Boston Marathon Tips

So you’re running the Boston Marathon? First of all, congrats. Second of all, I’m jealous. Third of all, you’re going to have fun.

Boston qualifying is a goal for so many runners. I vividly remember giving a BQ time my all. And while I will say there is magic in Boston, there are also changes that could be made to make the race more equitable (topic for another day).

Today, I want to offer you some tips if you’re getting ready to head to Boston in a couple short weeks. I ran the Boston Marathon in 2018, 2019, 2021, 2022, and 2023. I told myself I would run it every year I had a qualifying time and had the chance to toe the start line and I have learned a thing or two along the way.

In no particular order, here are my Boston Marathon weekend tips:

• Arrive early.
  • Part of what makes the Boston Marathon so special is that it is a whole weekend long experience. If you’re able to take off work on Friday and Monday, I highly recommend arriving Friday and flying back Tuesday so you can fully enjoy the weekend. 
• Try not to walk too much.
  • I know I know, everyone says this. And coming from someone who has accidentally walked 25,000 steps on the Sunday before a Boston, take my advice: walk as little as possible that weekend (especially Sunday). You’ll want to walk around the expo and soak up the energy, and you should. But where you can opt out of more time on feet, try to. 
• Plan out your race morning.
  • I recommend doing this on Friday or Saturday so you can truly relax on Sunday. If you’re taking the public buses, figure out how you will get to them on Monday morning and how long it will take you. I love to hand write out my marathon morning schedule to feel as prepared as possible. 
  • Grocery shop for any carb loading help you want the days leading up (graham crackers, bagels, etc), as well as your race morning breakfast. Keeping in mind you’ll probably want to have two breakfasts on Monday.
  • If your run club offers a private bus, this is a good option. From Chicago, I know both Fleet Feet Boston 365 and Chicago Area Runners Association offer private bus options you can sign up for ahead of time and then on race day, you can sit on the buses as long as you’d like instead of waiting outdoors at Athlete’s Village. An option worth looking into!
  • That said, I used the public buses the last few times I ran and they were perfectly easy! I don’t mind having extra time in Athlete’s Village, but definitely bring a poncho or an old race blanket to sit on in case the ground is wet or it’s raining. 
• Create a spectating plan with your friends and family.
  • Boston isn’t as easy to get from spot to spot as say the Chicago Marathon. I encourage you to pick two different spots to see your people. We usually choose around mile 13, and mile 25. And make sure you know which side of the road they will be on! (I think choosing right side is easier). 
• Organize a meet-up spot post-race before Monday.
  • Make this as easy for yourself as possible. I often will plan to just meet Kyle and friends and family back at the hotel we’re staying at rather than trying to find them out in the crowds. A lot of hotels are within walking distance, so this is a good option. 

RACE DAY

• Have a chill bus ride. (bring your food and water)
  • You’ll need a second breakfast for the bus ride. Most people wake up around 5am on Marathon Monday and have one breakfast before making the journey to Hopkinton. You’ll have about an hour bus ride, so remember to pack extra food with you. 
  • Don’t be afraid to put on headphones and zone out. Des Linden does this, so it has to be good advice, right? You’ve worked hard for this, get in the right mindset. If that means you don’t want to chat to people, you don’t have to. 
  • Don’t leave your bib on the bus. Hopefully it is already pinned to you before you get on the bus, but I have seen people run back for this. 
  • Try not to think about the distance you are covering. Yes, it feels long. But don’t think about it!!
• Put your phone on airplane mode before you start.
  • It’s a long day and can definitely drain your phone battery quickly. I always recommend putting your phone on airplane mode before you cross the start line. Want to make sure you have battery for a photo at the finish line and a way to contact your friends and family to meet up.
• Start slow.
  • The energy of the start line and first few miles of the Boston Marathon is electric. It is REALLY easy to get caught up and run faster than you planned at the beginning. There are also some small rolling hills and a lot of downhill that make you feel good about going a bit faster. Try not to. You’ll thank yourself on the Newton Hills if you hold back in these first 5-10 miles, I promise. Don’t get caught up. 
• Use the energy from the crowd to carry you through the hills.
  • The Newton Hills are well known for causing race heartbreak because of where they are placed in the marathon. Yes, they are challenging, but they aren’t an automatic deal breaker. If you have trained on hills, and you didn’t run your fastest mile at the start, you can be okay here. Use your arms. Power up the hills and let the energy from the crowd pull you up. I never wear headphones in marathons because I love to listen to the crowd. I think it really makes a difference. Let them cheer for you, encourage you, and lift you up. You can tackle this section of the course. 
• Right on Hereford. Left on Boylston.
  • Save some speed for this section. When you run under the overpass that says ‘Boston Strong’ take it in, and kick it in. The noise in this section is unlike anything. Use it, and flyyyy. You earned this, you ran a the freaking Boston Marathon, and you will never forget that sprint down Boylston. 

Okay now I’m crying. (Marathons just get me, you know?)

A couple bonus Boston weekend things to do I’d recommend:

• Go to a Red Sox game. Even if you aren’t a big baseball fan, seeing these seats filled with Boston Marathon jackets is unique. I love these games. (And also it’s a sitting activity, so you’re welcome. Save those legs)
• Walk around the Boston Commons on Tuesday morning. Walk slowly, but it’s nice to stretch your legs out and the area feels so peaceful on the Tuesday. One of my favorite parts of the weekend.

Okay, you’re ready. Go get it and feel welcome to tell me all about it!!