Boston Marathon and blood clots

Every year on the 3rd Monday in April, I do my best to set aside about 3-4 hours to watch the Boston Marathon. I was fortunate to compete in four of them myself and just as with the New York City Marathon (my favorite), I make a point to watch them from start to finish on TV. Having been at these two races for eight of my total of 24 marathons and plenty of great memories, I just can’t miss watching.
This past Monday, April 16th, was no exception. I raced back home after some early wellness clients and got the TV on just after the wheel chair athletes had started and the elite women were preparing to start. The drenching rain, serious headwind and temperatures in the mid-30’s made for the dreadful running conditions that would continue throughout the 26.2 mile event.
Most televised world class marathons use the same two announcers who are full of stats and an overblown stressed familiarity with Kenyan and Ethiopian runners, both male and female. As usual, they touted the runners from those countries as probable winners, particularly since both 2017 winners were back to defend their titles.
I was pulling for the Americans to do well since the women had a very strong group. My favorite was Molly Huddle, a successful track Olympian who was just moving into strong contention for the marathon distance. Shalane Flanigan, Jordan Hasay and Desiree Linden were the other elite Americans and Galen Rupp was a strong threat for the men.
As I watched what I now term to be the most amazing road race I have ever seen, several stories unfolded. Jordan Hasay had dropped out the previous day with an injury, still leaving at least three strong American women. It was interesting to see the clothing choices in such miserable conditions, with a goal of keeping the head and hands warm and as dry as possible.
The vaunted announcers continued to focus on the Kenyans and Ethiopians as they always do. Wheelchair athletes finish first because they start first and go faster than that those running. Tatyana McFadden has been almost a lock as the best wheelchair female for several years after suffering spina bifida as a child. Her recent performances had not been up to par with a diagnosis of severe blood clots and a possible end to her competitions.
McFadden found the right doctor and although the severe calcified blood clots could not be removed or dissolved, she had been able to return to form and once again blew away the field while wearing plastic bags between two layers of gloves to keep her hands warm and dry as they propelled her along.
At about this same time, USA’s Shalane Flanigan had to make a bathroom stop. Desiree Linden, the least talked about American who had immediately considered dropping out in the miserable conditions, hung back to help Flanagan catch back up to the lead pack. Huddle had also dropped back and Linden helped her next before realizing she herself was now feeling good and none of the favorite Africans were especially strong. Huddle and Flanigan did both drop way back again while Linden powered past everybody and won by about four minutes over the second-place finisher, an American nurse named Sarah Sellers.
In the men’s race, an even bigger upset occurred on a day of upsets. Japanese runner Yuki Kawauchi blew past the Kenyan favorite to win easily. Kawauchi is a school administrator in his daily job and runs 10-12 marathons a year, a no-no for the best in the world. A virtual unknown, Kawauchi had been encouraged by icon Bill Rodgers to enter Boston.
What I had just witnessed was amazing sports TV, called “one for the ages” and the “most improbable series of finishes ever” by the announcers who changed focus as they got out of their comfort zone with so many unexpected upsets.
Two themes stood out for me. In the case of all three upset winners, “Never give up!” rang true. More than incredible, facing 26.2 miles in those conditions, mentally these athletes didn’t give up on themselves and persevered when nobody else believed.
The second theme was the return of American runners to prominence in an “world major” marathon. Americans took seven of the top ten places in the women’s race, six of the top ten in the men’s race and two of top six in the wheelchair women that included McFadden’s win.
It’s going to be hard to top this one next year!
Look for information on May’s Buck Hurley Triathlon, Foot Pursuit 5K, Ed Dupree Memorial 5K and Bare Bones 5K at www.salisburyrowanrunners.org.