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View from our Window111th Running of the Boston MarathonMonday, April 16, 2007
Our offices are on the second floor, overlooking Beacon Street, right on the Marathon route, just past Heartbreak Hill
Today was a drizzly rainy day. Heavy storms were predicted, but as it turned out it was just enough dampness to cool down the runners.
First the wheelchairs came through -- each one triumphant!
Then the women came through. The first woman was minutes ahead of the second, and the first five were spaced far apart. Then they began to arrive in groups.
A truck signaled the beginning of the men's group, with a cluster of runners together in the lead. Gradually the densite built up.
Robin went down to cheer, but the rest of us stayed in the warmth, watching out the windows and enjoying our perfect view.
Despite the rain, most runners the results were quite fine. 2400 runners did not show up the the start -- tht's 10%, which is normal. The other 22,000 people ran pretty close the the time they expected, with only 4% dropping out along the way.
Just finishing this course is a major achievement. As one of the commentators said on radio in the morning, "I hope each runner does a personal best today."
For me, the Marathon is an analogy for life. We all have challenges that we think we can't deal with, and we just keep going and do it. I wish everyone their "personal best" -- today and every day.
Please Plan to Join Us in 2008!We would like to make this an annual event. We will appreciate your suggestions to make our celebration of Marathon 2008 even better!
The first several women were widely spaced. This is the fourth woman runner. The man cheering on the left in the crowd is Robin Cochrane.
The men leaders came in a cluster. Up to the top left you can see the runners coming down Chestnut Hill Avenue and turning left onto Beacon Street, where they run right by us.
Where is this? While the office is normally accessible by several trolley lines, on Marathon Day it will be best to arrive at the Reservoir station on the Riverside (D) Green Line train. That will put you on the south side of Beacon Street, and you can walk around the corner to our office without crossing the street. It will be difficult (if not impossible) to cross Beacon Street once the runners get to this point (about noon) The race begins at 10 am in Hopkinton. Wheelchair winners are expected to reach our offices about 11, and runners about 11:30 or 12. We are at the 22 mile marker, Chestnut Hill Reservoir, at Chestnut Hill Avenue. See the route map.
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