To Register for Boston or Not

Boston registration opens today. I still remember my first. It was back in the day when there was a rolling registration process, and the faster times registered first. My qualifying time was 8 minutes faster than the time I needed so I was able to register a few days before it opened to all qualified runners. Every day I checked my email for an acceptance letter, and when it finally arrived, I was over the moon. Finally, my dream of running the prestigious Boston Marathon would come true. In April 2012, I would earn my unicorn medal. 

Now if you know anything about the history of Boston, you may remember that the 2012 race was one of the hottest races in history. I can’t remember the exact temps but it was somewhere in the 80s at the start, with the forecast creeping in the 90s throughout the day. So when the aid station came into view at mile 13, I dropped out. Then in 2014, I fractured my hip. In 2019 - I finished, but didn’t have a great time. 2022 - ran a 2:58:30. 2023 - ran 3:00:16 only two weeks after running the Paris Marathon. And now here I am again, eyeing that registration window, wondering - do I go back? I don’t know. 

Running the Boston Marathon is unlike any experience I’ve ever had. The crowds, the cheering, the turn down Boylston Street - there is nothing else like it. It’s electrifying and I love it. But to be honest, the energy surrounding the race makes Marathon Monday feel like an exclusive event. The streets are lined with people wearing their Boston jackets (two words: bad juju), runners snapping pics in front of the finish line, stories being shared from past races, large groups running by the water - it’s like a 30,000+ people running cult taking over the city. In 2012, and even 2014, I was all about it. I was right in there with the best of them wearing my jacket, feeling a sense of pride and accomplishment. I was a Boston Marathoner and I wanted everyone to know it. However, I don’t feel that way anymore. People should absolutely share their joy and excitement about running the race - it’s a huge accomplishment. But after toeing the start line 5 times, why do it a sixth?

For everything you spend your time doing, you're not spending time doing something else. Along with Boston registration opening this week, so does registration for the Umstead 100 (and 50 miler). For a long time, running an ultra has been on my radar. If by some stroke of luck, I get into Umstead, that means Boston isn’t an option. (Although they are two weeks apart and perhaps I could do both.) Marathon training has been on repeat for years, and maybe it's time to spice it up a little. But I also feel a strong pull to run Boston again. I’m never sad I ran the race, except that one time I broke my hip. So for now, I’m going to hold off on registering. If the stars align and I get into Umstead on Wednesday evening (the 50 miler, of course), then it's time to train for an ultra. If not, I’ll head back to Boston. But then again, if I can race two marathons two weeks apart like I did last year, why not up the challenge with a 50 miler first, then a marathon? I do like unconventional.