Pace Setter : May 2022

Boston Marathon Voices

Caitie Meyers (She came in first for females in the Albany area-2:56:00)

 The Boston Marathon is an event I look forward to every year, and I am really grateful that I was able to run it for the eleventh time this spring. I grew up outside of Boston so Patriot’s Day was a school holiday, and my family would go to watch the marathon; as I was getting into running, watching the marathon was inspiring and I knew I would want to do it one day. I ran Boston for the first time as a junior in high school in 2009, with very little training (my longest run was 16 miles) as part of a program that raised money for my high school. Running that year and experiencing the course as a participant sparked a love for running. That fall I decided to stop playing soccer in favor of cross country, and I ran the marathon again the next spring (this time with much more adequate preparation). I walked onto my college’s cross country and track teams the next year, so I skipped a few years of Boston but ran again in 2014 and every year since (if you count the virtual 2020 version). While I have run a few other marathons, Boston remains my favorite and I hope to continue to do it every year I am able.

Running Boston this spring was particularly meaningful for me. I participated this fall, which was a great event especially after the 1.5 years of mostly virtual racing, but the return in full force this spring was something I have been looking forward to since the 2020 cancellation. Running on the 50th anniversary of women being allowed to participate was also significant for me; I have played sports at a variety of different levels throughout my whole life, and athletics – particularly running – have played a significant role in shaping who I am today. I am grateful for the women who stepped forward 50 years ago despite backlash to participate and pave the way for future generations. Lastly, I am in my third year of medical school at Albany Med. We spend our third year rotating through all the main specialties and working alongside the resident and attending physicians in the hospital. Getting onto the floors and interacting with patients has been incredibly rewarding, but the long hours in the hospital with long hours of studying at night have made training more challenging than it has been in the past requiring more runs after work or early mornings on the treadmill. I have really appreciated engaging with the local running community here in Albany, and my Willow Street Athletic Club teammates as well as the ARE have provided training partners and motivation that helped keep me motivated through an often cold and dark winter.

Boston this year was a spectacular day. I wasn’t sure if I had the fitness to set a PR but when I saw a near perfect forecast (something I don’t think I have ever experienced in all my years of doing Boston), I decided I should go for it. While I fell a little short of that goal, I was very happy to run under three hours and most importantly enjoyed the race - especially seeing Albany running friends and teammates on the bus, in the Athlete’s Village, and on the course. I’m already looking forward to 2023!

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Megan James

Boston was amazing. It was possibly the most fun I have ever had in a race. As always, the crowds emanated so much positive energy. Having the thoughts and energy of the 50th anniversary of women in the race, and my friend & high school teammate Samantha Roecker running in scrubs for a world record really helped to propel my Boston experience to another level. I ran 3:26:00, a course PR by 4:59 — I ran smart and fairly conservative, and never hit “the wall.” -2:256My husband rode his bike along the course, so I saw him several times; my parents and daughter tried to see me in 2 spots but we just missed each other. There were many other friends and strangers out there with me that day, both physically and in spirit. I can honestly say that I loved every single minute of it.

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Alejandro Gauna

The 2022 Boston Marathon may have been my 22nd marathon, but it felt unique for many different reasons. It was the first marathon I've run since the pandemic. I was excited for a return to Patriots Day, and it didn't disappoint. I arrived Sunday afternoon anxious for another great marathon experience, feeling that my training had gone smoothly and I was well-prepared for race day. That being said the majority of my runs had been in below freezing temperatures, and you never know what kind of weather that you will get at Boston in April. Although the wind whipped and the hail pelted us as we walked back from the Expo Sunday afternoon, race day weather was sunny and near perfect. Maybe even too sunny as I got a sunburn – at least on one side of me.

On Marathon Day, all of the gear drops and buses were well organized, and athlete’s village had the normal buzz in anticipation of the start. As I crossed the start line, I set myself at a comfortable race pace, and was able to stick with it for the entire course. This was my third time running Boston, and with a finish time of 2:47 it was my fastest, which I count as a success. Feeling happy with the experience, I signed up for another marathon the following day (Mohawk-Hudson in the Fall). I am already looking forward to more races and running with people again in this post-pandemic world.  

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Jeremy McNamara

I had a really good training block and was hoping to get a PR at Boston, but as often happens at Boston, the weather was not cooperative. It certainly was a better experience than the 40 degree pouring rain windstorm of 2018, and the crowd support was fantastic but overall I left Boston disappointed.

