2008 Women's Olympic Marathon Trials

Boston was the center of the marathon universe this past weekend. As usual, the Boston Marathon was held on Patriots Day. On Sunday, about 150 women competed in the U.S. Olympic Marathon trials. Deena Kastor (left) placed first with a masterful, come-from-behind performance.

But Joan Samuelson (right) was definitely the crowd favorite. Nearly thirty years after winning the 1979 Boston Marathon, she ended her competitive career just like she began it -- running down Bolyston Street wearing a Red Sox cap. Finishing in 2:49:08, she set a new American record for the 50-54 age group.

More photos in this set on Flickr.
 

2008 Boston Marathon

More photos in this set on Flickr.
 

Henri Renaud, 1890 - 1957

It's been seasonably cold in New England this week. Daytime temperatures are stuck in the teens and twenties. When the wind picks up, it numbs faces and sends people scurrying for cover. I say it's about time. Although I've enjoyed this mild winter as much as anyone, there's been something missing; a figurative cloud hanging over us. The cold weather this week has set things straight.

Believe it or not, one of the things I've missed is cold weather running. I realize most people don't understand the attraction of running outside in the cold. When I run during the day at work, people question my sanity. I could try to convince you we cold weather runners are an incredibly hardy lot, a cut above the rest, but I'd be lying. After all, most of us depend on layers and layers of high tech clothing to stay warm. Compared with Henri Renaud, we are pampered pretenders.

A hundred years ago, Henri Renaud could be seen running through the streets of Nashua, New Hampshire on cold winter nights. Still in his late teens, Henri was employed as a mill worker by the Nashua Manufacturing Company. Since he had to be at work by 6:30 AM and didn't get home until after 6:00 PM, he had to train at night. After a meager supper, he would hit the streets. I'm guessing he did so in all kinds of weather. I know he didn't have the benefit of the high tech running clothes we have today. People must have thought Renaud was crazy -- until he entered and won the 1909 Boston Marathon.

Although Henri Renaud must have trained through the cold 1909 winter, the weather on race day was a different story. According to the April 20, 1909 edition of the Nashua Telegraph race day was hot:

The temperature rose to 97 degrees, with the sun melting tar in spots. Ninety-one of the one hundred sixty-four entrants did not complete the distance, and nine men who led at various times during the first twenty miles all dropped out. Renaud was in fifty-third place in Framingham, twenty-eighth at the half way mark, and third after twenty-four miles. But, after he passed his last two opponents, he turned on the burners and won by almost four minutes.

In an interview Renaud said:

"When I started I was nearly choked with dust, but when we got going a little, I did not mind it so much. I ran my own race and refused to be coached by anybody, for I knew just what I could do and how fast I could run the distance. Some fellows wanted me to drop out, as they said I was all in when I reached Wellesley, but I am an American for speed, and a Frenchman for gameness, and I guess that will hold them for a while."

Remarkably, the city of Nashua has largely forgotten Henri Renaud today. There is no monument, park or school building with his name on it. He is well known in local running circles, but I think his story, if it were better known, could be an inspiration to everyone in the area. Despite working long hours during the day and unfavorable training conditions, he worked hard at his sport. Despite hot temperatures on race day and doubters on the sidelines, he ran his own race and won the Boston Marathon. Henri Renaud is an unsung local hero. Perhaps he is an American hero.

For more on Henri Renaud, see Allan Rube's Henri Renaud page.

Applefest Half Marathon

It was beautiful weather for the Applefest Half Marathon this weekend. I worked at one of the water stations and took lots of pictures.

This tabblo features a few of the many Applefest runners and this tabblo is a behind the scenes look at what makes Applefest so unique.
 

110th Boston Marathon

Robert Cheruiyot set a new course record (2:07:14) at yesterday's Boston Marathon. He shaved one second off the 1994 mark set by fellow Kenyan, Cosmos Ndeti. Rita Jeptoo (above), also from Kenya, won the woman's race in 2:23:38.

For more photos, see my 2006 Boston Marathon set on Flickr.
 

B.A.A. Half Marathon

Many runners have a favorite race -- a race they return to year after year. My favorite is the B.A.A. Half Marathon. Last Sunday I completed the B.A.A. Half for the fourth time in as many years. I've run each edition of the race except the inaugural 2001 edition.

Why do I keep going back?

• The beautiful 13.1 mile course starts in the Fenway district of Boston, runs out to Franklin Park Zoo along the Emerald Necklace, and returns along the same route. I've heard it described as a moderately difficult course, but the hills are nothing compared to New Hampshire hills.
  


• Columbus Day weekend is a great time of year for a half marathon. The temperature is cooler and the Fall foliage is just getting started in Boston.
  


• The race is very well organized. It is officially run by the Boston Athletic Association, but it is really directed by Dave McGillivray Sports Enterprises. This is the same team that has directed the Boston Marathon for the past several years. Each year, the B.A.A. Half organizers bring a great volunteer staff, provide excellent traffic control, and in general manage the race flawlessly.
  


• At three thousand plus runners, it is a medium sized field. It's not big enough to cause a huge bottleneck at the start, but you have plenty of company all along the course.
  


• The crowd support is great. Much of the six mile plus, out-and-back course is lined with people cheering the runners. The crowds give you a boost of energy, especially in the last two miles. The smaller New Hampshire races I normally run just can't compare.

All of the above combine to produce a favorable atmosphere for racing and, usually, I post a relatively good time. Of course, I am no threat to the leaders, but I ran a "personal best" 1:38:23 at the 2003 B.A.A. Half.

This year my time was about four minutes slower, but it was about what I expected given the amount of training I've been able to do. When you are a middle-of-the-pack runner, your main goal is to run your best possible time at an even pace. You don't want to go out too fast and finish the race slow. This year I felt in control of my pace largely because I am now so familiar with the course. I can't wait to give it another try next year.
 

Jackson Covered Bridge 10K

A few weeks ago I decided to run the Jackson Covered Bridge 10K. Jackson is in the heart of New Hampshire's Mt. Washington valley. The race web site describes the course as challenging with "a mile-long uphill starting in the first mile, rising about 500 feet in elevation." No problem. I recently ran a 12K with some hills. What goes up must come down.

On Friday, I checked the weather report. Saturday, race day, was going to be 85 degrees in Southern New Hampshire. No problem. It couldn't be that hot in the mountains. Also, race time was set for 10:00 AM, too early to worry about the heat.

As we assembled at the starting line on Saturday morning, it was at least 80 degrees. The race director cheerfully welcomed us to the "toughest 10K in New England." Uh Oh. This could be harder than I thought. I decided to just take it easy for the first mile.

The web site neglected to mention one important bit of information. The first uphill mile was followed by a second uphill mile easily as steep and punishing. Even worse, there was hardly any shade on the course. For me, it was the first time running in the heat this year.

In a word, it was a miserable race. I don't blame the race organizers at all. In fact, I'd like to go back next year and redeem myself. One rule about running is it demands specificity in training. If you are going to race on hills, you have to train on hills. If you are going to race in the heat, you have to train in the heat. Better luck next year.

Mt. Chocorua

At least I got some good pictures yesterday. Here's Mt. Chocorua from the shore of Lake Chocorua in Tamworth.