Crossroads

Tonight was a very eventful run from the Woodland T station to Crossroads pub--aka Crossroads run, which is just under 9 miles. I started out with fellow DFMC runner, running buddy for the night, Sarah Said She Did. Along the way we also picked up DFMC stragglers and lonesome souls out for an enjoyable, yet humid and damp run. Actually, we only just came across Meredith who was stretching off the side of Commonwealth Ave.

So we set off, a couple Bates grads, and me in my Kappa shorts - camo shirt - and a nike jacket. Sarah and I were just going on and on about the parts that we really hated about miles 17 - 21 from the marathon last year, but swore to myself that this year will be different. Just more prepared this year, not stressed out, and did I say more prepared?

I did not alert my running buddy that come the halfway point of the run I would pick up my pace. But at least I heard from Sarah and Meredith that they were glad I was running faster on the second half of the run because it forced them to push harder. I hope it doesn't impact their runs Saturday.

And to the water cooler talk for Friday morning. I learned tonight that each major sponsor, Nike, Addidas, New Balance, Asics, etc...have to partner with a running/sporting store in Boston in order to get to the Marathon Expo. So my sponsor (I wish) Nike is partnering with City Sports, and has a 26.2 Marathon trolley that will be around the streets of Boston, and on the course, for the days (17) leading up to the Marathon. Tonight the Trolley was on Beacon St, just after Cleveland Circle. If I needed water, G, powerbars, or as Meredith needed a hair-tie, this Trolley is the stop. I'll look for the Trolley again so they can give me some sneakers.

Then the run got more exciting as we saw old faces, and familiar faces, on Beacon St. For the sake of anonymity, I'll say that Sarah and I ran by Dill Bavidson. I'm not one for a stop and chat on a long run, it might have been awkward anyways. I actually haven't seen a friend while running in a long time, but tonight in Washington Square, Meredith saw a friend from her class at Bates. Try this for a stop and chat, run for 6.5 miles--try to gather as much info as possible--where are you working? What are you doing these days? Are you running the Boston Marathon? All of which are questions one has to be prepared for, but as soon as the Walk light is on, the conversation is over.

Towards the end of the run I was pushing it, but kept hoping my running buddies were not fading. Food really motivates me, therefore I picked up my pace anticipating pizza at Crossroads. This bar is really the underground scene for runners, which makes me wonder why we have to share the second floor with BU students. Are they not bothered by our stink after a 9 mile run? So as runners gather at the pub for beer and pizza, there is also a beirut tournament every Thursday night. Soon enough I'll want to enjoy both running and competing in a beirut tournament.

As I want to wrap this up, with a head-ache and a good night of sleep ahead of me, I can say that I am excited for the next 2 1/2 weeks before the Boston Marathon.