It was an early ride up to Suffolk Downs just north of Boston this morning for the Allstate Life Insurance℠ Boston 13.1 Marathon®. The weather was absolutely ideal running conditions for a half-marathon and a 7AM kickoff ensured that the weather would stay pretty consistent for the race.

The Allstate Life Insurance℠ Boston 13.1 Marathon® started and finished at the horse track Suffolk Downs and it was fitting that at the starting line was the starting gate used for the horse racing and the bugle played just before the starting gun went off.

The course, for the most part, was a very flat course that for a good portion of the race hugged the Atlantic Ocean as you ran along the Revere Beach Parkway. The sun coming up off the water was truly remarkable and running past some of the beach homes gave you something to look at as you ran along what is the nation’s first public beach.

The support along the course and at the finish line was absolutely amazing and there was plenty of water and Gatorade along the course. Even better, the volunteers handing out the drinks were pleasant, happy to be there and even jokes that they had, “…water, Gatorade, mojitos” at one stop.

Post-race, you ever have the feeling that you can’t wait to get your sneakers off? Well, today was a little bit different. I wanted to take my sneakers off but not because my feet hurt but because I was going to donate them. I donated my running sneakers to Give Your Sole which in turn donates the sneakers to shelters and for this race would be helping out the Boston Rescue Mission. This awesome cause is a great alternative to just pitching your sneakers.

Things went well at today’s half-marathon and I was quite pleased finishing with a time of 1:52:50 or 8:36/miles. Things came together nicely on the course both in terms of the race organizing but also my running. All in all, an awesome race and perhaps next year I will look to do another one in another city!