It’s been a while since I’ve actually run a marathon, but I’ve perfected the art of watching them on TV. Here’s how I spent Marathon Monday this year…
First off, several weeks ago I requested the day off work. My work schedule isn’t really flexible, but I can get days off here and there. In this case, I arranged to go in on another day to make up the hours. Very important: when requesting the day off to watch the Boston Marathon, do NOT tell anyone this is why you’re taking off. Most people can’t fathom why in the world you would want to sit and just watch people run for hours and hours. (Non-runners… sheesh!)
I woke up early as usual and went for a run. I listened to this Running Rogue podcast, “All Things Boston Marathon.” Chris talked about the elite men’s and women’s fields, top Americans, and also gave advice to people who would be running. Fun podcast to listen to on Marathon Monday!
After my run I whisked my daughter off to school, showered, and prepared my breakfast. In honor of the day I took out my runner girl mug.
At 8:30 television coverage started. I had my oatmeal, my tea, my phone, and my laptop. I had the B.A.A. app on my phone so I could track specific runners, and my laptop ready in case I needed to quickly google the weather in Boston, or the name of a runner I’m not familiar with. It was like a little Boston Marathon headquarters.
This year was the 50th anniversary of the first Boston Marathon where women were officially allowed to run. It was in 1966 that Roberta Gibb famously and unofficially ran the race, the first woman to do so. Why in the world did it take six more years for women to be official participants?
This year a 75-year-old woman named Valerie Rogosheske ran. She was one of the original eight women who ran the 1972 Boston Marathon. NBC had a nice story about her- she said when she was 25 years old she wanted to run the Boston Marathon. She had heard stories of women hiding in the bushes and jumping into the race illegally and figured that’s what she would do. But then that year, in 1972, women were allowed to compete officially. She said that because of all the work Roberta Gibb, Katherine Switzer and other women had done to pave the way, “all I had to do was show up.”
All eight of the women who ran in 1972 finished the race. This year, Valerie ran with 14,000 other women, two of whom were her daughters . It doesn’t get any better than that!
Luckily NBC celebrated this 50 year anniversary by covering the women’s race well (because there have been times in the past where their coverage was horrendous.). It helped that the two top females battled it out to the very end- Peres Jepchirchir finished four seconds ahead of Ababel Yeshaneh. Yep, it was a big day for the Kenyans and Ethiopians! Three Americans were able to hang in there to finish in the top ten (Scott Fauble, Elkanah Kibet, and Nell Rojas.)
The three bloggers I was tracking all finished well- yay Janae! Yay Jessie! Yay Elizabeth! I’m looking forward to the race recaps. And I had a real life friend who ran and finished- yay Karola! I really enjoyed watching and tracking.
I’m sad Marathon Monday is over! As you can see, I make the most of my marathon spectating. Can’t wait for next year!
Did you watch the marathon? Or are you one of those people who don’t see the excitement in watching people run for over two hours?- My kids think I’m completely insane.
30 Responses
I love that, Jenny! Of course I tracked some runners, including HungryRunnerGirl! She did really well and I loved reading her recap.
My first thought was “why did you take a day off, it only started in the evening?”…. forgetting the time difference in between.
I’m running Berlin in September which is a qualifying marathon for Boston. However, even if I qualify, it’s hard to get in. Oh my goodness, I would love to run Boston!
Oooh! So if you do qualify and get in, will you run it? That’s exciting! i’ll have another runner to track! Yes, Janae did amazing. I can’t believe she runs so fast and she’s got four kids, one of whom is a toddler. She’s incredible.
I love that you are so enthusiastic about this! I do not watch the race, but I love hearing about how enthusiastic you are about it! It’s always interesting for me to hear people talk about things they love because it’s so interesting how different people have different interests, but the love that people have for those things really shines through.
I know what you mean- it’s fun to hear about people’s hobbies and interests even if you don’t share them (I’m getting the feeling that you agree with my kids, that it’s super boring to watch people run for hours on end!)
I didn’t watch any of the race live, but I live tracked a few athletes that I was interested in. Yes, this is definitely something that the non-running crowd will never understand.
It was really fun to track specific runners. Now I can’t wait to read their race recaps and hear the inside scoop.