Normally the hardest part is holding back on the early downhills, but I nailed it this time around. The hardest part mentally for me was cresting Heartbreak Hill and realizing that the headwind made the downhill feel like more uphill. I made it about 3 more miles before I broke. (Picture on right is of Jeremy's son Finn cheering dad on.)

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Jessica Northan

Boston marathon #9 (8 on the real deal course — 2020 virtual). Such a unique experience every time. This round, it became evident I would be around 4 hours. The question repeatedly popped into my head: do I care about breaking 4 or can I just let up and take it a bit easier? I reasoned that I did not really care about breaking 4 (I have much better times here), but I did care about doing my best. Sometimes I run what I call casual marathons, but this was not intended to be one. So, every time that question came (and it was a lot), I put the pedal to the metal again. This race was a mental victory as much as a physical one.

Special thanks to Brian Northan for listening to my endless “should I this or should I that” options throughout training. Those questions were endless, too

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Joe Sullivan

I'm still on cloud 9 from last Monday. This was my 8th run at Boston. There have been highs and lows throughout the years. Boston has been the scene of my slowest marathon and my fastest. I ran Boston the year of the bombing and know just how much it affected people's lives. I was able to run the marathon the following year and witness Boston's grit and strength as well as Meb winning one for the city. This year was magical. I ran a 2:44 and far exceeded what I thought my body was capable of. There's a reason my wife Kelly and I go back every year. Boston will always be a special place for me because no matter the finishing time, the result is the same.

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Jessica Chapman

Boston, by far my favorite marathon, is also one of the toughest courses I’ve run. Between the hills and the highly variable weather, it often gets the best of me, but that never stops me from enjoying the 26.2-mile party along the way. I’ve run Boston five times in some pretty tough conditions, including the freezing monsoon of 2018. This year was a breeze compared to that! On paper the weather for race day looked perfect. In reality, the blistering sun without a hint of clouds or shade took a lot out of me, and I have a painful sunburn to prove it. After running this race in October 2021 and April 2022, I hope to tackle a faster, easier course before hitting the streets of Boston again in 2023. Not only is the race a blast but Boston Marathon weekend has also become somewhat of a family tradition that my daughter and husband enjoy just as much as I do. I think I’ll be back as long as I have a qualifying time and a body that’s ready to run. Karen Bertasso—my amazing coach and overall awesome human—has been indispensable at helping me achieve both without consuming my life with training.

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Emily Ann Boerger

Anticipation for the 2022 Boston Marathon was running high for me, and I am sure thousands of other runners after two years of COVID disruptions. My anxiety leading up to the race was alleviated by the weather forecast promising a perfect, crisp, sunny April morning, with a slight breeze in the air; perhaps a gift from the weather gods after a tumultuous two years.

As I arrived at the start, the athlete’s village was buzzing with energy as thousands of runners readied for the race in their own varied and unique ways, some even catching a quick nap before the start. I took in my surroundings and waited anxiously until my wave time was called. Eventually, we were herded towards the start line, with volunteers lining the path offering final words of encouragement and gathering up our unwanted layers for charity. The mile walk was an opportunity for small talk with strangers from all over the world as we nervously chatted about race goals and compared our choices in super shoes. Before we knew it, the gun went off, and we were on our way to the finish line. My biggest challenge over the first miles was maneuvering through the crowded start, but they passed quickly, with fresh legs and lots of downhill as promised. As the running pack finally began to thin out, the crowds seemed to be getting larger leading into the halfway point with the famous Wellesley scream tunnel. My legs still felt good at the half, and I surged on, still confident of the finish. All of the sudden the running felt hard, and I started losing mental focus as doubts crept into my race plan. A brief pause at a water stop got me refocused (as I also reminded myself I had just spent $300 on new shoes!), and as I reached the top of Heartbreak Hill I realized that hard feeling was the Newton Hills roaring their powers. I felt relief to be past the hills, and remembered my coach would be just two miles further on, giving my mind a focus to get to mile 23, knowing after that it would be easy with the finish so close.

Miles 22-25 were my favorites, as the streets were lined with people cheering loudly. The course got flatter and I was able to pick up speed again. Before I knew it, I was turning onto Comm Ave where I felt a different energy in the air with the finish so close. Having lived in Boston previously, I thought I knew how long Boylston Street was, but as I turned that last corner, I swear it had increased in length. As with any marathon, the last mile hurt quite a bit, but then just like that I was crossing the finish line. Two years of waiting and I was officially a Boston Marathon finisher!! After that, everything was a blur, taking in the finish, walking through the chute, reuniting with friends and family. It was exhilarating and gratifying to be done and know I had achieved my goal.

