I barely had time to recover from the SeaWheeze Half before being plunged back into the realm of teeny shorts, at Harborthon 5K on Boston’s Long Island. We frequented this event last year, but I was a mere spectator (which, granted, meant a lot more beer). This year, I was legitimate, although a part of me longed for the good old days of lawn slacking.
This run really has no business being called a run at all. It’s a massive outdoor party that happens to have a 5K in the middle of it.
The scene: Boston’s Long Island.
Harborthon supports Camp Harbor View, which was created in 2007 by Boston’s mayor and a local businessman to provide an affordable summer camp for at-risk inner-city kids. It’s a remarkable setting, with great facilities, a beach, a baseball diamond, and gorgeous views of the city. The camp also offers year-round programming and social service support. All in all, an excellent reason for a run.
The view!
There’s customarily no public access to Long Island, so the race organizers put together an elaborate system of buses and ferries to get us to where we needed to be. We chilled while the rest of the runners arrived in installments, soaking up the pre-entertainment, the lovely view, and the warm night air. All we needed was beer and food. But no, someone thought it was a good idea to make us run three miles for it. Geez.
I love an evening run.
Before I get into the running part of this run, I’d like to remind everyone that I had done a half-marathon five days earlier. I’m going to use that as the reason this run was so tough and not the fact that I am still very bad at running, despite doing it a lot. This was a particularly stellar display of badness.
I did recall Hubby describing this course as particularly hilly, and despite my best efforts to pretend the hills weren’t there (squeezing my eyes shut and putting my fingers in my ears, i.e. turning up the volume), they were indeed everywhere. It was uphill for the first mile. And then rolling after that. It ended on a downhill, but the damage had been done. Who knew an island would be so mountainous?
So, a poor showing on my part. Half-marathon five days earlier! But that’s OK, we were really there for the cause, the feast, the beer, and the fabulous ’80s cover band. What can I say, I’m a sucker for (old) new wave. We stayed for an hour or so then jumped on a ferry to come back. By all accounts, the party kept going for at least another hour and a half. My kind of run.
Feast! There were three rows of this.
Rocking out to Rubix Kube!
The event: Harborthon 5K
The location: Long Island, Boston
The date: August 16, 2012 (this was the rain date; it was originally scheduled for July 26)
My time: 33.47 (10.53)
Hubby’s time: 21.19 (pace 6.52; second in his age group!)
The cause: Camp Harborview
The T-shirt: White cotton tee
The aftermath: B.Good feast: burgers, pasta salad, potato salad, grilled corn. All-you-could-drink beer and cider.
Stride and Joy 
Wow, I lived in Boston and I never heard about this race. I wish I did though, it sounds like so much fun! Great job on both races!
Thanks!!! It was a really good one. Sorry I didn’t reply earlier. Your comment got kicked over into my spam folder for some reason. 🙂
The run was a beast
But then oh boy what a feast
Dance it off at least
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Great work getting back into those running shoes so soon after a half-marathon. Am sure there’s probably advice to the contrary about taking such a course. Am always impressed
I think it’s cute Andrew leaves you messages! All Rich does on the internet is check his email and the stock market… *grumble*
Haha. This made me laugh out loud! You’re going to have to get Rich to do a guest blog for you. Maybe a Tonto caption to ease him into it! 🙂
The day Rich writes a guest post is the day hell freezes over. Hahha
I didn’t see the haiku you left when I posted a comment! May I use it later this week with a link to this race report? Do you have your own blog you want me to reference as well?
Wait! You’re her Andrew?! So perfect!
Ha! Yep, it’s the man himself! He got inspired by you to haiku. He’s written a few good ones, but I did tell him I thought this one was particularly awesome. Anyway, definitely use it if you would like! That would be fabulous. 🙂
It’s going up today. I want to see his others!
Awesome!! I’ll dig them out. 🙂
Yes, I’m sure there’s plenty of advice out there that says you’re supposed to rest and recover etc etc. But what’s fun about that! 🙂
I love this event – I was there, too! In fact, I ran pretty much the entire race in front of the pack of kids decked out in 80’s gear (orange shorts, mesh shirt, side ponytails) in your photo up there. It is a TOUGH course – it’s uphill both ways! I always tell people that I love this event, but I don’t love the race. 🙂
I’m with you. Fabulous event, really difficult run! I must have been right near you at some point. I was running with those ’80s guys from the start, and for a while until they peeled off. Good on you for enduring the hills! 🙂
That’s funny to see people in sporty gear dancing to an (old) new wave band. Let me know if they need a DJ next year, xx
I was so happy when I realized I had captured that guy in the orange shorts doing his thing! Ha, I could just see you in the DJ booth at this one. xo 🙂
How do you have the gift of finding the best beer garden races? I want that skill. Regarding time, you’re being too hard on yourself. That’s not a bad time for a hilly race and you need to remember how far you’ve come. So, there.
Ha, OK, you’re right. I have been told! Oh, and my beer radar is finely calibrated. Almost as much as my jeans one. 🙂
Did I see all you could drink beer? I may have to sign up for this next year.
Congrats!!
Yep, you did! And you definitely should. 🙂
Way to get out there again after the 1/2~!!!
Thanks!!! It was fun! 🙂