By Dave Zelman

Well the crew has been back from Boston since April 21st. and finally found time for a short story. The principal characters are, myself, Dave Zelman and Jeff Kathan running the 5K. Ken Ekman and Rob Turpin running the marathon, and Steve Orth, making sure we stayed out of trouble and sober.

Jeff and Steve arrived a few hours before the rest of the crew and were partaking some of the culture across the street from the hotel in one of the hot nite spots. Of course it was windy and raining for Boston this time of the year and stayed that way except for the marathon and our last day for sight seeing.

Next to the hotel was a UNO PIZZA and bar so we made it our main stomping grounds for eating and such. We macked down on hamburgers and salad. Of course we made good friends with the waitress and had xlnt service. We made this a habit each nite we were there. Even the manager welcomed us like brothers when she found out we were there for the race's. She made sure we were never ignored and sat and shot the breeze with us. Most of the girls there had cute funny accent's and were just as cute as could be.

We purchased a week pass on the subway, if you have never ridden one, it's just like in the movies: LOUD and CROWDED. We arrived at the Expo around 2pm and picked up our race bags. Went into the exhibit area to buy race stuff and a couple times around the free sponsor's booths. I got enough stuff for two months. We headed back to the hotel to eat. Something we did a lot of.

Saturday we went back to the expo for more stuff then toured part of downtown. Our first stop was for lunch at the CHEERS bar which was # 1 on Jeff's list. Then to the gift shop for memento's . Walked around the Commons area and scoped out the 5K course. Ya, it rained the entire time. Had dinner that nite at UNO"S, great pasta.

Sunday for the 5K was drizzling and cold. I have never seen so many runners for a 5K. 4363+-.What a zoo. 3 1/2 minutes to the start line then everyone had to stop for at least 20 seconds. Rest of the race was going smooth, Jeff and I were doing 9 minute miles until mile two when the pack slowed down and at the last turn to Boylston a complete stop. Lucky the right curb was wide open and we dashed around the PACK. With the clock in sight, I started running like a lion was after me with Jeff hot on my heels. Set a PR for the race and if not for the crowds we would have run a 24-25 min 5K. Running at sea level after here is a dream come true. After watching the mile races we headed back to the hotel to get ready for the pre-race pasta dinner. The pre-race dinner was held on the patio of the Boston town hall. The food was so-so. Except for Ken we all went back for 2nds. Did I mention the wind was like 30mph and a wind chill of about 35'. We got the heck out of town back to the hotel and vowed never to do that again.

Rob and Ken were up early as the the last bus left for Hopkinton like 6:30 a.m. Jeff, Steve and I watched the start on the TV and the weather looked great at the start. We arrived at the corner of Hereford and Boylston around 11:30. Nice weather for about 1 hour. Did I mention it gets cold and windy downtown? Kept tabs on the guys on the cell phone. Things looked really great. Rob finished around 3:05, and Ken developed a muscle pull, you will have to ask him where and why he could not massage it out. Anyway, next year will be another chance for PR'S.

That nite we went to eat at Taco Bell and afterward Ken had us go over to Flavors ice cream parlor for a victory celebration. Good stuff. Tuesday was the best day of the trip. No wind, rain. After a YUMMO breakfast at McDonalds, we went on a harbor tour to the USS Constitution, and over to Bunker HILL where Jeff and Steve wanted to climb the 300 something stairs. Steve was the only one to make it to the top. We ate at a highly rated fish restaurant on the wharf.

Wednesday morning we said goodbye to Jeff until Whiskey Row. The flight was smooth. After dropping Steve at his sister's house a quick trip to Trader Joe's, and a Chinese Buffet for all we could eat. We did take advantage of it. The owner said to never come back. The adventure was a great experience with good friends, but it was SO good to get home!

Click on "Read More" below to see a couple of the crazies pics...