Family Time: Boston Marathon 2012

I finished the 116th Boston Marathon after enduring pain and cramps through the last eight miles of the race. I did not meet my under four hours finish goal, but I managed to finish the race in four hours and twenty five minutes. I can conveniently blame the heat for this under-performance.

The ideal temperature for a marathon is fifty degrees overcast. However, the temperature was almost ninety when I reached the half way mark. There were twenty-six water stations, and I gulped a glass of Gatorade at every single one of them, but I still got dehydrated at the finish line. Two gallons of water evaporated from my skin during the race.

I knew that I would not meet my time goal due to excessive heat so I decided to take it easy, and had some fun in the way. I shook hands with every willing spectator, high-fived every kid who extended a hand, and waved at each one of the two hundred screaming Wellesley college girls. It was not a race, it was an experience of a life time, and I thoroughly enjoyed it till the wheels fell off at mile eighteen.

I met Uta Pippig (Three time Boston Marathon winner) at the start line. I got her autograph on my back. I met Jack Fultz (Winner of the 1976 Boston Marathon) and he signed my shirt too.

Autographs from Uta and Jack

This was a different race for me for many reasons. To run this race, I raised $4200 for a charity. That was an accomplishment bigger than this race, and a life changing experience in itself. I ran this race for people suffering for cancer, and I finished this race for the friends who helped me in the cause. I am especially proud of my Pakistani-Boston community for their financial and moral support. They donated when the donations dried up, and they were on the race course when I needed some motivation in the heat.

I started at around 11 AM, and finished at around 3:30 PM. A lot happened in between.

It was eighty-three degrees and downhill in Hopkinton. Things became a little more interesting near Natick. Direct sunlight became unbearable so I tore a shirt and tied it on my head. I periodically poured water on my head to cool me down. The screaming Wellesley college girls were throwing flying kisses as if the runners were some sort of celebrities (http://vimeo.com/40489594).

I was spotted by friends in Hopkinton (Amir), and in Natick (Zaki). I met my family, and a dozen friends and their kids in Wellesley. At the finish line, my friends (Scharukh and Moushmi) wrapped me in Pakistani flag, and Hamayon took some memorable pictures. Many friends tracked my progress on Facebook with periodic status updates.

These are some memorable pictures from the marathon.