I came into this year’s Boston Marathon with a little uncertainty after dealing with some knee issues during the final stretch of training. Because of that, I knew the smartest approach would be to stay patient early, run within myself, and trust that good decisions in the first half usually matter most on a course like Boston.
The weather on race day was just about perfect, which made it easier to settle in and stay relaxed through the early miles. I focused on keeping the effort controlled and not getting carried away by the excitement of the opening downhill miles. Boston rewards discipline, and I wanted to make sure I had something left when the course started asking tough questions later on. One of the most memorable moments of the day came in Wellesley College Scream Tunnel. Just before entering my favorite part of the course, I spotted my parents on the sidelines. This was my fourth Boston, but the first time they had ever been able to see me run it in person. Seeing them there gave me a real emotional lift, and then stepping straight into the roar of the Scream Tunnel was the kind of energy boost only Boston can provide. From there, the race continued to unfold well. Because I had stayed patient early, I felt strong heading into the Newton hills and was able to run those miles steadily without ever feeling like I was hanging on. I never hit the wall, and by the closing miles I knew I was putting together one of my best races on this course. I crossed the finish line in 3:15 — my fastest Boston yet. More than anything, this race was a reminder of how valuable smart pacing can be, especially in Boston. It’s easy to get caught up early, but patience can pay off in a big way over the final 10 miles. This year, it certainly did for me.