Cheers to the Boston Marathon

The festivities began Thursday night at the annual Cheers to the Boston Marathon cocktail reception at the Hampshire House (just above Cheers). A special thanks to the DFMC office for extending an invite to me, because it was a really great kick off to the 113th Boston Marathon.

The evening included many Hors D'oeuvres, most of which I missed since I got there late. However, I did not miss three mini ocean burgers, one mini cheeseburger, a few spinach and feta strudel, and an eggplant and goat cheese empanada that seemed to really miss the eggplant and goat cheese. Yes I was hungry--ran 6 miles right after work--and I realize I was not there to critique the food. Aside from the food, bar, and very eloquent setting, most attendees were there to honor Boston's two most famous bartenders; Eddie Doyle and Tommy Leonard. I should have introduced myself to Eddie Doyle, so that I would know he indeed knew every one's name--a Cheers reference that we're all too young for.

I did get to shake hands with Tommy Leonard as he was leaving the bar, and then had to google the name as soon as I got home. I knew very little of both men, but most people in this city and anyone at least 15 - 20 years older than me, would know these two gentlemen. Eddie Doyle, of course AKA Sam Malone from the NBC show Cheers, and Tommy Leonard is known as the "Official Greeter for the Boston Marathon".

Following their speeches, a cheers was made to the Marathon and all the runners, and then the Lighting of the B.A.A Lamp. Picture the Olympic torch lighting ceremony but on a scale that is a million times smaller (not covered across the world) but really holds more significance to me now. In the room there was also a slide show of Adidas sponsorship and posters--my favorite being "When was the last time you accomplished so much on a Monday".

There was a great group of DFMC runners in attendance, and we were all getting out the nerves and emotions leading up to Monday. I also chatted briefly with Jack Fultz, winner of the 1976 Boston Marathon and DFMC team coach, before I left. Jack has been all over Boston.com and other local blogs giving advice on the last couple of days leading up the the Marathon. He is a wealth of knowledge on running and has great advice such as, "Think of the Marathon as a graduation and a celebration rather than a final exam." I'm ready to go out and enjoy it much more then I did last year.

Finally I just have to add another running story from Thursday. I wanted to go out for an intense 6 mile run after work, to end my training with a feeling like I can run anything. The run was OK - not great. About two tenths of a mile from my apartment I came up to another runner who immediately turned to me and asked, "Is this the road that the Boston Marathon is on?" I answered, and asked him where he was trying to go, and lastly gave him directions on how to get to the finish line. As my uncle said to me when I told him about this story, it is like the joke--how do I get to Carnegie Hall? I could have easily answered this guy by saying "lots of training" when he asked me "How do I get to the finish line?"