Concentrating on work this morning has been hard, as the marathon plays out up in Boston I have one eye on that and the other on what I really should be doing. The elite race for the women was riveting, Tune and Biktimirova were locked together all the way to the finish line until Tune pulled ahead to cross just 2 seconds ahead. It is a beautiful day outside and although Monday is usually my rest day I want to go out and run! The men’s race was a bit more open but still impressive, Cheruiyot’s win was his fourth at Boston. You have to impressed by any athlete who is able to repeat raise their game time after time by returning to an event and reproduce a top class performance. There are so many variables in a marathon that can conspire against the runner on the day regardless of their training.

Now I’m locked into monitoring friends who are also running, thanks to the athlete tracking service. It seems that cell coverage in Boston, so from my office we have text updates going to friends watching from the road side. it is fascinating how the spirit of an event like this spreads so far beyond the pavement it is taking place on. That is very similar to many ultra events despite the remote location it might be held in. Whether it is via a text message ‘relay’ or web updates, word on a runner’s progress can spread amazingly fast and it is great that so many can get involved even though for some, it a little vicarious.

Mass marathons are amazing events to participate in, they generate some much interest and anticipation prior to the race, excitment during and then eternal memories after. If you ever have the opportunity to enter one, seize the moment and go for it!

We are all faced with a series of great opportunities brilliantly disguised as impossible situations

Charles R. Swindoll