Boston, Trials and Stuff

Spent the weekend in Boston, enjoying the women's trials and catching up with a lot of old friends. First, congrats to all the Maine women for their great effort on Sunday morning. Deena Kastor with a time of 2:29:35 won, but there was a great effort and one emotional farewell from the Maine contingent of four.

Sheri Piers placed 16th with a personal best time of 2:38:46, Emily LeVan was 67th in 2:45:45 and Kristin Barry came in 73rd with a time of 2:46:41.

And in Joan Benoit Samuelson's farewell marathon she finished 90th in 2:49:08 (a 50-54 American record), beating her goal of sub-2:50 and finishing, as she did in in her first Boston win in 1979, in a Red Sox Cap! Coming down Boyleston Street, the crowd roared their adulation and Deena Kastor, caught up in the moment, waited at the finish line to show her support and respect. It was, to say the least, a Kodak moment.

The Expo was rocking on Saturday! I met up with old friend Steve Jones, the former world record holder in the Marathon. We discussed Greg Meyer throwing out the 1st pitch at Fenway on Sunday, celebrating his 25th year since being the last American to win Boston. We joked about how when "old ballplayers" come back to throw out the 1st pitch, it's OK to be fat.... you can't do that when you are a former world record holder or Boston winner?? Greg looks like he could still run 2:09.

Patriot's Day always makes Boston Shine. The city and region is energized. We are the only other state that celebrates that holiday.... Good luck, Maine Runner's and seize the day.... remember, Run Happy!