Boston Marathon

Boston marathoners enjoyed a good day of racing today.  Finish Strong Coaching was represented by 7 athletes:  Brandon Sager (2:55:26), Sara Jones (3:28:50), Ute Hagemann (3:29:09), Jane Foley (3:36:35) Kristen Gohlke (and her dad, Greg) 3:42:07,  Christelle Gigant (3:48:38), and Nora Wilson (4:16:36).  Phillip DePrang's results clocked him at 2:04:34 at the half marathon point.  Looking forward to hear more about everyone's race!!

A proud moment for these beautiful Woodlands runners who took on the Boston Marathon!

Christelle's 8th time at Boston marathon!

Nora reports, "The whole experience after last year's events, was very meaningful. Boston had everything so well coordinated, as usual, that the runners were pampered from start to finish. The National Guard was everywhere, including some residents' rooftops in Hopkinton. They were armed to the teeth. Bomb-detecting dogs were all over the athlete village yet everything went smoothly for the athletes. The crowds were more excited than ever. It was, as Stephen Smith put it, like the Wellesley "screaming tunnel" throughout the Newton Hills and on to the finish. In the last few miles, more National Guard, bomb squads, Boston Police and firefighters lined one side of the streets, with spectators behind them, with a fence in between. It was an amazing experience. I learned this morning that last year, Boston hospital had the first victim in surgery 18 minutes after the first bomb went off. Incredible!"

Nora Wilson has another Boston Marathon accomplished!

Christelle reports, "To wrap up my amazing time in Boston, I will share the words of David McGillivray - BAA Race Director, at the post-marathon, mile 27 celebration last night, as these words truly say it all: "Today you didn't just run a marathon... you came here, you ran, and you raised the spirit of this city, this state, this entire nation! And showed the world how strong we really are!!! Today we reclaimed Boston street, our city, our nation. Thank you to all of you"

Jane Foley reports, "I have been training on a small compound in a Third World country in heat and humidity. Most of my long runs were around a 0.4 mile loop of my compound. If I ran outside it was with a car following me to make sure I was safe. I have had to overcome regular power cuts in our small ill equipped gym, training alone, lack of sports nutrition (I used dried fruit) and a compound full of residents who refer to me as 'the crazy one'! It is a testament to Dana's training that, even under these conditions, he still managed to get me race ready.."

Well done!