I could not love this more if I tried!
I love watching behind-the-scenes coverage of anything and you have so much insider knowledge of the field, running racing etc, watching the race and all the related back-story reminds me of something similar. I can 100% see the appeal of watching; I’ve never watched a full marathon, but am thrilled you took the day off. We have to celebrate what we enjoy!
I know a few people that have run the Boston Marathon; my chiropractor has run it 6-7 times, I think. I wonder if he was participating this year?!
Yes, I feel the same way- celebrating what we enjoy just makes life more fun. Your chiropractor must be a good runner!
I was working but had it on another computer in the same room. I was tracking a few runners that I knew.
So exciting. I’ll never run it but I’d love to volunteer at it someday.
Yes! Volunteering for Boston would be fun!
I was bummed that I didn’t get a chance to watch any of the race yesterday due to work but I heard it was a really exciting race. I have spectated and volunteered at NYCM a few times and it’s always SO much fun!
The women’s race was exciting- the men’s not as much. I volunteered at the NYCM a looooong time ago- it was fun!
Unfortunately, I didn’t see any of the live coverage. It’s too distracting for me (I’m on the computer, at work, mostly entering pricing numbers and figures and estimates, so my concentration has to be on-point). I did hear about, and later saw, the two women running almost neck and neck to the finish line. That was really exciting!
Yes, it doesn’t sound like you can do your job wile watching a marathon! Me neither- but luckily i was able to get the day off.
That story about Valerie is lovely! I love stories about the women who have paved the way for other women.
I have never watched a marathon and I will never watch a marathon, but I love that you do! Your mug is super cute.
Ha ha… you’re one of “those” people! My kids heartily agree with you.
What a fun morning of spectating! I haven’t ever watched the Boston marathon but there have been years when I tracked runners I knew that were running it. I didn’t know anyone this year, though. I love behind-the-scenes stories, too, and loved hearing about Valerie running the marathon with family members. So cool! My marathon days are behind me and I was never nearly fast enough to BQ (fastest time was 4:02) but my younger sister did qualify and ran it several years ago. It was fun to track her!
Wow, that is cool that your sister ran it!!! That must have been exciting. I was never fast enough to BQ either, although I haven’t completely given up on it- my BQ time is getting much more realistic as I get older!
admittedly, I did not watch any live coverage on Monday. I did track a few friends and of course scroll through iG to see all the posts. I love how excited you were to watch 🙂
Tracking friends was really fun! I love watching elites too though- it’s fun to look at their beautiful running forms.
I would love to watch the race but to take the day off I’d have to cancel about 8 clients (for which I would not get paid). So that’s a no-go. I’m glad you enjoyed your spectating. I would love to be able to track the people I “know” (also bloggers and IG friends). It’s so fun to feel like you’re connected to them as they cross the finish line.
I know- I also don’t get paid if I don’t go to work! I had to set it up well beforehand and make up those hours. I can’t do it very often, so i save it for important days (like this one!)
Truth be told, I never watch it. This year I was at my mom or driving back from my mom or hiking — so it was no different.
I’m glad you are able to get the day off & enjoy immersing yourself in all things Boston!
Yes, I really enjoyed it! I think more people feel like you though- not something you would go out of your way to spectate.
I did not watch the marathon and didn’t even realize it was happening until a coworker said something. Haha. I love your setup! And I love that you took a day off work to watch the race. I’ve never watched a race on TV but I have spectated at a bunch back when my mom was running regularly. I always got choked up at the finish line watching everyone finish their races. I’m such a sap!
One thing I don’t like about watching these things on TV is you pretty much only see the elite runners. It would be fun to be there in person and watch all the regular runners crossing the finish line!
Thanks for tracking me and supporting me. My recap might be a bit of a downer 🙁 I had a rough race. I think I would have preferred to be on the couch watching it on TV!
Yes, in this one case I may have had more fun than you! Since I was tracking you, I had a feeling you were not having a good day. I knew it was slower than your usual marathon time. I hope you’ve had some time to rest and are feeling better!
I love that you celebrated Boston Marathon day this way. I only caught a few glimpses.
It was really fun! I love making celebrations out of things like this.