Maine Marathon 2007

Photos from the Maine Marathon, Oct 7, 2007

I didn't take many photos at "the other Portland" marathon. I started out with my niece Kirsten who was running the first leg of the marathon relay. She wasn't planning to run fast and neither was I but we passed mile 1 at 7:45 and she was still speeding up, so she took off and I slowed down - a little. At 3 miles I was averaging 8:20/mile so I decided to continue with 8 minute miles for another 3. At 10 miles I was running under 7:45/mile and starting to think I might try to qualify for Boston, a dream I'd almost given up hope of achieving. By the halfway point the possibility of Boston pretty well ruled out any more photo stops. I didn't begin to slow down until mile 21 and by then I was 6 minutes ahead of my fastest previous time and aiming for sub 3:30. I broke that by almost 3 minutes, finished in 3:27:16, beat my previous PR by 9 1/2 minutes and qualified for Boston with more than 8 minutes to spare. What a race!

I got lost in the last mile of our drive down from Jackson to Portland so Kirsten and I had to run to get to the starting area before the gun. At least we were warmed up. The morning was cool and cloudy, perfect for running. In anticipation of the predicted sunshine I wore just a singlet and as a result was cold for the whole first half of the race.

Photos from the Maine Marathon, Oct 7, 2007

I didn't take many photos at "the other Portland" marathon. I started out with my niece Kirsten who was running the first leg of the marathon relay. She wasn't planning to run fast and neither was I but we passed mile 1 at 7:45 and she was still speeding up, so she took off and I slowed down - a little. At 3 miles I was averaging 8:20/mile so I decided to continue with 8 minute miles for another 3. At 10 miles I was running under 7:45/mile and starting to think I might try to qualify for Boston, a dream I'd almost given up hope of achieving. By the halfway point the possibility of Boston pretty well ruled out any more photo stops. I didn't begin to slow down until mile 21 and by then I was 6 minutes ahead of my fastest previous time and aiming for sub 3:30. I broke that by almost 3 minutes, finished in 3:27:16, beat my previous PR by 9 1/2 minutes and qualified for Boston with more than 8 minutes to spare. What a race!

We ran along the water for the first several miles. I managed to get one blurred picture of Kirsten before she took off.

Photos from the Maine Marathon, Oct 7, 2007

I didn't take many photos at "the other Portland" marathon. I started out with my niece Kirsten who was running the first leg of the marathon relay. She wasn't planning to run fast and neither was I but we passed mile 1 at 7:45 and she was still speeding up, so she took off and I slowed down - a little. At 3 miles I was averaging 8:20/mile so I decided to continue with 8 minute miles for another 3. At 10 miles I was running under 7:45/mile and starting to think I might try to qualify for Boston, a dream I'd almost given up hope of achieving. By the halfway point the possibility of Boston pretty well ruled out any more photo stops. I didn't begin to slow down until mile 21 and by then I was 6 minutes ahead of my fastest previous time and aiming for sub 3:30. I broke that by almost 3 minutes, finished in 3:27:16, beat my previous PR by 9 1/2 minutes and qualified for Boston with more than 8 minutes to spare. What a race!

Baxter Boulevard along Back Cove was closed for the race so we had the whole road to ourselves.

Photos from the Maine Marathon, Oct 7, 2007

I didn't take many photos at "the other Portland" marathon. I started out with my niece Kirsten who was running the first leg of the marathon relay. She wasn't planning to run fast and neither was I but we passed mile 1 at 7:45 and she was still speeding up, so she took off and I slowed down - a little. At 3 miles I was averaging 8:20/mile so I decided to continue with 8 minute miles for another 3. At 10 miles I was running under 7:45/mile and starting to think I might try to qualify for Boston, a dream I'd almost given up hope of achieving. By the halfway point the possibility of Boston pretty well ruled out any more photo stops. I didn't begin to slow down until mile 21 and by then I was 6 minutes ahead of my fastest previous time and aiming for sub 3:30. I broke that by almost 3 minutes, finished in 3:27:16, beat my previous PR by 9 1/2 minutes and qualified for Boston with more than 8 minutes to spare. What a race!

Near the first relay exchange point at mile 6 in Falmouth. My last photo until the finish. The course ran mostly through suburban countryside with houses interspersed with woods and fields and occasional views of the ocean. A few trees were beginning to turn yellow and orange.

