The next spring I would run Boston. I started to train in October of 2002. In December I had pneumonia, but started to train again in January. I felt I was behind in my training. I was back in the grove fast and runnning well. Then I slipped on ice and injured my leg. My physiotherapist first told me no running for 5 weeks.  He then sent me to the Aquatic centre to run in the pool. I did this faithfully.

I made it.  I hit the road again three weeks before the Marathon.  Felt good and strong. I headed for Boston with my wife and friends.  We arrived at our Hotel. I was excited.  On race day I went  to downtown Boston and caught the bus.  I sat with a women from USA, she showed me a paper that family had signed and told her they would think of her at each mile.  I then showed her a paper I
had from my church that had two names for every mile telling me they would pray for me.

We arrived at athlete village in Hoptington at 830am. and sat in the tent and relaxed until noon.  I hit the start line at 1145 for the beginning of  this adventure of mine.  I was in awe of the crowds of people.  Eight thousand in front of me and twelve thousand behind me. The gun fires and we are off. 

At mile three my thighs were aching. Oh no. I kept running.  A friend at home was tracking me and reporting by cell phone to my wife telling her I was on schedule.  I felt good for awhile.  I was in awe at the crowds of people.  Especially the kids wanting to high five and pass out orange halves. I took too much water.  I went over the Newton Hills without too much trouble.  Finding them less than what I expected.  Heading down into Boston I was still on time.  at KM forty I was hurting bad and hitting the wall. The crowds of people were overwhelming.  Finally I turned onto Boylston St.  The end was near.  I crossed the finish line.  I did not see my wife and friends, they saw me.  My wife knew I was in bad shape.  I had ran hard. Not enough to qualify but I made it. Race support gave me water, food and a blanket along with my medal.  WOW.  I have a Boston Medal.  I then found my way down the streets
to the bus.  Picked up my belongings and then searched for friends.  I found them an hour later. We went to the hotel. I had a bath and went to dinner.  I wanted a big steak.  I ate my steak, had a couple of beers and fell asleep at the table.  Oh no I missed the party.  My friends took me back to the
room and put me to bed.

What an exciting time.  An accomplishment of life. Since then I have ran a 3:13 and plan on running Boston in 2005.

Running is for life, fitness and just keeping your head on your shoulders.

John Parks, Saint John, NB. August 2004

The Administration of Canadian Marathon Stories regrets that we have had to temporarily disable the individual story guest book functionality due to a spamming problem. Please leave your comments in our main guestbook at http://canadianmarathonstories.com/guestbook.htm