Boston Marathon Miles 1 & 2

With the start of the Boston Marathon 13 weeks away (and since I don't have any training on Wednesdays) I thought I would bring you on a virtual tour of the Boston Marathon for those of you who aren't local.  Every week I'll profile two miles of the course and where I hope to be when I hit it (I actually hope to be a little faster but 11 minute miles gets me under 5 hours so I'll take it).  With the start of fourth wave being 11:15 (I assume I'll end up there) I assume that it will take me two minutes to get to the start so I've assumed an 11:17 start.  First up are miles 1 and 2.

The race starts in Hopkinton.  Because it's such a small town and there are tens of thousand of runners/spectators and volunteers, runners are bused out from Boston Common to the starting line.  The first mile is the steepest downhill mile dropping 130 feet.  The wheelchair racers are paced out at the start for fear that the downhill will make them go to fast resulting in a crash with serious injuries.

Mile 1 -130 ft 11:00 /11:28AM mile change -130 ft net change -130 ft

Mile two continues downward trend as runners lose another 40 feet along Route 135.  This rual two lane suburban road is teaming with runners making their way down tree lined streets before reaching mile marker two just over the border in Ashland.  Ashland hosted the start of the marathon until it was moved out west to Hopkinton in 1925.

Mile 2 22:00 / 11:39AM mile change -40 ft net change -170ft

Part 2 Miles 3 & 4 Due out 1/22

Part 3 Miles 5 & 6 Due out 1/29

Part 4 Miles 7 & 8 Due out 2/5

Part 5 Miles 9 & 10 Due out 2/12

Part 6 Miles 11 & 12 Due out 2/19

Part 7 Miles 13 & 14 Due out 2/26

Part 8 Miles 15 & 16 Due out 3/5

Part 9 Miles 15 & 16 Due out 3/12

Part 10 Miles 17 & 18 Due out 3/19

Part 11 Miles 19 & 20 Due out 3/26

Part 12 Miles 21 & 22 Due out 4/2

Part 13 Miles 23 & 24 Due out 4/9

Part 13 Miles 25 & 26 Due out 4/16