Photos from the Maine Marathon, Oct 7, 2007

I didn't take many photos at "the other Portland" marathon. I started out with my niece Kirsten who was running the first leg of the marathon relay. She wasn't planning to run fast and neither was I but we passed mile 1 at 7:45 and she was still speeding up, so she took off and I slowed down - a little. At 3 miles I was averaging 8:20/mile so I decided to continue with 8 minute miles for another 3. At 10 miles I was running under 7:45/mile and starting to think I might try to qualify for Boston, a dream I'd almost given up hope of achieving. By the halfway point the possibility of Boston pretty well ruled out any more photo stops. I didn't begin to slow down until mile 21 and by then I was 6 minutes ahead of my fastest previous time and aiming for sub 3:30. I broke that by almost 3 minutes, finished in 3:27:16, beat my previous PR by 9 1/2 minutes and qualified for Boston with more than 8 minutes to spare. What a race!

Kirsten met me a couple of minutes after I finished. I was still half-laughing, half-crying with joy at having set my first PR in three years and having finally qualified for Boston after five years of trying. If I hadn't started out fast with her I wouldn't have done it; I'd been planning to take it easy and take photos along the way.

Photos from the Maine Marathon, Oct 7, 2007

I didn't take many photos at "the other Portland" marathon. I started out with my niece Kirsten who was running the first leg of the marathon relay. She wasn't planning to run fast and neither was I but we passed mile 1 at 7:45 and she was still speeding up, so she took off and I slowed down - a little. At 3 miles I was averaging 8:20/mile so I decided to continue with 8 minute miles for another 3. At 10 miles I was running under 7:45/mile and starting to think I might try to qualify for Boston, a dream I'd almost given up hope of achieving. By the halfway point the possibility of Boston pretty well ruled out any more photo stops. I didn't begin to slow down until mile 21 and by then I was 6 minutes ahead of my fastest previous time and aiming for sub 3:30. I broke that by almost 3 minutes, finished in 3:27:16, beat my previous PR by 9 1/2 minutes and qualified for Boston with more than 8 minutes to spare. What a race!

The race was very well organized with great support along the course and at the finish. I appreciated the space blanket; the sun was warm but the air quite cool.

Photos from the Maine Marathon, Oct 7, 2007

I didn't take many photos at "the other Portland" marathon. I started out with my niece Kirsten who was running the first leg of the marathon relay. She wasn't planning to run fast and neither was I but we passed mile 1 at 7:45 and she was still speeding up, so she took off and I slowed down - a little. At 3 miles I was averaging 8:20/mile so I decided to continue with 8 minute miles for another 3. At 10 miles I was running under 7:45/mile and starting to think I might try to qualify for Boston, a dream I'd almost given up hope of achieving. By the halfway point the possibility of Boston pretty well ruled out any more photo stops. I didn't begin to slow down until mile 21 and by then I was 6 minutes ahead of my fastest previous time and aiming for sub 3:30. I broke that by almost 3 minutes, finished in 3:27:16, beat my previous PR by 9 1/2 minutes and qualified for Boston with more than 8 minutes to spare. What a race!

They served various bars and fruit at the finish but for me the highlight of the post-race food was the hot vegetarian chili.

Photos from the Maine Marathon, Oct 7, 2007

I didn't take many photos at "the other Portland" marathon. I started out with my niece Kirsten who was running the first leg of the marathon relay. She wasn't planning to run fast and neither was I but we passed mile 1 at 7:45 and she was still speeding up, so she took off and I slowed down - a little. At 3 miles I was averaging 8:20/mile so I decided to continue with 8 minute miles for another 3. At 10 miles I was running under 7:45/mile and starting to think I might try to qualify for Boston, a dream I'd almost given up hope of achieving. By the halfway point the possibility of Boston pretty well ruled out any more photo stops. I didn't begin to slow down until mile 21 and by then I was 6 minutes ahead of my fastest previous time and aiming for sub 3:30. I broke that by almost 3 minutes, finished in 3:27:16, beat my previous PR by 9 1/2 minutes and qualified for Boston with more than 8 minutes to spare. What a race!

John found someone from Phillips Exeter and went over to introduce himself before we headed back up to Jackson.