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Lauren Scarupa

I ran 3:23:27 last year and am hoping to do better. Ran 3:18:19 so I achieved my goal. I had so much fun running Boston this year! The crowds were amazing, and you couldn’t ask for better conditions! Still I can’t walk down a flight of stairs 2 days post-race, but it was worth it.

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Kelly Virkler

Well, Boston didn't go quite as planned! The sun was intense and my heart rate was probably 15-20 bpm higher than normal training right from the start. Nausea kicked in around mile 10 and I just had to suffer for 16 miles. Then 90+ minutes in the med tent for an IV and nausea meds.

I was still happy to get to experience the race again, and happy to stay under 4 hours to keep that streak alive! Thanks to my super support crew Dan Maychack , Sue Ellen Machuga , Tom Machuga , and everyone cheering from home.

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Results of Local Area Runners at the 2022 Boston Marathon
Congratulations to All!

Place		Name	Age		Gender		City	State		Time
421		Thomas O’Grady			36 M		Slingerlands	NY		2:38:58
575		Jacob Kobrin			25 M		Albany	NY		2:41:35
832		Joseph Sullivan			43 M		Schenectady	NY		2:44:58
886		J Matthew Medeiros			36 M		Saranac	NY		2:45:32
1042		Peter Rowell			33 M		Albany	NY		2:47:16
1069		Michael O’Hara			39 M		Saugerties	NY		2:47:30
1089		Brian Glikes			32 M		Albany	NY		2:47:39
1092		Alejandro Gauna			39 M		Delmar	NY		2:47:41
1626		Joseph Iannazzone			30 M		Rosendale	NY		2:51:46
1828		Brandon Darrah			33 M		Cadyville	NY		2:53:11
2002		Matthew Blair			31 M		Troy	NY		2:54:08
2025		Daniel Lennox			42 M		Pawling	NY		2:54:16
2439		Dan Brownstein			25 M		Ticonderoga	NY		2:56:39
2507		James Mccowan			44 M		Gardiner	NY		2:56:59
2519		Christopher Angier			41 M		Ballston Spa	NY		2:57:01
2726		Thomas Kelly			20 M		Clifton Park	NY		2:57:54
2786		Steve Booker			25 M		Delmar	NY		2:58:07
2954		Matt Debole			37 M		Loudonville	NY		2:58:46
3156		Jonathan Louden			37 M		Clifton Park	NY		2:59:31
3348		Bob Radliff			57 M		Stillwater	NY		3:00:21
3427		Michael Ventimiglia			27 M		Queensbury	NY		3:00:46
3531		Patric Brew			53 M		Kinderhook	NY		3:01:21
3540		James Gann			51 M		Narrowsburg	NY		3:01:23
3605		Brian Wilson			39 M		Dannemora	NY		3:01:44
3987		Derek Grout			49 M		Valatie	NY		3:03:47
4021		Ben Heller			33 M		Troy	NY		3:03:59
4095		Jeremy Mcnamara			43 M		Albany	NY		3:04:26
4255		Glenn Kasin			52 M		Saratoga Springs	NY		3:05:20
4258		Andrew Lavin			43 M		Wilmington	NY		3:05:21
4406		Emily Boerger			27 F		Albany	NY		3:06:05
4530		Bradley Lewis			35 M		Troy	NY		3:06:42
5058		Colin Crowley			44 M		Ballston Spa	NY		3:09:12
5101		Cj Minchoff			38 M		Plattsburgh	NY		3:09:21
5174		Jake Stookey			46 M		Clifton Park	NY		3:09:39
5192		Owen Harvey			47 M		Kingston	NY		3:09:43
5372		Wei Ma			44 M		Clifton Park	NY		3:10:34
5556		Joshua Farrell			46 M		Albany	NY		3:11:25
5579		Keith Benoit			58 M		Plattsburgh	NY		3:11:31
