Boston Half Marathon - Very Cold & Very Very Wet

[Hedgehogs123]

If my words look a bit shaky, thats because I'm not sure if I have thawed out just yet 🥶 Sunday morning, I got up hoping that the predicted weather forecast could be wrong, but oh no, one look out of the window to see the rain literally bouncing off the ground and the howling wind and it filled me with dread 🌧️🌧️. It was absolutely awful, It really could not have been any heavier. I drove to Boston, parked up and waited for a break in the downpour to get out of the car . When it looked like there was not going to be a break, I decided race nerves were getting the better of me and I really needed the loos. So....out of the car and down to meet the rest of the running club.

Everyone was absolutely soaked standing around waiting for the various starts, with the only shelter being shop doorways and it was so cold. I really felt for the volunteers out on the course and for a few minutes, I really did think about not doing it.

Anyway, 2hrs and 8 mins later I'm at the finish line, still so cold that I couldn't feel my feet or fingers. Slightly disappointed that last year I got a sub 2hr, but knew this year with health and various injuries that I wouldn't get that again. Achilles wasn't as bad as Id expected it to be, but it was very well strapped which clearly worked. Just couldn't stop my teeth chattering and a long walk to the car didnt help!

The worst thing of all , was that the bag drop, was literally that, all the bags had been dumped into the area near the finish line, onto the ground but in the poring rain, no shelter, so all the contents of all the bags were soaked!! Everyone was sooooo cold, with no warm dry clothes and they had also ran out of foil blankets for the marathon finishers, some of whom were not in a good way at all.

Normally this is a really well organised event, but something went really wrong this year.......😩😩

[RunWillie Marathon]

Well done for getting it done Hedgehogs123 The conditions sound really challenging. 🤩

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to RunWillie]

it was indeed and unfortunately not an enjoyable one!

[AlMorr Half Marathon]

So sorry about the weather for your HM on Sunday morning but congratulations on completing it in such horrible conditions, that's a lovely photo of your 🥉 medal and T Shirt.

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to AlMorr]

Thanks, just such a shame the conditions were so bad. Never felf so cold and wet 😖

[Oldfloss Administrator]

HUGE well done to you! You did brilliantly,, wet, yes, cold yes, but wet and cold! No!

To run at all, after that length if time standing! Just awesome... I really hope you are warm, and comfortable and resting up !

Job done... you have come so, so far x

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

Thank you so much. I didnt realise just how far I had come until you mentioned it, and then I looked back and thought wow yes what a journey! I first joined this forum almost 4 years ago now (where has time gone??!) Id only just completed C25K and started ParkRun and didnt really know where my running could or lead to. Joined a running club, entered 10kms and then dared to enter a HM and in addition, so many VRBs from here that have supported me, motivated me and enthused me on this incredible journey. Completed my very first HM last year, Yorkshire 3 Peaks last May, with the Welsh 24hr 3peaks challenge Welsh and the 3 Peaks 24hr Challenge in 3 weeks (😬), never ever thought I could do any of that!

This is such a wonderful forum and I always feel like Im talking to long time trusted friends, because thats how this forum makes me feel and I'm sure it does to others too.

Thank you 🤗

[Oldfloss Administrator in reply to Hedgehogs123]

It's whizzed by...and you have had some tough times...but just kept right on!It's good to have you here with us x

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Oldfloss]

🤗🤗

[Mudita11 Half Marathon]

I didn’t want to click ‘Like’ but I must say that is an amazing time. In such conditions too!! Congratulations on doing it and the next one will be a breeze after this 👌🏻

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Mudita11]

thank you, I was a bit disappointed with the time, because of doing so well last year, but the conditions were awful, just so cold and haven't been that wet for a long time 😩

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon]

That sounds dire! I feel for you as it sounds very similar to a 10 mile race I did once and as I crossed the finish line I just kept saying, “that was horrible”.

But huge well done for even starting in such conditions and crossing the finish line is such a great time!

It sounds as if it wasn't very well organised. I’m sure they’ll get lots of complaints about the bag drop. Those conditions could cause serious side effects if the runners couldn't get into dry clothes afterwards. Let’s hope everyone was ok.

