as a way to get more exercise and get back in shape (I grew up dancing, but stopped when I graduated high school). I began as many do, taking it one block at a time and eventually building up to a 5k and then a 10k race. My then-fiance (now husband) and I set out to do the Philadelphia Half Marathon in 2009 and loved it and decided to do the full in 2010. We’ve been doing marathons (and racing shorter distances, as well) ever since.
ARMS: How many marathons have you run?
RM: I’ve completed ten marathons.
ARMS: How many times have you run Boston?
RM: This year was my first.
ARMS: What did you think? Did the weather cause any problems?
RM: The weather was some of the worst I’ve ever experienced in a marathon (especially given the fact that we trained through cold and wet weather all winter) and it definitely had an impact on my time. I run pretty hot and my body temperature tends to crash and ended up losing feeling in my feet and ankles in Newton. I will say, however, that despite running off my PR, I fell in love with Boston, the course, and its people. I’ve never had such a strong attachment to a race or that kind of emotional reaction to a finish line. I can’t wait to go back.
ARMS: Are you happy with your time?
RM: Despite some lost time in medical tents (getting the feeling back in my feet and ankles), I am very happy with my performance. I never let the conditions get the best of my mental game and I felt like I finished strong and really enjoyed the whole course.
ARMS: Where and when did you qualify for Boston?
RM: I qualified with a 3:30:13 effort in Ottawa, Ontario, in May 2014.