Tuesday, February 9, 2010

Heartbreak Hill (photos included!)

This past Saturday, we ran 18 miles on the Boston Marathon course. We ran essentially from the finish line, out to mile 17, and back. We carried a camera because Ryan Hall was in town, running the course for some practice, at the same time we were, and we were hoping to catch a glimpse of some greatness. We also wanted to take a picture of Heartbreak Hill to show you it's really not that scary, although the camera may be a little too kind, as the hill really looks flat :-)

 
This is Ryan heading up the first part of Heartbreak. What, in our opinion, makes Heartbreak so tough is that the road starts heading up, and then you reach a little plateau and you think you've crested the hill . . . . 

  
However, the road turns right and heads up some more. It's definitely not the steepest hill on the course, but it is most certainly the longest for sure. During the course of our run, we probably saw about 500-1000 runners out there getting some coursework in. Running in Boston, especially on the course, at this time of year is AWESOME!

  
Post-run pic. :-) "Feels-Like" Temperature was 5°F.

  
We realized we had the same socks on. We love our Wrightsocks!

  
It was even so cold out, that we had a little unwelcome visitor try to sneak in the apartment and get some warmth. We only saw him once, but did not catch him. Hopefully he is back outside with his family, FOR GOOD!

 
Super Bowl Sunday! Who Dat Say Dey Gon' Beat Dem Saints?! Check out the old-school hat. (Ryan's dad has been a Saints fan for many, many years.)

This weekend we are celebrating Valentine's Day together by running the Martha's Vineyard 20 Miler on Saturday! It should be fun, and probably a little chilly!

Also, we will leave the Haiti comment drive open until Friday, when we will take the final tally and write the check! Thanks again to everyone who participated!!!

16 comments:

Jen Feeny said...

Very cool to get to run parts of the course! I just forwarded this post to my bf as he is running Boston in April! :)

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

That is great that you get to practice the TOUGH course. Too bad you did not see Mr. Hall. SOunds like a GREAT way to spend Valentines.

Unknown said...

Bethany, I'm so proud of you stalking Ryan Hall. When you said Ryan was running up the hill, I thought it was Ryan Hall, too funny! It's nice to see that hill uncrowded, I didn't recognize it without a zillion people heading up. Thanks for the neat pictures and I hope you catch your little friend soon!

Streaker said...

That hill does not look too bad. The Miracle Match Marathon in Waco, Texas is so hilly, they put the course elevation chart on the back of the race T-shirt. The Bataan Death March Memorial Marathon in New Mexico has a continuous four and a half mile climb up the side of a mountain. I live in hilly East Texas, so hill training is part of our routine. By the way, Bethany, thanks again for that suggestion on the counter. The number of hits really surprized me. And, I had never noticed that "Next Blog" button.

Michelle said...

Awesome pictures! What fun to be able so close and be able to run that!

Jen said...

THanks for those pictures... I heard horror stores of HB Hill.

Emily said...

This actually doesn't look that scary! Thanks for posting to boost my confidence! Looks like a fun run.

Marlene said...

I remember when we visited Boston, I was so excited about running Heartbreak Hill. Then the photos did not capture it well at all.

Sounds like a great run!

Spike said...

Morgan sent this along to me, as I've been having some 'concerns' about Heartbreak Hill. I live in the flatland of Michigan. Most of our hills are speed-bumps. I know, it isn’t that funny.

I love that you have matching socks.

RunToTheFinish said...

I think what makes it so tough are all the miles before that dang hill..ok I've never run the hill so what do I know!

Colleen said...

So will you get another diamond ring at the Boston Marathon this year? What...isn't it a tradition?

Denise said...

a local park around here has a hill that everyone who has run Boston said is just like heartbreak hill. needless to say, i run there a lot. Boston may be a year away, but I'm going to be ready!

Hannah said...

How awesome to live in a city with so many runners! Glad you had a great day of running!

MCM Mama said...

Hey, there's a little something special on my blog for you today.

Mel -Tall Mom on the Run said...

GRavity?? REally?? YOu are funny.. I wish I had a little less gravity when I run..

Anonymous said...

Hey Bethany! Thanks for stopping by my blog! Unfortunately, I don't have blogspot, so I don't think there is a way to technically "follow" me. But do you use Google Reader? You can add me that way. Also, I just made it so you can now "subscribe" to my blog (found on the right column), which sends you emails when I post on my blog. Sorry I couldn't help more! I love your blog! Hope you continue to stop by :)