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Irishprincess]

It was honestly awful. The whole issue with the bag drop just finished everyone off. Who ever thought it was a good idea to dump everyone's dry things on a wet carpark needs a severe talking to. There has been lots and lots of complaints. Several people just didnt finish, too cold and exhausted . One guy was taken to hospital as he was so wet and cold, felt for him as he had only a few miles to go to finish the marathon. Hope the organisers learn from it!😩

[Irishprincess Administrator Half Marathon in reply to Hedgehogs123]

It does beggar belief that someone made those decisions 👎

[Curlygurly2 Half Marathon]

Oh that sounds just awful. I've had a few runs like that, but never a race... and the bag drop was dreadful, I would make a complaint....

Are you local to there? Are you doing the King's Lynn 10 this weekend?

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Curlygurly2]

sorry only just round to replying to everyone, work manic with other stuff going on as well so only just looking at emails. No I didnt do the Kings Lynn but may look at it for next year.

Loads of complaints made re the bad drop 😖

[SueAppleRun 10 Miles]

You are awesome, that sounds horrible, but you got it done and hopefully will be toasty warm by now

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to SueAppleRun]

haha wish I was (awesome that is!) but thank you anyway 🤗

[Sandraj39 Half Marathon]

Eek! Definitely a few organisational issues there…and of course the rain!🌧️😩 But a fab time for you despite this, Hedgehogs123 , and some very well-earned bling too! Congratulations!🙂👏🏅

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Sandraj39]

awful, the poor marathon runners, no dry clothes and no water when they got back,. There's been loads of complaints!

[linda9389 Administrator Marathon]

Oh goodness HH! That sounds miserable. Massive kudos to you for knuckling down and finishing it. I do hope you've dried out and warmed up by now!!!

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to linda9389]

Just awful, never been so cold and wet and wanting to get home to get dry and warm. Took hours to feel better.🥶🥶

[aliboo70 Half Marathon]

Sounds awful Hedgehogs123 , well done for getting round. I have a friend here that goes every year and she said it was pretty grim! 🌧xxx

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to aliboo70]

It was just awful, not enjoyable at all. The bag drop was just disgusting, everything just left out in the rain!😖

[Sandie1961 Half Marathon]

That sounds absolutely awful, but massive kudos to you for carrying on. I know you were a bit disappointed with your time, but in those conditions and with the problems you’ve had, 2.08 is amazing 🙌 Hopefully the organisers will learn from this year’s mistakes. Not how you want to finish a race 😠

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon]

Thanks Sandie, yes quite disappointed with my time but I knew it was going to be slow because of health and injuries etc, but it gives me a target for next year!!

Was really disgusting re the bags, we had a 30 min walk back to the car in soaking wet clothes and another 30 min drive home. Felt so cold for hours afterwards. Not enjoyable at all!

[Cowladyrunning Marathon]

Ah I'm so sorry this was such a bad race. I've seen things about it from Laura Fountain (lazygirlrunning) as she did the marathon and was also really disappointed with this race. You did it in an amazing time though!! Congratulations!

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to Cowladyrunning]

thanks, sorry for the very late response. Wow she did the marathon in those conditions, hats off to her, amazing!!

[GTFC Marathon]

My sincere congratulations to you Hedgehogs123 because we did a 10 mile training run the same morning and it was horrendous. The relentless rain and wind were so tough. I applaud you for getting it done in the circumstances and this underlines how tough you are.

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon in reply to GTFC]

it was truly awful, just cannot believe how cold and wet it was, and the bag drop, well that was just disgusting!😱

[Domolos Half Marathon]

well done for completing in that awful weather. I was running the marathon and unfortunately I fell at mile 25 resulting in a badly broken wrist. You have cheered me up with your account, at least I ended up in a warm dry hospital bed.

[Hedgehogs123 Metric Marathon]

Domolos in the Boston one??? OMG thats awful 😩 I am so sorry and at mile 25, oh no I really feel for you. I hope you are on the way to feeling a little less sore now??