5655		Christie Macfarlane			27 F		Delmar	NY		3:11:54
6230		Katherine Guilbo			25 F		Rensselaer	NY		3:14:22
6247		Allan Co			39 M		Salt Point	NY		3:14:27
6549		David Troischt			55 M		Mechanicville	NY		3:15:35
6759		Sin Ty			38 M		Newburgh	NY		3:16:24
6942		Michele Palmer			40 F		Ulster Park	NY		3:17:06
7216		Kyle Mahoney			40 M		Ballston Lake	NY		3:18:08
7225		Kimberly Milton			40 F		Clifton Park	NY		3:18:11
	7228	Travis Larche		39 M		Plattsburgh			NY		3:18:11
	7261	Lauren Scarupa		30 F		Albany			NY		3:18:19
	7311	Daniel Moran		58 M		Chelsea			NY		3:18:28
	7317	Stacie Minchoff		38 F		Plattsburgh			NY		3:18:30
	7366	Gillian Ratay		29 F		Lake Placid			NY		3:18:41
	7716	Shannon Surdyk		30 F		Saranac Lake			NY		3:19:55
	7723	Zhaolin Cheng		47 M		Albany			NY		3:19:57
	7735	Emily Taft		31 F		Albany			NY		3:20:00
	7972	Haley Mooney		26 F		Hudson Falls			NY		3:20:50
	8461	Michael Dinicola		47 M		Ballston Spa			NY		3:22:43
	8569	Tara Travis		25 F		Clifton Park			NY		3:23:09
	8739	Greg Saint John		38 M		Latham			NY		3:23:51
	8778	Leonard Leonidas		49 M		Castleton On Hudson			NY		3:23:56
	8848	Meghan Louden		36 F		Clifton Park			NY		3:24:11
	8960	Michelle Lavigne		47 F		Albany			NY		3:24:36
	9062	Elizabeth Chauhan		37 F		Albany			NY		3:25:00
	9274	Alison Heaphy		55 F		Troy			NY		3:25:51
	9322	Megan James		32 F		Charlton			NY		3:26:00
	9457	Andrea Vandecar		42 F		Cohoes			NY		3:26:29
	9509	Dina St. Claire		53 F		Whitehall			NY		3:26:40
	9784	Christina Olgin		29 F		Schenectady			NY		3:27:42
	9999	Rudean Reynolds		61 M		Troy			NY		3:28:24
	10030	Talara Hedgpeth		38 F		Greenfield Center			NY		3:28:32
	10115	Keith Donegan		39 M		Saratoga Springs			NY		3:28:47
	10262	Christopher Scoville		42 M		Kinderhook			NY		3:29:16
	10461	Denise Iannizzotto		59 F		Lake Katrine			NY		3:29:53
	10759	Steven Tinkler		56 M		Clifton Park			NY		3:30:59
	10814	Anthony Ferreri		59 M		Hyde Park			NY		3:31:12
	11174	Brian Coyne		59 M		Albany			NY		3:32:43
	11231	Stuart Palczak		57 M		Amsterdam			NY		3:32:57
	11321	Yanping Shen		43 F		Saratoga Springs			NY		3:33:19
	11925	Jessica Cordes		42 F		Morrisonville			NY		3:35:31
	12270	Kate Forbush		41 F		Slingerlands			NY		3:37:04
	12874	Sara Billings		25 F		Glenville			NY		3:39:23
	12951	Brett Harris		37 F		Albany			NY		3:39:38
	12994	Michelle Eckler		28 F		Troy			NY		3:39:48
	13051	Paul Moore		57 M		Glenville			NY		3:40:01
	13212	Renee Wing		42 F		Troy			NY		3:40:41
	13256	Fiona Recchia		29 F		Saratoga Springs			NY		3:40:53
	13294	Veronica Armbruster		56 F		Selkirk			NY		3:41:05
	13504	Terry Scribner		51 M		Amsterdam			NY		3:41:58
	13558	Leigh O?connor		40 F		Cohoes			NY		3:42:10
	13825	Brian Sadonis		35 M		Troy			NY		3:43:14
	13849	Bill Hoffman		55 M		Clifton Park			NY		3:43:22
	13852	Shayna Russo		43 F		Poughkeepsie			NY		3:43:23
	14048	Christine Stanavich		51 F		Amsterdam			NY		3:44:10
	14049	Meghan Mortensen		36 F		Glenville			NY		3:44:10
	14098	Lauren Hamilton		57 F		Schenectady			NY		3:44:22
	14099	Cassie Baillargeon		40 F		Keene			NY		3:44:22
