I
first ran the BSR in 1998. The BSR is my only streak – yesterday was
number 19. It was my first “big” race although at that time big was
5,000 runners – no waves, no chips. You saw your results by buying the
Monday edition of the Daily News and combing thru the thousands of
names. My audio memory of that day: I heard sound almost of running
water - it was the hundreds of plastic cups being crushed by the passing
runners at the first water stop. All that to let you know my bias and that this race is dear to me.
This year’s audio was the swish of hundreds of plastic ponchos. I had discarded mine at the start and was amazed so many left theirs on. Crowded but easy to move. Two collisions neither catastrophes – one runner stopped suddenly and I hit him pretty hard but he was a short, stout fellow and I bounced off neither of us worse for wear. The other was a fellow who suddenly veered to accept some high fives – if changing course remember there are dozens of people behind you. Pretty amazing that several musicians persevered and played for us in the rain. My favorites were the band at Temple and the singer at City Hall doing Sweet Caroline with many chanting in the chorus. In 2013 after the Boston Bombing they played Sweet Caroline over and over at the BSR start – when someone beside me complained I explained it was to honor Boston. He got it right away and belted out “so good, so good” the next go around. I am simply amazed by the number and spirit of the volunteers along the course. I was convinced that some water stops would be empty but all were staffed and with enthusiasm. Even though I skipped a couple of the water stops I shouted out thank you to all. I like the ten mile distance – a big effort but not so much that you question your sanity and the time just flies. Suddenly you are at Pattison Avenue and know the over pass ahead is a half mile, and the gates a quarter. The entry into the water/food a little slow and chaotic (I never did get a Mylar) but the medal giver was just outside the food tent and there were plenty of food bags and more enthusiastic volunteers. I know some grumble about the start/finish congestion and waits and overall it is a logistical nightmare but what an event. Imagine they close off a major thoroughfare for me. The entire city is inconvenienced for me. I can toss my clothes aside and someone else is going to pick it up; I can stick out my hand and someone will place a cup a water in it, I can crumble up that cup and someone else will pick it up. And people are going to cheer for me and sing to me and wish me well the entire way. Isn’t that enough arrogance to put up with some difficulties at the start and finish.
This year’s audio was the swish of hundreds of plastic ponchos. I had discarded mine at the start and was amazed so many left theirs on. Crowded but easy to move. Two collisions neither catastrophes – one runner stopped suddenly and I hit him pretty hard but he was a short, stout fellow and I bounced off neither of us worse for wear. The other was a fellow who suddenly veered to accept some high fives – if changing course remember there are dozens of people behind you. Pretty amazing that several musicians persevered and played for us in the rain. My favorites were the band at Temple and the singer at City Hall doing Sweet Caroline with many chanting in the chorus. In 2013 after the Boston Bombing they played Sweet Caroline over and over at the BSR start – when someone beside me complained I explained it was to honor Boston. He got it right away and belted out “so good, so good” the next go around. I am simply amazed by the number and spirit of the volunteers along the course. I was convinced that some water stops would be empty but all were staffed and with enthusiasm. Even though I skipped a couple of the water stops I shouted out thank you to all. I like the ten mile distance – a big effort but not so much that you question your sanity and the time just flies. Suddenly you are at Pattison Avenue and know the over pass ahead is a half mile, and the gates a quarter. The entry into the water/food a little slow and chaotic (I never did get a Mylar) but the medal giver was just outside the food tent and there were plenty of food bags and more enthusiastic volunteers. I know some grumble about the start/finish congestion and waits and overall it is a logistical nightmare but what an event. Imagine they close off a major thoroughfare for me. The entire city is inconvenienced for me. I can toss my clothes aside and someone else is going to pick it up; I can stick out my hand and someone will place a cup a water in it, I can crumble up that cup and someone else will pick it up. And people are going to cheer for me and sing to me and wish me well the entire way. Isn’t that enough arrogance to put up with some difficulties at the start and finish.
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