	14256	Lauren Zielinski		30 F		Albany			NY		3:44:58
	14522	Philip Spiezio		57 M		Greenwich			NY		3:45:54
	14607	Woody Clark		61 M		Charlton			NY		3:46:15
	14687	Paul Nelson		51 M		Albany			NY		3:46:37
	15436	Chris Duwe		58 M		Clifton Park			NY		3:49:50
	15764	Kristina Watrobski		23 F		Clifton Park			NY		3:51:32
	15778	Kyle Smith		45 M		Westport			NY		3:51:36
	15913	Eliza O’Connor		29 F		Albany			NY		3:52:10
	15958	George Weld		50 M		Rhinebeck			NY		3:52:24
	16214	Christine Clayton		63 F		Pine Plains			NY		3:53:36
	16246	Michael Ferinden		65 M		Leeds			NY		3:53:49
	16339	Rob Whittaker		49 M		Northville			NY		3:54:13
	16390	Jessica Bizzarro		37 F		Gansevoort			NY		3:54:27
	16469	Julia Black		39 F		Hudson			NY		3:54:51
	16489	Nicholas Bennett		40 M		Hudson			NY		3:54:56
	16556	Christine Piscitella		47 F		Newburgh			NY		3:55:18
	16571	Richard Loud		57 M		Ballston Spa			NY		3:55:22
	16592	Coraline Falco		44 F		Albany			NY		3:55:31
	16633	Darci Whitney		54 F		Lake Placid			NY		3:55:44
	16698	Erin Murphy		42 F		Albany			NY		3:56:09
	16964	Annmarie Hinrichsen		48 F		Coxsackie			NY		3:57:30
	17075	Sharon Caruso		55 F		Albany			NY		3:58:10
	17093	Larissa Bates		40 F		West Sand Lake			NY		3:58:16
	17148	Brendan Barry		47 M		Clifton Park			NY		3:58:34
	17355	Jessica Northan		46 F		Guilderland			NY		3:59:46
	17450	Jamie Stafford		40 F		Saratoga Springs			NY		4:00:22
	17539	Michelle Azukas		56 F		Lagrangeville			NY		4:00:55
	17708	Cailin Brennan		44 F		Guilderland			NY		4:02:02
	17819	Trudy Boulia		49 F		Delanson			NY		4:03:01
	18392	Richard Lynch		63 M		Saratoga Springs			NY		4:06:57
	18461	Jim Allen		71 M		Millbrook			NY		4:07:31
	18735	Becky Hill		37 F		Stormville			NY		4:09:34
	19253	Danny Herdoiza Morales		57 F		Poughkeepsie			NY		4:13:34
	19298	Julia Tuczynski		40 F		Gansevoort			NY		4:13:56
	19398	Martha Degrazia		71 F		Slingerlands			NY		4:14:44
	19455	Kent Rinehart		51 M		Red Hook			NY		4:15:08
	19643	Amy Van Der Kar		46 F		Averill Park			NY		4:17:01
	19786	Larry Clevenger		60 M		Saratoga Springs			NY		4:18:19
	19787	Leigh Anne Clevenger		60 F		Saratoga Springs			NY		4:18:20
	19812	Mary Buck		58 F		Mechanicville			NY		4:18:31
	19914	Louis Recchia		62 M		Saratoga Springs			NY		4:19:25
	20324	Charles Gassenheimer		48 M		Saugerties			NY		4:23:16
	21476	Ali Caruso		22 F		Cohoes			NY		4:36:05
	21519	Daniel Larson		70 M		Queensbury			NY		4:36:47
	21626	Kelly Brandt		43 F		Woodstock			NY		4:38:00
	21912	Mollie Burgett		38 F		West Fulton			NY		4:41:41
	22414	Tj Sherwin		35 M		Albany			NY		4:49:25
	22713	Brian Baker		60 M		Walden			NY		4:54:04
	22837	Juliet Hoinkis		23 F		Fishkill			NY		4:56:49
	22968	Manuel Perry		60 M		Rock Hill			NY		4:59:15
	23531	Kim Law		64 F		East Greenbush			NY		5:12:17
	23761	Todd Venetz		44 M		Wilton			NY		5:18:30
	23900	Lindsay Marinelli		30 F		Highland			NY		5:23:01
	24212	Jerry Abdelnour		65 M		Cohoes			NY		5:35:04
	24408	Michelle Skinner		37 F		Troy			NY		5:45:45

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